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Justin Lo
Justin Lo
from Wikipedia

Justin Lo Ting Wei (Chinese: 羅定偉, born 1 July 1976), known professionally by his stage name Jak Teen (Chinese: 側田), is a Hong Kong American singer-songwriter, actor and record producer working in Hong Kong.[2]

Key Information

Biography

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Lo was born in Syracuse, New York,[3][4] and moved to Hong Kong with his parents when he was two years old. He studied at St Paul's Co-educational Primary School and St. Paul's Co-educational College. In 1989, Lo moved to Seattle, Washington, in the United States to further his studies. He spent two years in the University of Washington and finished his degree in Graphics Design at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island in 1999. After graduation, he worked as a web designer at Yahoo! in Sunnyvale, California.[5]

Lo grew up in a family where music has always played an important role. His uncle, Ted Lo, is a famous music arranger and record producer in Hong Kong. In addition, the singer songwriter was a member in the Hong Kong Children's Choir, and he developed vast interest in music as he was growing up. In 1981, composer Joseph Koo Ka-Fai invited Justin, aged 5 at the time, and his younger sister Roxane to sing in a commercial for Barbie.

Lo felt that the work at Yahoo! was very boring, so he decided to move back to Hong Kong to pursue his dream of making music.

In 2006, Lo made his feature film debut with Love @ First Note, co-starring alongside youthful singers such as Kary Ng, Alex Fong, Stephy Tang, and Theresa Fu. That same year, Lo also co-starred in 2 Become 1 opposite Miriam Yeung and Richie Ren.

Name variations

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Lo was born as Lo Ting Wei, and has the English name Justin. His stage name Tse Tien derives from the transliteration of his English name. He is also credited as "Justin Lo".

Music

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For a while Lo did some freelance design work while sending numerous demo tapes to record and label companies. In 2003, his uncle Ted Lo introduced him to Mark Lui, one of the most popular pop-composers and producers in Hong Kong. Recognizing the talent in Justin, Mark Lui signed him to his music producing company on Your Mark Ltd and Lo officially began his musical career in Hong Kong. He produced the album Day & Night for Janice (衛蘭) and wrote two songs "大雄" and "傷追人" for Leo Ku.

In 2005, he performed in an a cappella section in Ku's Solid Gold Hits Concert. His outstanding performance was validated by Mr. Paco Wong from Gold Label Music Ltd. and Wong signed him up as a singer.[5] His plugged songs included "好人" (which was not composed by him), "Erica", "命硬" and "我有今日" (he wrote the latter two). "好人" received very positive responses. He was considered as one of the leading contenders of that year's New Male Artist Award.

His debut CD album Justin was released on 29 November 2005. Over half of the songs found in this album are written by him. It was a hit: 15,000 copies were sold on the first day. Sales reached 25,000 copies on 20 December 2005. Justin released his second album, "No Protection", on 24 March 2006, two days before his debut concert "One Good Show".

He held his debut concert in the Hong Kong Coliseum on 26 March 2006. The title of the show was "One Good Show". The tickets were sold out in just within 10 minutes on 13 February and thus two more concerts (his 2nd and 3rd concert in 2006) had to be held on 18 & 19 April 2006.[6] In Sydney, Australia, in May 2006, he took part in a concert, accompanied by Stephy Tang, Alex Fong and Wilfred Lau at Sydney Entertainment Centre and Melbourne Arts Centre, on the 19 and 21 May 2006 respectively. The title of the concert was J.A.W.S.: each letter representing the first letter of each artist's name.

Justin held his fourth concert of 2006 in Canton, China on 1 September 2006. The title of the concert was "Watson's Distilled Water: Listen to Justin Sing", followed by another show with the same title in Hong Kong Exhibition Center (his 5th concert for 2006) on 13 Sep 2006. His sixth concert was held in Macau on 21 October 2006, One Good Show. His seventh concert in 2006 will be held in Malaysia on 24 December 2006. Title of the show is Justin Christmas Party Concert 2006, at the MIECC, The Mines in Malaysia. His seventh concert in February 2007, titled "Justin In Love With Hong Kong Philharmonic"[7] was again in the Hong Kong Coliseum, and were sold out as well. His eighth concert was on 14 February 2007, held at Macau's Open Coliseum.

In 2007 and 2008, he performed at the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Charity Gala at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with many other artists. Also, Justin went on a 3rd visit to Sydney to have another performance on 26 May 2007 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with Theresa Fu.

Justin's third album, "JTV", was released in November 2007. Hits from this new album include "男人KTV" and "紅地氈."

