Hacken Lee
Hacken Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hong Kong |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, television presenter, actor |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | "House of Cards", "Red Sun", "Unchanged in Lifetime" |
Hacken Lee () is a prominent Hong Kong singer, television presenter, and actor who has been active since the 1980s. In 2013, his track "House of Cards" earned several accolades in Hong Kong, including "World's Best Song" and the "Broadcasting Index" award at the Metro Broadcast Corporation's ceremony. By that year, Lee had been honored 14 times with the "Outstanding Pop Singer Award" at RTHK's "Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards," solidifying his influential status within both Hong Kong and the broader Asian music scenes.
Early years: 1980s
Growing up in a middle-class household in Happy Valley, Hong Kong, Lee attended Pun U Association Primary School from 1974 to 1980 and later Wah Yan College between 1980 and 1987. Following his completion of the 1985 HKCEE, he participated in TVB’s new talent competition alongside peers such as Alex To, William So, Vivian Chow, and Grasshopper; however, he did not advance to the top 15 finalists. Subsequently, Lee won the Second Hong Kong 19 District Singing Contest performing Alan Tam’s "Love in the Fog," which secured him a recording contract with PolyGram Records.
While continuing his education at Wah Yan College, Lee balanced part-time singing before committing fully to music in 1987 after unsuccessful attempts to gain university admission due to low HKALE scores. His initial release, Hacken Lee EP, sold fewer than 10,000 copies, followed by Symbol of Destiny the same year. Although his early music career showed limited commercial success, Lee gained attention through acting roles in TVB dramas during the late 1980s, notably starring in "Teenage No More" (不再少年時), where he also performed the theme song. In 1989, his track "Unchanged in Lifetime," which served as the theme for ATV’s Cantonese drama "Blue Moon," won awards from both RTHK's "Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards" and TVB Jade Solid Gold Awards.
1990s
In 1990, Lee was grouped with Jacky Cheung and Andy Lau as the "Three Musketeers of the music industry," recognized as emerging superstars. Despite this acclaim, contract disagreements that year hindered his career momentum.
Lee’s significant breakthrough arrived in 1992 with "Red Sun" (紅日), featuring lyrics he penned that became widely popular. The following year, after signing with Star Record Company, he released "Look Back," which reinvigorated his career trajectory. This album earned him TVB Jade Solid Gold's Golden Award and a nomination among the top five for Most Popular Singer. His inaugural solo concert at Hong Kong Coliseum sold out rapidly.
By 1994, Lee earned the nickname "Zero Defect Vocals," joining Jacky Cheung, who had been labeled "Perfect Vocals" the previous year; this positioned Lee as a natural successor to Alan Tam.
Following his initial solo concert success, Lee’s 1995 show titled "Dragon '95 Hacken's Contact of Hear Concert" at Hong Kong Coliseum extended over ten days but experienced a 40% drop in ticket sales compared to expectations, triggering further contractual conflicts.
In 1996, after affiliating with a new record label, Lee released "When I Found You" (當找到你), which achieved moderate sales improvement. However, changes within the label’s staff and ensuing disputes stalled his album "By Hacken Side" (在克勤身邊), causing an indefinite delay.
During 1998, Lee took on the role of sportscaster for TVB during the FIFA World Cup 1998, composing and performing its theme song "Adventure of Football Fans," which culminated in a compilation album release.
Following expiration of his contract, Lee faced challenges securing another recording agreement and thus expanded into acting and television hosting to sustain his public presence.
By late 1999, Lee returned to Universal Music (formerly known as PolyGram) and launched the album "A Year Or So." In December of that year, he appeared in the musical "Adventure" with the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre.
2000s
Following his contract with Universal Music, Lee introduced singles such as "Feet of Fortune" (前後腳), "I Won't Sing" (我不會唱歌), and "The Grasp of Love" (愛不釋手) in 2001.
