Culture & Leisure
"Suede" Ignites Clockenflap Stage After Eight Years
- 2024-12-14
- Culture & Leisure
- By: Tsz Chiu MaEdited by: Ben Rong Li、Xiya RUI
- 2024-12-14
One of Hong Kong’s favourite Britpop bands, Suede is back with a vengeance at this year’s Clockenflap. Brett Anderson, the main vocalist of Suede, showcased his famous microphone swinging during the show. Their performance even broke through the generations as numbers of young audiences were also attracted to have a glimpse of them. In 1999, thousands of fans packed into the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to watch their show, resulting in several injuries. Suede’s performance on the second night this year included songs such as “Beautiful Ones”, “Animal Nitrate” and “Trash”. They joined French electronica duo Air, British rapper Central Cee, Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts and others at the popular music festival from November 29 to December 1 in Central Harbourfront. Benson Chiu, a longtime Suede fan was excited to see the band play in Hong Kong again. “It was a precious moment when they performed ‘Saturday Night’ on a Saturday night,” he said. “I hope they will come to Hong Kong again in the future.” Another highlight of the festival was the community singalong of “Seven Nation Army” during American guitarist Jack White’s performance. As the greatest hit by The White Stripes, created by Jack White, “Seven Nation Army” has since become a famous stadium chant. The crowd in Clockenflap continued chanting the song after the show ended. Apart from big names and headliners, Clockenflap also showcased many hidden gems. Gloria Chan, who was at the festival for the third time, said she was surprised to discover the Japanese group Turtle Island. “Their performance was so amazing that they seamlessly blended lots of instruments together without any dissonance,” said Chan. Clockenflap sold out twice in 2023, but sales weren’t as good this year. Many participants felt that this year's festival was much less crowded than in …
Esports help build local Gen Z community
- 2024-11-29
- Society
- By: ALISHIBA MATLOOB、Wing Chi HOEdited by: Elif Lale AYHAN
- 2024-11-29
“In esports, working together is very important for success,” said Gen Z player Pong Ka-hei, 25, known as SiufatBB to his peers and the founder of the Hong Kong Griffin ESports Organization. Pong is also a professional player for the popular game Valorant and the champion of VALORANT Champions Tour 2022: Hong Kong & Taiwan Stage 2 Challengers. “Every team member, including me, is from a different place and family. Everyone has a unique background, but the challenge is to do our best as a team,” Pong said. Through their teamwork and shared passion, he believes Gen Z is actively building a supportive community in esports. Gen Z gamers can be spotted in Hong Kong. South Korean Esports powerhouse, fifth-time champion of League of Legends World Championship, T1, led by captain Lee Sang-hyeok (Faker), came to Hong Kong to host the HSBC One x T1 “League of One” party on Sept 29 at the Asiaworld Summit. Hundreds of fans got to watch them play against each other and also got to meet the players' family members. Being a fan of T1, Matthew Fai, said he made many lifelong friends through gaming, such as local competitions and online games. “One of my favourite games is League of Legends,” Fai said. The gaming community in Hong Kong has been growing since the early 2010s, particularly after significant events like local player Lau Wai Kin, known as Toyz, winning League of Legends: Season 2 World Championship in 2012. In 2018, the Hong Kong government invested HK$100 million to promote esports, showing strong support for gaming in the region. According to the market research website Market.us, the global esports market was valued at around US$1.8 billion (HK$13 billion) in 2022 but grew to around US$2.4 billion(HK$18 billion) the following year. Esports charts reported “League …
Wine and spirits merchants wish for more attention in Hong Kong
- 2024-11-15
- Culture & Leisure
- By: Ka Man Wong、MAO AnqiEdited by: Xiya RUI、Ka Man Wong
- 2024-11-15
The 16th year’s fair invites some new-coming wine and spirits merchants who are proud of their unique flavours and are confident to take a seat in the Hong Kong wine and spirits market.
