Hallyu to the World: The rise and rise of Korean Culture

Back in 1960, South Korea was one of the world’s poorest countries. In the wake of the Korean War, the northeast Asian nation was so poverty-stricken that its GDP per capita clocked in at a meagre US$79. Fast forward six decades, and the country is on an incredible high. Having transitioned from a largely agricultural economy to a high-tech producer of semiconductors, phones and cars, it boasts the fourth largest economy on the continent (in terms of nominal GDP), lagging behind only China, Japan and India.

Home to such plugged-in conglomerates as Samsung, LG and Hyundai, South Korea has also spawned a whole new hit of global exports: Hallyu. If the term is new to you, chances are the phenomenon it represents is not. For the uninitiated, Hallyu is the romanised form of hanryu, the term for what has come to be known as the Korean Wave – the immense growth and export of the country’s pop culture to the world.

When this movement first began some 20 years ago, it was quickly adopted by neighbours China and Japan, but today Western nations are equally enamoured with all things Korean, be it movies like the 2019 Academy Award-winning film Parasite, TV shows such as 2020’s Crash Landing on You and last year’s record-breaking Squid Game; music (think wildly successful bands such as BTS and girl squads Girls Generation and Blackpink); food, and even cosmetics.

The current global love for all things South Korean can be traced back to the turbulent times of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when the nation took active measures to restrict cultural imports from Japan. To fill the resulting void, a new mission to foster and strengthen local culture and talent was initiated, including pouring funds into creative industries such as film and TV studios. High-quality Korean dramas were produced very cheaply, and these new media offerings rapidly gathered a fan base in China before reaching further afield. Thus, Hallyu spread to the West, piquing the curiosity and capturing the imagination of the ’90s generation.

Also Read: Most famous Asian royals to follow on Instagram!

K-wave

Many liken the beginning of the Korean Wave to the popularity that Japan itself experienced around that time, when anime, manga, J-pop music and such heavy hitters as Pokemon and Studio Ghibli gained cult status beyond its shores. However, the critical difference between them is that Hallyu managed to capitalise on the emerging trend of digital globalisation, and thus became accessible to a wider international audience.

As Margot Peppers, Consumer Trends Editor at Foresight Factory, explains: “[Japanese culture is] still seen as offbeat, quirky and cool to like, but it is not necessarily mainstream. [Whereas] there has been such a push for K-dramas and stories that are rooted in Korean settings but still have universal themes and archetypes that everyone across the globe can relate to. They are built on this accessible universality that has really resonated with people.”

K-beauty

It’s no secret that standards of beauty are often set by what society sees in the media, and given the widespread dissemination of Hallyu, it’s not surprising that many young people want to mimic the pristine, pale skin of Korean celebrities, paving the way for the rise of K-beauty. The country’s cosmetics industry responded deftly, introducing a constant flow of new, innovative and sometimes unusual ingredients – snail slime, starfish extract, pig collagen and bee venom, to name a few – to serve up the Next Big Thing to consumers.

As a result, the South Korean beauty and cosmetics market now ranks among the top 10 worldwide. According to a study published by Portland-based research company Allied Market Research, the business was valued at US$10.2 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow to US$13.9 billion by 2027 – representing a staggering 36-percent increase.

Also Read: Beauty Airbrushing: Why filters are denting our confidence

K-dramas

South Korean dramas always had an avid fanbase across Asia and its diaspora population, but they have now hit their stride on a global scale. It began when streaming service Netflix decided to break into K-dramas – as the country’s TV series are affectionately dubbed – and debuted its zombie drama series Kingdom in 2019. Since each episode cost a whopping KRW 2.2 billion (about HK$14.4 million) to make, the investment into Hallyu’s popularity was a gamble, to say the least, but the show was received with great acclaim.

Next to break records was Crash Landing on You, which stayed on Netflix Japan’s Top 10 list for 229 consecutive days; it even became the sixth most-watched series in the US. But that all pales in comparison to the enormous cultural impact of nail-biting survival series Squid Game. Having been streamed for a whopping 1.65 billion hours in the first four weeks of airing, it is Netflix’s biggest series launch ever, outstripping nearest competition Bridgerton almost two-fold.

Korean movies were no less in the spotlight, with comedy-thriller Parasite becoming the first non-English-language film to clinch Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Director Bong Joon-ho nabbed the Best Director prize as well. Then, last year, Minari – which follows the travails of a family of South Korean immigrants in rural ’80s USA – also garnered an Oscar (for supporting actress Youn Yuh-jung), prompting a new generation of Western cinephiles to explore other works by the creative talents in these films.

K-pop

While Korean food, cosmetics and films have undoubtedly permeated throughout Asia and the West, there is one aspect of Hallyu that outstrips them all – K-pop. Thanks to its distinctive blend of addictive melodies, slick choreography and production values, and an endless parade of attractive performers who spend years in gruelling studio systems learning to sing and dance in synchronised perfection, K-pop has become a global phenomenon.

No band exemplifies the rise of this sensation than BTS; the country’s leading musical act raked in a massive US$4.65 billion for its economy in 2019. To put that sum into perspective, it equates to 0.3 percent of South Korea’s entire GDP, and more than what many small African nations earned within the same timeframe.

