Keung, from the boy band Mirror, was voted favorite male singer in Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation hosted by Commercial Radio on New Year's Day.

His song Dear My Friend, was also voted people's favorite song of the year. In an emotional performance, Keung broke down in tears in the middle of the song, which was a tribute to his friend who passed away this year.

“I wanna tell Hong Kong that I made a promise. Many people may question it, but I am confident to say Hong Kong music will become top in Asia,” he said when receiving the singer award.

The 22-year-old singer first made the bold statement in a ViuTV music awards last April, when K-Pop has dominated the Asian music scene and made it overseas with the success of groups including BTS and Blackpink.

The debut of Mirror three years ago helped revive interest in Cantopop, after which new singers and groups mushroomed.

While Keung questioned himself about the goal, he told reporters that he became confident after seeing excellent work done by fellow singers and musicians at the ceremony.

“No matter how big the goal is, it needs to start from something small,” he said. “I don't have anything like a blue print, but I will make more good songs.”

Mirror grabbed eight awards in total, including the favorite group of the year. Members Anson Lo Hon-ting and Jeremy Lau Ying-ting received “top 10 songs” awards with Megahit and Diary of A Madman, while Edan Lui Cheuk-on got bronze for new male singer.

Wyman Wong, who snatched the best lyricist award, said he was glad to see many newcomers joining the scene with diversified music styles.

He thanked Mirror members and the team behind them for supporting Cantopop.

“They have aspirations for Cantopop. If they just wanna make money, they can sing in other languages (dialects),” he said.

Keung's vow triggered different responses. Some netizens said they have skipped music award shows for more than a decade, and only become interested in watching them again since Mirror came to prominence.

Others doubted whether Hong Kong artists can match Korean counterparts who receive prolonged training for singing and dancing before they debut. The South Korean government also gives systematic support to its entertainment industry to facilitate cultural exports.

Also in the awards show, Joyce Cheng Yan-yee was voted the favorite female singer. She also received the best female singer award, in another category which did not involve public voting.

“You guys really like me!” She exclaimed when receiving the award, which came as a surprise. She recalled how she used to be called a celebrity, not a singer.

Hins Cheung King-hin won the best male singer award, while his album the Brightest Darkness was the top album.

The 40-year-old singer said it would be difficult for him to get the Asia's best title due to his age. “But for Keung, there are so many possibilities. He is young and that is the best asset. I hope any young singer can go beyond Hong Kong and we can offer them support using our talents. That's how there can be advancement for the whole industry,” he said.