https://www.scmp.com/rss/94/feed All the latest lifestyle articles including food, fashion, travel and art. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com dpa dpa On social media, English teacher Jak Kurdi often shares his love of books and writing. Growing up in a household that prioritised reading, he could vividly picture the worlds on the page, his imagination carrying him into each scene. “I remember as a kid having a very, very vivid imagination,” says Kurdi, 28, who teaches at Wilson Middle School in Plano, in the US state of Texas. “I was an avid reader, and then slowly I started to realise that, I think in my adulthood, I’ve lost it.” He later... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350456/do-you-have-trouble-visualising-things-maybe-you-have-aphantasia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350456/do-you-have-trouble-visualising-things-maybe-you-have-aphantasia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Since Bourke’s opened in 2024, its vision has been to bring the energy and culinary excellence of Australian wine bars to Hong Kong. As of this March, the Peel Street outpost has taken that vision to the next level by unveiling a menu with dishes as well as signature cocktails that focus on ingredients native to the Australian continent. “Our goal was to make native Australian flavours and nostalgic elements accessible to Bourke’s diverse clientele,” says bar manager Aled Burt. The Wattleseed,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350490/drink-focus-wattleseed-cocktail-bourkes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350490/drink-focus-wattleseed-cocktail-bourkes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:34:52 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel met like their characters in The Christophers do: with a knock on the door. Coel, taking a break from writing her upcoming BBC-HBO series First Day on Earth in Ghana, turned up at McKellen’s house in London to go over the script with him and screenwriter Ed Solomon. “I walked into your house,” Coel says in an interview with her and McKellen. “I knew who you were. You were like, ‘Hello! What are you? What are you then?’” “You looked interesting and beautiful,”... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350244/how-ian-mckellen-and-michaela-coel-found-screen-chemistry-christophers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350244/how-ian-mckellen-and-michaela-coel-found-screen-chemistry-christophers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby This is the latest instalment in a feature series reflecting on instances of East meets West in world cinema, including China-US co-productions. “It’s one of your favourite fantasies, isn’t it: the submissive Oriental woman and the cruel white man?” Chinese opera singer Song Liling (John Lone) says to French diplomat René Gallimard (Jeremy Irons) at the start of their metaphorically freighted affair. It is a cliché both explored and exploded in director David Cronenberg’s 1993 drama M.... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349334/how-m-butterfly-jeremy-irons-subverted-western-fantasies-chinese-femininity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349334/how-m-butterfly-jeremy-irons-subverted-western-fantasies-chinese-femininity?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Victoria Burrows Victoria Burrows The steamed dumplings at Peking Restaurant in El Sheikh Zayed City, Cairo, have a filling of soft and salty minced beef inside thick skins, similar to boiled Northern Chinese shuijiao, but even more sturdy. The two dipping sauces served with it are tomato-based; one a thin ketchup, the other a far thicker, spicy sauce studded with chilli seeds. Instead of chopsticks, knives and forks are set on tables in the dining room, decorated with wooden Chinese lattice work on the ceiling and traditional... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350158/how-chinese-food-took-root-cairo-60s-peking-restaurant-egyptianised-dishes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350158/how-chinese-food-took-root-cairo-60s-peking-restaurant-egyptianised-dishes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Advertising partner Advertising partner [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Living in Hong Kong has its challenges. With a mix of residential towers and nature, Hong Kong’s dynamic mix of architecture pushes us to be creative when it comes to home décor. While it is easy to fill a room with music, finding art for your home is trickier. Below is a guide on how to curate the perfect art collection for three different Hong Kong living spaces. Small & affordable Hong Kong is known for our compact... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/how-buy-art-3-different-hong-kong-homes/article/3350116/how-buy-art-3-different-hong-kong-homes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/how-buy-art-3-different-hong-kong-homes/article/3350116/how-buy-art-3-different-hong-kong-homes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung It is officially the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens weekend, which means event domination in headlines, happy hours and MTR carriages. But if the frenzy is not your cup of tea, don’t worry. There is always something else in this city. From a late-night dim sum rave in a century-old teahouse to a pickleball social in West Kowloon and sustainable fashion swaps, there is plenty to do that has nothing to do with the Sevens. Here are five things to check out this weekend. 