Toward the end of 2001, Lee teamed up with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for the "Hong Kong Philharmonic & Hacken Live" concert series, which comprised six performances. The recordings from these concerts received the "Ten Best Selling Album Award" at IFPI. In July, he released the album Flying Flower (飛花), whose title track earned numerous accolades including the TVB Jade Solid Gold Golden Melody Award, Metro Music Best Song Award, and RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Outstanding Pop Singer Award.
In early 2002, Lee staged his solo show "Hacken Lee Live in Concert 2002," garnering both critical praise and impressive sales at IFPI. He also performed TVB's FIFA World Cup theme song "Victory" and launched songs such as "Tall Girl," composed by Gigi Leung, followed by "The Grasp of Love (愛不釋手)." At the 2002 Jade Solid Gold Awards, he secured the "Most Popular Male Singer Award" for the first time, cementing his position as Alan Tam's heir apparent. Additionally, he starred in TVB's highly rated drama "Legal Entanglement (法網伊人)" and received the "Most Favourite Character" award at the 2002 TVB Anniversary Awards. Lee also hosted TVB’s World Cup coverage that year.
Between 2003 and 2009, Lee collaborated with Alan Tam on international concert tours branded as "Alan & Hacken" ("左麟右李"), performing in locations including Hong Kong and Las Vegas. By late 2003, Lee had earned his second TVB Jade Solid Gold Most Popular Male Singer award.
In November 2004, Lee joined forces with Joey Yung for a concert named "刻不容緩 (Urgency cannot afford delay)" and released a single sharing this title. Alan Tam recognized him as one of the "New 4 Heavenly King." That year, Lee dominated various music awards, winning RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Gold Song Best Pop Male Artist Award, IFPI's "10 Guangdong Album Sales Award" for his live album "Alan & Hacken 2004 Concert," and Best Sales Local Singer honors.
In 2005, Lee debuted his fourth Mandarin album Ask About Love while intensifying promotional activities across mainland China. He became the first Chinese artist to issue a DualDisc with Hacken Lee Concert Hall, a project backed by Universal Music with an investment exceeding one million dollars. This release featured live surround sound recordings captured in a concert hall environment along with behind-the-scenes footage on DVD. It sold out twice within its initial week and achieved platinum certification. By December, Lee had won his third TVB Jade Solid Gold Most Popular Male Singer award along with multiple accolades at Metro Music Awards.
From January to February 2006, Lee conducted a fully sold-out concert residency at Hong Kong Coliseum sponsored by Carlsberg Group, marking the debut of a high-definition Cantonese concert video. He also presented TVB’s World Cup program for the third consecutive time and performed the theme song "I'm Number 10." Mid-year, he recorded live sessions for Hacken Lee Seoul Concert Hall II at Harmony Theatre in Korea alongside local musicians and international artists such as David Hodges. Released in November 2006 with a high-definition DVD format, this album sold over 80,000 copies and gained acclaim among Hi-Fi enthusiasts.
In 2007, Lee unveiled a four-CD anthology titled Hacken Lee No. 1 Hits, which included timeless classics alongside fresh tracks. He participated in a Hong Kong Government concert commemorating the HKSAR’s tenth anniversary by delivering a Guinness World Record-setting performance involving more than 10,000 students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. His environmentally themed composition "Whispering Whose" earned Jade Solid Gold’s Song of The Year award. That same year marked the birth of his first son, Ryan Lee.
At the beginning of 2008, Lee hosted an eleven-show Chinese New Year concert series in Hong Kong featuring the new single "Every Day is a Valentine's Day," followed by an international tour. He dedicated nine months to producing a new Cantonese album that included contributions from notable singer-songwriters such as Mavis Fan, Eason Chan, Khalil Fong, among others. Two singles released that year—"She merciful and I'm Sad" and "What Year Is Now"—received substantial radio airplay. Moreover, he penned lyrics for songs on the "Alan Tam & Hacken Lee Concert 2009" album.
