Freddie’s second verse

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 8 August 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Freddie once signed to a major record label. He appeared in high-production music videos and looked set for fame. But the pressure and pace of that life left him feeling hollow. In one of the world’s busiest cities, he now follows a very different path - one built on silence, discipline, and spiritual growth. Freddie reflects on his decision to leave the music industry behind and embrace Buddhism. He now works as a nail technician and shares how his beliefs shape his daily life. Alongside him is Carl, his partner, who offers moving insights into how their shared values deepen their relationship. We step into Freddie and Carl’s world, where Buddhist practice offers an anchor amid chaos. Their story explores what it means to redefine success, maintain spiritual discipline in a hyperactive city, and find peace through faith. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	What you're hearing that
0:03.0	Humphrey
0:04.0	What you're hearing is Freddy at the height of his music career, dressed all in black with a striking bleached blonde haircut.
0:28.7	Freddy is full of confidence performing at shows all over Hong Kong.
0:33.2	In 2010, Freddie had just signed a major record deal with Universal Records as he was on the verge of making it big.
0:41.1	Then seemingly, out of nowhere, he gave it all up.
0:45.6	I'm John Offord and this is the documentary on the BBC World Service.
0:50.4	For this episode of Heart and Soul, where we explore personal stories of faith, I've travelled to Hong Kong to find out why.
0:58.8	I first met Freddy here a few years ago. Back then, he was already quietly drawn to a different path, one not focused on fame.
1:08.8	Today, he's fully embraced that path,
1:11.5	dedicating his life to Buddhism.
1:14.1	His decision may seem surprising.
1:16.8	It's part of a wider movement.
1:19.4	Buddhism is on the rise among young people in Hong Kong,
1:22.5	and Freddie's story offers a window into why.
1:42.9	Cross Kings Road and continue straight on, then in 160 yards, air right on Kings Road.
1:45.0	So it's Tuesday morning in Hong Kong.
1:46.4	It's a national holiday today.
1:50.4	And I've just got off the MTR, the metro.
1:56.5	And I'm walking towards Freddy's nail salon,
1:58.6	where he's asked to meet me.
2:03.6	I'm looking forward to meeting him. I'm really intrigued to hear his story. Ah, well, come on to come in here.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 19 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.