Sex sells for Hong Kong erotic models Emilia Wong and Felicia Szeto but digital porn business has its risks

Popularity of paid-for social media platforms such as OnlyFans and Patreon has attracted influencers and amateurs alike to sell articles, pictures and videos

But women who sell risqué photos or take part in private erotic photographic or video sessions for payment are particularly underprotected, experts warn

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Published: 9:00am, 12 Apr 2023Updated: 5:28pm, 17 Apr 2023

This is the second of a two-part series exploring Hong Kong’s attitude towards sex influencers and whether they have had an impact on a deeply conservative society. Part one can be found here.

Emilia Wong Yue-kiu was about to start a career in law in 2017 after graduating from university in Hong Kong, but for the past six years has made a comfortable living by putting out nude or scantily clad photos and videos of herself in suggestive poses.

Felicia Szeto started out as a photographic model in 2015, posing for lingerie and nude shots. Since establishing her online account in 2020, she has also been sharing pictures and videos of her sex life to a loyal following.

Both women said they enjoyed exhibitionist photography and that inclination turned profitable yet free from haters thanks to the rise of sites such as OnlyFans and Patreon, which allow content creators to charge viewers for their work.

“I’m this kind of person who has a desire to perform and present myself sexually,” Emilia Wong says. Photo: May Tse

The popularity of these paid-for social media platforms has attracted influencers and amateurs alike to sell articles, pictures and videos, including sexual content.

While the two sites did not disclose the number of creators from Hong Kong who offered sexual content, relevant links to OnlyFans or Patreon accounts were seen in other social platforms where they advertised their work. Women are not the only ones selling content on these platforms. Couples and gay men are also on them.