Writer and illustrator Sophia Hotung is a familiar face in Hong Kong through her dedicated work raising awareness for people suffering from invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Sophia was a typical brace-wearing, glasses-toting teen, until her health took a hit at 16 when she was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. The illness pulled her out of school for a year, and she later got diagnosed with seven chronic illnesses, including celiac disease, which often left her feeling isolated in a city where gluten-free dining is a challenge.

Today, she advocates for people suffering from invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses, selling her artworks to raise funds for affiliated charities and giving talks in the community and schools.

Despite her health struggles, Sophia is a prolific writer and illustrator. She has published her fourth book, “The (Unlikely) Hong Konger,” just in time for Christmas.

This is the fourth in her “The Hong Konger” series of eye-popping prints which examine the city’s unique melting pot of international and local scenes through a satirical, celebratory lens, while parodying The New Yorker magazine covers.

"The (Unlikely) Hong Konger" includes Sophia Hotung’s original collection of 100 artworks from "The Hong Konger," along with 12 exclusive previously unseen pieces. Part narrative about her life, part artwork, this compilation showcases the quintessential yet often overlooked scenes of Hong Kong.

At TEDxTinHau Women 2024 this year, Sophia will be sharing the stage with Jessica Chan, an advocate for gender and disability equality who was born with Achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, for a joint talk on invisible and visible disabilities, in relation to this year's theme: “In Motion.”

Sophia sat down with The Beat Asia to share what we can look forward to at her upcoming TEDx talk, the challenges of living with an invisible illness, and the exciting release of her new book.

You will be sharing the stage with Jessica Chan, who has a visible disability. What topics will you be touching on in your talk with her?

Jessica and I didn't want to be seen as a monolith, but at the same time, this is an opportunity to flag that the disabled community is very diverse. Jessica looks visibly different – but she’s a major player in her company, does HYROX, and just came back from an extreme surfing holiday.

Meanwhile, I look like I can work out, and look pretty normal, but if I'm walking around for a day, I need three days to recover from that.

Jessica and I also differ in our choice of language. She prefers the term “differently abled” to disabled, and I prefer "disabled" because I feel very disabled.

The main idea that we've discussed for this TEDx talk “In Motion” is the idea of progress; developing new ways of pushing forward an inclusive disability agenda, especially in Hong Kong, as it has some backward and prescriptive views still. There is a lot of awkwardness or uncertainty about how we go about talking to disabled people.

So, we've got a few takeaways on what we would recommend in this talk. Not necessarily blanket advice because everyone's different, but something that I think can apply to most cases.

What falls under this umbrella of invisible disabilities?

It's really hard to put things in boxes because there are so many different diagnoses. But [an invisible] disability is any health condition that makes getting through an average day harder but is not apparent. Autism is a good example, or lupus.

That said, I like to leave a label more up to the individual. It's really no one's job to force someone into coming out as disabled. It’s a process that everyone has to take in their own stride.

What can members of the public do to support people with invisible disabilities?

I really think that language is an easy fix. When you see someone with a disability, your immediate response doesn’t have to be pity, patronization, or pandering.

You don't need to sugar coat it, or be super optimistic, but you also don't need to be miserable about it. We just get on with our days and see it as any other neutral part of our identities.

So a big push in the talk is just this idea of see, disability is neutral and that will change a lot about [working to be more] inclusive.

What role does art play in your life and as you deal with the challenges of your illnesses?

My first art collection, "The Hong Konger" started as a joke because I was bored in bed. There were no cures and I couldn't go back to work, so I was drawing to pass the time.

I've been through the Hong Kong school system – it’s very competitive academically and to finally have something that had no compass, rubric, or grading system [finding a creative outlet] was very refreshing after so many years of exams.

When you keep doing repetitive movements and find yourself slowly getting better, [having] things in your head that you can produce with your hands [offers] a real feeling of control and satisfaction, especially at a time where I felt like I had no control over what my life would become. That was very powerful.

It doesn’t have to be art that you express yourself through, but any hobby can be very helpful, especially when you're dealing with a new limitation that feels like it's the end of the world.

Can you share more about your company Pangolin Society with us?

From day one, when I started making art, people were asking for free art, and I was burning through the money I had made in my last job. I had charities asking for free stuff, so I tried to come up with a way where I could make art, but both charities and I could profit from it.

I teamed up with this charity called Equal Justice Hong Kong, which provides legal support to people who normally can’t afford it. I made them three artworks, and we agreed to split any profit 50/50. This would compensate me for labor and resources, but the charity also got 50% of the sales, and they have ownership rights to the art, which means they can put the images on a tote bag, put it on a mug, etc.