From 1–7 October 2008, Justin held another concert titled "Air Justin Live 08" in Hong Kong. He released his next album, "阿田" one day prior to the first show of this concert series.

Justin held two concerts from 27 January through 28 at Hong Kong Coliseum, titled "Justin Around the World 2011". This marked his third time holding a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum. This concert is sponsored by Philip Stein. Justin will be using a variety of styles of music, including rock, Bollywood and much more. He planned to invite musicians rather than solely singers.

In January 2011, Justin Lo officially announced that he would be leaving Hong Kong, temporarily ending his music career there and continuing his music career in Beijing. He stated that he will continue to release Cantonese albums, but will now be based in Beijing rather than Hong Kong.[2] Once in Beijing, Justin also released his first Mandarin songs, including "很想很想說再見" and "風從哪裡來", in which the former was highly praised as one of his best works.

In 2014, Justin moved back to Hong Kong to resume his music career.

In 2021, Justin released two new songs, which called Light and You Are Full Of Vitality respectively.

Discography

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Filmography

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Films

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[8] [9]

Television shows

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ViuTV

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Justin Lo Ting-wei (Chinese: 羅定偉; born July 1, 1976), professionally known as Jak Teen (側田), is a Hong Kong-American , , and primarily active in the and Mandarin pop music scenes. Born in , he is recognized for his emotive ballads and self-penned lyrics that often explore themes of love, personal struggle, and resilience. With a career spanning over two decades, Lo has released numerous albums, performed sold-out concerts across , and collaborated with prominent figures in Hong Kong's entertainment industry. Lo spent his early childhood in Hong Kong after moving there with his family at age two. At around age 13, he relocated to Seattle, Washington, to pursue studies in graphic design. He later worked as a web designer at Yahoo! in Silicon Valley. In 2005, inspired by his uncle, composer Ted Lo Sheung-ching, he left his tech career to return to Hong Kong and audition for the music industry, debuting with his self-titled album Justin that same year under EMI Music. Lo's breakthrough came quickly with a sold-out solo concert at the in 2006, establishing him as a rising star in . He signed with labels including Gold Label and Media Asia Music, releasing hit albums such as A Tian (2008) and performing with the in 2007. Facing creative challenges in , he relocated to in 2011. In recent years, Lo has focused on , headlining the "" tour in 2025 to celebrate 20 years in music, including a March performance at Guangzhou Gymnasium Arena.

Early life and education

Birth and childhood

Justin Lo was born Lo Ting Wai (羅定偉) on July 1, 1976, in , to parents who had immigrated from . His family, consisting of his parents and younger sister Roxane, formed a household of four influenced by their bicultural heritage. When Lo was two years old, his family relocated to Hong Kong, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. This move immersed him in a bilingual environment, blending English from his early American years with Cantonese spoken at home and in daily life. His family maintained a musical dynamic, with his uncle Ted Lo Sheung-ching, a veteran composer, and occasional family band performances at local nightclubs fostering early exposure to performance. During his early years in , Lo displayed a keen interest in music and the arts, learning to play and guitar by ear without formal instruction. In 1981, at age five, Lo and his younger sister Roxane sang in a commercial, invited by composer Ka-Fai. He joined the Hong Kong Children's Choir and sang in school choirs, which nurtured his passion for singing and composition amid a supportive yet modest family setting. Standing at 1.63 meters tall, Lo was described in his youth as a well-behaved child with a creative bent.

Names and aliases

Justin Lo's is Lo Ting Wei (羅定偉), a traditional reflecting his family's heritage. In English-speaking contexts, he is commonly known as Justin Lo, an anglicized version adopted due to his upbringing . Upon entering Hong Kong's entertainment industry in the mid-2000s, Lo selected the primary Jak Teen (側田), a Cantonese of "Justin" that phonetically approximates "Zak Tin" or "Ce Tian" in various romanizations. This choice highlights the bilingual nature of his Hong Kong-American identity, bridging Western personal naming conventions with entertainment norms. Alternative transliterations of the stage name include Tse Tien. The characters 側田 literally translate to "side field," evoking an unconventional or offbeat artistic persona that aligns with Lo's bicultural background and creative approach in the music scene.

Education

Lo attended St. Paul's Co-educational Primary School and for his primary and secondary education in . During his time at , he participated in the school choir, developing an early interest in music alongside his academic pursuits. In 1989, at the age of 13, Lo relocated to Seattle, Washington, to continue his studies, which marked a transition in his educational path during his high school years. He later enrolled at the for two years before transferring to the (RISD) in . Lo completed his (BFA) in at RISD in 1999. His training in graphic design equipped him with visual and creative skills that would later influence aspects of his artistic work.

