In this issue of Global Impact, we dive into hallyu, or Korean Wave, at a time when Korean soft power is on the rise and China is cracking down on its creative and entertainment industry.

A musical Sex and the City set in 1970s Hong Kong, with a score from the talented Leon Ko and some good performances, The Woman in Kenzo didn’t match expectations.

Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae has been around for a lot longer than you might think. A Korean drama fan recalls his early roles in City of the Rising Sun and Il Mare and his hot-bod look in Typhoon.

In this issue of Global Impact, we describe the actions individuals can take - large and small - to fight climate change.

Streamed July 9 and 10 on YouTube and Twitch, the first WitcherCon saw a host of new Witcher content announced and also featured show stars Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan.

Thanks to the power of live-streaming, Spirits – a production combining a piano recital with poetry – was able to continue, despite one of the show’s two artists being unable to get into Hong Kong because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Motorola Razr 5G isn’t cheap, but has a stylish design and an excellent second screen that is twice the size of the one on Samsung’s Galaxy Flip. The battery lasts all day even with heavy use, but there is no wireless charging.

The soundtrack is an essential part of the hit thriller series and matches the ‘strong, weird and flawed’ women lead roles, according to Killing Eve’s music supervisor Catherine Grieves, who uses mostly original music to fit with the dialogue.

As both a student of online yoga and a teacher, Kevin Kwong has discovered a lot in the months since the coronavirus shut down in-person classes. He shares tips and insights.

‘Heartbroken’ festival organisers had already cancelled first week of the event, but have now pulled the plug entirely due to the coronavirus outbreak, citing safety grounds and venue closures to avoid large gatherings.

Music, dance and theatre lovers left disappointed as festival cancels a sixth of its programmes because of venue closures to stem spread of disease. Organisers await decision on venues before cancelling more.

From star Henry Cavill to the bucketloads of blood and gore, we look at why Netflix’s new fantasy drama The Witcher has been crowned the most in-demand TV show in the world.

Disruption and turmoil of anti-government protests in Hong Kong led to many productions being cancelled this year, the biggest of them musical Matilda’s one-month run. Award for HK Phil, Xiqu Centre’s opening provided good news.

They were hailed as ‘the future of mainstream wearables’ … in 2016. Kevin Kwong finally gets his Vue smart glasses, and they do everything as billed, though they are fiddly to charge. Start-up was transparent about delays, but the wait is a disappointment.

Fully professional since 1974, the HK Phil recorded its first album in 1982; music directors David Atherton and Edo de Waart helped develop the orchestra, before van Zweden took over in 2012 and led it to this year’s accolade.

Music director Jaap van Zweden says HK Phil is proud of making history as the first orchestra in Asia to receive ‘this prestigious honour’ from Gramophone magazine. Chief executive says award shows Phil’s ‘world-class quality’.

This production is so entertaining it can’t help but lift your spirits. It’s a riot of colour and imagination, and astutely cast – Shen Jie makes an ideal Peter Pan.

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite lets you cast spells at magical creatures from the comfort of your own desk. A few glitches and an uncertain story aside, this mobile AR game is a winner for Harry Potter fans.

Those stuck behind a computer all day will love this tension-relieving massage which melds Balinese and Swedish techniques. The ‘aroma-sence’ treatment at Le Spa’tique is firm but rewarding.

Sony’s latest handset the Xperia 1 is attractive and well made, with an ultra-wide screen. It doesn’t have the strongest battery out there, but it is enough for a day’s use.

Orchestra’s performances of Wagner’s the Ring cycle operas earn it nomination for the prestigious award, which is on par with a Grammy; the winner will be decided by public vote after they listen to recordings by the 10 nominees.

Top home-grown composer Lam Fung has been fired without warning by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra just weeks after it pledged to collaborate with more local music talent.

Life-size animals made from cane and metal look amazing, and the cast, led by Scott Miller, acquit themselves well in first world war drama about the bond between man and horse.

Chinese pianist and Hong Kong’s Rachel Cheung among the soloists who will play Beethoven concertos, part of programming to mark anniversary of his birth in 1770; Elim Chan returns to conduct Stravinsky.

Gangsters of Hong Kong looks at the modern history of the triads with nostalgia, but without romanticising or glorifying its violent past. The play also explores how the city is adjusting to changes since its return to China.

Theatre veteran Robert Lepage is a great storyteller and “887”, part of the 2019 Hong Kong Arts Festival programme, is an absorbing look at his childhood as well as separatism and tension in 1960s Quebec.

Theatre companies from Ireland, Oklahoma, Slovenia and the UK put on the city’s top stage shows. Angel’s Bone, a commentary on human trafficking, was the best of the performances.

First Hong Kong woman conductor to head a professional orchestra, who will step down in 2020, says she is proud of the way Sinfonietta has connected with audiences. Orchestra says search for Yip Wing-sie’s successor will begin soon.