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)

10 Most Anticipated Asian movies to watch in 2022

Big-ticket blockbusters to provocative fare, romantic comedies or locally produced sci-fi flair – we’ve compiled the most buzz-worthy Asian films we’re already drooling to lay our eyes on… Bookmark this page, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2022.

Water Gate Bridge: The Battle at Lake Changjin II (China)

The sequel to the 2021 blockbuster topper, The Battle at Lake Changjin, the historical war film follows the CPV (Chinese People’s Volunteers ) soldiers onto the battlefield as they face the American troops in their final leg of the battle. Directed by Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam, and starring Wu Jing, Jackson Yee, Duan Yihong and Zhang Hanyu.

Release Date: 1 February 2022

Breaking Through (China)

In time for the Beijing Winter Olympics, Breaking Through (also known as Float in the Sky or Wo Xin Fei Yang) is a film inspired by China’s 1980 Winter Olympics delegation. Following the country’s speed skating team and their fight to success, the drama recalls the intensity and heartbreak of its athletes and countrymen that day. The film was directed by Wang Fang Fang, who previously directed another Olympic true story, Champion, and stars Meng Mei Qi, Xia Yu and Sa Ri Na, while featuring Bella Liang and Zu Zheng as supporting roles.

Release Date: 1 February 2022

Also Read: Simu Liu – Marvel’s first Asian superhero on shaking things up at the white boys’ club

0.1% World (China)

A rom-com which follows actress Zhou Yi Ran and breakout star Patrick Shih after an accident which results in their ability to feel each other’s emotions and experiences. Melded through minds, the two grow increasingly close while staying apart, and in an endearing, emotional journey they learn that the person that best understands them, is the other.

Release Date: 14 February 2022

The Fengshen Trilogy (China)

The mythological trilogy is an adaptation of the classic Chinese novel “Creation of the Gods,” an epic blend of history, folklore and mythology set more than 3,000 years ago. The movie traces the fall of the last ruler of the Shang dynasty, King Zhou, who is bewitched by a fox spirit posing as his concubine and becomes an oppressive tyrant. The fantasy drama involving gods, demons, and other supernatural beings, could well put Chinese movies on the global map, not only in terms of scale but quality and finesse too. Starring Bo Huang, Hsiang Fei, Xuejian Li, Yu Xia and Kun Chen, Fengshen is the most expansive and ambitious project in Chinese movie history with a crew of more than 2,000 and a planned budget of $445 million,

Release Date: 2022

Warriors of Future (Hong Kong)

Hong Kong films are commonly known for its fast-action, comedy and thriller movies, but now it dives into a new category that has yet to be touched: sci-fi. Warrior of Future, previously known as Virtus, is set in 2055, on a barren Earth ravaged by pollution and global warming. A meteorite crashes down, bringing along with it an alien vine that kills everything in its path, and to save the city, Hong Kong’s military take it on and uncover a conspiracy along the way. Directed by Ng Yuen-fai and starring Louis Koo, Sean Lau, Carina Lau, Tse Kwan-ho, Philip Keung and Nick Cheung, it is a highly anticipated film that is not to be missed.

Release Date: 2022

Table for Six (Hong Kong)

It’s been a while since Hong Kong has seen a good comedy, with Dayo Wong’s latest flick, we’re hoping this is will just change. A family celebration turns into a chaotic nightmare when one brother turns up with his new girlfriend who happens to be the Dayo’s ex-girlfriend. Starring alongside Ivana Wong, Stephy Tang, Lin Min Chen, Louis Cheng and Peter Chan, this laugh-out-loud family fun film centers around the hilarious turn of events as jealousy, tricks and lies come undone.

Release Date: 4 February 2022

Death Notice (Hong Kong)

If there is one thing the Hong Kong films are known for, it is crime action movies. Death notice, directed by renowned local film director Herman Yau, follows a special task force starring huge names such as Louis Koo, Julian Cheung, Francis Ng, Charmaine Sheh, and Myolie Wu as they chase a serial killer terrorising his victims with death notices. They dig deep to discover hidden secrets and unimaginable conspiracy as they uncover their murderer’s identity.

