INTRODUCING: Shao Hao

London-based artist Shao Hao isn’t just one to watch—he’s already shaping the sound of pop across continents. A singer-songwriter, producer, and storyteller, Shao Hao brings a rare blend of lived experience and global influence, weaving together Brit-pop grit with K-pop energy to create something entirely his own.

Having penned chart-topping hits for major artists across Asia—and soundtracking everything from hit TV shows to Netflix successes—he now steps further into the spotlight with his own material. His latest single Thursday is a bold, retro-tinged statement, pairing vibrant melodies with a deeply personal lens.

Openly queer, neurodivergent, and an immigrant, Shao Hao channels his journey into music that’s as honest as it is infectious—making him not just an exciting new voice, but an important one.

1. You’ve spoken openly about your experiences as an immigrant, being neurodivergent, and queer — how have those identities shaped both your storytelling and your sound?

I think those parts of me are at the core of everything I create — not in a forced way, but because they’ve shaped how I see the world. Growing up between cultures, I was always searching for a sense of “home.” Being neurodivergent made me experience emotions very intensely, and sometimes differently to people around me. And being queer added another layer of learning how to accept myself in a world that doesn’t always reflect you back clearly.

All of that naturally flows into my storytelling. My songs often sit in that space between vulnerability and hope — feeling like you don’t belong, but still believing that one day you will. Sonically, I think it’s why my music blends different worlds as well. I’m drawn to contrasts — East and West, softness and power, intimacy and scale — because that’s how my identity feels. It’s not one thing, it’s a combination of many layers, and I want my music to feel like a safe space for people who exist in between.

2. Your single “Thursday” blends K-pop energy with 80s Brit-pop textures — what drew you to that fusion, and how does it reflect where you are creatively right now?

“Thursday” really represents where I am right now — both musically and personally. I grew up loving K-pop for its energy, precision, and emotional directness, but I was also deeply influenced by British pop — artists like Coldplay or early 80s synth-driven records that feel nostalgic and cinematic.

With “Thursday,” I wanted to bring those two worlds together in a way that feels effortless rather than calculated. The K-pop influence gives it that rhythm, movement, and immediacy, while the 80s Brit-pop textures add warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of longing. Creatively, I think I’m at a point where I’m no longer trying to fit into one market or one identity. I’m embracing the fact that my sound can live between cultures — and that’s actually my strength. “Thursday” is probably one of the clearest reflections of that so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ejlDNhBYZ8

3. You’ve written chart-topping songs for major artists across Asia — how does writing for others differ from creating music for yourself as Shao Hao?

Writing for other artists is a bit like being an actor — you step into someone else’s world and try to tell their story as truthfully as possible. You’re thinking about their voice, their audience, their journey. When I write for myself, it’s much more exposed. There’s nowhere to hide. I’m not filtering my emotions through anyone else — it’s directly coming from my own experiences.

I think having that background in songwriting has really helped me craft my own music more intentionally. I understand structure, melody, and what connects with people. But at the same time, with my own project, I allow myself to be more imperfect and more honest. That’s probably the biggest difference — writing for others is about precision, but writing for myself is about truth.

4. The “Thursday” video plays with retro dating show aesthetics and multiple alter egos — what inspired that concept, and what do those different versions of yourself represent?

The idea came from this feeling that we all present different versions of ourselves depending on the situation — especially when it comes to love. The retro dating show concept felt like the perfect metaphor, because it’s playful on the surface, but underneath it’s actually quite revealing. You’re being “chosen,” you’re performing, you’re trying to be the version of yourself that someone else might want.

The different alter egos represent different sides of me — confidence, insecurity, romanticism, detachment — all the contradictions that exist within one person. I wanted the video to feel fun and slightly surreal.

5. You’ve become a voice for authenticity and self-acceptance — what message do you hope younger listeners take away from your music and your journey?

If there’s one thing I hope people take away, it’s that you don’t have to “fix” yourself to belong. For a long time, I felt like I had to change who I was — to fit in, to be understood, to be accepted. But over time I realised that the things I thought made me different are actually the things that make me… me.

So my message is really simple: the world needs you exactly as you are. It's okay to feel lost sometimes. It’s okay to not have everything figured out. But your story, your identity, your perspective — those are your strengths, not your weaknesses. And if my music can make even one person feel a little less alone in that journey, then I feel like I’ve done what I’m here to do.