Luminous dragon brightens up Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair
- 2024-11-04
- Culture & Leisure
- By: WANG JingEdited by: Lisheng CHENG
- 2024-11-04
Dancing lions and a grand parade made their way down Fuk Tsun Street as part of the Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair on Nov 3. People in the neighbourhood were treated to a Poon Choi feast, plus a spectacular 500-foot LED dragon dance, all in honour of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. All the street lights in much of the district were turned off, as the dragon made its way down the street , accompanied by colorful fish lamps at 8:45pm. The dragon weaved its way through the crowds to the sound of traditional drums and gongs. Organized by the Mong Kok Kai Fong Association and co-organized by the Yau Tsim Mong District Office, this event aims to enhance residents' sense of belonging, foster community engagement, and boost tourism and the local economy, according to the speech given by Leung Wah Sing, the chairman of this event. In the morning, nearly 1,000 people took part in a traditional folklore parade. “I've been hearing the music of this event performed from morning to night, so I was attracted by it and came to see what happened.” said Zhang Janci, a tourist from mainland China, staying at a hotel near Fuk Tsun street. “I think Hong Kong is doing well in preserving the traditional culture,” said Zhang. “You can see traditional elements like lion dance here and listen to the traditional folk music.” Wendy Chai, 62, participated in this event ten years ago. “The atmosphere is still great and this year’s LED dragon impressed me as its appearance is beautiful when lit up,” said Chai. Noire Chung, 64, who returned to Hong Kong from the United States, was there with her friend. “I am impressed by the dragon dance, but not because of its length, …
Hongkongers celebrate Halloween spirit despite struggles for local vendors
- 2024-11-02
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Chun Lim LEUNGEdited by: James Ezekiel Kalaw MODESTO
- 2024-11-02
Stores and stalls in several shopping hotspots, such as Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po, have been selling costumes and decorations, such as pumpkins and ghosts as Halloween approached. Reiko Leung Hei-nga, 21 has been going to Fuk Wing Street to purchase items for her Halloween costume for almost four years. “I enjoy getting together with my friends and showcasing our costumes,” Leung said. “The hardest part each year is probably finding new ideas and inspiration for a costume.” Many of those costumes showed up at Lan Kwai Fong. “A Hauntingly Good Time in Lan Kwai Fong”, is the theme for the week in the popular nightlife area. Retiree Leung Run-hei, 67, has been visiting Lan Kwai Fong for three consecutive years. “I’ve had a blast coming here with my friends and socialising with others. Although I’m old now, my mind keeps telling me to stay young and enjoy as much as I can,” she said. Ocean Park is hosting a Halloween Fest that started on Sept. 7 until Nov. 3,. Visitors can enjoy six haunted house experiences, namely Dreadful Walled City, Prison Escape, Netherworld Wedding, Hotel Morte, Horror of Homesteak and Forbidden Zone 274. There are also performances, such as Too Hot to K-Oppa, by a group of Korean dancers. “Even though I work here full-time, the unique events and decorations never cease to amaze me, said Park employee, Diamond Chan Sang-shu, 21, who has been working at the theme park for over two years. But the festivities did not benefit some shops, such as a stall owner surnamed Poon, who operates on Fuk Wing Street. She said sales that have gone down by 60% in the past few years. "The only time that my shop has been active is during festivals. For instance, during Halloween, I would …
Reduced liquor tax makes merry for Wine and Dine Festival
- 2024-11-01
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHEN Yik Nam、MAO AnqiEdited by: Yi Yin CHOW
- 2024-11-01
The Chief Executive proposed to reduce liquor tax from 100% to 10% in this year’s policy address. This festival serves as a platform to help merchants advertise their liquors, as their costs are reduced from import duty adjustment.