Music career

Debut and early success (2005–2008)

Justin Lo signed with Gold Label in 2005 after catching the attention of label executive Paco Wong during a performance at Leo Ku's concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum. His self-titled debut album, Justin, was released by Gold Label Hong Kong on November 29, 2005, with Lo composing and writing lyrics for over half of its tracks, marking his emergence as a singer-songwriter in the Cantopop scene. The album spawned several key hits, including "好人" (Good Person), "Erica", "命硬" (Tough Life), and "我有今日" (I Have Today), which resonated with audiences through their introspective themes of love and perseverance, earning Lo multiple newcomer male singer awards across Hong Kong's major music ceremonies in late 2005. Building on this momentum, Lo released his follow-up albums No Protection in 2006, JTV in 2007, and 阿田 in 2008, each further establishing his presence in the industry with a blend of pop and rock influences. As a skilled in vocals, , guitar, and , Lo handled significant aspects of his early productions, often self-arranging tracks to reflect his personal style and learned techniques. This hands-on approach was evident in his live performances, culminating in his debut major concert, One Good Show, held over two nights on March 25–26, 2006, at the —the first such solo show by a local artist with only one album to his name.

Mid-career developments and relocation (2009–2014)

During this period, Justin Lo continued to build on his established presence in Hong Kong's Cantopop scene while navigating creative transitions, including the release of notable tracks that reflected his evolving style. Songs such as "男人KTV" and "紅地氈," originally from his 2007 album JTV, maintained popularity through live performances and compilations, showcasing his signature blend of introspective lyrics and melodic hooks that resonated with fans amid a shifting industry landscape. By 2012, after a period of relative seclusion, Lo released his first Mandarin single "很想很想說再見," a poignant ballad inspired by personal relationships, which marked his deliberate pivot toward the mainland Chinese market and earned praise for its emotional depth. In early 2011, Lo relocated from to , seeking fresh creative inspiration after feeling creatively stagnant in after eight years in the industry. He described the move as necessary for "some air," aiming to explore opportunities in China's burgeoning music scene, which offered greater potential for expansion compared to the more saturated market in . This relocation came after a series of high-profile concerts, including additional sold-out shows at the from 2007 to 2011, such as his 2007 "Justin In Love With HK Philharmonic Concert" and the 2011 "Around the World Tour," a two-night farewell event at the Coliseum in January that drew emotional crowds and featured collaborations like a performance with . The stint presented adaptations to the cross-border music markets, where Lo faced challenges in bridging 's Cantonese-centric audience with mainland China's preference for Mandarin content and larger-scale productions, leading to a temporary hiatus from major releases before signing with Media Asia Music in 2012. Despite these hurdles, facilitated his immersion in the mainland scene, allowing for sustained output like the 2011 tour album release, which captured global tour elements and reinforced his international appeal. By 2014, Lo returned to , resuming his career there to leverage familiar networks while incorporating experiences from his mainland explorations.

Return and recent activities (2015–present)

After returning to Hong Kong in 2014 following a period of relocation and creative exploration in , Justin Lo revitalized his music career by focusing on personal songwriting and live performances within the scene. However, in 2019, amid personal difficulties including depression and a near-suicidal incident triggered by industry betrayals, he relocated to . In 2021, he independently released two singles, "Light" and "You Are Full Of Vitality," marking his re-entry into the market with introspective tracks that resonated with fans amid his evolving artistic identity. In 2022, Lo signed a contract with Universal Music Hong Kong, spanning 2022 to 2024, which facilitated broader distribution and production support for his projects. Under this label, he staged his first major concert in in three years, "The First Moment Live 2022," held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 20 and 21, 2022, where he revealed details of his 2019 struggles, featuring reinterpreted hits and new material. was later documented in a live album and Blu-ray release in 2023, capturing the energetic performances and fan engagement that underscored his career resurgence. Lo's recent output includes the 2025 single "OldBoy," released in September, which explores themes of midlife reflection through his signature soulful vocals, followed by a Mandarin version ("国语版") in November to expand his reach across Chinese-speaking audiences. As of 2025, he has headlined the "" tour to celebrate 20 years in music, including performances in in March (drawing 10,000 attendees at Guangzhou Gymnasium Arena), Meizhou, and at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, on September 27, with tickets going on sale July 17, 2025. Throughout this period, Lo has continued his multifaceted role as a and producer, contributing to while experimenting with cross-genre elements and collaborations that blend his roots with broader Asian influences.

