Can't or Canto
Canto-pop stars in Hong Kong are extremely versatile, to say the least. Not only do they (sort of) sing, they also flirt with acting, assume lucrative positions as spokespeople for superbrands (including the SAR government) and appear in advertisements promoting anything from the latest dieting fad to packaged drinks.
Of course, a similar situation probably exists in foreign countries, but Hong Kong's comparatively miniscule population means that the same faces are plastered on every form of media exposed to the unsuspecting public.
I wonder, occasionally, why local stars don't seem to worry about the dilution of their personal brand. I believe their omnipresence, though a constant reminder of their existence, also cheapens their aura.
You never saw Audrey Hepburn hawking herself for cup noodles. She chose her projects with care. Her image, ever evocative of elegance, remains intact years after her death.
A possible explanation for the lack of this foresight in Hong Kong is that these would-be idols are fully aware of their looming expiration date. They understand that Hong Kong adolescents are obsessed with trends, and that what's in today can be absolutely forgotten tomorrow.
In other words, the city's stars are taking a profit-skimming approach. They try to make the most money possible before their light fades into obscurity. When faced with a fickle public, those involved in the entertainment industry often have little choice but to amend their image in accordance with whatever is popular at the moment.
And, predictably, the public never ceases to be interested in the same pretty faces gracing the covers and gossip pages of magazines. This, then, leads on to the inevitable question: Why?
Most of them, to the best of my knowledge, can't really sing nor act. Are we really so superficial as to idolise another (mere) human being because they are attractive and famous?
I think not. Rather, the crowd mentality so prevalent on the island may serve as a better justification: our Canto-pop stars allow us to bond through our common understanding of the latest news surrounding what is, in effect, a local institution.
Pop culture can serve as a building block for the community, whether or not we recognise it as such.
Cynthia Yeung is a student at the University of Pennsylvania