Gen Z Brings Back The Aussie Mullet
- 2024-10-31
- Culture & Leisure
- By: KURNIAWAN Trista VaniaEdited by: Yee Ling TSANG、Tsz Wing CHAN
- 2024-10-31
Generation Z is bringing back an iconic Australian hairstyle, redefining its style and challenging old stereotypes. In the '80s, the mullet rose to fame through rock stars and athletes. Now, it’s making a bold comeback in Australia, with Generation Z embracing and reinventing the iconic hairstyle. With a fresh, modern twist and the power of social media, Gen Z is changing the mullet’s rebellious stereotype into a symbol of individuality and confidence.
Digital Nomads: A journey of discovery between freedom and challenge
- 2024-10-31
- Society
- By: CAO Jiawen、WANG JingEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG、Lisheng CHENG
- 2024-10-31
In April 2019, Yung Yi-fu, 27, a YouTuber with 185,000 subscribers, published his first video on YouTube—“Nepal Mountaineering ABC”. His short escapades into the landscape of tourism snowballed into a full-time career as he garnered more subscribers. “At that time, I didn’t realize I was a digital nomad,” Yung said, “I just happened to start a YouTube channel when people couldn’t travel abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. Digital nomads refer to people who rely entirely on the Internet to earn income, thereby breaking the strong relationship between work itself and time at work and moving around the world. According to Pumble, the number of digital nomads worldwide will exceed 40 million in 2024. “Digital Nomadism represents an attempt to ‘escape the cubicle’. These people create personalized and innovative life journeys and lifestyles,” said Olga Hannonen, a visiting researcher of social science at the University of Eastern Finland who studies lifestyle mobilities. “I have been to 66 countries up to now,” Yung said. “It’s fun for me to adapt to a different pace of life and make new friends whenever I go to a new country.” He plans to live in Ethiopia, Japan, and Turkey in the future. Hu Yicheng, 25, is a postgraduate student in Hong Kong. Once an employee for a well-known Chinese internet company, Hu left the company after it made a personnel adjustment. She originally wanted to take a break before returning to work, but she met a recruiter from a foreign company by chance. “He introduced the concept of being a digital nomad to me and said it could give me a work and life balance,” Hu said. She started working there for marketing duties. Hu once went to Dali, a city in Yunnan popular among digital nomads for its beautiful natural scenery, convenient …
Gen Z preserves Hong Kong’s nostalgia
- 2024-10-31
- Culture & Leisure
- By: LAI Uen Ling、WONG Hong NiEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG
- 2024-10-31
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. 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. 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. Lee is among the increasing number of Gen Zers who are keen to look into Hong Kong’s past. While some collect items, others …
Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival stops plastic cups following single-use plastic ban
- 2024-10-30
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: WANG Ludan、YANG HaicenEdited by: Ji Youn Lee
- 2024-10-30
The Wine and Dine Festival last weekend stopped serving plastic cups following the government's plastic ban and encouraged guests to bring their own glasses or buy them on-site, as visitors increased by 10% from last year. The move aligned with the city’s' plastic-free initiatives, said Raymond Chan Chun-man, the Hong Kong Tourism Board's general manager of event and product development, “We encourage people to bring their own wine glasses. Instead, each visitor will receive a souvenir glass sleeve," he said. Wine glasses were also sold for $50. Participating restaurants and bars were allowed to pass out their own cutlery and cups to customers. “While we do recommend them to use the cups we provided, it is not within our purview to decide how they use them,” said Wong, a staff worker at the event who asked not to disclose his full name. Last year, plastic cups were sold at the festival for HK$5 each. The five-day festival at the Central Harbourfront expanded its opening hours until 11pm for the first time, with more than 300 participating booths offering thousands of global wines and cuisine, attracting about 155,000 visitors. Some visitors said the use of wine glasses enhanced their tasting experience, in terms of flavour and convenience. “Paper cups produce more bubbles in the middle of the drink and indirectly distort the flavour of the wine, whereas glasses do not,” said Kelvin Lee, a clerk at a non-profit organisation that supports children’s mental health. “If you finish a drink from one store and you want to go to the next one, the booth holder just needs to help you to swish the glass with water and then you can continue to use it,” said Jo Man, the CEO of the same NGO. “After guests have finished their wine, we clean their …