Pangolin’s mission is to find strategic ways to fundraise that is profitable for all parties. I haven't perfected this yet, but I do think there is a model here for a way of working with charities that is sustainable for artists.

The (Unlikely) Hong Konger is a beautiful book combining narrative with illustrations. How did you come up with the concept?

It’s about growing up in Hong Kong, and how my accidental art career spawned, that’s what gives it the name: "The (Unlikely) Hong Konger."

The history of Hong Kong has played out in an unlikely way. Everyone thought Hong Kong was never going to be a functional city, because there’s no water on the island, there’s no arable land, and yet, here we are.

This theme runs through the book, whether it's related to work, illness or Hong Kong itself. This idea of the art industry and COVID-19 pops up in there as well, and how people dealt with it in different ways.

The overall message of the book is that things never go according to plan, but there's a way to handle the punches.

If you look only on the right side [recto] of [its spread], it's an arty coffee table book. It has all the Hong Kongers and a few extra ones that I threw, but if you look on the left side [verso], its dramatized and reads like a novel. But it's the true story of how I started being really sick.

What advice would give young people who are exploring a career in art?

Even if you are embarrassed to put your art out there, you should still make it, because it can always come out later when you're an adult and you’ve gotten over the embarrassment. It’s cool, productive, and it's all part of the journey.

Catch Sophia Hotung at TEDxTinHau Women on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon and at her book signing of The (Unlikely) Hong Konger on Dec. 7 at Kelly & Walsh in Pacific Place.

Stay connected with Sophia on her website, and follow her on Instagram, or Facebook. For more information, visit TEDxTinHau Women 2024 on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Hong Kong embraced comfort and empowerment at the COMFELIE Pop-Up Event, where the bra brand celebrated its mission of revolutionizing wireless lingerie while raising awareness for breast health.

Known for their seamless bras, COMFELIE crafted a unique experience where fashion, function, and purpose intertwined, and our wardrobe and well-being thanked us for it!

For three days from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24, 2024, guests were invited to enjoy 50% off bras in-store, and take part in lively activities including yoga sessions, crafty sessions, live music parties, and more, all under one roof.

Partnering with the Phenomenally Pink Breast Cancer non-profit organization, COMFELIE dedicated a portion of event proceeds to support vital breast health initiatives.

The pop-up event, which took place at Hilltop Plaza in the heart of Soho, featured the Women Connect Comfelie Talk, a powerful panel discussion led by inspiring women such as entrepreneur Teodora Lazarova, dancer and artist Anisha Thai, breast cancer survivor Eugeniya Menassa, and hosted by the talented makeup artist Joy Kawuma. They covered topics such as beauty, empowerment, and diversity.

And because COMFELIE knows how to spoil us, the brand has introduced a buzz-worthy deal: spend HK$100 and receive a FREE HK$129 four-piece gift set, including a branded umbrella, makeup pouch, and more. Who says self-care can’t come with perks? Make sure to hurry, though, cause this promo is only until supplies last!

The brand is a godsend to women's comfort and well-being. the brand continues to tackle common challenges in lingerie, such as underwire discomfort, with innovative solutions. Designed by women for women, COMFELIE’s bras combine 43% spandex for incredible elasticity and softness, delivering a second-skin fit that supports long-term breast health without compromising style.

Missed it? Don’t worry — you can still explore their collection online and bring a little everyday luxury into your life.

To find out more, visit COMFELIE on their website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Hong Kong is best known for its neon signages, dim sum, and of course, Disneyland. But for those who call the city home, Hong Kong is much more than that. It is an amalgamation of memories, a cacophony of sights, sounds, tastes, and noises.

Amidst the organized chaos, Christina Ko, a local writer, psychic, and wellness advocate, finds life spread throughout years’ worth of memories.

“For me, Hong Kong was about growing up eating Sunday dim sum with extended family, holding the latest ‘Old Master Q’ comic that my mom would buy to keep us kids occupied throughout the meal,” she recalled.

It was about teenage years spent roaming Causeway Bay sipping on bubble tea, playing Puzzle Bobble in smoky arcades, and learning Cantonese at “Lunch K” [lunchtime karaoke] sessions. “Back then, we knew which bars in Lan Kwai Fong didn’t check for IDs, and my best friend and I spent afternoons buying broken heart necklaces at the underground mall in Sugar Street,” Christina added.

Today, her love for the city is further underlined by the launch of her self-made oracle deck, Mali Mali Home, which is available at her spiritual space, Good Peoples.

