Work scheme gives overseas youngsters a chance to experience Hong Kong
Youngsters from overseas are making the most of an opportunity to experience life in Hong Kong for a year under a working holiday scheme,write Mark Sharp and John Kang
Pop culture exports from South Korea have been the all rage throughout Asia since the late 1990s, long before Psy dominated music charts worldwide with his Gangnam Style. And the Korean wave shows no sign of abating, with local devotees eagerly tuning into the latest K-drama and flocking to K-pop concerts.
Hongkongers may be pleased to learn that the love is requited. Under the government's working holiday scheme, young people from nine countries are allowed to visit Hong Kong for a year for work and pleasure. The bilateral agreement with South Korea came into effect in 2011, and interest has been on the rise.
Seventy-four of its citizens were granted visas in the first year and, as word spread, 200 South Koreans - the maximum allowed - joined the scheme in 2013. In response to the demand, the government upped the quota to 500 starting from this year, opening the door to another kind of Korean wave. In the first quarter, 149 visas had already been granted.
Visa holder Luke Yun Ki-hoon, 23, is bemused by Hongkongers' fondness for K-pop, and admits he isn't familiar with any of the pretty boy and girl bands. But he cites several reasons his countrymen like Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has a good image in Korea. It’s cosmopolitan, but has a clear Chinese style, which is unique. It’s exotic for Koreans
"Firstly, I found out from forums that many Koreans think they can learn English and Chinese at the same time in Hong Kong. Secondly, many think that it's a really fascinating place to visit because of the East-meets-West culture. Also, because of the Korean wave, many think Hong Kong people are likely to be kind to Koreans."