What happened to the injured dancers from boyband Mirror's freak accident?

‘Mirror’ is a Hong Kong-based cantopop boy band most famous for their 2020 single, ‘Ignited’. The group consists of twelve members, Frankie Chan, Alton Wong, Lokman Yeung, Stanley Yau, Anson Kong, Jer Lau, Ian Chan, Anson Lo, Jeremy Lee, Edan Lui, Keung To, and Tiger Yau.

Before Mirror came to be, the boyband all met during their individual stints in the canto TV show 'Good Night Show - King Maker,' where 99 male contestants compete against each other for the title of rising ‘King’ in the canto entertainment scene.

Frankie Chan, Alton Wong, Lokman Yeung, Stanley Yau, Anson Kong, Jer Lau, Ian Chan, Anson Lo, Jeremy Lee, Edan Lui, Keung To, and Tiger Yau were specially chosen as the show’s top finalists and formed the group's twelve members since the airing of ‘Good Night Show - King Maker’.

Some of Mirror's best hits include the aforementioned ‘Ignited’, and ‘Warrior.’ These songs are considered Hong Kong Cantopop classics.

(Image: Music Nation Records)

Mirror's first concert was sold out in 2018, and the group planned to do another one in 2020 at the famous Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre Star Hall to mark their second anniversary.

Even though there were problems with the venue due to COVID-19 government restrictions, the group was able to hold their second live concert at 75% capacity. Imagine how packed it would have been if it were at 100%!

Mirror held its third-ever live tour in 2022. The band had ten shows planned over several days, from July 25 to July 31, and from August 2 to August 4. The ambitious schedule included twelve live shows in the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Despite the venue’s great reputation as Hong Kong's second-largest indoor venue, a fatal accident occurred during Mirror’s third live concert, forcing it to be canceled mid-performance.

During Mirror's third live performance on 28 July 2022, a large LED video screen that was positioned above the band and their backup dancers fell to the ground. The Standard reports that two performers sustained injuries when the LED screen fell directly on top of them.

According to The Straits Times, several dancers had actually anonymously raised their concerns regarding the stage layout. They wrote an open letter after the accident, stating that besides the dodgy stage layout, the dancers were also given insufficient time to rehearse and prepare themselves for emergencies before the start of the concert.

The Straits Times reported that arrests were made after five people from the main stage contractor Engineering Impact and subcontractor Hip Hing Loong Stage Engineering Company were found responsible for the LED screen mishap. The accident was caused by underreporting and lax measures taken to ensure all fixtures were safe.

Although the members of Mirror escaped unscathed, two of their backup dancers, 'Mo' Li Kai-yin and Chang Tsz-fung sustained injuries.

(Image: fungfung2222 on Instagram)

Chang Tsz-fung was struck by the LED screen in the accident. His injuries were not life-threatening and he was discharged from the hospital the following day, according to Variety.

(Image: fungfung2222 on Instagram)

'Mo' Li Kai-yin was not as fortunate, however. During the accident, the LED panel fell directly on top of Mo's head and neck, Coconuts reports. Mo was critically injured and he is expected to suffer a lifelong injury.

(Image: momo.lky on Instagram)

According to The Standard, Mo is the only child of Pastor Li Shing-Lam and his wife, a Canadian-Hong Kong couple. Mo is the boyfriend of SoChing Natalie So of the Hong Kong girl group 'Collar.'

(Image: momo.lky on Instagram)

After the accident, Mo was immediately sent to the intensive care unit. His injuries were so severe that doctors predicted he had a 90% chance of being paralyzed from the neck down, The Straits Times reported.

(Image: momo.lky on Instagram)

Mo’s accident struck a chord with many Hong Kongers, who rallied along with Mo’s partner SoChing and their friends to wish Mo a speedy recovery while celebrating his 28th birthday in late October.

The online campaign had the hashtag #MOmentwemade. There were also billboard displays in various locations in Hong Kong.

(Image: fungfung2222 on Instagram)

The social media and billboard campaign brought new attention to the concert organizers' accountability, causing them to issue a public statement promising to explain more about the accident to the angry Hong Kongers. To date, however, nothing has been released as a follow-up.

Good news! The Straits Times reported that after a grueling ordeal in the hospital, Mo is able to speak and even took his first shower in months. However, he is very restricted in his mobility and is only able to sit in a wheelchair to look out the window.

(Image: momo.lky on Instagram)

In an October update on Mo, Mingpao Daily Vancouver reports that his girlfriend So Ching has left 'Collar' in what seems to be a move to devote more time to caring for her boyfriend. So Ching recently celebrated his birthday in an Instagram post on October 12, encouraging Mo to "never give up."

Image: momo.lky / Instagram

According to Ming Pao Weekly, Mo has regained more mobility in his limbs since being placed on a new rehabilative technology. Mo's recovery is progressing slowly, despite the fact that he is still unable to move.

Image: momo.lky / Instagram

Meanwhile, Mirror is back performing. After a two-month hiatus following the accident, the boyband released a new single: 'We All Are.'

(Image: Music Nation Records)

Two years after the accident, it appears that Mo will make significant progress towards recovery. HK01 reported on January 13 that Mo will be fitted with an upper-limb exoskeleton as part of a new experimental treatment to help him regain mobility.

Image: soching_nat / Instagram

HK01 continues by reporting that Mo's inclusion in this new treatment plan is critical because he has been immobile for the past one and a half years. If the treatment plan is successful, Mo will be a pioneer in the medical field of treating immobile patients in the future!

Image: soching_nat / Instagram