Hong Kong Stories

Hong Kong is a mixture of old and new. One of the local cultures that can symbolize the ‘can-do’ spirit of Hong Kong is under-stair shops. They popped up in the 1950s, became a unique part of Hong Kong streetscape. This episode is featuring two under-stair shops; both are witnessing the change of history and linking a family. Ng Sup, a 85-year-old watch-repairer, has run an under-stair shop in Kowloon City for over 5o years. John, his son learnt the watch-repairing skill in this small shop beneath the staircase, he later went to Switzerland studying watch-making. John has become a watch-maker and has a successful career while Ng Sup feels like staying in his small shop. At the other side of the city, Lee Sau-sing is the owner of a 70 sq ft under-stair watch shop. He returned to his family-run small business reluctantly in 1993. His dad died within one year after his return. Several years later, Lee Sau-sing finally understood his father’s wish. Recently, both under-stair shops receive the notice that they have to move. Will this distinctive part of street culture disappear eventually?

Unlike typical university students, Jayers KO Tsz-mei, spent most of her time outside campus learning tattooing skill. University offered her freedom to realize her dream as a tattoo artist. At the year of graduation, she encountered an overwhelming pressure from family, friends and even the tattoo industry, which all ran against her dream. Determined, she decided to soldier on this lonely path. Over the past 7 years, Jayers worked tirelessly to explore the universe of tattoo art. She hoped to transform tattoo from a symbol of triad culture to a form of body art. In 2015, Jayers published a book that documented many tattoo stories in Hong Kong. Henry TSANG Hing-lai, a bank manager, visited Jayers’s tattoo studio one year ago and got a tattoo with a meaning of “be adventurous”. He decided to quit his job last month to chase his dream as a chef. LAW Siu-fung, originally identified as female, was confused on her gender before getting her tattoo from Jayers. She is now confident to fight for her own will as a genderqueer. Tattoo is no longer a sign of gangsters, but a way to express one’s belief.

Hong Kong peoples' native consciousness through social movements in the past 50 years.