While naysayers may scoff that Hallyu is but a passing phase, the mercenary truth of the matter is that the staying power of the movement is reflected by the financial gains involved. What’s more, it’s not just the bands and the nation that are basking in reflected glory – it’s multinational brands as well, with everyone from McDonald’s and Nike to Louis Vuitton cashing in on collaborations with BTS and their ilk. As long as the attractiveness of the Korean Wave continues to enchant fans, the world will remain at their dancing feet.

Also Read: 10 Most anticipated Asian movies to watch in 2022

(Text: Tenzing Thondup)

Best Chinese New Year displays in Hong Kong

It’s the biggest holiday in most parts of Asia and Hong Kong goes all out in decking the city with bright hues of red and gold. We’re still observing social restrictions in the 852 but that does not have to dampen the Lunar New Year spirit. Here are the best places to check out the Year of the Tiger displays in city and soak in the festive flair…

1. Lee Tung Avenue

It’s the prettiest outdoor pedestrian street in the city and never fails to go all out when it comes to displays and decors. To celebrate the Year of the Tiger, Lee Tung Avenue is channeling the Year of the Tiger vibe with a total of 888 hanging red lanterns. Every evening at 5:30pm, the red lanterns will light up in their festive glory all throughout this month, so soak in the festive feels and jazz up your instagram reels with a trip to Wan Chai.

Read more here.

2. Central Market

The oldest wet market in Hong Kong has got a fresh breath of life and welcoming their first Chinese New Year, in collaboration with Taiping Life (Hong Kong). The Chinese New Year event includes pop-up stores, auspicious decorations including a 5.5-metre-tall Taiping Wishing Tree and more than 450 Chinese lanterns at the central Oasis. If you’re making a trip downtown, don’t forget to say Kung Hei Fat Choi to the cute Taiping Elephant and the lucky tiger mascots who are busy spreading the holiday cheer to one and all…

Read more here.

3. Lion Dance at Peninsula Hotel

It’s the most auspicious and time-honoured Chinese New Year tradition and whilst most of the outdoor lion dances stand cancelled due to Covid, the one at the Grand Dame of the Far East Peninsula Hotel, famous for its elaborate performance is still on-track. Featuring red and gold lions and dragons, the beautifully choreographed spectacle will take place on The Sun Terrace, a sweeping alfresco venue with stunning views of the Victoria Harbour. Combine the auspicious experience with an array of award-winning gastronomic delights at one of the hotel’s many restaurants.

Read more here.

4. Harbour City Mall

Featuring the theme of “PAWsperity for ALL” theme this Chinese New Year, Harbour City mall and the Ocean Terminal Forecourt transform into a lucky lantern pathway. A total of 108 colourful lanterns will be swaying in the breeze above the pathway with different blessings tied and eight giant wishing knitted balls, wishing everyone luck, prosperity and good health. Harbour City also invites Dr. Lee Shing Chak to share Fortune of the Year of the Tiger online and give exclusive lucky tips for each Chinese Zodiac so that everyone can get prepared for the New Year.

Ten good things that went right in 2021

Year Two of an ongoing pandemic meant a strange, disorienting 12 months, with widespread uncertainty and a society in disconnect. Plenty of good positivity was to be found in the medical sector, though, as well as a medal rush in sports and the return of prudence to the White House, giving us something to look back on with gleeful satisfaction.

1. Games On

The delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw the SAR send its second-largest delegation in history. The 46-strong contingent had a spectacular run across the 17-day affair, and clinched a whopping six medals – three bronze, two silver and one historic gold from fencer Edgar Cheung’s lightning ripostes. Pool queen Siobhan Haughey, who nabbed the two silvers for the 100m and 200m freestyle events, raced to the fastest-ever time for the latter event in December’s 2021 World Championships, giving us reasons to cheer as the year came to its close.

2. Malaria Miracle #1

In October, the World Health Organisation (WHO) approved the first-ever malaria vaccine for children. The mosquito-borne disease kills nearly 650,000 people a year, and is the leading cause of childhood illnesses and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus celebrated this breakthrough by saying: “This is a historic moment… Using this vaccine on top of existing tools to prevent malaria could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.”

3. Malaria Miracle #2

Another malaria-related win came from China, which has officially been declared free of the infectious disease following a concerted, decades-long battle. It’s a far cry from its zenith during the ’40s, when an estimated 90 percent of the population were at risk of infection, and some 300,000 Chinese deaths were recorded annually.

4. Green City to Watch

Santa would have had plenty of scenic landing spots in Basel last month. The Swiss city scaled the heights in 2021 as the first in the world to make green roofs mandatory on new buildings. The move – which marks a concerted effort to combat rising CO2 levels and global warming – has already resulted in the construction of more than one million square metres of elevated green spaces.

5. Premier Preemie

Curtis Means, who was delivered a staggering 19 weeks before full term, became the world’s most premature baby to survive. His mother, Michelle Butler, was rushed to hospital in Alabama on American Independence Day, and gave birth to twins – Curtis, who weighed less than half a kilogram, and sister C’Asya, who sadly passed away a day later. The Guinness World Record-holding baby was discharged from hospital after a lengthy 275-day stay, and is now a thriving toddler.