A useful guide in life, oracle decks such as Christina’s can be used as a tool for decision-making or grounding.

“[Oracle decks] are a form of solace, a sense of direction, a trigger for creativity. You draw a card, and it gives you advice, inspiration, or maybe even a kick in the ass (that you probably needed at the time),” she shared.

Alongside creative meditation, breathwork, readings, and workshops, Good Peoples offers this tributary oracle deck to those seeking clarity via Hong Kong’s nuanced lifestyle. In fact, the name “Mali Mali” is inspired by the playful Hong Kong phrase that parallels magic’s “Abracadabra."

“The phrase itself doesn’t have a written form but is familiar when said,” Christina explained. “When I looked into it, some sources suggested that it was an adaptation or bastardization of the Buddhist chant, ‘Om Mani Padme Hum,' which we can repeat as a form of purification or connection to our inner selves.”

Consisting of 33 cards, Mali Mali Home invites locals and foreigners to explore their life paths through city scenes. From polaroid images of Hong Kong’s minibuses and milk tea, Mali Mali Home delivers energy that inspires, soothes, and invigorates. Its only irony comes from how it was birthed. “I first came up with the idea of Mali Mali Home when Hong Kong was at its lowest,” Christina admitted, recalling the pandemic and the year before. At the time, people had shuttered themselves in at home and were ultimately fearful of the future. “We were wondering if we would die of a disease we thought we’d already conquered [SARS in 2002],” she recalled.

But despite the circumstances, Christina affirmed that Mali Mali Home is a testament to hope, “Hope that a bauhinia flower on a tree could remind us to bloom, that the sight of an illegally built rooftop awning might encourage us to take a little risk, or that a plate of rice rolls would allow us to create our own bold flavors."

Since then, Mali Mali Home has inspired many among the psychic's inner circle – and is used by Christina herself during her readings for other people. A keen observer of everyday life, Christina had formerly worked as an editor for a luxury magazine.

“When you interview and write about people for as long as I have, you can’t help but be fascinated by the human psyche,” she mused. "And when you interview celebrities, you can get as little as four minutes to get to know them before you write about them – so you try to read them intuitively, from how they walk into the room to how they chew a sandwich. From there, I started getting readings for myself – astrology, Bazi, numerology, Akashic records. And then, one Sunday morning last year, after a retreat, I woke up, and [realized] I was psychic.”

Since honing her intuitive gifts – which she maintains is a gift given to all humans – Christina has learned a lesson or two.

One, that intuition entails both trust and forgiveness. “I spent so many years as the vaunted editor of a luxury magazine and held myself to such high standards that I could never allow myself to be wrong, to be out of control, or to be truly free,” she recalled. But on the day she told herself those magic words – “I forgive myself” – Christina realized she was able to access her intuition, her imagination, and her connection to the world around her.

“Intuition is never wrong, but it plays a long game. So you may think you’re wrong, that you’re a fool for believing something, but one later down the line, you will understand that your intuition was leading you somewhere you didn’t know yet.”

Christina also imparted that despite the misconception of “psychic powers," humans aren’t necessarily meant to know the future in great detail.

“Anything that we see [through oracle or tarot readings] represents the most likely reality based on all of the intentions, decisions, and circumstances of right now. And the reason that this reality is being presented to you in a reading is so that you can decide if that’s what you want. And if you don’t, you simply set your intention to change course, and it is done. Ultimately, I believe in free will, and I encourage my customers to as well,” she said.

Now, as Christina continues to grow the community of Good Peoples, she’s letting her intuition lead the way.

“I’m a one-person business and I’m also about to launch a new channeled energy healing session that works through the chakras to clear emotional blockages and physical issues,” she revealed.

“Ultimately, everything I do at Good Peoples is held together by the twin themes of wellness and creativity. So whatever comes out of 2025, it will be fresh, new, wild, and fun – because my perspective is that life and healing should be a good time," Christina concluded.

Avail of the Mali Mali Home oracle deck through the Good Peoples website. To learn more, you may also visit their Instagram.

Hong Kong parents are increasingly choosing nearby universities in Asia over further abroad options, according to a recent HSBC report.

In a recent HSBC Global Quality of Life report, it was found that 64% of parents are now prioritizing universities closer to their home base in Hong Kong, with emerging destinations like Mainland China, Japan, and Malaysia gaining popularity. This trend reflects a growing desire among parents for easier access to their children while studying, with minimal time differences and shorter flights being key factors.

In particular, younger Gen Z and Millennial parents show a marked preference for institutions in or near their home region. Specifically, 72% of Gen Z parents and 66% of Millennials favor local universities, allowing for closer contact during their children’s educational journey.

