Months after the concert incident, Mirror fans are still experiencing mental hardships.
By Esme Lam
On July 28, 2022, Jimmy Chan, a fan of Anson Lo Hon-ting, witnessed a tragic accident in which a 600 kg video screen landed on a dancer during the Mirror concert at Hong Kong Coliseum.
The screen fell from the ceiling and struck dancer Mo Li Kai-yin when the 12-member boy band was performing the song “Elevator”. He was critically injured, but his condition is now stable in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“I am now afraid of walking in places where there are construction sites or highways. I am worried that I might be hit by falling objects. I stopped listening to songs by Mirror after the concert. Their music triggers my memory about the accident,” Chan says.
“I am now afraid of walking in places where there are construction sites or highways. I am worried that I might be hit by falling objects. I stopped listening to songs by Mirror after the concert. Their music triggers my memory about the accident.”
He is now listening to Korean pop music such as new songs from Blackpink, a South Korean girl group.
“I hope the truth can be found in the investigation. I will feel very angry if anyone or any party still tells lies to cover up anything about the accident,” Chan says.
Another Mirror fan Wincy Seto Wing-kee is also mentally disturbed by the accident.
“Even now I cannot bear to watch any videos that I took that night. I did not want to listen to any songs by Mirror which may trigger my memory,” Seto says.
The 18-years-old student has been a fan of Frankie Chan Sui-fai and Anson Kong Ip-sang, members of the boy band for a year.
“I just wanted to relax and enjoy a concert featuring my favourite singers. I never thought such a terrible accident would happen,” she recalls.
“When I saw people sharing photos of watching Terrence Lam’s concert, I was a bit upset since it reminded me of the accident that happened at the same site,” she says.
Terrence Lam’s concert is the first event that was held at Hong Kong Coliseum after the accident in July.
“I still want to watch a concert featuring other singers or Mirror in the future, but I hesitate to watch concerts that are held at the Hong Kong Coliseum,” Seto adds.
The university student stopped following news about Mirror after the accident. Instead, she devotes her time to university life.
Another university student Lee Uen-kwan has second thoughts about her life after witnessing the accident.
“Life is full of uncertainty. No one would expect that having a concert may take someone’s life,” she says.
Lee is a fan of Ian Chan Check-yin, a member of Mirror. To support her favourite singer, she even bought concert tickets from a scalper–someone who resells tickets at a larger price.
Lee deleted videos she took during the concert to avoid recalling horrible memories.
“Treasure those who are with you right now. I spend more time with my loved ones. I also work harder in my study. I want to make my life more fulfilling,” Lee adds.
Psychological Impacts
Psychiatrist May Lam points out that the psychological impact is devastating as fans at the concert expected to have fun, but it turned out to be a tragedy.
“The Mirror concert is one of the things that people look forward to. Mirror has united people in Hong Kong from different ages during difficult times amid the pandemic. Anything that has happened to the group will cause great impacts on the fans and the public,” Lam says.
Lam points out that some people having these acute stress reactions may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“It will develop within a few weeks and the symptoms are having an inability to recall what happened in that time, difficulty in falling asleep and getting a startled response for minor things. The symptoms might last for around six months after the exposure of the stressful event,” she says.
“When you sense some signs of stress, listen to your heart. Do something that makes you feel comfortable, such as doing exercises, chatting with friends and listening to your favourite songs,” Lam adds.
“But if the symptoms of PTSD do not subside, it is about time to seek help from professions, including counsellors or psychiatrists,” she says.
Sub-edited by Gabriella Lynn
