Kenny So Explained

Kenny So
(Kiu Sing 喬星; Qiao Xing 乔星)
Birth Date:6 August 1976
Birth Place:British Hong Kong
Education:The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Kenny So (Traditional Chinese: 喬星; Simplified Chinese: 乔星; Jyutping: Qiao Xing; original name: Kenny So Wai-kin; Pinyin: Su Weijian, born on August 6, 1976), is a Chinese lyricist and poet best known for his songs by Nicholas Tse, Sandy Lam, and Jacky Cheung.[1] [2] His movie theme songs received nominations at the 33rd Hong Kong Film Awards in 2014,[3] [4] and the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2022.[5] His entry 一個人的浪漫 was selected as 網上最受歡迎歌曲 in the 18th CASH Pop Composition Competition, and his entry Pink Eye Syndrome won the third place in the 19th CASH Pop Composition Competition.[1]

Origin of pen name

In an interview, So said that the words "Kiu" (Traditional Chinese: 喬) and "Sing" (Traditional Chinese: 星) were taken from the names of his two former lovers as a memorial.[6]

Early life and education

So was born with cerebral palsy. Having cerebral palsy impacted his control of the muscles of the whole body. During his school days, it was very difficult for So to hold a pen.[7] Every time he did homework, he would sweat profusely and struggle with it. Despite his disability, So chose to enroll in mainstream schools and pursue conventional education.[6] He started to write lyrics in middle school, published his adapted lyrics works online in college.  His high scores gained him entrance to The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he pursued studies in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature.[6] So also graduated from the Department of Applied Social Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a registered social worker.[6]

Career

In 2005, "Bitter Lover", So's first work as a lyricist, was published. In 2007, So and Hong Kong composer Hou Guangwu participated in the CASH Pop Composition Competition, and their entry "Pink Eye Syndrome" won third place.

Since 2005, So has written song lyrics for Nicholas Tse, Jacky Cheung, Vangie Tang, Jason Chan, Elanne Kong, Ella Koon, Deep Ng, Ruco Chan, Elle Choi, Ivan Wang,Theresa Fu, Jun Kung, Eric Suen Yiu Wai, Angela Au, Sammi Chan, Terence wan, Sandy Lam and James Ng.[1] [2]

Work with Jacky Cheung

In 2010, So wrote four Cantonese lyric adaptations for Jacky Cheung 's Canto-jazz album "Private Corner":[8] [9]   "Double Trouble", "Bu Zhi You Yuan (Lucky in Love)" (不只有缘),  "Let It Go", and "Zhao Dui Ni (Which Way, Robert Frost?)" (找对你). Double Trouble was a featured production number in Jacky Cheung's 1/2 Century Tour. "Bu Zhi You Yuan" by Jacky Cheung was the theme song of the Hong Kong film Crossing Hennessy.[10]

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Book: 梁偉詩. 詞話詩說:枯榮. 副刊: 正文. 香港文匯報. 7 June 2011. zh-yue-Hant-HK.
  2. Book: 普通人不易做. 名人薈: 名人專訪. 30 November 2011. 東周刊. zh-yue-Hant-HK.
  3. Web site: Nomination and Awardees list of the 33rd Hong Kong Film Awards. 2014. zh-Hant-HK.
  4. Web site: 第33屆香港電影金像獎提名名單. hk.news.yahoo.com . 13 April 2014 . zh-Hant-HK.
  5. Web site: Nomination and Awardees list of the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards. 2022. zh-Hant-HK.
  6. Book: 社工詞人蘇偉健 痙攣戰障勇士. 紅人熱事. 頭條日報. 4 April 2011. zh-yue-Hant-HK.
  7. Book: 2019-12-01. 黃永. 黃永心照喬星. 聲東擊西: 聲音專欄詳細頁. Commercial Radio 881903. https://web.archive.org/web/20191201003233/http://www.881903.com/page/zh-tw/audiocolumndetail.aspx?itemid=137376. 1 December 2019.
  8. Web site: 《Private Corner》:想唱就唱 十分响亮_娱乐_腾讯网 . zh-yue-Hant-HK. ent.qq.com. 5 February 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110723055718/http://ent.qq.com/a/20100205/000396.htm. 23 July 2011.
  9. Web site: 《Private Corner》:歌神再出马 摇摆亦潇洒_娱乐_腾讯网 . 2022-04-17 . ent.qq.com.
  10. Web site: 张学友唱《月满轩尼诗》主题曲 倾诉都市寂寞_娱乐_腾讯网 . 2022-04-17 . ent.qq.com.