1. Dim Sum Rave On Saturday,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350246/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-april-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350246/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-april-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:45:08 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan March is a highlight of Hong Kong’s cultural calendar. Last month, as I welcomed delegates to the International Cultural Summit during Art Week, many told me they had come to network with local and international collaborators and explore Hong Kong’s museums, galleries and performance venues. Tens of thousands attended Art Basel, Art Central, gallery openings, performances and other events across the city. The month also buzzed with jazz, opera, classical concerts and other performances, with the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350293/art-march-hong-kong-firmly-global-cultural-map?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3350293/art-march-hong-kong-firmly-global-cultural-map?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Feng shui master Andrew Kwan says that cosmic energy shifts to a water pillar this month, which clashes with the fire sign of the year. In broader terms, this will be a month of change and purification. Those who are mature and prudent will gain wealth and authority, but all must be wary of financial fluctuations and major errors in documents and contracts. According to the stars, the earthly energy will make maintaining the status quo paramount this month. It will be best not to rush things; a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3350310/year-horse-2026-third-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-zodiac/article/3350310/year-horse-2026-third-month-predictions-all-12-chinese-zodiac-signs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Pierce Conran Pierce Conran Lead cast: Kim Go-eun, Kim Jae-won Latest Nielsen rating: 1.7 per cent Almost four years after the second season of Yumi’s Cells, Kim Go-eun is back as Kim Yumi for a third helping of the partially animated adaptation of the hit webtoon of the same name, penned by Lee Dong-gun. In the intervening years, Yumi has risen in the world. No longer an employee of Daehan Noodles, she has realised her dormant passion for writing and has become a celebrated author of romance novels, which she writes in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3350309/hbo-max-k-drama-yumis-cells-season-3-kim-go-eun-returns-final-romantic-chapter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3350309/hbo-max-k-drama-yumis-cells-season-3-kim-go-eun-returns-final-romantic-chapter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service For Taiwanese-American comedian Sheng Wang, purple is more than a colour; it is a way of being. From his style to the way he floats through the world writing jokes based on the small, fleeting moments of life, the 46-year-old maintains a sense of tranquillity and creates impact with his art by not trying so hard. It is no shock that his second Netflix special, Purple, is the most revealing of who he is at a time when people are finally paying attention. Coming off the success of his 2022 Netflix... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350103/asian-american-comedian-sheng-wang-netflixs-purple-ali-wong-and-his-love-cooking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350103/asian-american-comedian-sheng-wang-netflixs-purple-ali-wong-and-his-love-cooking?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:15:07 +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. All 7 are dentists and hot. The Asian-American family blowing up social media The Chen family shot to social media stardom over their shared career, good looks and closeness – all achieved without tiger parenting. 2. Hainanese chicken rice origins and its versions in Singapore, Malaysia and more With roots in Hainan’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350267/asian-american-family-hot-dentists-hainan-chicken-rice-roots-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350267/asian-american-family-hot-dentists-hainan-chicken-rice-roots-7-lifestyle-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:45:08 +0000 Natasha Tang Natasha Tang In Hong Kong, where space is always at a premium, the best dining rooms are often the ones that understand how much a meal is impacted by its surroundings. Lighting, table size, chair height and furniture layout all start shaping your experience before the first plate arrives. Thoughtful execution lends a sense of ease and generosity, while less considered choices can distract from even capable cooking. At Dieci, those choices are woven into the experience from the moment you walk in. Upon... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350245/why-thoughtful-restaurant-design-so-important-even-dense-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350245/why-thoughtful-restaurant-design-so-important-even-dense-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:15:07 +0000 James Marsh James Marsh 3.5/5 stars When it premiered in April 2023, the first season of Netflix’s Beef helped solidify an unprecedented moment for Asian-American representation on screen, arriving hot on the heels of Everything Everywhere All at Once’s historic night at the 95th Academy Awards and just weeks after the premiere of Celine Song’s Past Lives at the Sundance Film Festival. Incidentally, but perhaps not coincidentally, all three of those projects were produced by the pioneering New York-based outfit... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349978/beef-season-2-review-netflixs-chaotic-follow-more-overcooked-well-done?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349978/beef-season-2-review-netflixs-chaotic-follow-more-overcooked-well-done?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:09 +0000 Hei Kiu Au Hei Kiu Au The meaning of “farm-to-table” has changed in Hong Kong in recent years. The practice used to be more common in down-to-earth places, but has come to be associated with overpriced produce and Michelin-star restaurants. However, a weekend gathering at Blue Girl Organic Farm in Tai Tong, in Hong Kong’s New Territories, showed that the true concept of farm-to-table is still alive and well. The farm, which has been run by Flora Wong Wah-fong for the past 13 years, hosted more than 30 guests for an... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350153/authentic-farm-table-experience-hong-kong-reconnects-diners-nature?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350153/authentic-farm-table-experience-hong-kong-reconnects-diners-nature?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:45:07 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok I often think that we take rice for granted. It is seen as a boring blank canvas for a far more exciting palette of flavours coming from side dishes and main proteins of myriad tastes and textures. In some circles, rice is villainised, painted as a low-value carb that offers calories, a food coma, and not much else. We often forget that rice was once a luxury – a fact I was reminded of recently when I saw a well-preserved rice ration card, issued during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350141/hong-kong-has-how-many-rice-varieties-one-womans-drive-celebrate-them-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350141/hong-kong-has-how-many-rice-varieties-one-womans-drive-celebrate-them-all?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:15:09 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak From colonial-era red-brick buildings in the shadows of gleaming new skyscrapers to lush hills that roll into the sea, Hong Kong is a city of contrasts. But not all of these juxtapositions are palatable ones. The Season is a six-episode, English-language revenge thriller miniseries that charts the dark undercurrents flowing beneath Hong Kong’s high-society boating scene. The PCCW Media production, shot in Hong Kong between April and June 2025, features an international ensemble cast led... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349971/how-hong-kong-set-series-season-depicts-dark-side-citys-high-society?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349971/how-hong-kong-set-series-season-depicts-dark-side-citys-high-society?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Edmund Lee Edmund Lee This year’s Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) arrives under an unprecedented cloud of controversy, making Sunday’s 44th edition at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre one of the most heavily scrutinised ceremonies in the event’s history. The industry has been reeling ever since the pre-emptive disqualification of four eligible films in early January: Valley of the Shadow of Death, Vital Signs, Finch & Midland and Mother Bhumi. This opaque and as-yet-unexplained move by the HKFA effectively removed... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350125/hong-kong-film-awards-2026-predictions-ciao-ufo-back-past-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350125/hong-kong-film-awards-2026-predictions-ciao-ufo-back-past-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng New menus are the focus this weekend. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland-inspired Central cocktail bar The Green Door launches a new series of signatures in collaboration with local indie band Mr Koo. ICYMI, Peridot also launched its second terroir-focused menu, this time paying homage to the mezcal-making mecca of Oaxaca. Meanwhile, there’s no better way to start the weekend than with a party, so head down to Artifact as the basement speakeasy celebrates its third anniversary. Friday, April... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350150/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-april-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350150/your-hong-kong-weekend-drinks-guide-april-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:00:32 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Handing down a name over the generations is a central part of the Japanese traditional theatre art of kabuki, and that ceremony gets celebrated at theatres and special events every few years. Now, the ritual is taking place with the eighth Kikugoro, who is having that honour passed down from his 83-year-old father, the seventh Kikugoro, who in turn got that name from his father. “Taking on the name is about taking on the spirit and responsibility that’s created and getting passed down over... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3350102/how-japans-kabuki-theatre-legacies-are-kept-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3350102/how-japans-kabuki-theatre-legacies-are-kept-family?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Setlog is the latest mobile app that is taking South Korea by storm. Designed to be a real-time vlog app for small groups of friends to document their day together, the video and visual diary format has rapidly gained traction on social media. Users are loving its “forced synchronicity” and no-edit approach when it comes to making videos and sharing content. Much of the app’s appeal stems from the trending “day-in-the-life” videos, particularly those that compare daily routines of friends side... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350142/what-setlog-app-trending-hong-kong-and-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3350142/what-setlog-app-trending-hong-kong-and-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:45:08 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times On game days, queues outside a rice cake shop near Gwangju Songjeong Station can stretch more than 50 metres (164ft), a familiar scene that even local taxi drivers anticipate, often naming the destination before passengers finish asking. “In my whole life, it is my first time seeing people line up like this at a rice cake shop,” one taxi driver says. The draw is pumpkin injeolmi, a sticky rice cake from the bakery Changeok Tteok that has become a viral sensation, drawing crowds rivalling the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350101/best-things-do-gwangju-south-korea-viral-food-trends-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350101/best-things-do-gwangju-south-korea-viral-food-trends-architecture?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Grace Brewer Grace Brewer As Hongkongers flock to Kai Tak for the Sevens this weekend, the city’s dining scene delivers the perfect match day sides. Think a free-entry rugby village, an ideal spot to recharge over the action-packed weekend; a nourishing luxury sea cucumber set menu at The Murray hotel; and a pop-up featuring famed Singaporean brand Tiong Bahru Bakery for Sunday recovery. For more dining ideas, see the 2025 100 Top Tables Guide – and watch this space for the 2026 edition. Friday, April 17 For a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350139/your-hong-kong-sevens-weekend-food-guide-april-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350139/your-hong-kong-sevens-weekend-food-guide-april-17-19?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:49:08 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun Michael Larkin is the co-founder of French bistro Lala in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood. He spoke to Andrew Sun. My dad is Irish, my mum is Romanian. We grew up mostly in Romania, where the food was super hearty, super rustic and very flavourful. In the winter, we had a lot of stew and soups; in the summer, we had a lot of barbecues. At home, my mom could burn cereal, so she never cooked for us. My dad, on the other hand, worked in food and beverage, and he taught me how to cook. As for what... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350013/best-pasta-really-authentic-vietnamese-french-bistro-boss-top-hong-kong-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3350013/best-pasta-really-authentic-vietnamese-french-bistro-boss-top-hong-kong-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Advertising partner Advertising partner [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Melco Resorts & Entertainment has positioned its restaurants as must visit gastronomic destinations for discerning diners. Through culinary innovation, immersive ambience and impeccable service, Melco’s restaurants at City of Dreams, Studio City and Altira now read like a constellation of gastronomic experiences – each one a carefully staged, multi sensory journey. The accolades speak for themselves. The MICHELIN Guide... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/macaus-fine-dining-reimagined/article/3349974/redefining-fine-dining-macau-citys-must-visit-restaurants-transform-gastronomic-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/macaus-fine-dining-reimagined/article/3349974/redefining-fine-dining-macau-citys-must-visit-restaurants-transform-gastronomic-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:30:09 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung To understand why German-Chinese athlete Sofie Fella felt compelled to design a T-shirt featuring the Chinese character da – Mandarin for “big” – one must understand the rigid expectations of Asian femininity. In cities like Shanghai, Fella’s hometown, the “ideal” body is more than an aesthetic – it is a signifier of virtue. This mindset is encouraged from a young age. Even as a Harvard University rugby player and now international competitor – she plays for the German national team – Fella has... