Well-known Taiwanese singer and actor Show Lo 罗志祥 has released his first song sung entirely in Taiwanese Hokkien, titled “Side by Side” 做伙. This marks a new milestone in his career. Known for his energetic performances and long-standing influence in Mandopop, Show uses the everyday language of ordinary people in this song to express the struggles of life.
The music video features Show Lo alongside director and actor Umin Boya 马志翔 and Eden Chen 陳峻廷 from the Taiwanese boy group FEniX. Together, they tell the story of hardworking people in society, showing both the loneliness and warmth of city life.
“Side by Side” captures the shared emotions of modern people living under pressure. The opening lines reflect the lives of part-time workers and blue-collar laborers, people rushing to work at dawn or staying up late to finish their jobs, feeling their dreams slip further away. Even saying, “How are you?” has become a luxury. Show Lo sings about the quiet strength of people who keep going despite pain. “This song isn’t about heroes,” he said, “it’s about the people around us, the ones who work hard every day but go unnoticed.”
The MV was directed by rising filmmaker Wu Hehong 邬鹤宏, known for capturing human emotions. The visuals use cool gray tones to show the harsh side of city life. Show Lo plays a man working at an abandoned auto shop who has been scammed out of fifty thousand dollars and keeps reporting it with no response. Eden Chen plays a police officer who seems cold but secretly helps him by slipping him money so he can send it home to his mother. Umin Boya appears as a scam driver, a man trapped by fate who cannot escape his situation. Their stories intertwine to portray life at the bottom of society, no real villains, only people forced to endure by circumstance.
Talking about working with Umin Boya again, Show said it felt “like fate”. “When we were discussing who should be in the MV, his name suddenly came to my mind. It was strange, we hadn’t spoken in fifteen years. We used to play basketball and visit each other on set, but we drifted apart. Then, during the MV meeting, both my manager and I thought of him at the exact same moment. I could even picture his smile in the final scene. It felt like this song was meant to bring us together again.” He laughed, saying their chemistry was still strong. “He has it rougher than me in the MV, he keeps getting beaten and chased,” Show joked, even asking Umin Boya between takes, “Do you regret saying yes?”
Show Lo also shared his thoughts about filming. To make his role realistic, he covered himself in dirt and wore worn-out work clothes. “The smell of grease and dust was real,” he said. “After shooting, my whole body was covered in black, but I wanted the audience to see the truth. Life can be harsh and messy, but that’s how many people live every day.”
Known for his humor and versatility on stage and television, Show has been active in the entertainment industry for over two decades. With “Side by Side”, he shows a more grounded and emotional side of himself. He dedicated the song to everyone who works hard but remains unseen. It is also a song for those who leave home to chase dreams, expressing the feelings of people from different places struggling to build a life in Taipei or other big cities. Through the sincerity of his Hokkien lyrics, Show Lo hopes every wandering soul can hear a part of themselves in this song.
Some online reactions to the new MV are as follows:
“The new music video looks just like a movie! Every glance in front of the camera tells a story, you can feel all those hidden emotions and unspoken struggles come to life. There’s no over-the-top drama, yet it hits you right in the heart! Who would’ve thought, the king of singing and dancing can act this well too? His performance this time is truly incredible.”
“Show Lo’s acting has really improved a lot, his eyes are full of expression.”
“Didn’t expect that besides dancing, his eye acting could be so powerful too.”
“Can he still take on acting roles now?”
“With just one look, he tells a whole story and brings all those suppressed emotions to life.”
“The final monologue was handled so delicately, yet it didn’t feel forced.”
“This kind of restrained but powerful performance is even more moving.”
“He’s completely lost the mainland market now.”
“He actually looks kind of old-fashioned.”
“He’s a veteran in the Taiwanese entertainment scene, everyone there is a well-rounded performer, and his acting is no exception.”
“He’s always been an all-around artist. His singing and dancing skills back then are still out of reach for most idols today. Corner With Love, Hot Shot, Hi My Sweetheart, which of these wasn’t a huge hit? And his variety show sense? Absolutely unmatched.”