Release Date: 31 March 2022

The Outlaws 2 (S.Korean)

The outlaws are returning! After the success of the hugely popular 2017 action film The Outlaws, Ma Dong-seok returns as his iconic leading role Ma Seok-do in this sequel. Joined by a new villain played by Son Suk-ku, the story follows Dong-seok out of Korean to extradite a suspect. It is then that he comes across a series of murder cases that point to a serial killer who had, for several years, committed crimes against tourists and there is only one determined hero who take him down…

Release Date: 2022

Confidential Assignment 2 (S.Korean)

North Korean detective Im Chul-Ryung (Hyun-Bin) is sent to South Korea on a new mission where he teams up with South Korean detective Kang Jin-Tae (Yu Hae-jin) to capture North Korean crime leader Jang Myung-Joon (Jin Sun-kyu). This is a follow-up to its first movie released in 2017. A popular flick that gained a huge following, the sequel to the action comedy film is expected to arrive on screen in late 2022.

Release Date: 2022

Pathan (Bollywood)

After three long years away from the big screen, Bollywood’s favourite King Khan, or Shahrukh Khan returns in a thrilling police drama alongside hunk John Abraham, A-lister Deepika Padukone, and the evergreen Dimple Kapadia. The story centers around a residential complex, formerly home to the wealthy which now houses criminals, a dangerous king pin and a much-feared gangster known to have killed his own father.

Release Date: 19 November 2022

Also Read: Binge-worthy foreign language shows to watch on Netflix

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.

Jess Unstopabble: Here’s what you didn’t know about actress Jessica Chastain

Redheads in Hollywood were once typecast as fiery temptresses or hot-blooded vixens. Yet, this stereotype has subsided somewhat thanks in no small part to the many varied onscreen performances of such talented ginger actresses as Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore.

Chastain, in particular, has found serious cinematic success across a wide array of genres, be it sci-fi (she played Commander Melissa Lewis in 2015’s The Martian), biographical (last year she was the titular character in The Eyes of Tammy Faye), thrillers (2012’s Zero Dark Thirty) or more. For her efforts, she has nabbed a Golden Globe and was nominated for two Academy Awards and two Baftas, in addition to being named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2012. With the talented screen siren set to grace cinemas this month in The 355 – an action-packed spy film with a star-studded cast including Lupita Nyong’o, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger and Fan Bingbing – we take a look at some of the lesser-known facts about Jessica Chastain.

Estranged Relations
Jessica Michelle Chastain was born on 24 March 1977 in the Californian city of Sacramento. Her mum, Jerri Renee Chastain, and dad Michael Monasterio were extremely young parents, the latter being 20 and the former just 16 when Chastain entered the world. As an aspiring rock musician, her father abandoned his family a few years later, leaving Jerri to raise two young children by herself. Understandably, the Zero Dark Thirty star remained estranged from him for the rest of his life, and did not speak to him again before he passed away at the age of 55 in 2013.

Early Insecurity
As a single mother of four children, Jerri Chastain struggled to make ends meet. In one case, when they were living in North Carolina, the situation grew so dire that they were even evicted from their home. Recalling this turbulent period, the star has said: “Because my mom had us very young, many times we were in situations where we didn’t have stability. So, we moved around quite a bit when we were younger, and one time I came home from school, I was probably 13 years old, and there were people there locking the door…”

Acting Dreamcoat
Unlike many of her colleagues, Chastain was still a young child – seven years old, in fact – when she realised she wanted to become an actress. The seminal moment came when her grandmother took her to see a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. When she discovered the on-stage narrator was a scant three years older than her, she became determined to follow in her footsteps. Chastain never forgot her debt to the person who helped to spark her acting bug, and thanked her grandmother by taking her to the Oscars in 2012 and 2013 as her plus one.

From Dropout to Juilliard
Despite her obvious intellect, Chastain and school were not the best fit; she preferred to spend time reading Shakespeare rather than studying. Although she didn’t graduate from high school, she attended a local community college, and later, in 1999, was accepted at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York on a degree programme funded by a scholarship from Robin Williams.
“It was after my second year I found I got that scholarship, and it paid for not only all my schoolwork, but my apartment and my books, and my flight home to see my family for Christmas. It took care of all of that,” reminisced Chastain. “Each year I wrote him a letter about how significant that gift was to myself and to my family.”
Sadly, though, she never got to meet the comedian before his untimely death in 2014. The closest she came was at a restaurant when he was seated at a nearby table. She wanted to wait until he finished eating to introduce herself, but Williams slipped out the second he was done and she never saw him again.

