Originals
Manila’s “Home for the Golden Gays” was among the few bricks-and-mortar care facilities for the elderly LGBTQ community in the Philippines. However, when the facility closed more than a decade ago, most of its elderly residents were left homeless and struggling in their final years. The surviving Golden Gays are now trying to build a new permanent centre for themselves and future members. The group has been accepting donations from sponsors, but they insist on performing in drag in shows of appreciation.
Kraiz Kayastha grew up attending a Chinese-medium primary school in Hong Kong. But after almost six years, the Nepalese Hongkonger still struggles to understand his lessons, let alone speak the language. Despite record government funding allocated to programmes meant to boost Chinese proficiency among its non-Chinese student population, a language crisis has persisted for many years. One local charity is on a mission to bridge the language gap in time for pupils to transition into Chinese-medium schools.
A 20-year-old South Korean cartoon character named Loopy has found new fame on Chinese social media. Conceived as a shy and timid character two decades ago, the new Loopy persona is now a sarcastic and outspoken office intern. She has also become the go-to subject for various memes among China’s labour force, known as dagongren. This episode of Cultured looks at why this pink cartoon beaver has seen a resurgence and how it has resonated with so many people.
Distinct, delectable, but disappearing: streetside hawker stands in Hong Kong known as dai pai dongs, and the classic comfort food they serve are an iconic part of the city’s history, offering up a striking contrast to the modern polished skyscrapers that throng the city skyline. While many have closed down over the years, others have adapted to the times. From the classic food stands to cooked food centres to mushroom pavilions nestled in public housing estates known as dung gu ting, this episode of Hong Kong Authentic explores the history behind the famed food stalls and the families that run them.
In Macau, a Filipino bakery is still going strong after 20 years. While the price of its signature product hasn’t changed over the years, its customers have – with the shop now drawing more than just the city’s Filipino community, but also other locals and many tourists. Around the bakery, others have set up their own businesses that cater to Filipinos, creating an unofficial “Philippine street” in the heart of Macau.
Explainers
South Korea has rapidly developed into a cultural and economic powerhouse that is the envy of many other countries around the world. But the nation is far less admired for its suicide rate – the highest in the developed world. South Korean government data indicates that about every 40 minutes, one person takes their own life. The Post spoke to several experts to try and understand why suicide is so common in South Korea.
For China, giant pandas play a dual role as symbols of soft power as well as icons of global conservation. In a similar way, China’s panda diplomacy signals Beijing’s favour with other countries at the same time as it upholds a commitment to save the species from extinction. The Post takes a look at how panda diplomacy has evolved through different eras of Chinese leadership, and the hard cash that goes into the practice.
India has surpassed China to be the world’s most populous nation. But the historic shift also spotlights the challenge India faces to create jobs as millions enter the workforce every year. The Post examines the obstacles India faces in harnessing its population for growth, infrastructure, the gender imbalance, and its developing potential in global markets.
Thailand is rethinking the “rush” in its green gold rush. June 9 marks the anniversary of when the country’s military government legalised marijuana in the Buddhist-majority country. But a rapid boom in the cannabis industry and the proliferation in the drug’s recreational use, have many in the country wondering if it was too much too soon.
The Chinese city of Chengdu is known by many Chinese millennials as the country’s unofficial “gay capital”, even sometimes dubbed “Gaydu”. Although probably more famous for pandas, Chengdu also has a reputation for its inclusive and laid-back culture. While such prevailing attitudes may have paved the way for a relatively more visible LGBTQ presence, the community must also contend with censorship from Beijing.