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It was 1993 and Hong Kong’s Canto-pop band Beyond was gaining popularity, making it big even in Japan.
Alas, its lead singer Wong Ka Kui fell from a stage platform during an appearance at the Tokyo Fuji Television game show Ucchan-nanchan no Yarunara Yaraneba. He was in a coma for a week before succumbing to his head injuries.
It has been 26 years since he died but his name lives on.
Only 31 at the time of his death, Beyond was gaining popularity in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China and overseas Chinese communities.
In memory of Wong Ka Kui, fellow band mate Yip Sai Weng posted a message on Chinese microblogging website Weibo with the words, “Missing Ka Kui.” on Jun 30, 2019.
Fans followed suit with one fan thanking Beyond for inspiring him to learn Cantonese, play the guitar and join a band.
Beyond was formed in 1983 with early member Yip Sai Weng and a few others who joined and left before the group settled with Wong Kai Kui’s brother Wong Ka Keung and Paul Wong.
In the beginning the group was self-funded and it took awhile before they became famous.
After the death of Wong Ka Kui, the rest of the band had to decide whether to continue on.
Beyond reappeared in the public again on 30 Nov 1993 in Hong Kong at the Composer’s Tribute Night concert.
Post the Ka Kui era the music became more of an alternative rock feel compared to the progressive rock sound of previous albums.
In 1999, the band members announced that they would strike out on their own solo careers after a world tour.
In 2005, they played their last tour (The Story Live 2005) under the name Beyond and announced their disbandment at their last stop in Singapore.
After that, there were a few performances by the band members in memory of Wong Ka Kui.
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