Lee also served as a host for Beijing Olympics broadcasts in 2008 and acted as ambassador for both the Standard Chartered Marathon and East Asian Games held in 2009.
2010 to present
After launching his single in 2010, Lee returned to live performances and worked on a new Cantonese album. In June, he released "Sinner," a rendition of Abin Fong's Mandarin track "Bad Guy," which earned accolades from RTHK, CRHK, and Metro radio stations. On 4 August, Lee presented a Moov Live mini-concert showcasing seven songs from his forthcoming album, officially released on 15 September. Owing to the HKRIA Copyright Dispute, Lee was prohibited from appearing on TVB; nevertheless, Lawrence Cheng secured an interview for him on Now TV’s episode 79 in October.
In 2011, Lee made history as the first artist to receive song awards spanning four decades at RTHK's Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards. He reunited with Yip Wing-sie and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta for a six-day concert series titled "Hacken & Hong Kong Sinfonietta Concert Hall 2011." Alongside his Cantonese album, he issued the Mandarin single "Deja Vu"; its follow-up Cantonese single "Sky Lanterns" simultaneously topped three major radio charts. In December, Lee appeared on TVB’s Tung Wah Charity Show—the first HKRIA-affiliated artist to perform there after the controversy.
By January 2012, Lee had secured his seventh award out of ten at the Ultimate Song Chart Awards for the song "Milky Way." He also performed at the Jade Solid Gold Awards and promoted his Mandarin album "Deja Vu" in Beijing. Collaborating with producers Schumann and Alex Fung, he developed his next Cantonese album. In March, Lee recorded the Hong Kong version of "Armageddon Prairie," the UEFA Champions League anthem for Now TV, where he additionally served as host and commentator. August saw the release of his concept album Amongst The Forest, followed by his inaugural solo concert tour across mainland China. In November, Lee hosted TVB’s game show "Minute to Win It," which achieved impressive viewership ratings.
In January 2013, Lee earned another RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award for "What's The Things Alive For." In May, he introduced "Forward," featuring the Hong Kong Children's Choir—an uncommon inspirational allegro piece in his collection—distributed to radio stations. July marked the debut of his HiFi album "Remakes By Hacken," produced by Schumann and Alex Fung; it garnered critical praise and attained double platinum status while topping iTunes charts during its first week.
October 2013 featured the release of the Cantonese EP "House of Cards," whose title track became an Annual Golden Song and received significant radio accolades. In December, Lee co-headlined a world tour concert with Alan Tam celebrating their ten-year collaboration as "Neighbour" (左麟右李).
In May 2014, Lee unveiled "No Friend," composed by Eric Kwok and Wyman Wong; it received extensive radio airplay following the success of "House of Cards." Additionally, he worked as a FIFA World Cup commentator for TVB and issued a compilation album entitled "Selection To No Friends."
In 2015, Lee progressed directly to the semi-finals of China's "King of Mask Singer," becoming the first participant to win preliminary rounds before revealing his identity.
In 2016, Lee took part in season 4 of I Am a Singer both as a host and contestant. Opening with Alan Tam's "Love in the Fog," he revisited his musical beginnings. His steady performances—including covers of Ekin Cheng's "Days of Friendship," C AllStar's "Sky Ladder," and a joint performance with pianist Lang Lang—secured him a place in the finale. He also appeared alongside Joey Yung during the season's biennial concert before concluding his collaborations with Universal Music and Alan Tam but reuniting with Yung after their joint concert in 2015.
Personal life
On November 28, 2006, Lee wed Emily Lo Suk Yi, who was crowned the winner of the 1992 Miss Hong Kong Pageant. Together, they have two sons: Ryan Lee Lap-yan, born on October 22, 2007, and Rex Lee Lik-sze, born March 26, 2010.
