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Explainers: Culture

Explainers: Culture
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Explainers: Culture. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Clockwise from left: Elvis Tsui (left) and Shu Qi in a still from Sex and Zen II (1996); Chingmy Yau Suk-ching in a still from Naked Killer (1992); Veronica Yip Yuk-hing in the film, Hidden Desire (1991); Simon Yam Tat-wah in a still from Dr Lamb (1992); Amy Yip Chi-mei in a still from Sex and Zen (1991); The Untold Story. (Pork bun murders) starring Anthony Wong.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

The wild days of Hong Kong’s Category III era: when sex and gore went mainstream

The adults-only, Category III rating was introduced in 1988, making stars of actresses including Shu Qi and Amy Yip.

European cinema

Who was Marguerite Duras? Decoding the French cinema radical’s dual identity

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

A beginner’s guide to watching Hong Kong martial arts movies

Food and Drinks

Michelin Guide’s arrival in Philippines brings distinction for country’s top chefs

Miko Calo’s Taquería Franco won a Bib Gourmand, while Josh Boutwood’s Helm was the only restaurant in the country to be awarded 2 Michelin stars.

A dessert of durian espuma, blackberry and jasmine by Miko Calo. 06NOV25 SCMP / Jocelyn Tam
History

Why is everyone still obsessed with the ’90s? It was a ‘more hopeful’ time

Nostalgia for the ’90s continues to thrive, especially in the UK, where themed bars, exhibitions and fashion continue to reflect the decade.

Chinese culture

Demon, spirit, ghost or monster? How Chinese mythology separates them

As the Hungry Ghost Festival nears, we look at ‘yao jing gui guai’ in Chinese culture and their habit of appearing as beautiful women.

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TV shows and streaming video

How KPop Demon Hunters took inspiration from Korea’s female shamans

Korea’s real-life shamans, the inspiration for KPop Demon Hunters’ girl group Huntrix, have a history dating back thousands of years.

South Korean shaman Lee Soon-ae performs prayers in 2012. KPop Demon Hunters takes inspiration from Korean shamanism, which has a history dating back thousands of years. Photo: Reuters
Food and Drinks

Chinese dining etiquette dos and don’ts, from who eats first to tea pouring

Chinese table manners and traditions emphasise sharing and politeness and can be complicated. Here are the most important rules.

Asia travel

Insiders’ guide to Manila, Philippine capital and cultural melting pot

Locals share their tips on what to see, do and buy, from discovering iconic landmarks and hidden gems, to encountering Filipino craftsmanship.

Asia travel

What is Hmong New Year – and how is it celebrated in the modern day?

For the Hmong ethnic group, the New Year festival in northern Laos’ Phonsavan is the perfect time to don your finest, honour your clan and go in search of The One.

A Hmong woman stands among the ancient stones of the Plain of Jars (Site 1), outside Phonsavan. The Hmong New Year celebration in Phonsavan, the largest of its kind in Laos, sees young Hmong men and women mix and match traditional attire with modern accessories. Photo: Nicolas Bosoni
Asian cinema: Japanese films

All you need to know before watching Attack on Titan: The Last Attack

As the finale of Hajime Isayama’s anime series opens in Hong Kong, a reminder of its plot, the controversies and why it is special.

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A still from Attack on Titan: The Last Attack.
Trending in China

China Yiche ethnic minority embrace open marriage, first to wear mini-shorts

One of China’s oldest ethnic groups maintains many interesting customs, one of which allows men to touch women’s breasts.

Asia travel

What are Thailand’s spirit houses – and why are they so colourful?

Every visitor to Thailand will have passed a spirit house, but they are a little understood aspect of the local culture – here’s why the san phra phum is so lovingly maintained

Chinese culture

‘Teeth playing’: China’s terrifying wild boar tusk art form faces extinction

One of China’s oldest, most terrifying, and painful forms of performance art is facing near extinction. The Post explains why.

“Teeth Playing” is one of China’s most terrifying, and difficult, forms of folk art. The Post explains what it is and why it is facing extinction. Photo: SCMP composite/Zhihu
Trending in China

‘Ghost marriages’: delving into dark world of love after death in China and Asia

The Post uncovers the secrets that lie behind the ancient Chinese custom of ghost marriages.