Family Tragedy
Graduating from New York’s prestigious Julliard should have been one of the happiest days of Chastain’s life, but unfortunately a dark cloud hung over her. Just three days before, her sister Juliet had committed suicide at the age of 24, having struggled with drug abuse and depression for many years. Unlike Jessica, who was a year older, Juliet had reconciled with their estranged father and was living with him when she tragically ended her life.

Love in her Acts
After her sister’s suicide, Chastain took measures to raise awareness about depression, mental health and suicide, and began supporting the charity To Write Love on Her Arms. An animal lover, she also volunteers for the Humane Society of the United States, and used to spend Sundays at Los Angeles’s Animal Acres shovelling hay for horses.

Epic Success
Chastain’s career may have started slowly, but she blossomed into a major star. As well as Oscar-nominated movies, she has appeared in blockbuster hits, from the animated success of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted to the epic Interstellar and the horror giant It: Chapter Two. As of 2020, the domestic box-office takings from 23 of her movies raked in over US$1.4 billion and totalled US$3.65 billion worldwide.

Noble Match
The Zero Dark Thirty star has always been notoriously tight-lipped about her personal life, but she is, in fact, married to Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, an Italian count and scion of a revered noble family from the country’s Lombardy region. She and Preposulo – who is a fashion executive at Moncler – were married in 2017 in a private ceremony at his family’s Treviso estate, and share two children.

Help in the Dark
Since 2010, the actress has racked up more than 30 credits, most of them feature-length films. These include her Oscar-nominated performances in The Help and Zero Dark Thirty and acclaimed headlining roles in the likes of Miss Sloane and Molly’s Game, both of which earned her Golden Globe nominations. While The Help may have put Chastain on the map, it was Zero Dark Thirty that solidified her credentials and catapulted her into the big league.
But she nearly didn’t appear in the latter film at all. It wasn’t due to a lack of interest on her part – she accepted the lead role of CIA agent Maya Harris even before reading the screenplay – but because of scheduling conflicts due to a contractual obligation to co-star in Tom Cruise’s 2013 action film Oblivion. Thankfully, Cruise released her from that former commitment, and we now have a wide breadth of fantastic films from that one fateful decision.

The full version of this feature appears on Gafencu Magazine’s January 2022 print issue as ❝Double Digits❞ by Tenzing Thondup. Download the free app (iOS, Android) for digital editions of the magazine.

Eight books every entrepreneur must read

Becoming an entrepreneur is a matter of experience and education. With so many books to look forward to, here are the top ones which every self-starter should have on their radar this year. Scroll below for the season’s freshest reads:

Can’t Hurt Me: Master your mind and defy the odds
by David Goggins

What is a strong leader and a serial entrepreneur without the mental fortitude to carry any and every challenge through the other end of a seemingly impossible obstacle? In Can’t Hurt Me, former American Navy SEAL and Air Force Tactical Air Control officer David Goggins inspires his readers to wake up and realise their potential. Sharing his brutally honest experiences through abuse, trauma and racism, he offers his readers a refreshing albeit tough reality-check.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t
by Jim Collins

On average, about 20% of businesses fail within their first year. How exactly do companies survive and thrive? Business management researcher and author Jim Collins emphasizes on the common mistakes every entrepreneur makes and the keys to success for companies. A #1 bestseller, selling over four million copies beyond the business category.

Thinking, Fast and Slow
by Daniel Kahneman

To understand how we think and act, we must first understand how our minds are wired to process information. Nobel Prize-winning author in Economics and psychologist Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of their own minds. Distinguishing between our logical and emotional processes and digging into our cognitive biases – this one is an incredibly insightful book that guides us in understanding our thinking and behavior.

The Lean Startup Book:
by Eric Ries

A toolkit for modern-day the entrepreneur, American entrepreneur, blogger, and author Eric Ries bases his own experiences as a start up advisor, employee and founder to provide business-owners a how-to guide on utilizing innovation to develop ideas that stick and strategies for companies to turn radically successful.

Also Read: Five new hot reads to pick up this year

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
by Malcom Gladwell

With a brilliant narrative by the master storyteller and journalist Malcom Gladwell, the book spotlights the often overlooked success stories of the underdogs. What would commonly be categorised by society as a disadvantage could turn out to be one’s greatest strength and trait… Whether it is a physical or learning disability, the collection of theories and research-based evidence spells inspiration in the most illuminating way.

