2021/10/12

This time, I would like to talk about another side to Hong Kong - my love for the older men of Hong Kong.
The title is a reference to the Hong Kong drama "Ossan's Love," which has recently taken Hong Kong by storm, but I'm sorry, it's not about the drama (lol). Of course, I went home every night without stopping to watch it, and watched it all the way to the final episode. It was the first time I'd become aware of the idol group MIRROR, which is a hot topic, and the love story between the two handsome old men. This drama, which has been localized in Hong Kong, was wonderful, with laughs and tears.

* "Grandpa's Love" Source: ViuTV It is now available in Japan. Please check it out.

Now, on to the main topic! Over the past six articles, I have introduced my own personal favorites in Hong Kong, but what makes life in Hong Kong even richer is the presence of the lovable and shining old men on the streets. Here, I will affectionately refer to them as "old men."
First of all, why an old man from Hong Kong? It all started when I met Lam Suet, an actor I often see in movies. He's a great supporting actor who always appears in movies of various genres, and he's the best at whatever he does! He blends in perfectly with the city and the story, playing the roles of a businessman, a detective, a thug, a minibus driver, and sometimes even a cat or a dog! Of course, the lead actor is also very cool, so I was watching it to see him, but before I knew it, I was only paying attention to Lam Suet.

*Lam Xue is a great supporting actor who can play any role! In the movie "PTU", she played a bad detective role that suited her perfectly. Filming location: The now defunct China Ice Room Source: Hong Kong 01

That's why, whenever I take photos of Hong Kong's streets, which is my life's work, I always include the old men in the photos. The fusion of the old-fashioned buildings and streets, which are becoming less and less common these days, with the old men who work there, is very appealing. When I get curious and talk to them, they are always happy to answer my questions... I have so many interesting encounters that I can't write them all here.
I've written it all down, but if you ask me why, it's difficult to explain. I think I would have continued talking like this even if people didn't understand it to a certain extent.

*Enjoying dim sum with my partner, a famous old man from Lamma Island.

I've gotten into the habit of following them with my eyes every day (it's a little scary to see from the outside (wry smile)), and I find myself always on the lookout for a good opportunity to take a picture. It's interesting to observe them, and even in the small city of Hong Kong, you can see all kinds of different figures and dramas of old men depending on the place, such as clumsy and impatient but charming ones, quiet craftsmen, ones walking hand in hand with their wives, and one who is busy playing Pokemon GO on the tram with 5,6 or XNUMX mobile phones on a homemade board? Every single action of these free-spirited old men is charming, sometimes relaxed, sometimes passionate, and it's no exaggeration to say that I'm getting the essence of Hong Kong from the sight of these free-spirited old men. I've become familiar with more old men, and having once-in-a-lifetime conversations with them has made my days even more enjoyable.

Please take a look at the photos below to see the behavior of the adorable older men I've met so far.

* Spend time shirtless or with only your stomach exposed.

*A holiday afternoon where everyone gathers in a park or somewhere else to play board games.

*Falling asleep on the side of the road.

*Speaking with your back.

* Relax in your own shop.

*Take a breather.

And there are countless more.

Recently, a friend who doesn't sympathize with my love for old men said to me, "What do these 'loving old men' talk about every day?", which prompted me to pay attention to their conversations. Here, we call it "Choi Soi" (small talk), and I think it's a common sight in Japan. When I listen carefully to morning dim sum to study Cantonese, when I take a break during afternoon tea, and when I end the day with a beer and a daipaidang, I hear some interesting conversations. From what I can hear, the topics we talk about are the weather, health, singers from Hong Kong, horse racing, today's work, stocks, sex, and sometimes I get really angry at someone who seems to be the wife during dinner, so I often encounter exciting scenes every time. Also, everyone seems to not care, so they talk loudly and laugh loudly... I can sense the happiness of everyone, and sometimes I find myself laughing along with them.

I love hearing the low sound (tone of voice) of Cantonese and the unique ending "-ra!", so I could listen to the conversations of older men forever.

*Captain Cat and the old man.

Finally, one episode.One day at a cha chaan teng I frequent, an old man I'd never seen before ordered "Zha Jiu Pa (Fried Pork Ramen)."=The "fried pork chop" was not freshly fried (It was obviously pre-made.The old man told the old ladyI filed a complaint.I thought that food is important in Hong Kong, so she must be speaking properly, but then I saw her get the better of the old lady.,"When you order, it's best to order it freshly fried," the person told me in a dejected tone, and I was left in agony.
So, I'll continue to head out into the city in hopes of making some fun encounters. Why not discover the cuteness of older men for yourself?
(Titles omitted)

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wm_Journal

I first visited Hong Kong before the handover in 1996. A few years ago, I fell in love with Hong Kong, and in 2020, I decided to move there alone. Even in the midst of COVID-XNUMX, I'm enjoying my time here with my self-satisfied level of Cantonese and a cheerful attitude, with the motto of "act immediately when you think of something." My hobbies are watching Hong Kong movies from start to finish, traveling, and taking buses to the last stop. I post my daily Hong Kong updates on Instagram.

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