The Weeknd samples 1993 Faye Wong classic in new song 'Hong Kong'

The Weeknd performs "Hong Kong" at his concert in Hong Kong, China, Oct. 24, 2026. [Screen grab from the official live video of "Hong Kong," courtesy of Universal Music Group]

The Weeknd arrived at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, China, with something special in store. The Canadian superstar, midway through the Asia leg of his record-shattering After Hours til Dawn Tour, had already sold out the venue four times over. On the opening night, Oct. 24, with no warning, he debuted a new song titled simply "Hong Kong." When a female vocal emerged, the stunned audience fell silent, then broke into cheers and screams.

It was Chinese pop diva Faye Wong. The track samples her 1993 Cantonese classic "Seasonal Wind," also known as "Monsoon," using both the melody and her original vocal. The studio version arrived on streaming platforms at midnight on Nov. 1, days after the Hong Kong run concluded.

The release is a rare instance of a global pop titan building a city-specific tribute around a decades-old Chinese pop song, and the reactions and numbers came fast. Discussion surged on Chinese social media. On QQ Music, it became the platform's most popular first-day release ever by a Western male artist, topping the charts for streams, saves, comments and shares. Across all platforms, the track captured 14 No. 1 chart spots and generated more than 200 million online impressions.

The Weeknd also dropped into the comment sections of both QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music to speak directly to Chinese fans on the day of its digital release. "Who here heard it first at Kai Tak?" he wrote. "Sending love to everyone listening to the song in China. This song exists because of you."

The Weeknd has long been vocal about his admiration for Wong. He has shared her 1996 album "Restless" on social media, a record that famously landed her on the cover of Time's Asia edition.

A still from The Weeknd's music video for "Hong Kong," shot in Hong Kong. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Group]

The single's cover art uses a photograph from the private collection of Christopher Doyle, the cinematographer behind Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai's many classics, including "Chungking Express." The live visuals reportedly drew on the filmmaker's neon-soaked, stairwell-framed imagery.

The Weeknd later posted an image of the Hong Kong skyline on his Instagram account, thanking Doyle directly. "So important to Hong Kong cinema and such a huge inspiration to me personally. Thank you, Mr. Christopher Doyle," he wrote.

For Chinese music critics and fans, the sample choice carries a specific weight. Music critic Ai Diren noted that The Weeknd's selection of "Seasonal Wind" over Wong's more obvious hits, such as "Red Bean" or "The Woman Easily Hurt," signals a deeper familiarity. "Choosing a song is also choosing your heart; the more you understand a singer, the more angles you find," he said.

When Faye Wong first sang "Seasonal Wind," The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, was just 3 years old. After the song's surprise live debut, Universal Music Group, which has both Faye Wong and The Weeknd on its roster under different labels, quickly completed the copyright clearance and released the studio version. The Weeknd's tribute also delighted Wong and her management.

A big fan of Hong Kong cinema and music, The Weeknd also met Hong Kong legends Tony Leung, Carina Lau and Donnie Yen during his stay. Lau shared that when they met at a dinner, The Weeknd mentioned he had hoped to invite Faye Wong to be a guest at his concert. However, Wong was in Beijing and could not make it. Lau added that it would have made the event perfect and that she hopes the two will collaborate in the future.

The cover art for The Weeknd's "Hong Kong." [Image courtesy of Universal Music Group]

The Weeknd is not the first international artist to incorporate Chinese elements into a tour, but the depth of reference sets this one apart. The song arrived as the tour moved toward its Asian finale, serving as a fitting closing gesture and a genuine way to bring Chinese music to a wider audience.

As Wong sings on the original track: "You are like the seasonal wind; no plan can hold against you." Three decades later, the wind simply changed direction.