This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See Book
by Seth Godin

From the author of Purple Cow, Tribes and The Dip, popular American business writer, Seth Godin, has put out yet another eye-opening guideline on the precarious world of marketing. Offering an all-in-one timeless package of marketing wisdom in one book, This is Marketing dives into the core of how successful marketing strategies work and answer your long unanswered questions on how to drive good marketing into great results.

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
by Chip and Dan Heath

Remember the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who drank a glass of bacteria to prove a point about stomach ulcers? We do. Like the best of PR tactics, impactful presentations and sensational social media content, this book, authored by brothers Chip (organizational behavior professor) and Dan Heath (motivational speaker) offers readers a light and fun read on how and why important ideas stick using theories such as the human scale principle, the Velcro Theory of Memory, and the use of curiosity gaps in their examples.

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations
by Brené Brown

Whoever says motivation is overrated has not seen a Brené Brown TedTalk. In Dare to Lead, the #1 New York Times bestselling author uncovers what it means to step up and be present among leaders, change makers and cultural creators. What is it that drives our ideas and how to overcome our own self-perceived shortcomings to put those million-dollar ideas into practice.

Also Read: Seven must-read books about Hong Kong

Social Restrictions Kick In: Things you can still do in Hong Kong

While galleries, events and dinner service all stand cancelled following the government’s latest directive to nip the rising Covid cases in the bud, it’s not all gloom and doom for the next two weeks. We’ve curated a list of things you can still safely do in Hong Kong whilst abiding the official guidelines on Covid:

1. Join a cooking workshop

Try your hand at creating something from scatch at K11’s ABC Cooking Studio, where you can choose from a variety of courses, from baking cookies and cake to making pasta. Gather a small group of 2 to 3 people or sign up for a private class to live out your dream as a gourmet expert.

For more information, click here and here.

Also Read: Lockdown Learning: New skills to pick up to expand your horizons

2. Find your center

While gyms and fitness centres have hit pause on their services, several top personal trainers have already turned to online classes. Do not let your fitness gains hit a slump, in fact make the most of your at-home exercise session with a smashing 1:1 class with integrative healing and wellness coach Anita Cheung, or join a live streaming, fat-busting session with top local trainer Trixie Velez at Defin8 Fitness.

For more information, click here and here.

Also Read: Unusual alternative wellness therapies to try in Hong Kong

3. Attend an online wine / cocktail masterclass

To meet the demands and curiousities of the thousands of epicureans in the city, Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival has launched its permanent online masterclasses for convenient access to the many food and wine experts in the Hong Kong. From on-air wine tastings to the art of pairing food and wine to a special hojicha cocktail workshop. Don’t miss out!

For more information, click here.

Also Read: Five online learning apps that can teach you a handy new skill

4. Take a stroll into nature

Traverse the many beautiful, forested hiking trails in Hong Kong or cycle through the stretch of seaside cycling paths for a change of scenery. Although the much anticipated Hong Kong Cyclothon stands cancelled, there’s no reason to not pedal away those blues in the greens! A solid mental health boost is all we need.

See our top picks for sunrise hikes here and our favourite cycling paths here.

Also Read: Seven cool new hobbies to pick up during quarantine

5. Camp under the stars

Cruise to nowhere cancelled? Spa-cation not in service? Go glamping under the stars or set up your own tent with the family in the middle of nowhere. Waking up to roasted marshmallows and a piping hot cuppa sounds like all the mental peace we need right now. Check out our guide to unique staycations for the family here. Remember to observe all the social distancing rules because there are still “at least three transmission chains in Hong Kong at the moment”.

Also Read: Essential camping gadgets to level-up your next outdoor experience

Disclaimer: While Gafencu tries to keep up to date with the latest restrictions, the situation in the city is rapidly changing. Contact the establishments to make sure you get the latest information of opening hours and services before venturing out. Follow all government directives when you’re out and about.)

Best new Christmas movies to watch on Netflix

Home-bound for the holidays? There’s no perfect time to cosy up with close friends and family with a laugh out loud and heart-warming Christmas flick this long weekend. Here are Gafencu’s top picks of new Christmas movies to stream on Netflix this weekend…

Love Hard

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Chasing Mr. Perfect 3,000 miles from home for a Christmas surprise after swiping right on an online dating app, L.A writer Natalie Baurer (Nina Dobrev) finds out that she has been catfished by Josh Lin (Jimmy O. Yang) and the both get tangled in an unlikely but heart-warming friendship that touches on what it means to be in an honest relationship with others, and yourself.

