In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Lau. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Jeremy Lau and the Chinese-style name is Lau Ying-ting.
Jeremy Lau Ying-ting (Chinese: 柳應廷; born 20 November 1992), known professionally as Jer, is a Hong Kong singer, actor, and a member of the Hong Kong boy groupMirror. Apart from his group activities, Jer has also pursued a solo singing career, winning Best New Performer at the Metro Hit Awards, the Ultimate Song Chart Awards, the Chinese Gold Song Awards, and the Chill Club 20/21 Awards.
Early life
Lau was born in Hong Kong on 20 November 1992. He attended Ng Wah Catholic Secondary School and the Hong Kong Baptist University College of International Education. In 2012, Lau formed the pop music band Bromance with his college friends, and was the band's main vocalist and bassist. In 2013, he formed the heavy metal band Joy of Stupidity (Chinese: 子非愚), playing original Cantonese music. Lau participated in a musical class hosted by RTHK and performed as a busker[1] for several years before transitioning to work as an entertainment reporter.
In 2018, Lau quit his reporting job to audition for ViuTV's reality talent competition Good Night Show - King Maker, and finished in top 20. While only the top 10 finalists were guaranteed a contract with ViuTV, Jer managed to catch the attention of producer Ahfa Wong, who invited him to join the boy group Mirror. Jer initially declined, but was ultimately convinced. The group debuted on 3 November 2018[2] with the single "In a Second" (Chinese: 一秒間).[3]
Solo Activities
Lau's debut single, the soft rock ballad "Tale of Water Torture" (Chinese: 水刑物語) was released on 29 February 2020. "Tale of Water Torture" peaked at number three on the Ultimate 903 Chart, RTHK Chinese Pop Chart and number four on Metro Radio Pop Chart. His second single "Tale of Final Lucidity" (迴光物語), released in August, achieved commercial success, peaking at number one on the Ultimate 903 Chart and ViuTV's Chill Club Chart. He is the eighth artist in history to have a number one single on the Ultimate 903 chart during his debut year.[4] The release of "Tale of Wind Spirit" (風靈物語) in October capped off what was dubbed the Trilogy of Tales (物語系列).
Lau again collaborated with singer-songwriter Ng Lam Fung and lyricist Siu Hak on his fourth solo single "A Madman's Diary" (狂人日記) released 17 March 2021. Lau remarked that "A Madman's Diary" is a tribute to legendary rock band Queen and their song "Bohemian Rhapsody", noting that he wanted to bring something unconventional into the Cantopop scene.[5][6] The song is also the first of three songs forming the Rebirth Trilogy (重生系列). The progressive rock single topped the Ultimate 903, the Chinese Pop Chart, and the Chill Club Chart. His fifth single, "Castle of Sand" (砂之器) was released on 16 July 2021. On 18 August, it peaked at number one on the Ultimate 903 music chart.[7] On 13 October, Lau released his seventh single "Stellar Moments of Humankind" (人類群星閃耀時). The song takes the same Chinese title as the history book Decisive Moments in History (German: Sternstunden der Menschheit) by Stefan Zweig.[8] Produced by Carl Wong, the song serves as the conclusion to the Rebirth Trilogy.
On 26 January 2022, Lau's single "MM7" was released to streaming platforms and radio stations. The song takes its title from a newly coined slang term "MM7" meaning awesome or fantastic (Chinese: 正), which in turn originated from a typo committed by one of Lau's fans when typing the character using Sucheng input method.[9]
"Rules of Parting" (離別的規矩) was released on 20 April 2022, its music video being released three days later. This was followed by his tenth single "Steps to Self-Destruction" (自毀的程序) on 11 July, and the eleventh single "Watching the Clouds Rise" (坐看雲起時) on 25 November. "Watching the Clouds Rise" charted number one on the Chill Club Chart in 2023, as such the single was nominated for Song of the Year at the Chill Club Awards 22/23.
Lau held his first solo concert Across the Universe at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 7 to 10 July 2023.[10][11] He released his first LPI am the I on vinyl on 6 February 2024. A signing event was held on 24 February for 400 fans.[12]
Acting career
Lau made his official acting debut in the 2020 youth sports drama We are the Littles. In 2022, Lau made his film debut in Mama's Affair directed by Kearen Pang. Filming began in August 2021 and concluded in September 2021.[13] Lau has been nominated for best new performer at the 2023 Hong Kong Film Awards.[14] Lau began filming the television series Million Dollar Family in April 2022. The comedy drama premiered on 5 December 2022. Lau made a cameo appearance in the 2023 black comedy film Over My Dead Body.
Makerville announced that all members of Mirror will be starring in the upcoming film We 12.
