Hong Kong’s vibrant comic and animation history took centre stage at the Comics Fun Experience Gallery of Hong Kong Pop Culture Fest 2025, where beloved characters like Old Master Q and Cheap Century bridged generational divides and celebrated the city’s pop culture legacy.
The exhibition, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), curated by the Hong Kong Comics & Animation Federation (HKCAF), and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), opened on April 5, 2025, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. It offering themed photo spots and immersive displays.
A Nostalgic Journey Through Hong Kong’s Pop Culture
The gallery showcases classic characters from the 1960s, like Ngau Chai and Father from Myboy, alongside modern favourites like Ding Ding Penguin and IT Guy & Art Girl. Through interactive photo booths reflecting local settings, this exhibition highlights the profound cultural influence of these characters on Hong Kong’s identity.
Winnie Chan, a local visiting the gallery with her British boyfriend, shared her lifelong connection to the comics. “I resonate with Old Master Q because I have read these comics since I was young,” said Chan.
Chan also praised the informational displays about comic authors but suggested enhancements. “I would prefer to have more elements in this exhibition, for example, videos or real creative pieces, so that they can enhance the audience’s experience,” Chan added.
For younger visitors like Tamera Log, a 17-year-old international high school student attending with her boyfriend, the exhibition offered a fresh take on Hong Kong’s comic culture. “The big guy picking his nose, which is Cheap Century, attracted me to this booth,” said Log, chuckling as she described and taking a photo mimicking the character’s pose, “I saw he was really cute, and we look kind of similar.”
Cultural Preservation on Educating New Audiences
Cassie Lo, an official helper at the exhibition, addressed the difficulty in engaging younger audiences. “Some of the younger visitors may not recognize the comic characters, so it makes it harder for me to introduce them,” said Lo.
Still, Lo emphasize the exhibition’s educational value. “They may not know these comics before visiting the exhibition,” said Lo, “But after their visit, they will gain some knowledge about the old comics.”
Chan and Log both underscored the exhibition’s role in preserving Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. “Especially for the younger generation, I believe that pictures and comics can be universal languages for students to understand something,” said Chan, “It’s important for them to learn more about the old times, and parents can also use these comics to teach kids.”
“I think this exhibition is important for younger generations to learn Hong Kong pop culture,” echoed Log, “They put these cartoons and comics in a more digestible way for kids to absorb their surroundings in a cute sense.”
Despite not growing up in Hong Kong, Log recognized the comics’ enduring appeal. “I know a lot of kids still reading these comics and watching tons of this stuff on TV,” said Log, “I think these Hong Kong animations are still popular and are a huge part of Hong Kong’s pop culture.”
A Snapshot of Hong Kong’s Comic Legacy
The exhibition’s themed photo spots have been a highlight, with visitors posing alongside characters like Ngau Chai and Tai Ma Shing.
I think this exhibition demonstrates a nostalgic aesthetic that brings back memories of these old Hong Kong-style comic characters,”
-said Cassie Lo
The Comics Fun Experience Gallery’s first phase is open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until May 7, 2025.
For more details, visit Hong Kong Pop Culture Fest’s official website or follow @hk_pop_culture_festival on Instagram.