Acting career

Film roles

Justin Lo made his feature film debut in the romantic comedy Love @ First Note (2006), directed by , where he portrayed Kei, an unambitious living in who becomes romantically involved with the protagonist Kristi, played by . The film co-starred fellow young singers including Alex Fong as Tony, as Amy, and as Philo, blending musical performances with a lighthearted narrative. Lo's performance highlighted his transition from music to , leveraging his background in several scenes. That same year, Lo appeared in 2 Become 1 (2006), directed by Law Wing-cheong, taking on the supporting role of Fung Sing Ping, an inspirational figure who aids the lead character Bingo Leung (Miriam Yeung) in her journey after a breast cancer diagnosis. The ensemble cast included Richie Ren as Dr. Vincent Cheung, and Lo's character provided emotional support, drawing parallels to his own public persona as a motivational singer. In Love Connected (2009), directed by Patrick Kong, Lo played the main role of , a entangled in interconnected stories of romance involving themes of online flirtations and personal loss, alongside co-stars , , and Sammy Leung. His portrayal emphasized the challenges faced by artists in relationships, reflecting his dual career as a singer-actor. Lo took a supporting role as Young Ha Kung in the ensemble comedy 72 Tenants of Prosperity (2010), directed by Chung Shu-kai and , depicting the youth version of the character Ha Kung in a chaotic tale of neighbors in a Walled City-inspired setting. The film featured a large cast including , , and , with Lo's brief appearance contributing to flashbacks of dynamics and rivalry. Lo made a guest cameo as himself in Lan Kwai Fong 3 (2014), directed by Wilson Chin, a comedy where he appeared in a party scene amid stories of romance and excess in Hong Kong's . His role was typical of his later film appearances, blending presence with minimal demands. Beyond on-screen roles, Lo contributed to the music department of the action thriller Line Walker (2016), directed by Benny Chan, providing theme vocals for the Cantonese track under his stage name Chak Tin. This involvement marked an overlap with his music career, enhancing the film's without a visible part.

Television appearances

Lo's television appearances in Hong Kong have been sporadic but impactful, largely centered on variety shows, talent competitions, and music programs where he served as a guest judge, coach, or performer, bridging his music career with on-screen hosting roles. His involvement often highlighted his vocal expertise and charismatic presence, evolving from promotional guest spots in the late 2000s to more substantial mentoring positions in the 2010s and beyond. On TVB, Lo made his early mark as a guest judge on the cooking variety show Beautiful Cooking in 2006 (episode 11), where celebrities competed in culinary challenges, and returned for season 2 in 2009 (episode 2). He also appeared as a guest judge on the singing competition The Voice in 2009 (episodes 1–6), evaluating contestants alongside industry peers. In 2013, he guested on the comedy variety series Super Trio Maximus (episode 15), participating in comedic skits and games with hosts Nathan Lee, Janis Chan, and Eric Li. More recently, in 2022, Lo joined the celebrity poker game show Po-Po-Poker for two episodes, showcasing a lighter, interactive side amid Hong Kong's entertainment circuit. Shifting to ViuTV in the mid-2010s, Lo's role expanded into coaching and performance segments, aligning with the channel's focus on youth-oriented music content. He served as for Team B on the talent search reality show - King Maker in 2018 across all 61 episodes, mentoring aspiring idols in singing and performance; the program notably launched the MIRROR, amplifying Lo's influence in nurturing new talent. In 2022, he headlined a dedicated "Justin Lo Night" on the late-night music Chill Club (episodes around –16), performing medleys of hits like "B.O.K.," "Thirty Days," and "" in intimate acoustic sessions with guest artists, drawing significant viewership for its nostalgic appeal. These appearances underscore Lo's transition from brief music promotions on traditional broadcaster to collaborative, mentorship-driven roles on edgier ViuTV platforms, though he has not pursued lead acting parts in serialized dramas.

