bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Judy Ngao

Name: Adrian Man Yik-hoi Age: 26 Occupation: Magician and entertainer

Young Post: Why did you choose this profession?

Man: My mum made me attend a crash course in magic when I was nine. I fell in love with it.

I graduated with an information technology (IT) degree from the University of Hong Kong. Then I worked for an IT company for more than three years, although I was more interested in becoming a magician. I was a part-time magician for five to six years before I quit my job in 2004 to do magic full-time.

A few years ago, people started calling me up and asking me whether I could do magic shows. Usually, I perform at company family days or Halloween parties. Some westerners hire me for their kids' birthday parties.

I think working as a magician offers a better future.

YP: What's the most difficult thing about being a magician?

M: The constant practice can be tough.  We  have to know different tricks, which requires a lot of time and patience. And it's hard practising difficult tricks over and over again because you could get hurt.

I don't like working with animals.  Some customers like to see me pull rabbits or pigeons out of hats, but I think it is a cruel way to handle animals.

Usually I tell my customers before a show that it will not involve animals. If they want animal tricks, I will either borrow animals from my magician friends,  or simply refer the customers to them. It's a hassle having to take care of rabbits or pigeons and it's worse if they get hurt.

YP: Where did you learn your magic tricks?

M: I made many friends  after joining different magic clubs and associations. They teach me a few tricks now and then, passing on what they have mastered over the years.

My best act is the  different tricks I do with a CD. These tricks aren't very popular in Hong Kong yet; they are more well-known overseas. I have been practising them for three years now.

I also work with fire sometimes, but  I have to be very careful. If I use low-quality props, I could easily burn myself.

YP: How do you make yourself stand out among other magicians?

M: To be famous, you need as much publicity as you can get. You also need a special act that makes you unique.

I have been improving my CD act over the years. You have to change your act to keep people interested. For example, sometimes I do my magic shows in hip-hop outfits. You have to change with the times.

I also try to take part in as many magic competitions as possible. When people see how good you are, they'll ask you to perform at their functions.

YP: What is the most frustrating thing about being a magician?

M: A lot of people think

that being a magician is not

a proper or respectable occupation.

Children think I am mysterious and fascinating, but adults look down on me. They are always trying to figure out and expose our trade secrets.

I want to tell children who want to become magicians to study hard and do well in school,  because I want to prove to people that magicians can have a good educational background too.

Watch Adrian's magic tricks: Check out the video on www.yp.scmp.com



Tricks of the trade