5-minute listening: Hong Kong’s hit boy band Mirror launches its first English song, ‘Rumours’

2. A person is usually when they speak in their native language.
A. fluent
B. inarticulate
C. unsure
D. hesitant

3. What hurdle did the band members have to overcome in creating their new single?
A. learning new dance moves
B. singing in a different language
C. finding a language coach
D. writing the song lyrics

4. How many members are there in the boy band?
A. eight
B. 10
C. 12
D. 15

5. What did the band members compete in before forming Mirror?
A. a reality talent show
B. a dance competition
C. a singing contest
D. a fitness competition

6. If someone is “stealing the show”, they get ...
A. a lot of attention because they are performing better than everyone else.
B. an advantage by taking action before others do.
C. criticism for something they have done.
D. away with doing something unpleasant to others.

7. What are some of the band members good at?
A. dancing
B. singing
C. acting
D. all of the above

8. Which music genre has been gaining popularity in Hong Kong according to the podcast?
A. K-pop
B. Cantopop
C. Mandopop
D. J-pop

9. Which demographic is Mirror popular with?
A. teenagers
B. women in their 30s and 40s
C. young families
D. all of the above

10. According to the podcast, what have some of Mirror’s fans done to support their idols?
A. gifted them luxury cars
B. sponsored their holidays
C. bought ads to celebrate their birthdays
D. named their children after the band members

11. Which word can replace “harrowing” in the podcast?
A. torturing
B. terrifying
C. disappointing
D. suffering

12. Where did the “harrowing incident” mentioned in the podcast take place?
A. on the streets
B. in a dance studio
C. at a concert
D. overseas

13. After the incident, how long did the band members stop making appearances in public?
A. a fortnight
B. several weeks
C. less than three months
D. about half a year

14. What have been recent criticisms of Mirror?
A. They are not focusing as much on singing and dancing.
B. The group is diverting their attention to advertisements.
C. The quality of their performances has been disappointing.
D. all of the above

15. What does the band have in the pipeline according to Anson Lo?
A. a world tour
B. another English song
C. recruitment for new members
D. an event to thank their fans

1. D
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. A
7. D
8. B
9. D
10. C
11. B
12. C
13. C
14. D
15. A

Voice 1: Hong Kong’s most popular boy band Mirror launched its first English song on March 17. Its members described the new single “Rumours” as being somewhat “sexy” and “sensual”, and the song was accompanied by wavy dance moves, a stark contrast to the group’s previous powerful dance songs and funky music. The lyrics are about how rumours arise as the singer chases a crush. According to member Ian Chan, “Rumours” is unlike the group’s earlier Cantonese hits that conveyed their energetic side with an image of “a bunch of kids”. The new track shows they have become men.

Voice 2: The English song has marked an important milestone for the group, especially since the members are all native Cantonese speakers. According to member Edan Lui, English pronunciation was a major challenge, and they were all coached one-on-one during the recording sessions.

Voice 1: For those who are not familiar with Mirror, the 12-member group is part of a new wave of local singers who were embraced by Hongkongers at a time when the city was beset by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Voice 2: Mirror’s members broke into the industry after joining a local broadcaster’s reality talent contest in 2018 and stole the show. In addition to Chan and Lui, the other artists in the group are Frankie Chan, Alton Wong, Lokman Yeung, Stanley Yau, Anson Kong, Jer Lau, Anson Lo, Jeremy Lee, Keung To and Tiger Yau. They range in age from their 20s to early 30s. Some are good at singing while several are known for their dancing skills. A few have devoted themselves to acting, and others have hosted television shows.

Voice 1: Cantopop has been making a strong comeback with new idols and genres after falling behind Mandopop and K-pop for years. Local fans find the new stars more relatable, unlike their predecessors who are often seen as pre-packaged. Cantopop’s rise also reflects the city’s wider hunger to express its cultural identity.

Voice 2: Mirror’s hard work and determination have also helped them to attract a loyal following, especially among students, middle-aged women and young families. Fans are known to pour into shopping malls to support their events, with some making and buying advertisements to celebrate their idols’ birthdays.

Voice 1: But a harrowing incident last July dealt a heavy blow to the group’s rise. During a concert, a giant video screen fell from the ceiling and struck two backup dancers, leaving one of them severely injured. The band subsequently stopped their public appearances for two months.

Voice 2: While Mirror works to shake off that tragedy, it has also been battered by criticism of lacklustre performances, with some accusing the members of chasing money from advertisements rather than focusing on their singing and dancing.

Voice 1: In response, member Anson Lo said the group was trying to slow down its schedule to strike a better balance, and the members would now meet up at least once or twice a month for activities such as meetings or dance lessons. He added that the group would continue producing music in Cantonese even as some members might produce solo songs in Mandarin. The group also has plans to launch a worldwide tour possibly next year.