Discography

Studio albums

Justin Lo's studio discography includes nine albums released from 2005 to 2022 under various labels, showcasing his evolution in with themes of romance, personal struggle, and urban life. These works established his songwriting and vocal style, blending pop melodies with introspective lyrics. His debut studio album, Justin (also known as 側田 in Chinese), was released on November 29, 2005, by Gold Label (EMI Music). The album features 11 tracks exploring youthful love and self-discovery, with highlights including "好人" (Good Guy), a hit about unrequited , and "我不是好人" (I Am Not a Good Guy), which delves into moral ambiguities in relationships. Other notable tracks are "," an upbeat anthem on fame's illusions, and "Erica," a melancholic . The record received positive reception for its fresh production and Lo's charismatic delivery. The second album, No Protection (Chinese: 無保護), followed on March 24, 2006, by Gold Label. Comprising 12 tracks, it addresses in and life's uncertainties, with key songs like "決戰二世祖" (Battle with ), a high-energy critique of complacency, "Kong" (Empty), reflecting emotional voids, and "Volar," a soaring track on . A dual disc re-release on July 5, 2006, included enhanced audio and bonus content, boosting its accessibility. The album solidified Lo's reputation for relatable, anthemic pop. JTV, his third studio effort, arrived on , 2007, via Gold Label. This 14-track release experiments with varied tempos and collaborations, focusing on male perspectives in romance and society. Standout tracks include "男人KTV" (Man KTV), a humorous yet poignant karaoke-themed song about heartbreak featuring that became a chart-topper, "紅地氈" (Red ), satirizing , and "一句" (One Sentence), a minimalist on communication breakdowns. It achieved strong initial sales, underscoring Lo's growing fanbase. Lo's fourth album, 阿田 (A Tian), was issued on September 30, 2008, by Gold Label. Limited to 10 tracks, it emphasizes maturity and resilience, with themes of perseverance amid fame's pressures. Highlights feature "三十日" (Thirty Days), a reflective piece on time's passage, "世界小姐" (Miss World), playfully examining beauty standards, and "闊太" (Rich Wife), a witty take on social dynamics. The album's concise format highlighted Lo's evolving lyrical depth. Lo's fifth studio album, 我沒有變過愛的習慣 (I Never Changed Love Addiction), was released on June 22, 2010, by Gold Typhoon. This 13-track album revisits romantic themes with hits like "無限大" (Infinity) and features collaborations including a duet with G.E.M. on "Second Best." It marked his expansion into more mature pop arrangements. The sixth album, Never Odd Or Even, came out on June 5, 2015, under Media Asia Music. Comprising 12 tracks, it explores introspective and experimental sounds, with notable songs like "Air Justin" reflecting on personal growth and relationships. His seventh studio , The Drug Called Music, was released on October 26, 2017. The 10-track project delves into music as , featuring collaborations such as "Heads Up Phones Down" with Dough-Boy and upbeat tracks like "450蚊" with Fat Ma. It highlights Lo's versatile production amid career transitions. His ninth studio album, love songs from dreams, debuted digitally on April 13, 2022, and in physical format on June 13, 2022, under Universal Music Ltd. The 10-track (14 in deluxe edition) project revives his signature style with dreamy, love-centric narratives, including introspective openers like "The End (Intro)" and features such as "大象席地而坐" (Elephant Sitting on the Ground) with Ted Lo, exploring surreal emotions and human connections. It represents an introspective return after years of varied activities.

Singles and other releases

Justin Lo's singles career began with early releases under Gold Label, focusing on tracks that gained popularity in . His debut single "好人" (Good Guy), released in 2005, marked his entry into the music scene as a heartfelt about . In 2006, Lo followed with "Erica," a mid-tempo track exploring romantic longing, and "命硬" (Die Hard), an upbeat anthem reflecting resilience, both distributed digitally and physically by Gold Label. Subsequent singles included "很想很想說再見" (Really Want to Say Goodbye) in 2011, addressing emotional farewells, issued as a standalone digital track under . After a period of reduced output, Lo returned with "" in 2021, an uplifting song emphasizing hope, followed by "You Are Full Of Vitality," a motivational track both released digitally to mark his contemporary sound. His most recent single, the Mandarin version of "OldBoy," was released on November 7, 2025, expanding his reach to audiences through digital platforms. Beyond singles, Lo has contributed to soundtracks, such as tracks for Hong Kong films and TV series not included in his studio albums, including collaborations with other artists on compilation releases. In 2023, he issued the live album The First Moment Live 2022, capturing performances from his 2022 concert with tracks like "男人KTV" and originals, released in CD and Blu-ray formats by Universal Music.
TitleYearFormatLabel
好人 (Good Guy)2005Digital/Physical SingleGold Label
Erica2006Digital/Physical SingleGold Label
命硬 (Die Hard)2006Digital/Physical SingleGold Label
很想很想說再見 (Really Want to Say Goodbye)2011Digital SingleGold Typhoon
Light2021Digital SingleIndependent/Digital
You Are Full Of Vitality2021Digital SingleIndependent/Digital
OldBoy (国语版)2025Digital SingleUniversal Music
The First Moment Live 20222023CD/Blu-ray Live AlbumUniversal Music

References

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