6. Animal Magic #1

After a campaign spearheaded by Humane Society International (HSI) – a global organisation dedicated to combatting animal cruelty – and other animal welfare groups, Mexico announced a full ban on animal testing in the production of cosmetics last September. It is the first North American nation to pass such a bill, though 40 other countries have imposed similar restrictions, which also outlaw the importing and marketing of any products tested on animals.

7. Animal Magic #2

Thanks to concerted efforts by wildlife conservation groups and governments around the globe, multiple animals who were on the verge of extinction have made a triumphant comeback. These include China’s beloved giant pandas, four species of Atlantic tuna and European bison and wolves. Elsewhere, coral reefs – so crucial to the world’s ecosystem – have received a much-needed boost thanks to a new batch of ‘coral babies’ that were birthed this past year.

8. Blind Hope

Helping the blind see again is no longer just a pipedream, thanks to the new Moran | Cortivis visual prosthesis jointly developed by US and Spanish researchers. Via a tiny brain implant and camera, its first patient, Berna Gomez – a former science teacher who has suffered from blindness for 16 years – was able to see letters, discern object shapes and even play a video game. Speaking of the breakthrough, lead researcher Eduardo Fernandez said: “We have taken a significant step forward, showing the potential of these types of devices to restore functional vision.”

9. Trumped and Gagged

Former United States President Donald Trump was notorious for his incendiary tweets and Facebook posts. Following the infamous Capitol Hill attack in January, Twitter – Trump’s main mouthpiece – permanently suspended him from the platform ‘due to the risk of further incitement of violence’. Sensible people everywhere breathed a hefty sigh of relief. His eviction from the White House after five years of divisive leadership was a cause for celebration for many, too.

10. Jab for Joy

Trumping the year’s many other medical marvels was undoubtedly the success of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. Pharmaceutical companies had raced to create an effective vaccine for Covid-19 from the outset of the pandemic, and in 2021, these efforts yielded major results: some 3.63 billion people (roughly 46.6 percent of the world’s population) are now fully vaccinated. Though Omicron – and the possibility of more new variants on a similar scale – remains a real concern, there’s no denying that this is the first major advancement to defeating the virus. Since 2021 has brought us one step closer to the return of normal life, then we are right to crack open the Champagne as we welcome 2022.

Seven must-read books about Hong Kong

Everyone has a different take on Hong Kong. It’s a city of dreams for some, a busting metropolis for others, for you it might be about the people, for us – about the stories, sights or sceneries. With so much diversity, the city has something for everybody. Here are nine riveting, must-read books about Hong Kong which will help you know this city a little bit better, one page at a time.

Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang
A classic love story set in 1940s Shanghai and Hong Kong, with the backdop of WWII to set the tone, the story follows a beautiful divorcée who finds her path crossesd with a bachelor businessman who takes an interest in her. But their love story is far from a fairy tale, through the trials and tribulations of their relationship, their love triumphs.

Published in 1943, it is one of the most successful novellas written — winning hearts across Hong Kong, China and Taiwan and is now an award-winning film and TV series. The first collection of English printed novels by celebrated novelist Eileen Chang (also known as Ailing Zhang), her engaging narrative and complex characters are beautifully delivered in her writing and use of metaphors.

The Piano Teacher by Janice YK Lee
An international bestseller, this book follows the love affair of a beautiful socialite and her English lover set in the backdrop of Hong Kong in the ’40s and ’50s. Separated by the war and the Japanese invasion. The novel, boldly written with deeply flawed — but compellingly human — characters driving the narrative, the story tale unfolds in a telling of betrayal, loss, romance and history.

Published in 2009, it is Hong Kong-born American author Janice Y.K. Lee’s debut novel which became an instant best-seller and international hit.

No City for Slow Men by Jason Y. Ng
A collection of 36 essays by Jason Y. Ng covers the many social, cultural and existential happenings facing Hong Kong. From property market to old age poverty to the varied stories of the streets of Sheung Wan and the misunderstood Mainland Chinese. It is a light-hearted literary reflection of the many quirks and quandaries of the Hong Kong experience from a fresh perspective.

Mourning a Breast by Yan Zhang (Xi Xi)
Chronicling author Yan Zhang coming of age story as a Chinese growing up in Hong Kong from the age of 12, then later being diagnosed with breast cancer in adulthood, her memoir tells the all too familiar and awkward experiences of being a young girl going through puberty as well as the grief and peace of embracing the female body.

Mourning a Breast was one of the first Chinese books to explore the experiences of breast cancer patients. It was selected as one of the Top Ten Books in the Book Review page of China Times in 1992, and was later on translated into English and is now a romantic-comedy motion picture, 2 Become 1, featuring Miriam Yeung.

