HONG KONG — Two prominent figures in Hong Kong’s highly competitive pop music scene—ERROR member Kwok Ka-tsun, better known by his stage name 193, and COLLAR’s Candy Wong Ka-ching—have ignited fervent speculation about a romantic relationship, coinciding with the launch of their new musical collaboration. Rumors surrounding the pair intensified Thursday after local media published reports alleging their secret courtship spanning 10 months.
The 35-year-old 193 and 22-year-old Candy, who have a 13-year age difference, reportedly sparked a romance while participating in the reality television program The Company Forces Me to Play Basketball. Sources cited by East Week Magazine claimed that 193 has offered consistent, attentive support to Candy, including acting as her personal chauffeur. This week, however, the focus shifted to their professional work as they released a promotional video that many fans interpret as a playful confirmation of their bond.
The video serves as promotional material for 193’s new song, “Your Name, My Sacred Poem.” Posted on Instagram, the clip shows the duo intimately singing the track while gathered around a hot pot. The segment features frequent, affectionate eye contact between the stars, fueling the “couple’s marketing” narrative that has become a viral sensation across social media platforms.
A Strategic Reveal or Genuine Romance?
In his Instagram caption accompanying the duet, 193, whose personal height is noted as 173cm, cheekily referenced the age and height difference with Candy. He playfully described the 164cm tall Candy as having “stolen a march” on his planned series of cover song releases leading up to Christmas.
“I had planned a series of covers for my new song, aiming to release one reel every day starting in December for a Christmas countdown,” 193 wrote. “Now, Miss Wong, who is 29 centimeters shorter than me and loves a long-legged Oppa, has unexpectedly premiered this series with her cover of ‘Your Name, My Sacred Poem.’”
Candy responded simply with a laughing emoji, and the joint post immediately garnered thousands of likes and congratulatory comments from fans and other celebrities expressing approval of the apparent pairing.
While neither artist has explicitly confirmed the relationship, the timing and messaging of the joint promotion have blurred the lines between private life and strategic career move. In Hong Kong’s entertainment industry, joint public appearances and carefully choreographed social media content are often used to amplify publicity for new music or projects. This strategy, sometimes dubbed ‘shipping’ the stars, capitalizes on fan investment in their personal lives.
Implications for the Canto-Pop Landscape
The potential relationship unites two figures from Hong Kong’s most successful recent boy and girl groups, ERROR and COLLAR, both managed within the ViuTV ecosystem. Such a high-profile coupling could significantly impact their respective fan bases, potentially crossing over and expanding their individual appeal.
The collaboration comes at a crucial time for both artists as they navigate solo careers alongside their group commitments. Leveraging personal chemistry for professional gain is a high-stakes move in the celebrity world. If the relationship is genuine, it provides a compelling narrative; if merely for promotion, it sets a potent precedent for future cross-group collaborations.
As the holiday season approaches, fans eagerly await further posts and potential joint appearances, with many anticipating future duets and promotions that continue to blend music, marketing, and the allure of Canto-pop romance.