The popular singing competition show 《中年好聲音3》 (Midlife, the Sound of Music 3) has entered its final stages, with the much-anticipated finals, titled 「登峯之戰」 (Battle of the Peak), set to take place on May 11, 2025, at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong. The show has garnered significant attention, especially with the announcement that famed Hong Kong singer and actor Chilam (Julian Cheung) will serve as a guest judge for the event.
As the competition heats up, rumors have emerged from a fan group boasting over 15,000 members, suggesting that the top three contestants have already been predetermined. According to these whispers, Zhao Pengcheng is rumored to be the champion, with Huang Bo in second place, and Li Jinhai and Zhang Yuhao in third and fourth, respectively. Zhao, who is 39 years old and has transitioned to a career in mainland China, was previously a singer and actor and has maintained connections within the entertainment industry.
In a recent interview, Chilam expressed his excitement about joining the judging panel, stating that he is also involved with another singing program, 《亞洲新聲》 (Asian New Voice), as a "New Voice Witness." He emphasized the importance of emotional connection in performances, saying, "To be honest, I focus more on emotion than anything else. However, to truly become a singer, one must possess skills in singing, appearance, and artistry; overall performance is crucial, and many details cannot be overlooked. Everyone, keep up the good work!"
This weekend, on April 27, 2025, the show aired a special episode titled "Top 9 Battle," lasting 2.5 hours and featuring a theme of "Night of Re-arranged Songs." The episode included performances from nine contestants, showcasing their unique interpretations of popular songs. The judges for this round included Fiona Sit, Chang Chia-ling, Chow Kwok-fung, Hia Haien, and lyricist Pun Wai-yuen, all of whom provided valuable feedback and encouragement to the participants.
Among the standout performances was that of Li Jinhai, who delivered a heartfelt rendition of 《歸來吧》 (Come Back). His emotional performance resonated deeply with the judges, particularly Fiona Sit, who was moved to tears. She shared her own experiences of loss, saying, "We have gone through too much. I have deleted many names from my phonebook, and it’s painful to let go of those we’ve lost. Sometimes, I just want to see my family more often." This poignant moment highlighted the emotional depth of the competition, reminding viewers of the personal stories behind each contestant.
Another notable performance came from Zhang Yuhao, who captivated the audience with his self-accompanied rendition of 《拒絕再玩》 (Refuse to Play Again). His sexy and charming style drew praise from the judges, with Fiona Sit and Hia Haien unable to contain their smiles and admiration during his performance. Hia remarked, "Your voice sounds like it’s dancing, and I think you could be called the Ad-Lib Prince!"
Judges were unanimous in their praise for Zhang Yuhao, with Chang Chia-ling stating, "You are the most talented in this competition. You play the piano and guitar beautifully, and you understand music production. You can handle any genre, whether it’s fast or slow, rock or R&B. Your sexiness comes from your immense talent as a musician." Even Chow Kwok-fung, known for his high standards, awarded Zhang a near-perfect score, saying, "You sang with such soul; it was truly wonderful."
Huang Bo also delivered an impressive performance during the episode, tackling the challenging song 《蜚蜚》 (Fei Fei). Despite his initial hesitation to take on the piece, Huang's execution was flawless, earning him accolades from the judges. Fiona Sit noted, "We have yet to see you struggle with a song; all of Hong Kong's singers are worried about you singing their songs because you do it so well!" Chang Chia-ling added, "You managed to convey a range of emotions, taking us on a journey with your voice. It was almost perfect!"
As the competition nears its conclusion, the stakes are higher than ever, with contestants vying for the coveted title and the chance to launch their careers in the music industry. With a blend of emotional performances and expert judging, 《中年好聲音3》 continues to captivate audiences, proving to be a significant platform for aspiring singers.
The finals promise to be an exciting culmination of the season, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome and hoping to see their favorite contestants take home the trophy. As the show progresses, it remains to be seen whether the rumors of predetermined winners will hold true or if the performances in the final round will surprise everyone.
