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Gen Z preserves Hong Kong’s nostalgia

Deep in the heart of Kwun Tong is a treasure trove filled with vintage items, each with a Hong Kong story. From classic toys, school cabinets to piggy banks, each corner offers a glimpse into the past. 

The owner is 25-year-old Albert Lee. He was inspired by his father, who enjoys treasure hunting in flea markets with his family. Lee himself began his journey into nostalgia when he discovered a made-in-Hong Kong yoyo in Singapore. 

“Finding this Coca-Cola yo-yo reminded me of the one I used to have. Those memories were incredibly precious, which is why I wanted to continue collecting more toys like that,” he said. 

A radio plays from a salvaged Coca-Cola CD players launched in the 2000s, evoking a nostalgic sense of the 1970s

He found many nostalgia shops in Hong Kong gravitate towards items related to Japan, namely Shōwa Modan, a fusion between Japanese and Western styles.

“I wondered why no young people started a Hong Kong nostalgia shop. Why do we have to buy nostalgic items from other places?” said Lee. 

Albert Lee and his collection of Hong Kong nostalgia items

To pay for his passion for collecting, Lee juggles with several part-time jobs. He originally focused on toys made in Hong Kong, but he now welcomes all sorts of items. Lee’s customers come from all ages. While Gen Z tend to look for pieces that evoke a certain aesthetic for decoration, older customers prefer items with historical value or things that bring back memories.

Sometimes, he purchases items that seem valuable, only to realize they are not worth much. However, he believed it’s all about uncovering the stories behind them and learning from mistakes. “As I discover more about old stories of these items in my 20s, I can share them with the next generation, ensuring they aren’t lost,” Lee said. 

These treasures are collected by Lee when old shops facing closure or places need to clear out of their inventory.

Lee is among the increasing number of Gen Zers who are keen to look into Hong Kong’s past.  While some collect items, others reflect on the city’s heritage, or capture the city’s beauty through their cameras.

Lam Hiu-man, a local Instagram content creator born in the 80s, preserves the memories of Hong Kong through her photography on the social media page ‘Hong Kong Reminiscence’ with 43,000 followers.

Lam grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by old buildings. She thought Hong Kong’s landscapes have changed since the social movements and the pandemic. 

“If someone can document it, we can keep a visual record for the future generation to learn and remember. My goal is to encourage more young people to participate in this co-creation,” Lam said. 

“City Geometry” photography exhibition, features a collection of geometric architectural photographs taken by Lam.

When her full-time museum work ends, she spends her time recording cityscapes and only gets a few hours of sleep on average. This year, she curated eight local exhibitions for organizations such as the MTR and Nikon. 

“When you look at these photos, you realize the city is not lifeless. There are many possibilities as the next generation continues the stories of Hong Kong,” Lam added.

“Open House Hong Kong”, where Lam serves on the organizing committee, was started in 2024 by a group of young architecture enthusiasts. This programme showcases more than 50 sites and buildings for visitors to experience the city’s architectural wonders .

Lam is glad that more young people are getting involved. Rather than focusing solely on factual or documentary-style photography, some young photographers capture the beauty of Hong Kong through what they see as urban documentation.

“We are united in our purpose. We are reinterpreting our city from different aspects. With experts from different fields contributing, we gradually create a more complete picture of our city,” she said. 

While Lam showcases the beauty of the city's landscape on her social media page, she hopes to inspire others to venture out and explore the community for themselves.

Zita Lee, a 19-year-old university student studying creative media, has a passion for photography and purchased a second-hand film camera after her public examination in 2022. 

She followed many photographers on social media and is particularly fond of traditional neon signs. Since 2022, there have been at least 1,200 neon sign board removal orders according to the Building Department

“I like nostalgia because it expresses so much more than what meets the eye. The colours and details come together to create a sense of story,” Lee said.  

Lee takes her camera out once every one to two weeks. Strolling through Man Wah Sun Chuen, one of Hong Kong’s oldest private housing estates, it gives her a sense of time travel.

“When I visit nostalgic museums and see exhibits like vinyl record players or old CDs, I can’t help but take a closer look. They feel like pieces of history waiting to be uncovered,” Lee added.

Lee admits that film camera photography is a costly hobby, but it is worth it when she sees the outcome.

Given Hong Kong’s limited space and the tendency for people to prioritize necessities over “useless” items, Lee admitted that collecting vintage pieces might be viewed as a “foolish” act. 

Collecting abandoned items allows Lee to gain deeper insights into Hong Kong’s history.

But he dreams of establishing a museum one day to showcase the city’s rich history. 

“I see myself as a temporary custodian of these items, not their absolute owner. I wish to find them a good home. While they are with me, I transform them from trash into potential collectables,” said Lee.

《The Young Reporter》

The Young Reporter (TYR) started as a newspaper in 1969. Today, it is published across multiple media platforms and updated constantly to bring the latest news and analyses to its readers.

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