Single all the way

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Celebrating LGBTQ, this Netflix original follows Peter who asks his best friend, Nick, to play as his boyfriend on a Christmas visit home, but things emotions an unexpected turn when his family chimes in as matchmaker changing their plans — and their feelings for each other.

A Castle For Christmas

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Feel-good

Receiving glowing reviews and starring Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes, the story follows best-selling author Sophie (Brooke Shields) as she escapes to Scotland to avoid a scandal, falling inlove with a castle. Unfortunately, she has to face off with the prickly duke who owns it.

A Boy Called Christmas

Genre: Adventure, Family

Nikolas, a determined young boy who sets out on an adventure to the north pole, searches for his father who has set off for a quest of his own to uncover the magical land of the fabled elves. Along the way, he takes Blitzen, a headstrong reindeer and a devoted pet mouse, bringing home the gift of hope.

Dash & Lily

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Based on the YA novel Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan, Dash & Lily plays out into a whirlwind holiday romance when opposites cynical Dash (Austin Abrams) and optimistic Lily (Midori Francis) find themselves exchanging messages and dares back and forth in a red notebook around New York.

David and the elves

Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Young David prepares to move to the big city with his parents but finds himself losing the spirit of Christmas when he meets Albert, the elf. Together they travel to the Tatra mountains to embark on a journey to find David’s grandparents and remind him what the spirit of Christmas is all about. Available in various subs and dubs.

Holiday Rush

Genre: Drama, Family

Popular radio DJ Rush Williams (Romany Malco) has been forced to leave his life of luxury behind to move in with his aunt after suddenly getting fired, bringing along his four spoiled children, stirring up a comedic family drama starring Romany Malco, Sonequa Martin-Green and Darlene Love and directed by Leslie Small.

Strange Attractor: Unfolding the life and career of Benedict Cumberbatch

When Benedict Cumberbatch first donned the iconic deerstalker hat to become Sherlock Holmes in the eponymous BBC TV series 11 years ago, the British thespian probably had no idea how seminal the role would be for his career. Yet, his powerful modern-day portrayal of the mastermind detective mesmerised audiences around the globe, paving his way to juicier roles and, eventually, Hollywood superstardom.

Now a bona-fide leading man, Cumberbatch’s chameleonic acting abilities have seen him cinematically embody a series of other fictional and real-life characters to impressive success: he played superhuman villain Khan Noonien Singh in 2013’s Star Trek: Into the Darkness, Smaug the dragon in The Hobbit anthology, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate, code-cracker Alan Turing in the WWII movie The Imitation Game (2014) and – in perhaps his biggest role to date – multiple outings as Dr Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Having lived in the limelight for well over a decade now, pretty much every aspect of Cumberbatch’s life has received media attention. From the personal – much hubbub was made of the purportedly £300,000 engagement ring he bestowed upon now-wife, theatre director Sophie Hunter – to the professional – he was slammed for calling black actors ‘coloured’ in 2015 – you’d be forgiven for thinking that there’s not much left to learn about the Sherlock Holmes star, but the following facts make intriguing reading…

Benedict the Barrister?

Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch was born on 19 July 1976 in London’s Hammersmith district and seemed to be destined for the big screen. After all, his parents, Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, were established actors boasting countless television and stage production credits. Yet, their chosen calling encouraged the young Cumberbatch to seek a more stable profession. Speaking of his parents, who are now in their 80s, he shared: “[Acting is] a very odd, peripatetic, crazed, out-of-your-control work and social schedule. It’s very hard to plan a family life, let alone know where the next pay cheque is coming from, so they worked very, very hard as my parents, and actors, to afford me an education whereby I had the opportunity and the privilege to try and channel myself towards other goals.”

So, which profession did he have in mind? “For a while, I wanted to be a barrister because there’s definitely a crossover with criminal law,” he mused. “I would’ve loved the performance of court, the idea of persuading people, storytelling and all that. It parallels beautifully with acting, lots of frustrated, amateur dramatics going on in court all the time. I think lots of barristers literally perform in amateur dramatic societies and are very good actors. It’s a massive crossover.”

From Lama to Lamda

After graduating from Harrow public school and before studying drama at the University of Manchester and then the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Lamda), the Dr Strange star decided to take a gap year. Unlike most of his peers, however, he chose to volunteer his time, teaching English at a Tibetan monastery in Darjeeling, India. In return, he learnt a thing or two about meditation. “I’d always been fascinated by the idea of meditation and what it meant,” he once said. “In India, I went on a retreat with a lama – several days of incantation to clear and purify the mind. It was incredible and I kind of floated out of there after two weeks.”

