https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/94/feed All the latest lifestyle articles including food, fashion, travel and art. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Cathy Fan Cathy Fan While the Tang dynasty (618-907) is synonymous with a golden age of Chinese arts and culture, its glittering reign was fractured by one of history’s most devastating civil wars. Today, the life and work of the revered Tang dynasty calligrapher Yan Zhenqing, a key figure in that 1,200-year-old tragedy, are capturing the attention of millions, partly thanks to an AI microdrama. The series titled Yanbian Qingmei, which roughly translates to Green Plums by the Inkstone, has accumulated more than 100... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371727/how-ai-microdrama-yanbian-qingmei-driving-interest-ancient-chinese-calligrapher https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371727/how-ai-microdrama-yanbian-qingmei-driving-interest-ancient-chinese-calligrapher Thu, 22 Oct 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam This is the 88th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. With her signature polka dot gowns, umbrella skirts and velvet-deep contralto voice that defied the high-pitched norms of her era, Paula Tsui Siu-fung did not just become a Cantopop superstar; she defined the very archetype of the Hong Kong diva. Over a career spanning more than five decades, her record-shattering live performances and unprecedented album sales have cemented her... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371486/how-cantopop-diva-paula-tsui-defined-era-her-contralto-voice-and-polka-dot-dresses https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371486/how-cantopop-diva-paula-tsui-defined-era-her-contralto-voice-and-polka-dot-dresses Thu, 22 Oct 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Pierce Conran Pierce Conran Lead cast: Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Jae-young South Korea finds itself at an interesting juncture in its social evolution in the mid-2020s. Following the success of works such as the 2016 book Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 and its hit 2019 film adaptation, which brought the country’s gender inequality into sharp focus, the imbalance remains stubbornly stark. People now recognise this imbalance and are unafraid to label it for what it is – “patriarchy” is no longer a dirty word. Yet change has been slow. South... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3371782/hbo-max-k-drama-make-me-tingle-nam-ji-hyun-kim-jae-young-lead-tame-sex-romcom https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3371782/hbo-max-k-drama-make-me-tingle-nam-ji-hyun-kim-jae-young-lead-tame-sex-romcom Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:15:05 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times By Lee Hae-rin For American Kylie Genter, a day at the beach is no longer a day off for sunbathing and swimming. Instead, it is a place where she prays for her safety before diving into the waters to gather abalone and shellfish for a living. What others see as a holiday destination has become, to her, a workplace and a landscape of possibilities. Since she began diving as a haenyeo – female divers who harvest seafood by hand – in January 2024, the work has changed how she sees the sea. Finding... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371743/new-york-jeju-island-american-joins-south-koreas-famed-female-free-divers https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371743/new-york-jeju-island-american-joins-south-koreas-famed-female-free-divers Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu As we inch closer to the end of October, the city is ready to embrace the spooky and cosy ambience of the season – though the sweltering weather means we cannot ease into an autumnal mood just yet. Whether it is trying dishes with seasonal ingredients or checking out a new movie, here are five things to do in Hong Kong this weekend. 1. M+’s Myths and Monsters As the first major survey exploring two centuries of Asian fantasy visual culture, the latest exhibition at M+, “Myths and Monsters: The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371736/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-23-25 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371736/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-23-25 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:15:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. This ancient Chinese warrior queen led huge armies and stole a king’s heart Fu Hao is one of the earliest documented female military generals in history, yet relatively little is known about her. Most of the information gathered about her life is from her tomb. 2. How to prevent osteoporosis, from training to eating... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371716/ancient-chinese-warrior-queen-how-prevent-osteoporosis-7-lifestyle-highlights https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371716/ancient-chinese-warrior-queen-how-prevent-osteoporosis-7-lifestyle-highlights Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:15:06 +0000 Aaina Bhargava Aaina Bhargava Growing up, Thai artist Nawin Nuthong loved playing video games, especially Civilization, where players can create empires as historical leaders. Drawn to playing as King Ramkhamhaeng, who ruled the Sukhothai Kingdom from 1279 to 1298 in what is now Thailand, Nawin soon became interested in how history is constructed. The 33-year-old now combines his twin passions for history and video games through his multimedia practice, which examines how new technology shapes and advances societies. His... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371454/thai-artist-blends-history-and-gaming-installation-puts-visitors-control https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371454/thai-artist-blends-history-and-gaming-installation-puts-visitors-control Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:45:04 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun With summer’s heat dissipating in Hong Kong, I decided to do a country walk last weekend and ended up in Stanley, a coastal neighbourhood in the south of Hong Kong Island. What we found there shocked us. It had been a few years since I visited the area, mostly because it was always packed with tourists. In all previous Stanley outings, hordes of visitors, whether from mainland China or Western countries, packed the side-street market and the main beach promenade. On this recent hike, a trail led... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371448/hong-kongs-stanley-once-packed-tourists-now-dead-what-happened https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371448/hong-kongs-stanley-once-packed-tourists-now-dead-what-happened Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:15:11 +0000 Angie Hon,Morning Studio editors,Jacqueline Kot Angie Hon,Morning Studio editors,Jacqueline Kot Kevin Lai, head mixologist at The St Regis Bar in Macau, is originally from Taiwan. Meng Shu, a glass artist and lecturer who is also based in the city, grew up in mainland China. Inspired by their current home, these two individuals recently combined their talents to create a cocktail and accompanying piece of glass art that represent what Macau means to them as expats – mirroring the way in which parts of the local cultural heritage were shaped over the years by people who came to the port... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/native/lifestyle/topics/creative-fusion/article/3370832/life-macau-creative-lens https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/native/lifestyle/topics/creative-fusion/article/3370832/life-macau-creative-lens Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:00:36 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng “You can tell in about 30 seconds whether a bar was designed by someone who’s worked a busy shift or by someone who drew a nice picture,” says Nikita Matveev. Ask mixologists what they notice when they walk into a bar, and they won’t mention the menu or the mood board. Matveev, head bartender of Dead Poets and The Old Man, counts the steps – how far bartenders must reach for ice, trash and stock, and whether they’re bumping into each other. Lorenzo Antinori sees light first: how it falls on the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3371444/how-hong-kong-cocktail-bars-design-service-ergonomics-and-success https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3371444/how-hong-kong-cocktail-bars-design-service-ergonomics-and-success Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:00:33 +0000 Peta Tomlinson Peta Tomlinson Holding on to a newspaper cutting for years reminded Sarah and Jeff Lee of whom to contact when the time came to renovate their 3,100 sq ft (288 square metre) 1980s Repulse Bay duplex. Several years ago, designer Peggy Bels answered that call. The couple, who have lived there for two-plus decades, told Bels they admired her work. They described their home as a place where conversation-fuelled dinner parties stretch well into the night and house guests are frequent. How could Bels improve... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/homes/article/3371497/hong-kong-duplex-regains-light-and-space-after-renovation-restores-58-metre-ceiling https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/homes/article/3371497/hong-kong-duplex-regains-light-and-space-after-renovation-restores-58-metre-ceiling Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:15:04 +0000 James Mottram James Mottram 3.5/5 stars From Venom and Morbius to Birds of Prey and The New Mutants, elevating side characters to centre stage in Marvel and DC comic-book adaptations rarely takes flight. Clayface, however, is an exception. Set in the Gotham underworld, the new film features no sign – or even mention – of Batman, but no matter. A grisly but delicious tale of Hollywood excess, this DC thriller is part crime, part horror and certainly not one for the squeamish. Tom Rhys Harries (Suspicion) stars as Matt... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371568/clayface-review-dc-spin-delivers-grisly-vengeance-fuelled-body-horror-thriller https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371568/clayface-review-dc-spin-delivers-grisly-vengeance-fuelled-body-horror-thriller Wed, 21 Oct 2026 19:00:06 +0000 Enid Tsui Enid Tsui Before Juan Diego Florez became one of the most celebrated opera tenors of his generation, he was on his way to being a pop star. Music was always part of family life. His father, Ruben Florez, was a respected singer of Peruvian criolla folk music; his mother, Maria Teresa Salom, managed a Lima pub with live music. As a boy, Juan Diego Florez would sometimes be asked to stand in and perform with his guitar. That early exposure gave him his first taste of being on stage, and by his teens, he was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371621/peruvian-tenor-juan-diego-florez-hong-kong-debut-pavarottis-regret-and-singing-food https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371621/peruvian-tenor-juan-diego-florez-hong-kong-debut-pavarottis-regret-and-singing-food Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:15:06 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Born in the US, raised in Hong Kong and educated in the UK, Julie Liu is the founder of the contemporary qipao brand Qipology. She spoke to Andrew Sun. My diet is typically Chinese: home-cooked meals, rice, vegetables, steamed fish and soups. Nothing fancy, just everyday Cantonese food that shapes your palate without you noticing. That is probably why I gravitate towards simpler food rather than anything too elaborate. I eat out a lot for work, so when I choose for myself, I lean towards places... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371588/sushi-seafood-tea-where-founder-qipology-goes-hong-kong-dim-sum-and-more https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371588/sushi-seafood-tea-where-founder-qipology-goes-hong-kong-dim-sum-and-more Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:15:07 +0000 Doris Lam Doris Lam When people think of Cantonese food, buttery scrambled egg between slices of soft white bread may not be the first dish to come to mind. For Lucas Sin Lok-yeung, this quintessential Hong Kong classic is the first recipe in his inaugural cookbook, Cha Chaan Teng: Comfort Food from Hong Kong’s Iconic Diners – listed as the “Perfect Scrambled Egg Sandwich”. Sin, 33, has been a staunch advocate of Hong Kong cuisine for more than a decade, starring in a long list of YouTube videos – from explaining... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3370808/french-toast-egg-sandwiches-hong-kong-comfort-food-highlighted-lucas-sins-cookbook https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3370808/french-toast-egg-sandwiches-hong-kong-comfort-food-highlighted-lucas-sins-cookbook Wed, 21 Oct 2026 04:45:11 +0000 Tara Loader Wilkinson Tara Loader Wilkinson Georgina Tang’s childhood was deeply unhappy. Growing up in poverty in Hong Kong’s New Territories in the 1960s, as one of eight children born into an arranged marriage, her first memories are of physical abuse at the hands of her jealous mother. “When they were forced to marry at the age of 21, my father was in love with another woman, whom he never quite forgot about,” says Tang, now 63. “It drove my mother crazy. It made her furious that I was my father’s favourite – she hated me because he... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371491/he-my-driving-force-how-hong-kong-born-mother-built-legacy-her-disabled-son https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371491/he-my-driving-force-how-hong-kong-born-mother-built-legacy-her-disabled-son Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:00:38 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Plain old water could be responsible for making plastics harmful to people, according to a new study that portends significant consequences for human health. The study, published in the journal Nature, found chemical reactions between water and six types of fossil fuel-based plastic-created particles that damaged red blood cells and proteins in laboratory tests. As plastic in the body breaks down into smaller and smaller bits – known as microplastics and nanoplastics – the potential danger... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371477/how-microplastics-react-water-damage-our-bodies-and-cause-inflammation https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371477/how-microplastics-react-water-damage-our-bodies-and-cause-inflammation Tue, 20 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press It is an icon, that small white receptacle made from a single piece of cardboard folded into a trapezoid-shaped box. Sometimes there is a wire handle, sometimes a bright red graphic of a Chinese-style pagoda on the side. And inside, deliciousness. The Chinese takeaway container – at least, as it is commonly seen in the United States – is actually about as American as it gets, with its mix of ingenuity, immigrant cultures becoming home-grown staples, and the desire for convenience (also known as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371450/behind-carton-story-classic-us-chinese-takeaway-container https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371450/behind-carton-story-classic-us-chinese-takeaway-container Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:15:05 +0000 Edmund Lee Edmund Lee 2.5/5 stars In Bird of Paradise, a dutiful middle-aged Hong Kong woman takes up pole dancing and shatters her thankless routine of cooking and cleaning for her family. Marking the feature debut of writer-director Joey Wu Chui-yi, this perfectly pleasant family drama offers an easy watch for viewers seeking light-hearted domestic quibbles. More sophisticated audiences, however, will find it slightly shallow and naive. Crucially, the film provides a rare leading role for Catherine Chau Ka-yee. She... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371368/bird-paradise-review-catherine-chau-takes-pole-dancing-light-hearted-family-drama https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371368/bird-paradise-review-catherine-chau-takes-pole-dancing-light-hearted-family-drama Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:15:04 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Central Asia is becoming a travel hotspot thanks to its countries’ visa-free entry and improved transport connectivity, and a growing demand among travellers for crowd-free destinations. The region is surrounded by online buzz, but is it just another internet fad? We went to Uzbekistan – said to be Central Asia’s “cultural crown jewel” – to find out. From Hong Kong, we board a flight to Shanghai before connecting to Tashkent, the Uzbek capital. The journey takes 15 hours in total. Direct flights... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371373/must-visit-places-uzbekistan-central-asias-cultural-crown-jewel-old-silk-road https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371373/must-visit-places-uzbekistan-central-asias-cultural-crown-jewel-old-silk-road Tue, 20 Oct 2026 04:45:06 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan Osteoporosis is a stealthy condition. The disease, which weakens bones by making them thinner, less dense and more likely to break, advances slowly and silently, says Dr Edith Lau, founding president of the Asian Pacific Osteoporosis Foundation (APOF), and for most people the first sign is a broken bone. That break can follow something that does not seem serious – a minor fall, lifting something heavy, even a bout of coughing or sneezing. Sufferers most commonly break their forearm, spine or... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371338/how-prevent-osteoporosis-strength-training-eating-calcium-rich-food https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371338/how-prevent-osteoporosis-strength-training-eating-calcium-rich-food Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 James Marsh James Marsh The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which closed on October 15, drew 277,027 visitors, roughly 40,000 more than last year and the highest since 2015. The 10-day event screened more than 300 films from 59 countries. Alongside 95 world premieres, the programme featured the Asian premieres of several prestigious award winners from Cannes and Venice, including Cristian Mungiu’s Palme d’Or winner Fjord and May el-Toukhy’s Golden Lion recipient Woman Unknown. Other highlights included... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371348/busan-2026-10-festivals-best-movies-midday-meal-satoko-always https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371348/busan-2026-10-festivals-best-movies-midday-meal-satoko-always Mon, 19 Oct 2026 13:15:05 +0000 Natasha Rogai Natasha Rogai There is nothing more difficult than living up to expectations. Dunhuang: In Search of Light is the first new full-length production for Hong Kong Ballet by the husband-and-wife choreographic team of Ricky Hu Songwei and Mai Jingwen since the multi-award-winning The Butterfly Lovers in 2024. The exceptional success of its predecessor raised the bar, and while the new work offers plenty to enjoy, it does not reach the same level. On the plus side, the lush, atmospheric score by Tian Mi (composer... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371349/hong-kong-ballets-visually-stunning-dunhuang-search-light-fails-fully-tell-tale https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371349/hong-kong-ballets-visually-stunning-dunhuang-search-light-fails-fully-tell-tale Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:15:05 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship will sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by the end of 2027, the company recently announced. The Disney Believe, the cruise line’s fourth Wish-class ship, will make its maiden voyage on December 18, 2027, to sail four- and five-night itineraries to destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean. General on-sale bookings start today. During the theatrical announcement live-streamed from another cruise ship – the Disney Wish – on October 7, the Believe’s on-board... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371146/what-know-about-disney-believe-disneys-newest-cruise-ship https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371146/what-know-about-disney-believe-disneys-newest-cruise-ship Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak For decades, Colombo has been treated less as a cultural destination and more as a quick stopover between the Sri Lankan capital’s airport and the country’s more popular southern coast, where tourists flock to five-star resorts, beachside bars and premier surfing spots. That is beginning to change. As Sri Lanka continues to recover from a 26-year civil war (1983-2009) and the fallout from a recent economic crisis (2019-2024), there is new life in Colombo’s culinary and hospitality... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371105/how-new-generation-sri-lankans-reshaping-colombos-restaurant-and-bar-scene https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3371105/how-new-generation-sri-lankans-reshaping-colombos-restaurant-and-bar-scene Mon, 19 Oct 2026 04:46:06 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan This is the 100th instalment in a series on dementia, including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers and stories of hope. When this series launched, my mother was still by my side. My first column explored what looking after her taught me about dementia. Now, as I write this 100th piece, I reflect on what dementia taught me about the nature of care itself. Before she was diagnosed with dementia – but likely as her memory began to fray – my mother was admitted to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371107/what-dementia-care-around-world-teaches-us-about-dignity-community-avoiding-burnout https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371107/what-dementia-care-around-world-teaches-us-about-dignity-community-avoiding-burnout Sun, 18 Oct 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Advertising partner Advertising partner [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] A softer jawline or the first signs of jowling can prompt a deceptively simple question: can the face look firmer without surgery? The answer starts with understanding what has changed, rather than choosing a treatment by name. For people with mild to moderate skin laxity, high-intensity focused ultrasound, or Hifu, is one non-surgical face-lifting option. It delivers focused energy beneath the skin to encourage tissue... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/presented/lifestyle/topics/hifu-skin-lifting-firmer-face/article/3370816/how-clifford-clinic-approaches-hifu-skin-lifting-more-defined-face-and-jawline https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/presented/lifestyle/topics/hifu-skin-lifting-firmer-face/article/3370816/how-clifford-clinic-approaches-hifu-skin-lifting-more-defined-face-and-jawline Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:00:08 +0000 Alex Howlett Alex Howlett On September 22, after a five-year trial, 15 men from Sri Lanka’s minority Muslim community were convicted and sentenced to 200 to 260 years in prison each for their involvement in the 2019 Easter bombings. The coordinated suicide attacks on luxury hotels and Christian places of worship on April 21, 2019, remain one of the deadliest terror incidents in the island nation’s history, claiming more than 250 lives. While the devastation and subsequent investigations were covered widely in the global... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3370980/sri-lankan-writer-nifraz-rifazs-debut-novel-confronts-islamophobia-after-easter-bombings https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3370980/sri-lankan-writer-nifraz-rifazs-debut-novel-confronts-islamophobia-after-easter-bombings Sun, 18 Oct 2026 11:15:06 +0000 Elaine Wong Elaine Wong David Toutain witnessed the birth of the Michelin Green Star in 2020. His eponymous restaurant in Paris was among the first to be awarded while Feuille, his Hong Kong outpost, secured one within a year of its 2023 opening. But even when Michelin quietly retired the award this year, he still never understood exactly how it was assessed. “I have no idea,” he says. “I don’t know the rules. I don’t know anything about it, to be very honest.” His confusion points to a larger problem. The Green Star... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3371130/michelins-green-star-gone-hong-kong-seeks-redefine-sustainable-dining https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3371130/michelins-green-star-gone-hong-kong-seeks-redefine-sustainable-dining Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:00:07 +0000 Zabrina Lo Zabrina Lo Contemporary photography museum Fotografiska’s newest outpost in Shenzhen is strikingly different from its original venue in Stockholm, Sweden – in the former customs building on the Stadsgardshamnen waterfront – or its Shanghai location, which opened in 2023 inside the Guang San Warehouse. In Shenzhen, a technological metropolis where sleek high-rises and futuristic cultural venues continue to emerge, the museum integrates into the modern urban landscape with a crisp white rectangular facade... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371088/hong-kong-would-be-impossible-why-newest-fotografiska-photo-museum-shenzhen https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371088/hong-kong-would-be-impossible-why-newest-fotografiska-photo-museum-shenzhen Sun, 18 Oct 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Paddy Ma Wendi, a director of vertical dramas since 2023, has had a front-row seat to how fast and hard artificial intelligence has affected the mobile-first entertainment genre in 2026. Digital content farms have started churning out short productions – serialised stories made for smartphones and usually watched in portrait mode – using the latest AI technology. “When I was in the US [for a live-action vertical drama], I usually hired about 20 to 30 people, including the actors,” says Ma, who... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370957/how-ai-reshaping-microdramas-vertical-video-format-takes-generational-jump https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370957/how-ai-reshaping-microdramas-vertical-video-format-takes-generational-jump Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter When Ria Xi set off on her 20,000km (12,400-mile) endurance challenge, she had no idea what the impact on her body would be. But she was curious to find out. The Beijing-born former tech executive who used AI to develop running training plans has now developed a daily test to track her biometric data alongside memory, motivation and energy levels as she runs across Eurasia. The extraordinary journey, which began on May 1, 2026, from Vladivostok, Russia, will see Xi run the ancient Silk Road... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370981/its-never-hurt-less-chinese-ultrarunners-knee-pain-fades-20000km-silk-road-trek https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370981/its-never-hurt-less-chinese-ultrarunners-knee-pain-fades-20000km-silk-road-trek Sat, 17 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby Before The Dark Knight made him a household name in 2008, Christopher Nolan crafted intricate thrillers such as Following (1998), Memento (2000) and Insomnia (2002). But 2006’s The Prestige, which turns 20 this month, is the most labyrinthine by far. Made just after Batman Begins (2005), but a far stranger and more personal proposition, it is set in 1890s London. Here, we are introduced to stage magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), who risk their lives, and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370672/what-christopher-nolans-prestige-reveals-about-his-cinematic-obsession-20-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370672/what-christopher-nolans-prestige-reveals-about-his-cinematic-obsession-20-years Sat, 17 Oct 2026 11:15:05 +0000 Zabrina Lo Zabrina Lo St Stephen’s Society looks more like a contemporary art gallery than a rehabilitation facility. At the non-profit Christian charity’s compound in Hong Kong’s New Territories, there are corridors lined with sketches, canvases and photography and a wall of art supplies. Founder Jacqueline “Jackie” Pullinger, a British missionary now in her eighties, proudly looks at the artwork created by its residents. A selection will be showcased at the upcoming exhibition “285 and Counting”, named for the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371165/missionarys-stories-kowloon-walled-city-live-new-exhibition-hong-kong https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371165/missionarys-stories-kowloon-walled-city-live-new-exhibition-hong-kong Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg At the end of the day, it all comes down to price. That is why Pat Chung prefers lab-grown diamonds. The 36-year-old Hongkonger says they are much cheaper than a natural diamond for the same quality and size and they are easier to source. “I searched for the exact colour, size and shape that I wanted and sent it to my jeweller,” Chung says, adding that more people are opting for lab-grown diamonds compared to a decade ago. The global trend shows how dramatically the diamond business has changed... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3370944/more-young-couples-say-yes-lab-grown-are-natural-diamonds-losing-their-sparkle https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3370944/more-young-couples-say-yes-lab-grown-are-natural-diamonds-losing-their-sparkle Sat, 17 Oct 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Stephanie Sam Stephanie Sam The dining table disappeared beneath a lavish procession of dishes. Our family took food seriously. It was sacred, even. Dinner was never merely about eating. It was the one time each day when everyone was expected to gather, regardless of schedules, moods or whatever else the world demanded outside that room. At the centre sat the pièce de résistance: a whole steamed fish, usually sea bass, topped with ribbons of ginger and spring onion in a fragrant pool of oil and soy sauce. Alongside it were... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3370657/i-grew-eating-bowls-chinese-migration-history-you https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3370657/i-grew-eating-bowls-chinese-migration-history-you Sat, 17 Oct 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Wee Kek Koon Wee Kek Koon Archaeologists have long found a disturbing pattern in the graves of ancient rulers: the dead were sometimes accompanied by other dead. Around royal tombs, the remains of people – who appear to have been killed specifically to follow their masters into the afterlife – lie alongside precious objects and weapons. A new study from Egypt has brought this practice back into the news. At the ancient royal cemetery of Abydos, archaeologists re-examined the skulls of people buried around the tombs of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3370687/how-chinas-macabre-practice-human-sacrifice-burials-came-end https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3370687/how-chinas-macabre-practice-human-sacrifice-burials-came-end Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:15:04 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung When Sonia Chandiramani lost her mum to ovarian cancer in 2017, she found solace in an unexpected place: the rugby pitch. “I was spending five nights a week with my team, plus weekends,” says the 33-year-old Chandiramani, who had been playing since she was 14. “It was my second family. “At her funeral, people showed up, and it meant a lot,” she says. “It’s just a reminder that there are more families than just your family.” Two years later, Chandiramani and some fellow players established... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370857/hong-kong-rugby-player-and-cancer-survivor-why-screening-key-even-young-and-fit https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370857/hong-kong-rugby-player-and-cancer-survivor-why-screening-key-even-young-and-fit Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Zabrina Lo Zabrina Lo One might not expect British fashion designer Kim Jones, a figure synonymous with modern luxury, to highlight reptiles as one of his earliest memories of Hong Kong. “I love Hong Kong, the weird side of it and the fact that there are king cobras that live here, and different snakes and the sort of things which most people probably get terrified of,” the 53-year-old says. Jones first visited Hong Kong after joining Dunhill as its creative director in 2008, visiting regularly in the late 2000s to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3371101/im-so-excited-kim-jones-choosing-hong-kong-home-his-revived-fashion-label https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3371101/im-so-excited-kim-jones-choosing-hong-kong-home-his-revived-fashion-label Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Payal Uttam Payal Uttam At the 2026 Jakarta Biennale, visitors can plant cassava in moist soil. An evocative soundscape, including the calls of threatened birds-of-paradise, fills the air. Paintings made with natural pigments on tree bark hang on the walls. The installation by Papua-based artist collective Alyakha Kolektif draws attention to illegal gold mining and excessive logging that are damaging the environment in Indonesia’s Sentani region. The cassava planting, which continues until late October, is intended as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371089/gritty-jakarta-biennale-polished-art-jakarta-both-tell-indonesias-story-haze-and-all https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371089/gritty-jakarta-biennale-polished-art-jakarta-both-tell-indonesias-story-haze-and-all Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:15:07 +0000 Richard James Havis Richard James Havis Grace Chang, also known by her stage name Ge Lan, died in August at the age of 93. She is widely remembered today for her lively performance in Mambo Girl, the 1957 Chinese-language musical that made her a star. Famed for pure roles expressing the aspirations of would-be middle-class Hong Kong girls, Chang initially played characters who were hip, popular, socially adept, conscientious and relatively well-off, possessing no hint of sexuality; her character in Mambo Girl is almost... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370576/why-1960-film-wild-wild-rose-late-grace-changs-greatest-cinematic-triumph https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370576/why-1960-film-wild-wild-rose-late-grace-changs-greatest-cinematic-triumph Fri, 16 Oct 2026 04:45:06 +0000 James Mottram James Mottram 3/5 stars Taika Waititi, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Jojo Rabbit (2019), brings his trademark quirk to Klara and the Sun, a sunny-side-up sci-fi fable that occasionally delivers flashes of darkness. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel of the same name, the film is set in a future where AI companions are the norm. The effervescent Klara (Jenna Ortega) is one such android, albeit a discontinued B1 model now being hawked from a city discount store. Klara’s escape comes when a young girl,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371093/klara-and-sun-review-jenna-ortega-android-upbeat-saccharine-sci-fi-fable https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371093/klara-and-sun-review-jenna-ortega-android-upbeat-saccharine-sci-fi-fable Fri, 16 Oct 2026 03:28:10 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Fu Hao is one of the earliest documented female military generals in history, yet relatively little is known about her. Most of the information gathered about her life is from her tomb. One thing we do know is that she lived during the Shang dynasty (1600BC-1046BC), before the unification of China. Fu’s tomb was excavated in 1976. Its contents led archaeologists to conclude she was a high-ranking royal consort and military general who commanded some of the largest armies of her time. So, who... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3370818/ancient-chinese-warrior-queen-who-led-huge-armies-victory-and-stole-kings-heart https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3370818/ancient-chinese-warrior-queen-who-led-huge-armies-victory-and-stole-kings-heart Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The Michelin Guide has handed out its first-ever stars in Australia to 11 restaurants in the state of South Australia. Two Michelin stars were awarded on October 14 to Magill Estate Restaurant, which overlooks the Penfolds winery in the Adelaide foothills. Owned by chef Scott Huggins, it serves tasting experiences for up to A$375 (US$260) per person. Among those awarded one star were Aurora at ILA, based in an arts space co-founded by financial restructuring lawyer and former hedge fund partner... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371028/michelin-guide-south-australia-2027-first-stars-awarded-11-top-restaurants https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3371028/michelin-guide-south-australia-2027-first-stars-awarded-11-top-restaurants Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:23:15 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Mid-October is a tease for Halloween fans – spooky season feels tantalisingly near, yet still just out of reach. Luckily, Hong Kong offers plenty to keep you busy until then, and remember that Monday is a public holiday. Whether you are after a new piece of ink, a perfect pour-over, a night at the ballet or a deeper stretch, there is more than one way to fill the long weekend. 1. Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2026 The Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2026 will... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370938/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-long-weekend-october-16-19 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370938/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-long-weekend-october-16-19 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:16:56 +0000 dpa dpa Colds may be spreading where you are as the end of the year nears, and they are usually followed by plenty of tips on staying well – but are any of them worth your while? We asked scientists whether we should drink warm beer, head to the sauna, take vitamin C supplements and more. 1. If you let yourself get cold, will you catch a cold? This is partly true. However, feeling cold does not automatically make you ill, which requires viruses. “It is true that your body’s defences are weakened to some... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370959/8-old-wives-tales-about-colds-and-how-avoid-them-vitamin-c-sleep-warm-beer https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370959/8-old-wives-tales-about-colds-and-how-avoid-them-vitamin-c-sleep-warm-beer Thu, 15 Oct 2026 07:15:05 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Rarely seen Van Gogh landscape on show in Hong Kong ahead of New York auction A collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces – including a rarely seen landscape painting by Vincent van Gogh – which have been hidden from public view for more than half a century, will be going under the hammer this... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3370972/rare-van-gogh-painting-hong-kong-forbidden-citys-workshops-7-lifestyle-highlights https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3370972/rare-van-gogh-painting-hong-kong-forbidden-citys-workshops-7-lifestyle-highlights Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:46:21 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok As someone who lived in London in the late 2000s, when Asian food was not as popular, accessible or unburdened by tradition as it is now, Wagamama was one of the early options for a little taste of Japan. Founded in 1992 by Hong Kong-born British restaurateur Alan Yau Tak-wai, the Tokyo ramen bar-inspired restaurant quickly ballooned into a nationwide chain – despite the liberties it would take with flavour. I had forgotten about this brand until recently, when a little storm in a teacup began... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3370951/wagamamas-fish-and-chip-ramen-stirs-storm-online-and-it-all-started-fake-news https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3370951/wagamamas-fish-and-chip-ramen-stirs-storm-online-and-it-all-started-fake-news Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:18:02 +0000 Zabrina Lo Zabrina Lo Autumn is a popular season for hiking in Hong Kong, offering crisp air and sweeping vistas across the countryside. Yet beyond leisure, October brings a significant cultural occasion to climb the hills: the annual Chung Yeung Festival, which falls on October 18 this year. The name of the festival, which translates to “double yang” in Chinese, originates from its occurrence on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. This numerical alignment also gives the occasion its alternative title, the Double... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3370879/chung-yeung-festival-hong-kong-and-beyond-traditions-history-and-how-its-celebrated https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3370879/chung-yeung-festival-hong-kong-and-beyond-traditions-history-and-how-its-celebrated Thu, 15 Oct 2026 04:54:12 +0000 Adele Brunner Adele Brunner Would you trust your husband to fully renovate your home, without any design input from you? Rachel Tong did. She did not even visit the flat, which took 10 months to redo, until a few days before completion. Fortunately for her, designer Nicole Cromwell of Nicole Cromwell Interior Design was a major factor in the concept, guaranteeing that the 1,000 sq ft (93 square metre) flat, with an equally large private terrace, would be a stylish affair. Tong and her husband Paul had lived in their... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/homes/article/3370821/hong-kong-flat-reimagined-open-layout-and-natural-light-couple-and-their-two-dogs https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/homes/article/3370821/hong-kong-flat-reimagined-open-layout-and-natural-light-couple-and-their-two-dogs Wed, 14 Oct 2026 23:15:07 +0000