Late Mandopop singer Khalil Fong’s memorial service held in Yunnan, manager confirms

A memorial service was held in the Chinese province of Yunnan for late Mandopop star Khalil Fong, his manager has confirmed.

The American singer-songwriter, who was based in Hong Kong for much of his career, died at the age of 41 on Feb 21.

The music label he founded, Fu Music, announced his death on March 1 and said he had been ill for five years. It did not specify what condition he suffered from.

Fong reportedly resided in Yunnan in his final years and once released a single titled In Yunnan (2018), that spoke of the province’s beauty.

His manager declined to tell media outlet Next Apple where the singer’s resting place is, out of privacy for his family, and added there will not be a tribute concert.

“Khalil’s music is eternal. Hopefully his works and spirit will live on in everyone’s hearts,” his manager added.

Chinese media outlet Shangyou News reported on March 2 that Fong’s memorial service was held on March 1 in a funeral parlour in the Yunnan city of Dali.

The report included a picture of a card given to the attendees of the service. On it is a note written by Fong in both Chinese and English that is seemingly an afterword for his final album The Dreamer, which was released in October 2024.

He had called the album a “sick” one, because he was struggling with health issues when he wrote it.

The note read: “Time waits for no one. As we age, we come to understand more deeply the duality of time – its reality and its illusion. Life presents us with countless twists and challenges, yet I believe one of our goals should be to navigate its path with grace and dignity.”

According to Taiwanese news reports, The Dreamer has been submitted for consideration for the annual Golden Melody Awards. Though a date for the prestigious ceremony has yet to be announced, it is usually held in the middle of the year.

Fong was a frequent favourite of the awards show, having been nominated for Best Male Vocalist – Mandarin six times over the course of his career. He won the accolade for his album Journey To The West (2016).

His manager told the media that Fong is not eligible for the Golden Melody’s Special Contribution Award as an individual since he is American and not Taiwanese. But his label was founded in Taiwan, so if he is entered for consideration under Fu Music, he might have a chance.

The Special Contribution Award is given to organisations or people who have made significant contributions to the music and recording industry of Taiwan. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network.