In a music landscape overflowing with polished personas and manufactured narratives, Shao Hao stands out because he tells the truth—and he tells it with a voice that cuts straight through the noise. Fresh off the release of his deeply vulnerable new single, “Where Is My Home,” Shao invites listeners into one of his most intimate confessions yet: a raw meditation on belonging, identity, and the lifelong search for a place to finally exhale. Blending the sharp, cinematic grit of Brit-pop with the electrifying pulse of K-pop, his sound feels both familiar and entirely new—an emotional collision of worlds shaped by his own multicultural journey.

A London-based singer-songwriter who moved to the UK as just a teen to chase music, Shao Hao’s path has been anything but easy. He speaks with fearless honesty about navigating life as an immigrant, about being neurodivergent, about being queer and in doing so, he has become a quiet but powerful force of representation for young listeners learning to embrace their own truths. His courage doesn’t just live in his lyrics; it lives in the way he shows up as himself, unapologetically and wholeheartedly.

And while his personal story is compelling enough on its own, Shao Hao’s professional résumé is equally striking. As a songwriter, he has crafted chart-topping hits across Asia, penning tracks for giants like Stefanie Sun, Power Station, Angela Zhang, and Japan’s virtual powerhouse V.W.P, soaring to No.1 in China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia. His work has become a mainstay in East Asian TV dramas and chart-dominating Netflix series, cementing him as one of the most versatile voices behind the scenes.

Now, with a new era unfolding, Shao Hao steps into the spotlight, not only as a creator of hits, but as the heart of his own story.

"Where is My Home" Music Video 

“Where Is My Home” is such a raw, emotional track. What moment or feeling sparked the very first idea for this song?

The very first spark came from looking back at my younger self — at 17 I left Asia for the UK. I remember arriving in boarding house Scotland, feeling both brave and completely lost. I didn’t belong fully in my old world anymore, but I wasn’t part of this new one yet. That emotional “in-between” space is what started the first line of the song. It felt like writing a letter to the younger me who was trying so hard to find where he fit, and also wanting to tell him that everything was going to be OK.

What did you want listeners to feel when they hear it for the first time?

I wanted people to feel seen. We all go through moments where we wonder if we’re enough, if we belong, or where our “home” really is. I wanted the song to feel like a safe place—like someone gently saying, “You’re not alone. I’ve been there too.” If even one person feels understood when they hear it, then the song did its job.

Were there any artists or albums that shaped your musical view?

Definitely. I grew up loving storytellers like—Adele, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, Frank Ocean. On the Asian side, artists like Stefanie Sun from the emotional world of Mandopop also shaped me deeply. And of course, writing with K-pop and Brit-pop creators in recent years really expanded my melodic instincts. My musical view naturally became this mix of Brit-pop honesty, Mandopop emotion, and K-pop energy.

You moved to the UK at 17 to study music. How did that transition—both culturally and emotionally—shape the artist you’ve become today?

Moving countries alone at 17 changes you. Not just the culture shock, but the sudden silence—you lose your language, your friends, your sense of identity. Music became my first language before my English was fluent. That experience taught me patience, self-reflection, and the courage to tell my story honestly. It’s the foundation of everything I write today.

How do your identities influence the way you write, perform, or navigate the music industry?

My identity sits between cultures, and that gives me a unique lens. I’m constantly translating life between East and West, and that naturally shows up in my melodies, emotions, and storytelling. Being different used to feel like a weakness, but now I realise it’s actually my superpower. It allows me to make music that speaks across cultures and reminds people that being “in-between” can be something beautiful.

As someone who has struggled with belonging, what does “home” mean to you now? Has that definition changed over the years?

It’s changed completely. I used to think home was a location or the place my passport says I’m from. Now I think home is the feeling of being seen, understood, and loved. It’s the people, memories, and moments that make you feel safe. Sometimes home is a city, sometimes a person, sometimes a song. And sometimes, we carry it inside ourselves.

You've written No.1 hits across China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan, and even for Japanese virtual groups. How does your creative process differ when you're writing for others versus writing for yourself?

When I write for others, I step into their world—their tone, their message, their story. It’s like acting: you embody someone else’s voice. But when I write for myself, there’s no mask. It’s more vulnerable, more raw, and sometimes harder because there’s nowhere to hide. 

What advice do you have for young creatives?

Don’t try to be perfect—try to be authentic. The world needs your story, and being different could be your superpower when it comes to creativity. Also, support each other and find your community. Creativity grows when you can feel safe to be yourself.

Your career spans songwriting for TV, major artists, and now building your own artist identity. What has been the most challenging part of stepping into the spotlight yourself?

The hardest part has honestly been patience. I spent years writing for other artists, waiting for the right moment and the right story to step forward with. There were times when people didn’t fully believe in me as an artist yet, and I had to learn how to hold onto my own belief quietly. Stepping into the spotlight meant finally telling myself, “You’re ready now. Your story matters.” That shift—from waiting for permission to giving myself permission—has been the most challenging but also the most empowering part of this journey.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who is at the top of your list and why?

Laufey. Her musicality is stunning, and she’s built a world where vulnerability and elegance coexist. I think our cross-cultural stories and emotional writing styles would blend beautifully. I imagine we could probably write a painfully honest ballad and cry in the studio together.

What’s next after “Where Is My Home”? Are there themes or sounds you’re excited to explore in your upcoming projects?

Next, I’m releasing a special winter single — my own reimagined version of “Walking in the Air.” It’s a song I grew up hearing every Christmas in the UK, so creating my own modern, emotional arrangement of it feels really personal and meaningful. 

After that, I’m diving deeper into my upcoming English EP - S.H.17. It expands on the themes of identity, belonging, childhood, and healing. Sonically, it blends Brit-pop and K-pop organically. Story-wise I’m also exploring more uplifting and energetic tracks—songs about hope, teenage love, and the journey of growing up. It’s a time-travel capsule back to my 17-year-old self, and I can’t wait to share the next chapters.