Bold Story

How did you first encounter Joey Wong? Was it as the enigmatic voice singing “Yes I belong to you” at the tender age of 20? Or as JW, the singer who sings 矛盾一生? Perhaps it was as a vocal instructor on “STARS Academy”? Or Cheuk Yan Yan in Fraudstars (2021)? As for the labels “idol”, “singer” and “actress”, which one do you believe best captures her essence? In her own words, she identifies as an entertainer. This term carries a certain neutrality and humility. “I love to sing. When I sing, my aim is to entertain my audience. When I act, my performance is a unique form of amusement for the public.” It was only three years ago when she enrolled in Kearen Pang's drama class that she unearthed her hidden talent for acting. “Singing is a rather solitary pursuit, but when I act, I c...

When it comes to creative work in Hong Kong, some people give up easily, while others soldier on despite the challenges. And then there are people like Shadow Chan, a Hong Kong-based illustrator who remains steadfast in her pursuit of new ideas and inspirations. As a freelancer, Shadow focuses on illustration design, animation, art direction, and more. After working as an in-house designer for three years, she decided to move to Taiwan to experience a different way of life and gain more inspiration for her work. She is now a full-time student in Taiwan. Shadow started her illustration Instagram account during her university days, with a "carefree" attitude of "just draw what you like." But after becoming a full-time worker, she became more serious and dedicated to her craft. "For th...

Even if only 1% of the world treats her as a fellow human being, and 99% fail to grasp her journey, she tenaciously battles on against the world. Her name is Allie, a renowned Taiwanese YouTuber, and few still refer to her by her birth name. With flowing, lustrous hair, radiant eyes, fair complexion, and an hourglass figure, she embodies the epitome of beauty. Yet, her past was a stark contrast. She used to be a “he”, and for many, she remains a “monster girl”, a term she uses to describe how others perceive her, all because she is a transgender individual who underwent gender reassignment surgery. The Right Soul in the Wrong Body “Why was I born male when I yearned to be female?” There was a time when Allie couldn't reconcile her male body with her identity as a woman; i...

Once upon a time, there lived a girl who was born into a family deeply entrenched in traditional gender biases. Her father's lineage hailed from the mainland, where the desire for a male heir was ingrained in Chinese family culture. During her formative years, she often heard relatives chastising her mother for not producing a son. They'd criticise her mother, saying, “What's the point of earning money if you can't bear a son?” “Why couldn't you have been a son?” Her mother's reproach was cutting. Right from birth, her worth seemed measured by her gender, relegating her to an inferior status. A simmering resentment grew within her. “Why should having a son automatically make someone better? Are boys inherently more capable? Can't I excel just as well as a boy?” Many things pe...

“Talent and wisdom have never exempted anyone from the trials of fate.” J.K. Rowling The Harry Potter series has sold over four hundred million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books of all time. In February 2013, J.K. Rowling was ranked the 13th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom by BBC Radio 4's program 'Woman's Hour'." Who says that the peaks of life are immune to setbacks? In recent years, J.K. Rowling has become embroiled in controversies surrounding discrimination against transgender individuals, resulting in significant criticism. Many Harry Potter fans have claimed that she has undermined her own work. The fallout from her remarks has led several actors to refuse to work with Rowling again, while online campaigns calling for boycotts hav...

In the summer of 2023, a sense of having lived through a whole century had settled in after the pandemic. Looking back to the days when social distance kept everyone indoors, some individuals diligently exercised to maintain their peak physical condition, while others found themselves gaining a few extra pounds due to their sedentary lifestyles. In this backdrop, there was a young woman sprawled on a couch, her gaze fixed on her reflection on the television screen. Yes, she had indeed put on a bit of weight. Meanwhile, scrolling through Instagram revealed a pervasive discourse about weight loss, exercise regimens, and dietary restrictions. The mounting pressure became palpable. In response, she decided to create an exaggerated version of a plump girl. As she gazed at this portrayal of a c...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFsLC_5zaew Some people believe that human nature is inclined to choose the easy way out, and this applies to work as well. Whether it's the older generation of parents or the current generation, most people think that studying hard, pursuing a degree, and working in an office job are the ideal choices. However, there are some individuals who choose to "take on the difficult and let go of the easy", opting for high-risk and highly challenging jobs such as stunt performers. One of these "brave girls who are willing to die" is Hong Kong stunt performer Suki Wong. With a passion for martial arts since her school days, Suki joined the ranks of top-level and highly challenging stunt performers, and has now been in the industry for seven years. From Da...

Who doesn't aspire to possess the hallmarks of conventional beauty: wide eyes, a high nose and a slender form? For women, fitting these classic ideals may seem like a golden ticket to societal approval and recognition. But what about those who don't fit this mould? Lezlie, a vivacious plus-size model and gifted singer-songwriter who took the spotlight in ViuTV's unscripted show Extra Beauty (2022), offers an alternative narrative: “Beauty and curves can indeed coexist. I am the embodiment of both.” Her bold declaration prompts us to question if beauty should be confined to a singular definition. Gazing at this embodiment of self-acceptance, coupled with her recent creative exploits and musical accomplishments, makes it evident: embrace your authentic self. Pre-Metamorphosis Struggl...