15 June 2025

GQ Digital Cover: Jeffrey Ngai Soars Across the Globe, Reaching for Greater Heights

Rising star, singer and actor Jeffrey Ngai takes flight on the GQ Hong Kong digital cover, donning the Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925. He opens up about his injury, behind-the-scenes film moments, and the new challenges of shaping his musical identity.

Multi-talented artist Jeffrey Ngai has made his mark across music, film, and television. With his striking good looks and boy-next-door persona, he has quickly become one of Hong Kong’s most in-demand names. Earlier this year, he suffered a serious injury while filming, sparking concern among his fans. Yet here he is, bouncing back with full energy on set, effortlessly posing inside an airplane for the cover shoot, exuding a radiance that rivals even the blazing summer sun that day. 

Imagine those early days of air travel—flying across oceans in a massive steel machine, leaving home for unfamiliar lands, watching the ground shrink from above. A blend of anxiety and excitement must have filled the cabin. Today, flying has become a common experience, but the spirit of adventure lives on. Jeffrey is someone who embraces that sense of discovery. He believes in always trying something new—because how would you ever know what you’re capable of without trying?

From variety shows to acting to singing, he constantly pushes into uncharted territory, mapping out his own internal atlas. It’s this very spirit that aligns with the newly launched Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925, a watch designed for the global traveler with its dual time zone function—bridging distances and connecting the world.

In this exclusive interview, Jeffrey shares his reflections on injury and healing, his take on success, and what’s coming next — soaring beyond borders and to higher place.

Finding Strength Through Exploration

What have you been working on lately?
I’ve already completed filming three movies in the first half of the year. I’m lucky that each project gave me the chance to collaborate closely with the directors and crews, which really helped me improve as an actor. I’m looking forward to the next production—I hope viewers will notice my growth on screen.

In September, Be ON Game 4 will be released. This time, I really felt how close-knit the cast has become, like a family. We truly enjoyed the filming process, and I hope the audience will feel that, too.

One of the projects even brought me to Japan, where most of the crew were locals. That meant fresh cultural perspectives and new creative approaches I hadn’t encountered before. The spark of collaborating with a new team made it a really exciting experience for me.

I believe that if you continue improving day by day, others will eventually see that too.

Can you give us a sneak peek of what to expect in the second half of 2025? Any memorable moments from the production process?
There’s a lot to look forward to in the second half of 2025. My latest single was inspired by my injury—it was Tyson Yoshi’s idea. He was involved in both the composition and production, and I’m genuinely thankful to him. We usually just hang out as friends, so this was our first time working together. It was a fun and refreshing experience.

The track uses a lighter vocal style than usual, but the message is actually quite sad. I can also reveal that the next song will take a much darker tone, totally different from my usual boy-next-door image. Both the style and vocal range are major challenges for me.

Do you think there are similarities between acting and singing? How do they influence each other?Definitely. Both require full emotional commitment. Even if I’m not physically in the same space as my audience, I believe they can feel what I’m expressing through the screen. Delivering a basic performance is easy, but that only scratches the surface. Without 100% emotional investment, the result will always feel hollow—and the audience can tell.

Your recent injury worried a lot of fans. What did the experience teach you?
Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude. When I got to the hospital, the neck injury turned out to be serious—but thankfully it didn’t affect any nerves or bones. Otherwise, I could’ve been paralyzed.

It taught me not to hold on too tightly or overthink. No one knows what will happen in the next moment, so just focus on being happy right now. I’m not saying you shouldn’t have long-term goals—but if those goals make life miserable, you may never reach them. Instead, try to live in the moment. Take one step at a time. As long as you’re growing, the journey can still be joyful.

Do you feel like you’ve achieved success at this stage? What does success mean to you?
I still have a long way to go. For me, success isn’t a fixed measurement. It’s about having your work—your acting or your music—truly recognized. I’m still in an exploratory phase and not in a rush. I believe that if you continue improving day by day, others will eventually see that too.

In your eyes, what qualities define a gentleman?
A gentleman is someone who’s respectful and looks at things objectively. He’s confident, takes his time, and doesn’t feel the need to rush into things. That kind of calm presence is what I’d call maturity. Appearance-wise, you should always put thought into how you dress. Even if it’s just a tank top and shorts—people can tell if you’ve put effort into the look.

What does GQ mean to you?
GQ offers so much more than fashion—it’s about lifestyle in every sense. It’s about how to be a better man.

There’s No Need To Rush Into Settle Down, Let the Universe Guide the Way 

What was this shoot like for you? How was it working with photographer Edwin?
It felt perfect. You rarely get a chance to shoot inside an airplane, and even at an airport, it’s hard to get up on the wing. For me, that was such a new and creative experience. Every shot had its own mood. If you go into it with too many preconceived poses, you lose the soul of the image. Once you’ve set the scene or concept, it’s best to just go with the flow.

Even if I fail, at least I’ve done more than those who never tried.

You travel a lot for work. What’s your mindset each time you take off?
I enjoy it. Every flight feels like the beginning of a new adventure—you meet new people, experience new things. I love taking photos to document those moments, so I can look back and remember who I was and what I went through in each place.

How would you describe the unique experience of flying?
I love the moment right before landing—you get to see the grandeur of a place from above. That’s when I’m reminded that every city has its own distinct beauty. I try to capture that aerial view—its lights, its architecture—as a way of remembering that moment.

Would you say you have an adventurous spirit? What does that mean to you?
I think so. I’ve never seen myself as particularly talented, so I try everything first. You never know what you’re good at until you give it a shot. Maybe I’ll fail 99 times—but if that 100th time I succeed, that’s when I’ll know I’ve found my strength.

My life motto is “Find your strength through trying.” Unless I’ve truly attempted something, I won’t say I can’t do it. Even if I fail, at least I’ve done more than those who never tried.

If you had to pick one lyric from your own songs to represent where you are now, what would it be?
I’d pick this line from my song My Own World Map:「不急於找個家,由宇宙導航吧」It means: There’s no need to rush into settling down, let the universe guide the way. 

It perfectly sums up how I feel now. I believe the universe already has a path set for each of us, so there’s no need to stress about planning every detail. If you stay diligent and grateful, everything will fall into place. Just go with the flow.

Final thoughts:
This interview left me with the strong impression that Jeffrey has truly matured in recent years. Maybe it’s the result of having traveled more, filmed in different places, and broadened his perspective. But what moved me most is that even after all the highs and lows, he’s preserved that childlike sincerity and humility. It’s a quality we could all learn from—and one that makes his future all the more worth watching.

Photographer : Edwin Zhang
Editorial Director: Jumius Wong
Creative & Fashion Direction:  Jenine Oh
Creative Producer & Casting Director: Marina Fairfax 
Line Producer: Bunny Zhang 
Hair and Makeup Artist: Yida (YidaJuguang Studio)
Fashion Assistant: Sing Lei
Production Assistant: Yvvone Yip
Photography Assistants: Haiming Huang
Interview & Text: Sing Lei
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