Shy to be Sherlock

Although playing ‘the world’s greatest detective’ may have catapulted Cumberbatch to the big leagues, his first inclination was to reject the part. “I heard about it and thought that it sounds like an idea to [re-franchise] something to make money. It could be a bit cheap and cheesy,” he explained. “But then I found out who was involved… My mum had done a few episodes of Coupling with Steven Moffat, and Mark Gatiss was a huge hero of mine, so I knew the stable was good. I thought I would read it, and then I fell in love with it.”

Nearly the End?

While filming the 2005 miniseries, To the Ends of the Earth, in South Africa – about a young man sailing to Australia on his own gap year of sorts – the actor had a frightening near-death experience. During a production break, he and two co-stars headed out to learn how to scuba dive when they had a flat tyre. “The three of us were trying to change the tyre when these six [armed] men appeared suddenly from the eucalyptus. They said: ‘Put your hands on your head; don’t look at us,’ and were frisking us for drugs, money, weapons. Then they bundled us into the car and put me in the boot,” he recalls.

It was quick thinking on his part that probably saved his life. “I said: ‘There’s a problem with my heart and my brain. I will die, possibly have a fit, and it will be a problem for you. I will be a dead Englishman in your car. Not good.’” This impromptu warning deterred the felons from proceeding any further with their kidnapping plot. Cumberbatch and his colleagues were dumped by the roadside and left for locals to find.

Assange Harangue

Prior to filming The Fifth Estate, Bill Condon’s biopic about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the meticulous actor reached out to the man himself to prepare for the role. The response, though, was rather less welcoming than he might have hoped. While Assange stated that he would very much enjoy meeting him, the majority of his reply consisted of trying to convince the leading man not to do the movie. He said, “You will be used, as a hired gun, to assume the appearance of the truth in order to assassinate it. To present me as someone morally compromised and to place me in a falsified history. To create a work, not of fiction, but of debased truth.”

Thankfully, Assange’s designated portrayer was not deterred. Cumberbatch declared that he “wanted to create a three-dimensional portrait of a man far more maligned in the tabloid press than he is in our film to remind people that he is not just the weird, white-haired Australian dude wanted in Sweden, hiding in an embassy behind Harrods, but a true force to be reckoned with, [who] achieved the realisation of the great ideal.”

It’s this same dedication to his craft that has typified Cumberbatch’s past roles and captivated audiences the world over. And, hopefully, one of the profession’s most memorable names, and most skilled performers, will continue to bring that same commitment to his future works as well.

December Highlights: Top things to see and do this month

The yuletide season brings with it a slew of festive celebrations and seasonal offerings this December. From a Hong Kong-inspired ballet performance of The Nutcracker, the latest installment of the most iconic couture creations from a collaboration between Adrian Cheng and Carine Roitfeld, the Hong Kong Philharmonics’ Christmas Fantasia to a delicious 6-course sensorial dining experience at Madame Fù and the annual Swire Properties’ White Christmas Street Fair, here are the top things to see and do in this festive season…

White Christmas Street Fair 2021
2-5 Dec

Swire Properties sets the scene for the festive season once again, with Tong Chong Street transformed into ‘Santa’s Whimsical Factory’ during the annual White Christmas Street Fair. Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of toys and treats, with a chance to tailor-make your own gifts with the assistance of Santa’s little helpers. In the spirit of Christmas and giving back, proceeds from the fair will go to Operation Santa Claus, an annual campaign to boost the coffers of various local charities and regional non-profit organisations.

How much: Free entry
Where: Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay
For more info: swireproperties.com

Oriental Watch Company X Madame Fù Presents: Take Your Time – Savour the Moment
Until 10 Dec

Hong Kong’s very own home-grown watch retailer, Oriental Watch Company, celebrates its 60th anniversary with a delicious collaboration with chic contemporary Cantonese dining space Madame Fù and award-winning local artist Sim Chan, serving up a multi-sensorial dining experience right in the heart of the heritage complex of Tai Kwun, Central. Presenting a 6-course menu, meticulously designed by Head Chef Kit Liao, diners will be treated to a multi-sensory gourmet experience that combines a delectable feast with an artistic installation, The Discovery of Time ~ 1961, within the opulent dining space of Madame Fù.

