On Jan. 7, a Hong Kong singer was sentenced to 52 months in jail for involvement in the 2019 pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Lester Chong, a singer under contract with Sony Music Hong Kong, was among hundreds of people arrested during the Polytechnic University (PolyU) siege as part of the anti-extradition protests in mid-November 2019, which put a hold on his singing career.
While announcing the verdicts of ten protesters, including Chong, on Jan.7, District Judge Josiah Lam Wai-kuen emphasized how “serious” the case was. Lam claimed that protesters had thrown about 250 petrol bombs that day.
However, there was no evidence to prove that any defendants, including Chong, had committed violence; some only had masks in their belongings on the day in question.
Terminating Contract With Sony Music
On Feb. 15, 2020, Chong explained on social media why he had to terminate his contract with Sony Music after being arrested and charged. He did not want his music company to be affected by his trial.Chong said preparing for the trial had exhausted him to the point where he could no longer write or make music.
He reminded his followers that they should not be blinded by fame or fortune; there is always something more significant for which people should be grateful. He said, “fame and money might sparkle, but it is not always what we need the most.”
“We should take the initiative to find the purpose of life. Even if life is a living hell, let’s make the best of it,” he added.
In Chong’s song, Will (Not) See You Soon, he sings about the trauma Hongkongers experienced during the Hong Kong Protests and encourages them to move forward with bravery.