The Queen of Statue Square by Marshall Moore and Xu Xi
What does it mean to be a Hongkonger? This is the question in mind of the eight writers that comprise this anthology of Hongkongers in the city. Exploring the past, present and possible future definition of ethnicity and cultural identity, this collection of short stories explore what it means to be in, from and of the multi-cultural city, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Diner: Recipes for Baos, Hotpots, Street Snacks and More… by Jeremy Pang
A vibrant tribute to the many delicious staple and emblematic dishes of Hong Kong, this cookbook is a mouth-watering ode to the varied flavours of the city that we all know and love, from Baos and buns to hotpots and fried noodles and even modern day favourites such as bubble teas.

Coming from a long lineage of cooks, and starting Europe’s only award-winning Oriental and Asian cookery school, Jeremy Pang showcases, in beautiful photography and surprisingly cutting-edge design, 70 dishes to drool over, including some of the city’s most iconic cha chaan teng highlights.

Letters Home by Jennifer Wong
Where is home? Author Jennifer Wong writes down her own experiences on homesickness, belonging, nostalgia and cultural identity as a Hong Kong-born and -raised Chinese living abroad in the west during her time as a University student in Oxford and London.

Recipient of the Hong Kong Young Artist Award (Literary Arts) and a PhD graduate, this is her third collection of poetry in which she navigates her sense of home through the art of poetry.

Diwali 2021: Guide to celebrating the Festival of Lights in Hong Kong

If there is one thing the Indian community is known for, it is throwing a spectacular party, and none other than Deepavali – or Diwali, in short – is the culture’s most grandiose of celebrations. It is one of the most important festival for the Indian community, also referred to as the ‘Festival of Lights’, Diwali is an occasion permeated with diyas (clay lamps), decorations, vibrant dresses and lots of traditional sweets.

What is Diwali?
Although traditionally, celebrations span over five days, starting with Dhanteras on 2 November for the year 2021, for businesses to ring in the new financial year, followed by chhotti diwali (new year’s eve) on the next day, in Hong Kong, it is the third day on 4 November that marks the main event – Diwali.

On this day, the more than 38,000-strong Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities celebrate the New Year and hold a pooja (prayer ceremony) for Lakshmi and Ganesh, the Gods of Prosperity and Health – celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Then, the rest of the day and the days that follows will be dedicated to friends and families to gather, dress up, eat a feast and turn up the Bollywood music! If you’re curious as to how to join in on the celebrations with your Indian friends, we guide you to the places to eat, the sweets to buy and where to get a beautiful traditional saris and sherwanis.

Sweets to Eat and Gift
Emblematic to the festival are the mouth-watering sweets that the community share among each other as a symbol of wishing one another a prosperous year. Bright, colourful and delectably delicious, desserts such as mithai, gulab jamun, kheer and jalebi are the traditional offerings on this occasion. Here’s where to get them…

Gaylord and Gunpowder
Prince Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui and J Residence, Wan Chai
Offering freshly-boxed Diwali sweets at both of its Indian restaurants, Gaylord and Gunpowder.
Price: From HK$150

Desi Bazaar
120 Caine Road, Mid-Levels
Desi Bazaar makes for a convenient trip to get your Indian snack fix if you live up in the mid-levels. An Indian grocery store with a range of products to choose from, it has the freshest of Diwali sweets.

gafencu_diwali_indian_new_year_deepavali_festival_of_light_celebration_festival_what_to_see_do_indian_food_new_punjab_club — *(Photo: New Punjab Club)*

Where to Eat
There can be no Indian celebration without the delicious feast that goes along with it. To mark the day with friends and families, here are the available Diwali menus…

New Punjab Club
34 Wyndham Street, Central
Black Sheep’s New Punjab Club has launched Chef Palash’s Chef Palash Dreams of Diwali, comprised of two Diwali delivery menus – Dhamaka (HK$558 per person) and the Dhanlakshmi (HK$478 per person). Think Lahori Charga (traditional fried chicken) and Paneer Tikka Lababdar (tandoor-cooked coottage cheese in onion and tomato masala).

They also have a Mithai Box of Sweet Dreams (HK$488 per box of 500gms) available for order.

Chaiwala
43-55 Wyndham Street, Central
From pani puri and Bombay fried chicken to tandoori lamb chops and more, the Central-set Chaiwala is offering a Diwali menu (HK$520 per person) for the entire week with an optional 2-hour free-flow (HK$240)

Bombay Dreams
46 Wyndham Street, Central
Another local favourite and the longest-standing Indian restaurant in the city, Bombay Dreams offers Indian staples and traditional dishes that will please any patron with a palate for savory and sweet. Also on offer is a sumptuous selection of mithais, malai cham cham, barfis and assorted sweet box to take home. (From HK$298 to HK$398)

Diyar and Candles
No Diwali celebration is complete without diyas (clay lamps) – representing enlightenment, knowledge and wisdom – in which candles are lit to dispel darkness into light. To grab your stock of decorative diyas, find them at SpiceBox Organics or Spice Store.

Traditional Wear
Diwali is no better time to show off your best saris and sherwanis, embellished with gold and vibrant shades, Sanskrit Bespoke Fashion, Ethnetica, and Kanta Trading Company are a few options to get your statement making piece.

