Jing Wong doesn't miss a note when he smiles and nods to a young girl who has just dropped a HK$10 bill into his guitar case. When others in his Sunday afternoon audience in Sai Yeung Choi Street match the child's gift, the 26-year-old sings a little louder.
Hong Kong isn't known for its street performers and their number is unknown. But the few who perform regularly out of passion or for pocket change say the rewards outweigh occasional hassle from security guards, police and surly pedestrians.
Wong isn't exactly singing for his supper. The British-trained designer co-owns the fashion label Daydream Nation with his sister, Kay. But for nearly a year he has crooned for crowds at weekends in Mong Kok and at the Star Ferry pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, singing tunes by the likes of Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Bert Jansch. 'I have a strong desire to perform,' says Wong. 'On the street I can improvise things or even f*** up - no one cares. It seems like the best venue.'
Wong says he typically earns about HK$700 for about four hours' busking on Sunday afternoons. He'll stop to grab a bite to eat if he's hungry, but he's not always had to.
'I once had a kid hang around listening for a while,' Wong says. 'He disappeared then came back. He didn't give me coins or anything but he did buy me a hamburger. That was really sweet.'
Couples have also bought him bottles of water, but the best gifts have been more personal, he says. He once received a note from a girl saying she felt sad, so he sang a song that cheered her up and received her thanks. 'Small things like that make it worthwhile.'