Reserve a table at Madame Fù, 3rd Floor,Tai Kwun, No. 10 Hollywood Road, Central; (852) 2114 2118 / reservations@madamefu.com.hk

Rare Classics: Shanxi Opera Excerpts
10-11 Dec

A series of xiqu heritage performances at West Kowloon’s traditional Chinese musical theatre venue opens with bangzi, or clapper opera, beloved for its lively singing and rhythmic wooden clappers. Four Shanxi troupes present excerpts from works in their distinctive regional styles– Pu Opera, Jin Opera, Beilu Bangzi and Shangdang Bangzi – which rarely reach our shores, while a narrator is on hand to provide illuminating insights into the traditional skills and gestures.

How much: From HK$270
Where: Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more info: westkowloon.hk

The Nutcracker: A Hong Kong Adventure
11-26 Dec

An annual festive feature that delights both young and old, The Nutcracker appears with a local twist to its magical tale this year. Hong Kong Ballet’s artistic director Septime Webre sets the faithful Christmas ballet in early 20th-century Hong Kong, charmingly fusing local historical characters, wildlife and traditions– imagine dancing dim sum clowns and bauhinia flowers – with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Presented by China Everbright Ltd, it is a glorious feast for the eyes and ears. This year, Fortnum & Mason’s 181, the iconic purveyor of fine foods in Hong Kong has partnered with Hong Kong Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker! to celebrate the iconic retailer’s longstanding support of the arts, particularly during a time where the sector has suffered. On 4^th December between 3-4pm, guests will have the opportunity to meet dancers from the ballet in full costume, and take photos with them.

How much: From HK$180
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more info: hkballet.com

Kintsugi Ceramic Restoration Workshop
12 & 19 Dec

Kintsugi (golden joinery) is a traditional craft in which lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum is used to repair broken pottery. Master Wang Sen guides enthusiasts through a three-hour introduction to the ancient Japanese art and philosophy of porcelain restoration at Tai Kwun-based Touch Ceramics. The workshop not only gives participants a souvenir to take home, but also perhaps a new outlook on life.

How much: HK$1,980
Where: Shop 203, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, Central
For more info: touchceramics.com

Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion
13 Dec – Feb 2022

Artisanship and culture from the East and West come together in a partnership between Adrian Cheng, founder of K11, and French fashion icon Carine Roitfeld. Haute couture and avant-garde pieces from the likes of Balenciaga, Chanel, Givenchy, Richard Quinn and Tom Van der Borght stand alongside both rare and modern artefacts from the archives of the K11 Craft & Guild Foundation. Designed to be both visually and physically immersive, the exhibition underlines Cheng’s ongoing mission to conserve and preserve Chinese traditional craftsmanship, will take audience on a visual journey into the fantastical pages of Roitfeld’s iconic fashion editorials. Book now to immerse in the storied crafts of haute couture and traditional Chinese craftsmanship in Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion.

How much: Free entry
Where: 6/F, K11 Art & Cultural Centre, K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more info: k11musea.com

Christmas Fantasia
23-24 Dec

The melodic ambiance of the Christmas holiday is traditionally upbeat with joyful choirs and audience cheers. This will certainly resonate as the Hong Kong Philharmonic welcomes two wonderful choirs, the HK Phil Chorus and The Hong Kong Children’s Choir, to perform timeless melodies from Tchaikovsky, Handel’s Messiah, and a musical visit from Our Neighbour Totoro, among other tuneful treats. Christmas Fantasia, a delightful concert for the whole family, is in the able hands of conductor Apollo Wong.

How much: From HK$220
Where: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui.
For more info: hkphil.org

Splendour of China
Until 15 Jan 2022

Sun Museum, a local private, non-profit museum, pays tribute to the formative figures of the People’s Republic of China through an exhibition of Chinese artworks and letters from the 20th century. Calligraphy, ink painting, news clippings and woodblock prints are among the diverse artefacts that share stories, narratives and perspectives of those who played a role in the country’s transformation. Discover the individuals and groups that contributed to the rise of modern Chinese society.

