Paco Wong is the managing director of Gold Label Records. Known as “The Golden Agent,” Wong has launched the careers of big names like Jacky Cheung and Leo Ku. He talks to June Ng about show business, star qualities, and the benefits of drinking heavily.

I am a 100 percent Hong Konger.

I was born here to an average family.

I’m just an ordinary guy. I love milk tea, I like fried instant noodles and the dai pai dong culture – this is what I like about Hong Kong.

My first job was a warehouse clerk at a record company. In 1978, I was a rebellious teenager who had just finished Form 5. School was boring. Music was cool. 

I regret not starting a band and becoming a musician for the rest of my life. Now I’m the “marketing brain” of the company, and I live in the practical, realistic part of the world.

Listening to English songs is my hobby. My duty is to promote Cantopop. I draw a distinct difference between the two.

Did you know that I was the first person in Hong Kong promoting “Hotel California” and Madonna’s first album? I didn’t like Cantopop songs at all when I was a promotion officer for the international department.

Music has a funny nature. You might find a song hard to tolerate when you first hear it. But the more you hear it, the more acceptable it becomes.

When I have to sell a song I hate, I listen to it over a hundred times in order to hypnotize myself.

You have to accept the fact that young people just don’t buy CDs anymore. We have to think of a new way to convince them to pay for the songs they listen to.

When I first joined the music industry in the 80s, the business was thriving and there were lots of opportunities. I could become a producer without any experience.

If you’re not rich, don’t even think about being a singer. Unless you’re very, very talented. You might earn more by randomly finding any other job somewhere.

Attention any young person thinking about joining show business: at least get a university degree first. Your qualifications might become the one factor that limits your future career.

To be a singer, you need to have something that sells. Either you can sing really well, or you can write good songs, or you’re good looking enough to be an idol.

Being a singer or an artist does not make you any different from anyone else.
Hanging in somewhere between famous and anonymous is the most painful place.

Dressing up is about projecting your best image to people. But once you are recognized, who cares? Have you ever seen people concerned about Li Ka-shing’s outfit?

On a scale 1 to 10, the importance of drinking to me is an 11. 

I probably drink 300 nights a year and finish at least a bottle of whisky every one of those nights. I love to hang out with my “drinking buddies” after work.
Just chilling out, no business involved.

Being drunk is not an excuse for everything.

There’s one thing that I’m always struggling with: not letting alcohol control me.
Some people might feel sick easily when they drink. If that’s the case, limit yourself to good wines only.  Drinking is about making yourself comfortable, and a good wine will never make you sick.

Whisky or baijiu? I’m more prone to the latter. It’s like a highway to hell. A fast one. 

I don’t think I have many friends. Maybe I’m too frank and people don’t like that.
No bluffing, no lies. This is a small world. People will discover the truth sooner or later.

Never quit drinking. This is what keeps you going. For life is tough, and wine is such a good remedy.