(CNA reporter Hung Su-chin, Taipei, July 13) Hong Kong band Grasshoppers made a surprise appearance as guests at Mayday's concert yesterday, drawing massive attention. The 41-year-old group announced they will return to Taipei Arena in January next year and are currently preparing a new album featuring 40 songs to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Cai Yijie, who overcame cancer, joyfully shared that his health is excellent and he looks forward to singing for fans.

The Grasshoppers' energetic dance performance with Mayday sparked widespread excitement. Today, the group held a press conference to promote their upcoming concerts, confirming their return to Taipei Arena in January 2025. They also announced they will perform as post-game entertainment at next week’s CPBL All-Star Game. The band is currently producing a 40-song album to mark their 40th anniversary and expressed excitement and anticipation about resuming tours after a one-year break.

The group revealed they will begin a global tour starting in August. Cai Yijie shared that he spent a year battling cancer, but thankfully, his condition has improved. Though he experienced low moments during recovery, he tried to stay positive, playing mahjong with friends to relax. "I believe heaven has given me a great mission. Now, I train every day so I can give back to everyone on stage," he said. He continues to undergo follow-up treatments and medication.

Fellow member Cai Yizhi emphasized that maintaining a calm mindset is crucial when facing illness. Su Zhiwei added that they avoided disturbing Cai during treatment, giving him the best possible space to heal.

Earlier this year, the Grasshoppers held seven concerts at Hong Kong’s Red磡 Hong Kong Coliseum, inviting guests including Eason Chan, Kelly Chen, Nicholas Tse, and Aaron Kwok. They expressed deep emotion about their upcoming January Taiwan concert: "After last year’s hardship (Cai’s illness), we cherish every gathering even more. The sense of impermanence is strong. We’re truly lucky to have stayed together for 41 years, supported by so many loyal fans. We’re happy as long as even one person comes to our concert." (Edited by Li Shu-hua) 1150713

FACT BOX

  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: Event