Jacky Cheung

Jacky Cheung, an important figure in Mandarin- and Cantonese-pop music, was born on July 10, 1961, in Hong Kong. His father was born in Tianjin and later moved to Hong Kong to work as a seaman. His mother was a homemaker. The family was poor in his early years; his father was often away at sea, so Cheung lacked a father’s companionship and care during childhood. His mother worked hard for the family, and Cheung grew up aware of her hardships. He dressed plainly, with many of his clothes sewn by his mother, and the family environment shaped him into a considerate and mature child.

In second grade he began imitating martial-arts moves from films and TV, but a misuse of a kitchen knife left a long scar on his face. His father’s gambling meant Cheung often had to help buy lottery tickets, and that family atmosphere affected his upbringing. In secondary school he showed an interest in singing but did not intend to become a professional singer. After high school he worked at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and at Cathay Pacific, doing duties such as making phone calls and handling tickets. Life was mundane and he felt dissatisfied.

In 1984, encouraged by friends, Cheung entered the inaugural Hong Kong 18 Districts Amateur Singing Contest and won first prize by performing Kwan Ching-kit’s “The Earth’s Grace” (大地恩情), officially stepping into the music industry. In 1985 he released his first album, Smile, which sold 200,000 copies; its blend of tenderness and melancholy demonstrated strong musical potential. He followed with a Cantonese album including the song “The Distant Her” (遥远的她) and several other notable works that helped him begin to stand out in Hong Kong’s music scene. His first film role came in 1986, playing a policeman in the movie Pi Li Da La Ba (霹雳大喇叭); the next year he starred in multiple films and gradually expanded his acting career.

Musically, Cheung continued to release albums and repeatedly earned awards such as platinum records. Songs like “Love Has Passed” (情已逝) and “Half Moon” (月半弯) won multiple song awards. He held his first solo concert in 1987, marking his formal arrival into the public eye. In film, his strong performances in movies such as Mongkok Carmen (旺角卡門) earned him several industry accolades, including a Hong Kong Film Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In the 1990s Cheung reached the peak of his career, releasing many best-selling albums, appearing in numerous films, and winning numerous awards, gradually establishing his reputation as a “God of Songs” (歌神). He is noted for a diverse musical style and skill in interpreting many types of songs, becoming one of the most representative figures in Chinese-language pop music. Across his career he has been involved in music production, concert promotion, and film acting, becoming one of the most important figures in the global Chinese music scene.