Midlife Singers 4 Finalist Cheng Chung-ho Brings Rock Energy to Top 10
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago7 MIN
Summary
Cheng Chung-ho (鄭仲豪), known by his stage name Maico, has secured a place in the top 10 of TVB's singing competition Midlife Singers 4 (中年好聲音4), defying earlier rumors that he would be eliminated alongside fellow contestants Chan Yuk-pui (陳旭培) and Chow Chi-hong (周志康) . The 36-year-old Malaysian-born rock singer has become a fan favorite with his distinctive long-haired image and powerful rock performances, earning comparisons to the early style of Beyond's lead singer Wong Ka-kui .
The grand final will take place on August 23 at Kai Tak Arena, hosted by Che Yuen-yuen (車婉婉) and judged by Maria Cordero (肥媽), Cheung Kai-tim (張佳添), Chow Kwok-fung (周國豐), Hoi-yi (海兒), and Vivian Koo (谷婭溦) . The competition will produce a top 7 and ultimately crown a champion from the current 10 finalists, which also include Chan Yuk-pui, Wan King-shun (尹景順), Ng Yee-wai (吳亦偉), Yau Shuk-ching (尤淑情), Chow Chi-hong, Hui Wan-nei (許雲妮), Hui Mei-kei (許美琪), Choi Mat-chit (蔡宓婕), and Cheng Ka-sing (鄭家聲) .
Key Points
- Cheng began his music career at age 17 as a resident singer at the Conch Folk Song Restaurant in Ipoh, Malaysia, building a solid vocal foundation before relocating to Hong Kong to pursue entertainment .
- He previously competed in Taiwanese talent show Chinese Million Star 3 in 2013, reaching the top 40, and ViuTV's King Maker V in 2023, where his resemblance to sports commentator "Keyman" Ma Kai-yan sparked online discussion .
- During King Maker V, Cheng advanced to the top 30 with a guitar-accompanied rock rendition of Eason Chan's "Exaggerated" (浮誇), showcasing his explosive vocal power .
- His King Maker V experience led to forming the independent boy band MATCH in October 2023 with teammates Lui Chun-yiu, Ho Ka-ming, Lee Ka-chun, and Lau Yu-hin, releasing singles including "Do You Mind" and "Last Flight" (尾班機) .
- In a July 2026 episode, Cheng delivered an emotional performance of Eason Chan's "Neither Coming Nor Going" (不來也不去), dedicating it to his father who had recently died in a traffic accident, revealing he was unable to see his father one last time .
- Cheng achieved 93 points for "Lose Control," scored 95 points and won MVP for a rock duet of "Black Mania" (黑色狂迷) with Ngan Mei-go, and earned another 93 points singing "Song of Happiness" (幸福之歌) with Supper Moment vocalist Sunny, earning praise from judge Maria Cordero .
Why It Matters
Cheng's journey from Malaysian restaurant singer to Hong Kong television finalist illustrates the increasingly cross-border nature of Greater China's entertainment industry, where talent from Southeast Asian Chinese communities now compete directly for Hong Kong audiences . His ability to sustain an independent music career through the band MATCH while gaining mainstream exposure through TVB's most-watched singing competition suggests alternative pathways for musicians outside the traditional record label system in a contracting Hong Kong music market .
Cheng's journey from Malaysian restaurant singer to Hong Kong television finalist illustrates the increasingly cross-border nature of Greater China's entertainment industry, where talent from Southeast Asian Chinese communities now compete directly for Hong Kong audiences . His ability to sustain an independent music career through the band MATCH while gaining mainstream exposure through TVB's most-watched singing competition suggests alternative pathways for musicians outside the traditional record label system in a contracting Hong Kong music market .