Also Read: Feeling Festive? Home decor to brighten your Christmas celebrations

Heavenly scent: Unique, exquisite and rare facts about perfumes

The ‘lipstick index’ is particularly important when crises loom. Coined by Estée Lauder’s former chairman, Leonard Lauder, in the early 2000s, the term is an indicator of economic fluctuation, a barometer to gauge consumer confidence at a time of tumult. When spending is constricted, people delay splurging on big-ticket items like housing and electronics, but they will still treat themselves to smaller, affordable luxuries like lipsticks and perfume.

The lipstick index has held water at every downturn, but it could not foresee a global health crisis marked by extended lockdowns and mandatory face coverings when makeup would lose its lustre. If no one can see your face, let alone read your lips, it is pretty pointless to indulge in a pop of colour. Market research group NPD found that beauty sales tanked by more than 25 percent in the first six months of the pandemic, while third-quarter sales dipped further to 31 percent – an unprecedented global crash. But whether you pin it down to human nature or our innate sense of grooming, the beauty industry always finds a way to survive.

Amid a dynamic shift in priorities and spending patterns, makeup regressed and skincare profited. With its mood-boosting ability to evoke whiffs of calm, safety and sophistication, perfume in particular enjoyed a sharp upswing in demand. According to NPD figures, fragrance sales realised a 45-percent boom in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the previous year. And this most popular of gifting items may only solidify its strong market position over the upcoming holiday season.

Could this interesting indulgence in perfume during the bleakest of years provide a lesson in resilience and recovery for the other beauty players? We delve into a potted history of perfume and emit some surprising fragrance facts.

Story of Scent
From the sharp, woody offerings of cigars to the irresistible smell of honeysuckle, scents can transport us to faraway places in time. Though the Romans did not invent perfume, they gave it a fancy name. The word ‘perfume’ is actually rooted in the Latin term ‘per’, meaning ‘through’, ‘fumus’ and ‘smoke’.

A careful blend of romance with a dash of the surreal, the first form of perfume dates back about 4,000 years. The lingering scent you get on your sweater after a night beside a campfire is how the people of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) discovered fragrance. Burning resins and wood at religious ceremonies imparted a rich, balmy smell which the ancient civilisation used to embalm the dead.

“The lingering scent on your sweater after a campfire is how the Ancient Mesopotamians discovered fragrance”

Historical evidence dates the use of fragrant incense sticks in Egypt to 3,000 BC, where women were spoiled for scent. They indulged in fragrant baths and soaked themselves in oils for sensual pleasure. By the first century AD, well-heeled Romans were swimming in scent. Frankincense, myrrh and nard were burning lavishly at holy places, festive gatherings and affluent homes in the city. It is said that more than a million kilos of frankincense were imported from Arabia each year for burning, rubbing or sprinkling on the floor or bedspreads. In 54 AD, Roman emperor Nero – who was crazy about roses – spent the equivalent of US$100,000 to drown his guests in its scent at just one party.

Eau de Cigarette
Perfume was a marker of status in the 19th century. In the 1920s, a woman could simply spray on the smell of cigarettes instead of smoking them. One of the most influential, historical perfumes ever sold, Molinard’s Habanita, was introduced in perfumed sachets in 1921 and was an instant success.
As the first women’s fragrance with a strong vetiver vibe, Habanita was received as a decadent token of emancipation for the modern miss who loved mixing the biting smell of tobacco with here angelic façade. Considered a tad brazen at the time, the punchy, leathery offering is still available today (and so wearable).

Sniff Number One
Fine fragrance can cost a fortune. At more than US$2,000 per ounce, Clive Christian’s No.1 Imperial Majesty was named as the Most Expensive Perfume by the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records. It came by chauffeur-driven Bentley encased in a Baccarat crystal bottle ringed by 18K gold and a five-carat diamond.
The rarer the perfume ingredients, the higher its cost. The price of your favourite luxury fragrance is reflective of the purity of its elements, the expert craftsmanship of the master perfumer, its limited quantity, and the ornaments that adorn the flacon.

“In the ’20s, a woman could simply spray on the smell of cigarettes without actually smoking them”

Million-Dollar Nose
Acclaimed French master perfumer Jean Carles, co-creator of the iconic Miss Dior in 1947, got his prolific nose insured for US$1 million. According to this industry legend, no one is born with an artistic nose; continuous practice and love for the craft makes for a terrific olfactory memory.

Also Read: Ruling the Roast: Charting the rise of coffee culture around the world

Hard to Swallow
That riveting oceanic, musky scent trail you get in high-end perfumes like Miss Dior, Rochas’ Femme and Guerlain’s Shalimar, as well as fragrances by Chanel, Givenchy and Gucci, is all down to fragrant whale vomit. Yes, you read that right. Also known as ambergris, this solid, waxy substance actually originates from the intestine of a sperm whale. And, with a price tag of US$1,000-plus per ounce, it’s a perfume ingredient more precious than gold.

Ambergris floats in the ocean once being spewed out by Moby and his friends, and becomes oxidised along the shores. Much like fine wine, the longer the hardening process, the more intoxicating the smell. It contains ambrein, a potent chemical that acts as a fixative, making fragrances last longer. Synthetic chemical alternatives of ambergris are available, but luxury perfumes prefer the real deal. While legal in the United Kingdom and France, its use in perfumery in the United States is banned since sperm whales are an endangered species.

