Hong Kong’s weather forecast has taken center stage as singer Zhang Chi-hao, popularly known as Asska, navigates chilly temperatures during the filming of his new music video for the single "Catch A Feeling." Amidst the chill, which has seen temperatures hover around 10 degrees Celsius, the artist's energetic dance scenes stood out, producing another layer of excitement around both the music and the weather phenomena.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the influence of the northeast monsoon has led to cloudy skies, with early morning temperatures dropping to around 15°C and maximum daytime temperatures only reaching approximately 18°C as of Tuesday, February 25. The forecast also predicts rain later on, much to the operative challenges faced by the filming crew and Asska himself. Despite the drizzle, the forecast for later this week indicates temperatures will begin to rise gradually again, providing some relief.
Under these conditions, Asska's music video captures not only his vibrant stylizing but also the unpredictability of Hong Kong’s weather. Speaking about the shoot, Asska reflected on the exhilarating yet demanding performance aspects especially highlighted by the weather. "The unforgettable part was definitely the scene where I danced in the rain. It was my first time filming such scenes, and on top of the cold wave, I was worried about how it would turn out," he recounted. "I found it refreshing; with the rain hitting me, I actually began to warm up and feel more engaged as I danced."
Between the weather and the filming, Asska's passion for music remains unyielding. The song "Catch A Feeling" is described as having strong funky elements, with the artist explaining, "If 'Dirty Rhythm' encouraged everyone to let go and feel the rhythm of music, 'Catch A Feeling' delves even more deeply, exploring the struggle between reason and emotion, and caring for the present moment. Whenever one feels it, love is truly alive right there before us." This deep connection to the meaning behind his music is reflected not only lyrically but magically expressed through movement and dance.
Asska collaborated with choreographer T-Rexx on the project, utilizing lessons learned from prior experiences. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the complex dance choreography he tackled for this production, citing, "This time I worked with the same team as ‘Dirty Rhythm,’ but the dance steps took me to their most complex level. With various spatial limitations during shooting, we even changed some steps right on set! We hope viewers can feel the power we aimed to convey through the music video."
The collaboration with actress Joyce on this project also set the stage for memorable moments on and off the screen. Despite initial apprehensions about their first meeting and how they would mesh, Asska described Joyce as someone who exuded warmth and created instant chemistry between them. She may have appeared cold at first glance, but her friendly demeanor rapidly melted away uncertainties, allowing for seamless engagement throughout the filming process.
While the weather posed some logistical hurdles, for Asska, every drop of rain added to the authenticity and emotional depth of the art. The scenes captured minimalist production nuances intertwined with natural elements, reflecting authenticity and the raw beauty of art meeting reality.
Shooting through cold and rain, Asska demonstrated resilience and dedication to his craft, even activating the passion of his dance amid the torrential challenges. The team hopes audiences will sense the essence of spontaneous emotions and invigorate their experience of "Catch A Feeling," enhancing the music’s impact against the backdrop of the stunning Hong Kong skyline.
With the week’s forecast nudging back to warmer temperatures, Hong Kong and its artists under fluctuated weather patterns continue to inspire, reminding everyone of the beauty inherent even within challenging circumstances—a reminder to embrace the moment and the music it provides.