Discography
| Year | Record company | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | PolyGram Records | EP | Hacken Lee EP |
| 1987 | Album | Signs of Life | |
| 1988 | The Summer Tale | ||
| 1989 | This Place & This Feeling | ||
| EP | Hacken Lee Remix | ||
| EP | Purple Dream | ||
| 1990 | Album | One Thousand And One Night | |
| New + Best Selections | Love | ||
| 1991 | EP | The Break of Dawn | |
| EP | Street Theater In Rain | ||
| 1992 | Album | Blazing Sun | |
| 1992 | Album | Wish You Could Understand | |
| 1993 | New + Best Selections | Red Sun Selections | |
| Selections | Selection CD Box Set | ||
| Apr 1993 | Star Records | Album | Thinking You In Life |
| 1993 | Album | Album | |
| 1994 | PolyGram Records | Selections | Red Sun Selections 24K Gold |
| Selections | Selection 24K Gold | ||
| Star Records | Mandarin Album | Life Expectation | |
| Album | Goodbye ('93 Commemorative Edition) | ||
| PolyGram Records | Album | Wish | |
| Album | That's The Lovesong | ||
| 1995 | Star Records | Album | Polygram 88 Collection - Hacken Lee |
| Album | Hackenation | ||
| Star Records | Mandarin Album | Make Nothing of Gentle | |
| Dec, 1995 | PolyGram Records | Selections | Reborn |
| 1996 | Selections | Polygram 88 Collection - Hacken Lee Vol.2 | |
| Music Impact Ltd. | -Album | -Searching For The Best | |
| -Album | -When I Find You | ||
| 1997 | -Album | -Searching For The Best 17 | |
| -Album | -Please Go To Sleep Early and Wake Up Early | ||
| -Album | -Hacken's 17 Love Songs | ||
| -Album | -By Hacken's Side | ||
| -Mandarin Album | -Love Prison | ||
| -1998 | -New + Best Selections | -New + Best Selections '98 | |
| 1999 | -Selections | -Hacken Lee Wonderful Music 48 Best Collection | |
| -Best Selections | -The Most of Hacken Lee Collection | ||
| -Best Selections | -Hacken Lee Best Collection | ||
| 2000 | Universal Music | -Album | -One Year Half Year (New Version) |
| -Album | -Lost To You Once Again | ||
| -2001 | -Album | -Precious Moment | |
| 2002 | -New + Best Selections | -Hacken Lee Big Music Band | |
| -Album | -Let's Celebrate | ||
| -Album | -Let's Celebrate (New Version) | ||
| 2003 | -Album | -Ever Last | |
| -Album | -Ever Last (New Version) | ||
| -New + Best Selections | -Custom Made | ||
| -Album | -Alan & Hacken | ||
| 2004 | --Album | --Smart I.D. | |
| --Album | --My Daring Trapezist | ||
| 2005 | --Album | --Hacken Lee Concert Hall | |
| --Mandarin Album | --Love is Irrational | ||
| 2006 | --Album | --The Unbeatable 10 | |
| --Album | --Hacken Lee Seoul Concert Hall II | ||
| 2007 | --Album | --My Cup of Tea | |
| --Selections Album | --No.1 Hits | ||
| --雜錦大碟 | --Love07 | ||
| 2009 | --Album | --Today Special | |
| --Album | --Threesome | ||
| --2010 | --Album | --Sinner | |
| --2011 | --Mandarin Album | --Something Familiar | |
| --2012 | --Album | --Amongst The Forest | |
| 2013 | --Album | --Remakes By Hacken | |
| --Album | --House of Cards | ||
| --2014 | --New + Best Selections | --Hacken Lee Friendless Collection |
Charts
| Chart Performance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Album | Track | 903 | RTHK | 997 | TVB | Remarks |
| 1986 | ||||||
| Hacken Lee EP (李克勤 EP) | Watch (手錶) | - | - | |||
| Who Wants to Break Up? (誰願分手) | - | - | ||||
| 1987 | ||||||
| Signs of Life (命運符號) | Signs of Life (命運符號) | - | - | |||
| 1988 | ||||||
| The Summer Tale (夏日之神話) | Still the Usual Place (仍是老地方) | 15 | / | 8 | ||
| The Summer Tale (夏日之神話) | 3 | 1 | 1 | Original version: "(I Love You からはじめよう)" by Anzen Chitai. | ||
| Concert Hall (大會堂演奏廳) | 12 | / | 6 | |||
| Ceasefire (停火) | / | / | - | |||
| 1989 | ||||||