Text: Nikita Mishra

Most famous Asian royals to follow on Instagram!

He has Hollywood movie star looks, lives the perfect life of yachts, castles and horses, People and GQ line up for his interviews, looks every bit like Prince Charming, he is real and lives in Brunei. Meet Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei, a trained pilot, animal lover and Instagram sensation amongst others – he is the son of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei, with a net worth of US$28 billion – Mateen enjoys a luxurious life in one of the richest countries on Earth.

If that comes as a surprise because you were busy keeping a tab on the British royal family and all the drama surrounding Harry and Meghan, it’s time to get you up to speed with the charming, young royals, the blue blood of Asia.

Prince Abdul Mateen, Brunei
2.3M Instagram followers | @tmski

Not much is known about Brunei – a tiny nation of 2200 square miles on the northern shore of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea – but one thing we do know it has a sensational 30-year-old Prince, not shy of flashing his stinking wealth or stylish lifestyle. His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen, the 10th son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the longest-reigning monarch (after Queen Elizabeth II) and Prime Minister of Brunei, is quite the over-sharer on Instagram. From posting shirtless selfies to flying a chopper, riding a horse, cruising the Mediterranean, playing with leopard cubs, wearing insanely expensive watches or just being a handsome soldier in the military – the Prince has amassed a massive 2.3 million following on Instagram at par with some Hollywood celebrities.

With a super-rich father, the apparent estimated net worth is upwards of US$20 billion, the prince lives a pretty incredible, opulent life. A trained helicopter pilot, he earned the rank of second lieutenant after completing a gruelling 44-weeks course at UK’s Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where he hiked seven mountains within a day during a challenge! His love for sports is well known – an ardent David Beckham fan, he excels in snorkelling, skiing, golfing, boxing, rowing, polo, badminton, amongst others. The royal even represented Brunei at the Southeast Asian Games in 2017.

Queen Jetsun Pema, Bhutan
237k Instagram followers | @queenjetsunpema

In October 2011, the beautiful Jetsun Pema, daughter of a pilot, married the ‘Dragon King’ of Bhutan to become the youngest living queen in the world at the tender age of 21. Often called the “William and Kate of the East”, the royals recently celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. Her husband, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck indulged in PDA at the elaborate celebrations and joined the media to praise his effortlessly elegant wife, “I am very proud of her,” he said to the press. “She is a wonderful human being.”

According to The Washington Post reported that “in one version of events, the two met at a picnic when she was seven and he was 17; she reportedly came up to him and gave him a hug.” The queen’s family ties with the royals go back several generations. Though she’s the daughter of a pilot, her paternal great-grandfather was lord of the eastern province of Tashigang, and her maternal grandfather was the half-brother of the wife of Bhutan’s second king.

Often seen in limelight without a hint of makeup, brandishing her flawlessly radiant complexion, the queen is a mother of two boys, Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel, born in February 2016 and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck, born right at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Before stepping in the royal life, she studied international relations, psychology, and art history London’s Regent’s University whereas her husband received his education at the Oxford University. The couple share a common love for art.

Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, India
234k followers | @pachojaipur

Padmanabh Singh, the 23-year-old Maharaja from India makes headlines even without intending to. From traipsing in his magnificent palace in Jaipur (India), to hiking the terrains of Machu Picchu or having the time of his life blowing out birthday candles in an enviable Roman castle, the dashing royal knows how to make headlines even without trying. He shot to international intrigue and fame after walking the ramp for Dolce & Gabbaba at the Milan Fashion Week in 2018 – several magazine covers and fashion collaborations later, the polo-playing royal commands the world’s attention.

Fondly called Pacho by friends and family, a name bestowed upon him by his grandmother, Maharani Padmini Devi, Padmanabh Singh’s title is not officially recognised by the Indian government given that the country’s federal parliamentary democratic republic. His love for polo runs in the blood. Pacho’s great-grandfather, Sawai Man Singh II, brought international recognition for India after winning the first Polo World Cup championship held in France in 1957. At just 18, when most teens are recklessly enjoying life, Pacho even after living a life of riches and opulence represented India as the youngest member of a World Cup polo team. A winner of several sporting accolades, the young royal is known to be dedicated and disciplined to a fault and has never missed a day of training in his life.

Queen Rania, Jordan
6.3M followers|@queenrania

Influential in her fashion choices and her advocacy for public health and education, ever since her husband Abdullah II, became the King of Jordan in 1999, the stylish Jordian has been serving us incredibly tasteful looks. Breathtakingly beautiful, the 51-year-old Queen Rania is renowned the world over for her contemporary elegance, unique sartorial style, philanthropy efforts and her open support for the native tradition.

Fluent in Arabic and English, Queen Rania earned a degree in business administration from the American University at Cairo. Before joining the royal ranks, she worked at Citibank and even for Apple Inc in Amman, Jordan but destiny had other plans as she bumped into her future husband then-Prince Abdullah, the son of King Hussein of Jordan and his second wife Princess Muna at a dinner party. Six months of dating and they were engaged.