How much: Free entry
Where: 4/F, SML Tower, 165 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong
For more info: en.sunmuseum.org.hk

Immersive Whisky Tasting Bothy
From now until Jan 15 2022

Dram fans make way for an immersive journey at Glenlivet’s whisky tasting bothy pop-up. ‘An experience beyond time’, the instagrammable journey takes you into the brand’s rich heritage and whisky making concepts from 1824 to modern-day Glenlivet… The immersive experience harks back into the 19th century with an exciting journey of what makes the inimitable single malt “the real stuff”. A tasting of their limited edition 12-Year-Old Licensed Dram, in a limited run of 300 bottles, as well as its limited edition of The Glenlivet 14-Year-Old Sherry Cask selection is available. Additionally, the exciting The Glenlivet Cocktail Capsules are also featured at the pop-up.

How much: Free entry
Where: Ground floor, K 11 Art Mall
For more info: https://live.eventtia.com/en/theglenlivetbothy

Highly anticipated movies to watch in December

Ending the year with a month-full of blockbuster hits to watch this December, from another Marvel film Siper-Man: No Way Home to the chart-topping The Battle at Lake Changjin, here are the most highly anticipated films of 2021 to watch this month.

The Battle at Lake Changjin
Release Date: 11 Nov 2021

Topping the blockbuster charts within weeks of its release, The Battle at Lake Changjin, directed by highly acclaimed directors Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam, is a motion picture adaptation of the historic Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

Depicting the historic battle between China and the US, an important battle in the northerneast part of the Korean peninsula in the winter of 1950, the battle took place in freezing weather over a brutal 17-day confrontation. Triumphing over all odds and losses, the historic battle led to the complete withdrawal of the US X Corps and UN troops from North Korea. The film has currently grossed over US$896 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film of 2021 and he highest-grossing non-English film; not to mention the highest-grossing film in Chinese history.

Anita
Release Date: 12 Nov 2021

Famed for her gangtai style, electrifying dance moves and wild costumes, Anita Mui was an inspiration to many women across the city — revolutionising femininity in the ’80s during the height of Canto Pop.

Dubbed the ‘Daughter of Hong Kong’, ‘Hong Kong’s Cantopop Diva’ and even ‘Madonna of the East’, she remains as a household name and pop icon, even after her passing in 2003. This biopic, directed by Longman Leung from Cold War, opens with the pop star’s final concert and looks back on her life and her rise to stardom. Portraying her is model and first-time actress Louise Wong, along side a star-studded cast with Louis Koo, Miriam Yeung and Tony Yang and Gordon Lam.

House of Gucci
Release Date: 25 Nov 2021

Amassing major attention online and becoming one of the most buzz-worthy films of the season, House of Gucci flaunts a star-studded cast leading with Oscar-nominated musician and actress Lady Gaga and highly acclaimed actor Adam Driver.

The film is, as its title would give away, is an engrossing true depiction of the Italian family empire behind the luxury fashion house Gucci. Directed by the man behind Alien, Gladiator and Blade Runner, Ridley Scott, and featuring Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, this motion picture checks all the boxes of a blockbuster hit, following the dramatic telling of three decades of love, betrayal, revenge and to the shock of the world, the inevitable death of murder Maurizio Gucci. Just how far would someone go for decadence, wealth and control?

The Matrix Resurrections
Release Date: 22 Dec 2021

Famously quoted in the third and supposed final part of The Matrix trilogy, “Everything that has a beginning has an end”, but to the surprise of movie buffs the world over, The Matrix Revolution was not it. Enter the fourth installment to the franchise: The Matrix Resurrections.

Reprising the same director and leading cast as its past films in the series, along with fresh faces, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who replaces Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, this film serves as the much anticipated sequel to The Matrix Revolution. Twenty years post its apocalyptic events. In this timeline, Neo (Keanu Reeves) has returned to living an ordinary life as Thomas A. Anderson, in which he nor Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) recognise each other. Haunted by the lucid dreams of what he will later learn are his memories, suppressed by the blue pills prescribed by his therapist (Neil Patrick Harris), his life takes a dramatic turn when Morpheus helps him reopen his mind to the Matrix.

Spider-Man: No Way home
Release Date: 15 Dec 2021

The third part to the Homecoming and Far From Home series, No Way Home finally lands in Hong Kong spotlighting MU’s friendly neighborhood web-slinger, Spiderman. Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch and directed by Jon Watts, the third part to the trilogy follows the aftermath of Far From Home.

With Spiderman’s identity now revealed, the unmasked teenage Peter Parker struggles to separate his normal life from his superhero identity and seeks the help of fellow Marvel hero Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to make his identity secret again. This leads to opening of the multiverse, causing villains of alternate universes to wreak havoc in the city. Are you ready for yet another action-packed Marvel superhero movie — because we are!