The Post takes a deep dive into the complex, and sometimes sinister, world of China’s “ghost marriages” which see love continue in the afterlife. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Viral stories

Why foreigners are flocking to Japan to learn how to become ninjas

The rich history of ninjutsu has captivated many foreigners, drawing them to Japan in pursuit of mastering the art of the ninja.

European cinema

How The Omen spawned horror franchise including new prequel The First Omen

Horror classic The Omen, the story of the birth of the Antichrist, started a long-running franchise, including newly released prequel The First Omen, starring Nell Tiger Free, Bill Nighy and Charles Dance.

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Food and Drinks

What’s the dining etiquette for different Asian cuisines? This expert knows

Etiquette consultant Piano Mok talks about different Asian dining customs and etiquette used in Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisines – from chopsticks to who eats first – and which rules apply to all.

Piano Mok explains how Korean table settings feature chopsticks and an elongated spoon, which is used to eat rice and stew. The etiquette consultant is familiar with the dining customs of cultures and cuisines across Asia, including Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Photo: Piano Mok
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Beyond Bruce Lee: the rise of Hong Kong cinema during the 1970s

In the 1970s, Michael Hui was the box-office champion, Jackie Chan achieved stardom, and kung fu and sex sold movies. What else happened in Hong Kong cinema during that decade?

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Asian cinema: Japanese films

Who was Satoshi Kon, the genius animator who inspired Darren Aronofsky?

Satoshi Kon only completed four feature films, but his work inspired fellow filmmakers including Darren Aronofsky, whose films Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream were influenced by Kon’s Perfect Blue.

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Korean drama reviews

Ranked: the 15 best high-school Korean dramas of all time

From Boys Over Flowers to The Heirs, Weak Hero Class, Extracurricular and Twenty-Five Twenty-One, we rank the best among the many Korean drama series set in high schools.

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Lee Min-ho (second from right) leads the cast of the megahit series “Boys Over Flowers”, set in a Korean high school.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How movies about a cartoon pig called McDull celebrated Hong Kong life

My Life as McDull, animated movie about a humdrum pig, charmed Hong Kong film-goers with the character’s hard work and persistence. Sequels of varying quality followed.

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A still from “My Life as McDull” (2001).
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Wong Jing ruled the box office in 1990s Hong Kong

Jet Li, Chow Yun-fat and Stephen Chow were among the leading actors who worked with director-producer Wong Jing, whose crude, sex-filled films dominated the Hong Kong box office. What set him apart?

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How youth romance Feel 100% captured the spirit of 1990s Hong Kong

Woody Allen and The Wonder Years fan Joe Ma’s youth romance Feel 100% launched the film career of Cantopop star Sammi Cheng and made fellow singer Ekin Cheng a heartthrob.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Wilson Yip before Ip Man: 5 of the Hong Kong director’s offbeat early films

Famous for directing the Ip Man films, Hong Kong director Wilson Yip started out making quirky comedies, ghost stories and other dramas. We look at five of those films here.

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Ip Man director Wilson Yip started out making quirky Hong Kong comedies, ghost stories and other dramas, which invariably featured offbeat characters. Above: Francis Ng in a still from “Bullets Over Summer” (1999).
Korean drama reviews

Ranked: the 15 best romantic K-dramas of all time, including Secret Garden

From Crash Landing on You to Crash Course in Romance, there have been some classic romantic K-dramas over the years. We rank our 15 best ever, and why they deserve a spot in the list.

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Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won in a still from “Secret Garden”. Photo: SBS
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Gen-X Cops led a new crop of Hong Kong action films in the 1990s

Hong Kong cinema had to reinvent itself in the late ’90s to combat flagging ticket sales. Gen-X Cops led the way, with new young stars Nicholas Tse and Stephen Fung, computerised special effects and a faster pace.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

More than ‘vases’: the complex roles women have in Stanley Kwan’s films

Stanley Kwan’s early films during the 1980s and 1990s centred on women, giving the actresses who played them roles focused on their characters and not just their looks. We take a closer look at four of those films.

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