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratna, Thailand
84.2k followers|@royalworldthailand

The daughter of the current king of Thailand, King Vajiralongkorn, has every accomplishment on her resume – from fashion designing, professional badminton, equestrian accolades to writing love poems – the young princess lives and breathes creativity. Trained in top fashion houses like Armani, Ferragamo, Bulgari and Christian Dior, she’s the designer of her popular namesake label (Sirivannavari) and often regarded as one of the most creative royals in the world. Her badminton team won gold at the prestigious 2005 South Asian Games.

2021 Awards for Enterprise: Five game-changing pioneers receive prestigious Rolex grants

Internationally recognised Swiss watchmaker Rolex has long championed exploration, discovery and the ethos of a Perpetual Planet. Although the Perpetual Planet Initiative was officially launched in 2019, the company’s efforts in supporting the upward momentum of an ever-evolving and improving Earth dates back 45 years in celebration of the Oyster, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch.

Since then, the philanthropic company has supported 155 laureates, all visionaries dedicated to achieving incredible feats of discovery, making significant contributions to improving life for humanity and protecting the planet.

As it continues to drive sustainability, ingenuity and the spirit of enterprise into the future, Rolex has presented five inspiring pioneers from across the globe with the 2021 Rolex Awards for Enterprise — a grant that will allow this year’s laureates to continue their push for remarkable discoveries in the fields of sciences and social entrepreneurship.

Unlike other grant programmes, the Rolex Awards for Enterprise is designed to include a diversity of change-makers — irrespective of gender, social background or nationality – and to peruse new and on-going projects rather than solely recognise past achievements. “Rather than venturing into the unknown and discovering uncharted lands, the new breed of explorers is committed to protecting the planet”, said Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex Director of Communication & Image.

Dubbed by Boetsch as “the guardians of the future”, this year’s batch of awardees comprise of a marine scientist, conservationist, polar explorer, social entrepreneur and a geographer and climate advocate, each committed to creating a sustainable future for the world.

The winners of Rolex’s 2021 Awards for Enterprise are:

Felix Brooks-Church
US Social Entrepreneur
Equipping rural flour mills with ‘dosifier’ machines to fortify staple food supply in Tanzania with essential micro-nutrients to will help solve starvation in Tanzania.

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim
Chadian Environmentalist
Mapping the rural land and natural resources of Sahel to provide crucial data that will help the community to locate resources, mitigate climate conflict, and create a sustainable future for its people.

Rinzin Phunjok Lama
Nepalese Conservationist and Biologist
Educating the remote community of the trans-Himalayan region in Nepal to lead its own initiative of environmental conservation through traditional values, compassion and education so the community can coexist with and help the area’s richly diverse ecosystem thrive.

Gina Moseley
British Polar Explorer
Leading the first expedition to the planet’s uncharted northernmost caves where its mineral deposits will provide scientists and researches valuable information on the past, current and future conditions of the earth’s climate.

Luiz Rocha
Brazilian Marine Scientist
Exploring the unfamiliar underwater ecosystems in Maldives to collect new data and uncover new species among the mesophotic coral reefs that will help better understand the biodiversity of this section of the Indian Ocean and how best to protect and strengthen its marine conservation.

For more information, please visit rolex.com

Central market gets a HK$500 million makeover — here’s what to expect

After three years of construction, rehabilitation, conservation and HK$500 million, the Central-set heritage building has finally reopened its doors to the public as a 21st Century Marketplace. Putting a close focus on local businesses and community building, it completes a “Heritage Triangle” between the redeveloped Police Married Quarters (PMQ) and the heritage-arts compound, Tai Kwun Centre.

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A brief history
The Grade III Heritage Building was Hong Kong’s first modern wet market. Opened in 1842, the building was fully functional for more than six decades before the local government handed over the landmark site to the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) with the aim of revitalising the property under the new “Conserving Central” initiative. The 82-year old market, transformed in to a vibrant community hotspot, reopened its doors to the public on 23 August 2021 and is now jointly managed by the URA and Chinachem Group.

Million-dollar makeover
Pulling back the curtain on this million-dollar makeover – or rather HK$500 million – 13 out of the than 200 original market stalls and the colonial flair in the architecture has been retained, albeit with a fresh face.

255 market stalls have been reconstructed into a “boundary-less spatial concept” with open storefronts, a semi-open courtyard and two levels of shopping, artisanal dining and events space for community building exercises. The venue breathes life into the area as it reflects the city’s spirit of innovation, vibrant energy and eclectic drive for new experiences.

Also Read: The most iconic buildings designed by international designers in Hong Kong

Shopping & Dining
Putting a close focus on showcasing homegrown talents and small businesses in retail and the food and beverage industry, visitors can expect to find local startup brands like zero-waste grocery Slowood and Mak’s Beer, Artisan coffees such as Chart Coffee and aisle-after-aisle of small businesses, like jewellery brand M Jade, as well as high-end grocery store Chef’s Market.