There are currently around 35,000 Hong Kong students studying abroad, as Renee Yung, Head of Customer Propositions at HSBC, points out in the report. The majority of Hong Kong parents will pay for their children to study abroad, while parents who plan to send their children overseas for further studies can expect to spend HK$580,000 a year.

Interestingly, the HSBC report notes that younger Hong Kong parents are becoming more inclined to invest in their children's early education overseas, such as boarding schools. Meanwhile, 73% of Gen Z parents are ready to pay extra for universities that provide travel and exchange programs, reflecting a 14% rise from their Gen X counterparts.

Hong Kong parents are also increasingly prioritizing their children’s well-being while studying abroad, says the HSBC survey. 74% of parents favor universities that cater to their children’s needs and aspirations. Millennial parents are 8% more open to entrepreneurial-focused education in comparison to Baby Boomers.

However, many Hong Kong parents cited study abroad expenses as a major worry, including concerns about overseas banking services and the risk of financial scams, highlighting the critical need for financial planning in advance.

HSBC Premier offers a range of tailored services to support Hong Kong parents and their children as they navigate these educational choices. These supports include assistance with pre-departure international bank account opening, multi-currency HSBC Mastercard Debit Cards, educational programs designed for the next generation, and fee-free global transfer on mobile 24/7.

For more information about the services HSBC offers to international students, click here.

Exciting news in the world of menstrual health: Nushu, the innovative brand specializing in reusable period underwear, has officially launched this October!

Founded just a year ago by Avisha Jhunjhnuwala, Nushu is on a mission to revolutionize the menstrual cycle experience through their period underwear that brings together comfort, sustainability, and empowerment in every pair.

Nushu is dedicated to creating reusable period underwear featuring advanced absorbent and leakproof technology. Say goodbye to traditional pads, tampons, and cups — Nushu offers an eco-friendly alternative that’s not only good for the planet but also feels amazing to wear.

Nushu's period panties are crafted from soft bamboo fabric, Lenzing Modal cores, and feature advanced microfiber absorption with a leakproof TPU-coated layer. Whether you need heavy night protection, moderate flow coverage, or something light and stylish for everyday wear, Nushu has got you covered. Their collection includes chic styles like the Hip Hugger, Lace Hipster, Bikini Brief, Lace Bikini, and Cheeky Lace, all priced between HK$119 and HK$135.

For those looking to simplify their menstrual wardrobe, Nushu introduces the "Fantastic Five" — a curated collection designed for every day of your cycle, available for HK$599. You can mix and match styles or grab the complete set, ensuring you’ve got the right fit for whatever flow you’re experiencing.

With basic washing instructions and a lifespan of up to two years, investing in a few pairs of Nushu underwear is a simple and cost-effective option compared to purchasing a 2-year supply of pads.

But Nushu is more than just period underwear; they also cater to a wider spectrum of women's health needs, including postpartum bleeding and bladder leaks. So, get ready to embrace comfort, sustainability, and style with Nushu — your new best friend during that time of the month!

To order your Nushu period underwear, visit their website here, and follow them on Instagram for more updates.

This October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF) is back with its annual Pink Revolution campaign.

HKCF aims to raise HK$3 million through a series of campaigns and fundraising events to continue providing free breast cancer care services. One of the highlights this year is the Shop for Pink initiative, which encourages everyone to shop for a cause. By purchasing specially selected pink items, you can show your support for breast cancer patients and their families.

This year, Shop for Pink is proudly sponsored by Miricor Group, which includes brands like XOVĒ, CosMax, and VITAE. For every bottle of W-TruComplex® Treatment Essence sold, Miricor will donate HK$50 to HKCF.

Another Pink Sponsor is Japanese electronic brand Zojirushi, who has been an avid supporter of the Hong Kong Cancer's Fund Pink Revolution campaign for 17 years. Zojirushi is offering exclusive items, including a Hong Kong Special Pink Edition electric kettle, and a special edition rice cooker with a steamer. These items are priced at HK$199–HK$359.

Among this year's sponsors is an exciting range of pink-themed goodies and promotions across various categories, from food and beverages to beauty and fashion. Other brands showing their support include the lingerie brand Her Own Words, makeup brand HUBEIHAR Beauty, PizzaExpress, Conrad Macao, The Royal Garden, and more.

Click here to make donations to the Cancer Fund. Your support can make a real difference! Check out the full list of participating Pink Sponsors and their special offerings on the HKCF website, and follow HKCF on Instagram and Facebook for more updates.