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350000/rugby-player-fighting-asian-beauty-standards-showing-women-its-ok-be-strong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350000/rugby-player-fighting-asian-beauty-standards-showing-women-its-ok-be-strong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:00:24 +0000 Advertising partner Advertising partner [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] One need not travel thousands of miles to enjoy the very best of Asian cuisine, as Wynn invites guests to explore all the tantalizing flavors of Asia right here in Macao. Discover Michelin-starred Chaoshan fish congee, the best laksa from Singapore’s celebrity-favorite noodle shop, perfectly prepared unagi from a revered century-old Japanese restaurant, and the most sought-after beef noodles from the almost... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/asian-culinary-landmark/article/3349642/gourmet-pavilion-world-carnival-vibrant-asian-flavors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/asian-culinary-landmark/article/3349642/gourmet-pavilion-world-carnival-vibrant-asian-flavors?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:17:45 +0000 dpa dpa Rudolf Goetz effortlessly moves the weights up and down on the ab machine. Pushing 40kg (88lb) weights on the leg press are not a problem for the 100-year-old, either. “Many others would be groaning under the weight at 50 or 60,” says trainer and gym owner Marc Baldow with a laugh, as he watches his oldest member diligently go through his workout routine. Goetz trains twice a week at the gym in Fuerstenwalde, a small town east of Berlin in Germany, without making any fuss, despite his story... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350019/youre-never-too-old-work-out-says-100-year-old-who-hits-gym-twice-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3350019/youre-never-too-old-work-out-says-100-year-old-who-hits-gym-twice-week?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:15:09 +0000 Advertising partner Advertising partner [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] As soon as you arrive at Imperial Court, located in a dedicated corner of MGM MACAU’s VIP lobby, your eyes are inevitably drawn to the striking dragon-carved marble column twisting skyward. A symbol of power, fortune and imperial grandeur, this centerpiece sets the tone for an immersive dining experience in a fine-dining institution where Lingnan Guangfu cuisine meets modern culinary artistry. The restaurant is designed... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/mgm-macau-fb-highlights/article/3349870/imperial-court-mgm-macau-rooted-lingnan-guangfu-tradition-refined-todays-palate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/mgm-macau-fb-highlights/article/3349870/imperial-court-mgm-macau-rooted-lingnan-guangfu-tradition-refined-todays-palate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:00:12 +0000 Pierce Conran Pierce Conran Lead cast: IU, Byeon Woo-seok, Noh Sang-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon Latest Nielsen rating: 9.5 per cent With all its slow-motion close-ups, high-society razzle-dazzle and swoon-worthy stars, the new romantic vehicle Perfect Crown, starring IU (When Life Gives You Tangerines) and Byeon Woo-seok (Lovely Runner), has all the trappings of a classic Korean drama, an alternative-history fable the kind of which the industry has been routinely producing for 20 years. On paper, the concept is a winner. Imagine... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3349981/disney-k-drama-perfect-crown-iu-and-byeon-woo-seok-lead-fantasy-romance-far-perfect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3349981/disney-k-drama-perfect-crown-iu-and-byeon-woo-seok-lead-fantasy-romance-far-perfect?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Among the perks of living in arguably one of the most mixology-literate cities in the world is witnessing the adoption of new flavours, ingredients and techniques in real time. The Savory Project opened in 2024 with an umami-first focus, typified in its signature Thai Beef Salad cocktail, and Hong Kong has since seen an explosion of savoury offerings. Among these, spicy cocktails are beginning to gain particular traction. Recently, more bars are making spice a mainstay on their menus. Terrible... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350039/how-hong-kongs-best-bars-and-mixologists-embraced-spicy-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3350039/how-hong-kongs-best-bars-and-mixologists-embraced-spicy-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:00:18 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu At first glance, Natalia Jagielska’s workspace looks like a clash between a scholarly science laboratory and a whimsical art studio. On one hand, she studies reconstructions of 200-million-year-old dinosaurs; on the other, she creates “cute” digital sketches of Jurassic-era creatures. For Jagielska, a 28-year-old postdoctoral researcher in palaeontology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the two worlds are inseparable. Apart from research, she also works as a freelance illustrator... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3349977/how-hong-kong-dinosaur-expert-making-her-mark-what-was-gentlemans-science?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3349977/how-hong-kong-dinosaur-expert-making-her-mark-what-was-gentlemans-science?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Worsening wildfires, soaring heatwaves and rising water levels have prompted Greek officials to take a closer look at protecting priceless archaeological sites that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The monuments, scattered across the country, earn Greece millions of dollars in tourism revenue. But many of the sites are in rural areas and officials believe better planning is needed in case large crowds of tourists need to be evacuated in an emergency. After a three-year study by... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350008/greece-moves-protect-19-ancient-sites-olympia-wildfires-and-heatwaves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3350008/greece-moves-protect-19-ancient-sites-olympia-wildfires-and-heatwaves?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:15:50 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak In the historical drama A Foggy Tale, which won the best narrative film and best original screenplay gongs at the 2025 Golden Horse Awards, writer-director Chen Yu-hsun tells the emotional stories of everyday individuals who fight tirelessly to survive against a backdrop of intense political and social turbulence. Set in 1950s Taiwan during the early years of the White Terror – a time of rampant political persecution under Kuomintang rule – A Foggy Tale follows Yue (Caitlin Fang Yu-ting,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349843/what-taiwan-white-terror-drama-foggy-tale-taught-will-or-and-9m88-about-resilience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349843/what-taiwan-white-terror-drama-foggy-tale-taught-will-or-and-9m88-about-resilience?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung In January, the American-born artist Nissa Kauppila was accepted into the Hong Kong Artists Association, a professional organisation founded in 2014 to promote traditional Chinese culture, becoming the first non-ethnic-Chinese practitioner admitted into its midst. The association chairman, Lam Tianxing, an ink painter, has high praise for the 43-year-old Lantau Island resident. “When I first saw her work, I was particularly impressed,” he says. “She possesses exquisite painting skills while... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3349828/hong-kong-artists-associations-first-non-chinese-inductee-leaving-legacy-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3349828/hong-kong-artists-associations-first-non-chinese-inductee-leaving-legacy-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:15:06 +0000 Rebecca Lo Rebecca Lo Norman Foster is in high spirits as he strolls into a meeting room on the 15th floor of the HSBC Main Building on Hong Kong’s Queen’s Road Central. Flying into the city the previous evening, the 90-year-old British architect is in town to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a project that catapulted his firm from small-scale UK residences to global skyscrapers, airports and stadiums. In 1979, Foster and Partners won an international competition to design the fourth iteration of the Hongkong and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/3349891/how-norman-foster-sees-his-hsbc-building-40-years-after-hong-kong-icon-was-born?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/3349891/how-norman-foster-sees-his-hsbc-building-40-years-after-hong-kong-icon-was-born?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:15:15 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service By Marlise Kast-Myers My husband Benjamin and I land in Yerevan, the capital and largest city in Armenia, at 1am and, despite the arrival time, jet lag has us wired, chatting up our driver about everything from politics to population. Nodding, he asks ChatGPT for answers. Armenia has a population of roughly 3 million, of which Yerevan is home to roughly a third. As we roll into our hotel, it seems most Yerevanites are out that night. Even in the lobby of The Alexander, the bellman explains that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349854/5-days-armenia-exploring-other-side-through-food-hikes-and-historical-sites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3349854/5-days-armenia-exploring-other-side-through-food-hikes-and-historical-sites?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:15:08 +0000 Natasha Rogai Natasha Rogai Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) uses its annual show at the Academy for Performing Arts to present edgier, more modern programmes. This year’s offering was “Glam Rock”, a triple bill featuring the music of three rock bands: Depeche Mode, Queen and Hong Kong’s own Beyond. Brilliantly performed, this was an entertaining evening that showcased the versatility and range of the company’s dancers and included two noteworthy premieres. Martlet is a brand new work by the husband and wife team of Ricky Hu... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3349897/hong-kong-ballet-brilliantly-dances-beyond-queen-and-depeche-mode-glam-rock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3349897/hong-kong-ballet-brilliantly-dances-beyond-queen-and-depeche-mode-glam-rock?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:15:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The battered wooden trunk had been in the family for a century – shifted from attic to barn to garage as it was handed down through the generations. No one knew a cinematic treasure was inside. That was until retired American teacher Bill McFarland’s curiosity got the better of him. For the past 20 years, McFarland, 76, has been the keeper of the trunk, which originally belonged to his late great-grandfather who showed silent films to audiences in rural Pennsylvania at the turn of the 20th... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349874/how-french-cinema-pioneers-lost-1897-film-was-found-us-family-heirloom-trunk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349874/how-french-cinema-pioneers-lost-1897-film-was-found-us-family-heirloom-trunk?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:16:19 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak After more than four decades of working with world-renowned European auteurs, from Krzysztof Kieślowski and Michael Haneke to Olivier Assayas and Claire Denis, French actress Juliette Binoche has simple advice for creating great art that moves people: be very human and trust one’s intuition. “The purpose of films is to transform the audience so they become richer at the end of watching a film. It is nourishing their soul and putting questions in their lives,” she says in an interview at the 50th... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349876/why-french-film-icon-juliette-binoche-isnt-worried-about-ai-replacing-human-talent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349876/why-french-film-icon-juliette-binoche-isnt-worried-about-ai-replacing-human-talent?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:15:07 +0000 Shamilee Vellu Shamilee Vellu Every time chef André Chiang calls it a day, something big follows. In 2018, he closed his two-Michelin-star Restaurant André in Singapore, to focus on Raw in Taipei – soon after, that restaurant gained its second Michelin star. In 2024, he “retired” again, recasting Raw as a culinary academy for young Asian chefs, and returned to Singapore to make his next moves. In the Lion City, he co-curated the dining programme for luxury train operator Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express route, which... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349643/andre-chiang-why-his-raffles-singapore-restaurant-love-letter-hotels-past?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349643/andre-chiang-why-his-raffles-singapore-restaurant-love-letter-hotels-past?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:15:07 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Walnuts have been setting social media ablaze – no, really. TikTok and Instagram users have been trying to “turn walnuts into jade” by rhythmically twirling two walnuts in one hand until the nuts take on a polished, jade-like texture. An Instagram reel shared on March 31 by Jessie Jacobson (@growithjessie), who is experimenting with hand-rolling her walnuts and putting another two in a rock tumbler, has more than 8 million views to date. It is the latest iteration of the “Chinamaxxing” or... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3349592/turning-walnuts-jade-tiktok-instagram-go-nuts-over-ancient-chinese-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3349592/turning-walnuts-jade-tiktok-instagram-go-nuts-over-ancient-chinese-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Lisa Lim Lisa Lim “What are some words that come to mind?” was the question posed on April 8 by Merriam-Webster Dictionary to the Artemis II astronauts in space, in connection with their monumental experience of being farther from Earth than any human in history. Space exploration has certainly offered humanity new perspectives on our existence, and, consequently, has inspired words and phrases to articulate these novel experiences, especially in ways we contemplate our planet. The “overview effect” was coined by... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3349603/earthrise-earthset-missions-artemis-ii-are-reshaping-how-we-see-earth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3349603/earthrise-earthset-missions-artemis-ii-are-reshaping-how-we-see-earth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:15:11 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times The award-winning Netflix series Beef, which swept categories at the Emmys, Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, returns on April 16 with its second season. Korean-American director and writer Lee Sung-jin said in an online interview that he was excited but found season two “even harder than the first” season to make as he aimed to “take some big swings and risks while retaining what is special about the show”. Unlike season one’s road rage feud between lonely strangers, season two unfolds... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349605/netflixs-beef-season-2-bridge-between-west-and-east-says-director-lee-sung-jin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349605/netflixs-beef-season-2-bridge-between-west-and-east-says-director-lee-sung-jin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:15:07 +0000 Richard James Havis Richard James Havis Kung fu and action comedies dominated Hong Kong’s comedy genre in the late 1970s and 80s, but the city’s film industry was also still making mainstream comedies at the time – and audiences loved them. We take a deep dive into three crowd favourites. Itchy Fingers (1979) Hugely popular upon its release, this odd-couple comedy might feel a bit tame for modern viewers. But director Leong Po-chih, a notable member of the Hong Kong New Wave, was a consummate craftsman. He delivers a well-paced romp... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349459/3-hong-kong-comedy-classics-1970s-and-80s-became-local-favourites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3349459/3-hong-kong-comedy-classics-1970s-and-80s-became-local-favourites?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:15:08 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times On a recent Tuesday evening in Seoul, the Myeongdong branch of Bantianyao Kaoyu, a Chinese restaurant specialising in whole simmered fish dishes, is already filling up well before the dinner rush. Inside, large trays of whole simmered fish arrive one after another, each landing in a bath of deep-red chilli-laced broth, sending up a cloud of steam over the tables. Despite it only being 5.30pm – early enough at most restaurants to avoid the usual queues of hungry commuters – almost all of the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349535/why-are-young-koreans-going-crazy-chinese-restaurants-inside-growing-trend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3349535/why-are-young-koreans-going-crazy-chinese-restaurants-inside-growing-trend?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Tara Loader Wilkinson Tara Loader Wilkinson To lose a baby is unthinkable. To do so during the Covid-19 pandemic, in isolation from your husband, family and friends, is the twist of the knife. But this was the fate of Keya Wingfield, a Mumbai-born, US-based Food Network champion chef. She gave birth to her second child, son Daksh, in February 2021. “He was sick from the get-go,” she remembers. “They just couldn’t figure it out.” Daksh’s lungs were failing him, and he spent his short life – 55 days – in a neonatal intensive care unit. He... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3349480/she-was-102kg-diabetic-death-wish-after-losing-40kg-shes-thriving?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3349480/she-was-102kg-diabetic-death-wish-after-losing-40kg-shes-thriving?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 03:15:07 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Having one doctor in the family is impressive enough. But what about seven? Meet the Chens. Heading the household are Dr Leon Chen, a dental implant pioneer, and Dr Jennifer Cha, a co-founder of an international clinic chain. Their five children – Nina, Audree, Niq, Aleq and Nasdaq – all practise dentistry. They came to attention online three years ago when Niq started posting his personal vlogs, a form of visual diary, on YouTube and TikTok. The vlogs occasionally offered a glimpse into his... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3349527/all-7-are-dentists-and-hot-meet-asian-american-family-blowing-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3349527/all-7-are-dentists-and-hot-meet-asian-american-family-blowing-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Remember the iPod? It is making a quiet comeback. Four years after Apple killed off its digital music player, second-hand sales are surging – fuelled in part by young people interested not just in its retro looks but in listening to music in a focused way and with playlists not determined by algorithms. “There’s a growing trend, particularly among younger users, to mitigate the ease with which they can be distracted by smartphones, often driven by mental health and well-being concerns,” says Ben... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3349514/how-get-ipod-and-set-it-apples-music-device-makes-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/gadgets/article/3349514/how-get-ipod-and-set-it-apples-music-device-makes-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Pierce Conran Pierce Conran Byeon Woo-seok’s star has been on a sharp rise over the past few years. After sitting out last year’s drama release schedules, he returns this weekend in what is arguably his most hotly anticipated role to date: Grand Prince Ian in the alternate-history fantasy romance Perfect Crown opposite K-pop idol IU (aka Lee Ji-eun). Born in Bucheon, a satellite city southwest of Seoul, in 1991, Byeon spent his early childhood there before relocating to the capital. Influenced by his older sister, he... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3349509/who-byeon-woo-seok-model-turned-actor-starring-opposite-iu-perfect-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-drama/k-drama/article/3349509/who-byeon-woo-seok-model-turned-actor-starring-opposite-iu-perfect-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:15:08 +0000