A playground for all
Chinachem Group stated that, along with the URA, it hoped to turn the Central Market into a “playground for all” as seen with its various event spaces. The ground-level courtyard is decorated with lush greenery with a small garden of flowers on each end, the space replete with motion sensor system, LED projection wall and wireless network coverage has been redefined for community performances. The first level also features a 2,500 sq.ft multi-functional event space for open forums, exhibitions, and cultural performances for every age group.

A stroll through the past
Lining the walls of the first level, of what used to be the Central Escalator Link Alley Shopping Arcade, visitors can walk through the history of the building and experience its heritage through old photographs, information panels and QR codes that explain the various areas and features of the building.

Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
For more information: centralmarket.hk

Photos courtesy of Chinachem Group

Also Read: Hong Kong’s heritage restaurants

Tokyo Paralympics: Hong Kong athletes haul medals in Japan

“I cannot believe we are finally here. Many doubted this day would happen,” remarked Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee in his Opening Ceremony speech at the Tokyo Paralympics Games.

Against all odds the delayed 16th Summer Paralympics are taking place in the presence of very few fans and amid rising fourth wave of COVID-19 infections in Japan. First held in 1964, Tokyo is the only city in the world to host the Paralympics twice. Hong Kong has already earned two bronze medals in table tennis and boccia (mixed individual) categories – whilst we’re hoping to clinch plenty more medals, a repeat success of the Olympic Games which concluded less than a month ago would be ideal – but, with 24 athletes across just eight sporting categories, it is going to be a pretty tight run for the top honour.

Scroll below for all the highlights of the Paralympic Games and the unmissable events –

The Hong Kong delegation

With a total of 126 medals till date, Hong Kong has enjoyed a remarkable streak at the Paralympic Games. Five years back in Rio, our medal haul of six – two golds, two silvers and two bronze – was considered a lackluster performance after the triumph of 2012 when Hong Kong’s Paralympians brought home 12 medals from London.

In 2021, the SAR has sent a delegation of 24 athletes, 40 coaches, National Paralympic Committee representatives, and other delegation officials. Athletes compete in eight sports – badminton, boccia, archery, equestrian, swimming, table tennis, athletics, and wheelchair fencing – hopes for outstanding honours are riding high.

17-year-old Wong Ting-ting after securing a bronze in the table tennis event

17-year-old Paralympian, Wong Ting-ting claimed Hong Kong’s first medal, a bronze, in women’s singles table tennis event. The young player won the first of a best-of-five match against current world number one, Russia’s veteran star Elena Prokofeva. She beat the Russian representative 11-9 in the first game, but lost 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 to the 50-year-old. Despite missing out on gold, support and praise has poured in from all quarters for the budding local athlete.

Wong Ting-ting made her debut at the Paralympic Games marvelously and outperformed veteran players, winning the first medal for Hong Kong at the Games. We are delighted and thrilled. Given her strong will and exceptional talent, I believe that she will reach new heights of sporting glory – Chief Executive, Carrie Lam in a statement to the press

Former world champion, Leung Yuk-wing has won the second bronze medal for Hong Kong at the Boccia Mixed Individual event beating China’s Zheng Yuansen 5-4 in the play-offs. A boccia prodigy, 36-year-old won two golds at the 2004 Athens Games, just a year after his initiation in the sport, a gold in Rio and now waiting for a top spot at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Leung Yuk-wing has won a total of five medals for Hong Kong at various Paralympic Games through the years, including four in individual events!

The other dominant forces to watch out for are Alison Yu Chiu-yee who will participate in wheelchair fencing. Yu is outstanding on the piste, with seven golds, three silver and a bronze since her Athens 2004 debut, she doesn’t need any introduction. Ngai Ka-chuen, is a veteran in archery since 2009 but competing at the Paralympics for the first time, meanwhile 24-year-old Natasha Tse Pui-ting, is hoping to cinch medals in equestrian category.

Also Read: Add oil! Hong Kong athletes making history at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Event highlights for Hong Kong athletes

Bookmark these dates to cheer on local athletes:

Archery: August 27 to September 4
Athletics: August 27 to September 5
Boccia: August 28 to September 4
Equestrian: August 25 to 30
Swimming: August 25 to September 3
Table tennis: August 25 to September 3
Wheelchair fencing: August 25 to 29
Badminton: September 1 to 5

History of Paralympics

Founded by Sir Ludwig Guttman as rehabilitation exercises for World War II veterans, the first edition of the Paralympics was held in 1960 in Rome, a week after the main Olympics. Called the Stoke Mandeville Games at the time, it was a competition for just 400 wheelchair-bound athletes from 23 countries. The event was retrospectively called as the first Paralympic Games – contrary to popular belief, the name Paralympics does not come from ‘paralysis’ and ‘Olympics’, instead it was coined using the Greek preposition ‘para’, which means parallel or alongside.

Today, that multi-sporting event has become the pinnacle of athletic achievement for people with physical disabilities – in 2021, 539 events across 22 different sports are taking place in Tokyo. Badminton and taekwondo are being introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics for the first time.

Keen to catch all the action live? NowTV, RTHK, i-Cable and HK Open TV are all showing the Games on television as well as on their online platforms. Highlights can be viewed on their Facebook pages.

Also Read: Heroes of Hong Kong- Medal haulers of Tokyo Olympics 2020