| This Place, This Feeling (此情此境) | Deepest Sadness (深深深) | 4 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Blue Moon (藍月亮) | 3 | 1 | 3 | |||
| This Place & This Feeling (此情此境) | / | / | 5 | |||
| 1990 | ||||||
| 'One Thousand And One Night' (一千零一夜) | Love Sick (眷戀) | 3 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 'One Thousand And One Night' (一千零一夜) | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1991 | ||||||
| 'The Break of Dawn' (破曉時份) | 'The Break of Dawn' (破曉時份) | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 'Rain During a Street Play' (雨中街頭劇) | 'Missing You in Lifetime' (一生掛念你) | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1992 | ||||||
| 'Wish You Could Understand' (只想您會意) | Wish You Could Understand (只想您會意) | / | 13 | 2 | ||
| 'Red Sun' (紅日) | Blazing Sun (紅日) | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1993 | ||||||
| 'Thinking You in Life' (一生想您) | Look Back (回首) | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 'Thinking You in Life' (一生想您) | Thinking You in Life (一生想您) | / | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1994 | ||||||
| 'Wish' ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | Wish ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | / | 1 | / | 1 | |
| 1995 | ||||||
| 'Precisely a Love Song' ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | Sneaky ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | / | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 'Reborn' ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | Reluctant ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1996 | ||||||
| 'When I Find You' ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | When I Find You ([undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help)) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2000 | ||||||
| 'Lost To You Once Again' (再一次想你) | Lost To You Once Again (再一次想你) | - | 1 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2003 | ||||||
| 'Ever Last' (永恆) | When You Are in Love (愛一個人) | 1 | 1 | 1 | Featuring chorus by Kelly Chen. | |
| 'Custom Made' (訂造) | I Am Not Your Man (我不會唱歌) | 1 | 1 | 1 | Awarded Four Stations Combined Best Song Championship | |
| 2004 | ||||||
| 'Smart ID' (智能身份證) | Location of Kissing Goodbye (吻別的位置) | 1 | 1 | 1 | Four Stations Combined Best Song Championship winner | |
| 'My Daring Trapezist' (空中飛人) | My Daring Trapezist (空中飛人) | '(1)' | '1' | '1' | Received Four Stations Combined Best Song Championship | |
| Total Number of Championships |
(*): Denotes tracks still charting (×): Tracks withheld from TVB due to HKRIA Copyright Dispute (B): Prohibited by CRHK owing to original song policy Bold text: Tracks achieving either four championships or three during the HKRIA dispute excluding TVB
Music Awards
Acting careerAlongside his accomplishments in music, Lee has established himself as a distinguished Hong Kong artist who transitioned into acting, featuring in a variety of television dramas, movies, and advertising campaigns. He has also appeared as a guest performer at significant charitable occasions. One of his most acclaimed acting roles was in Legal Entanglement, which garnered him the "Most Favorite Character" accolade at the 2002 TVB Anniversary Awards. Television series
Programme Host
Film1991 || Fruit Punch (Yes一族) 1993 || No More Love, No More Death (太子傳說) 1996 || Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star (運財智叻星) 2001 || Comic King (漫畫風雲), The Lady Iron Chef (美女食神) 2004 || Six Strong Guys (六壯士) 2006 || We Are Family (我爱医家人) 2007 || Wonder Women (女人本色) 2015 || Wong Ka Yan
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