Listen Up: Artist bridges Cantonese opera and J-pop in Hong Kong's evolving cultural scene

South China Morning Post

23-03-2025

Questions
1. According to the beginning of the podcast, which of the following best describes Woo's outfit when she performs J-pop?
A. dark and dramatic
B. simple and feminine
C. colourful and elaborate
D. none of the above
2. What does Woo hope to achieve by performing both Cantonese opera and J-pop?
A. become a successful performer
B. explore different artistic expressions
C. bridge the gap between both cultures
D. increase her social media following
3. How many Cantonese opera shows are staged in Hong Kong every year?
A. less than 100
B. slightly more than 600
C. close to 1,000
D. information not given
4. The 'golden era' of an art form refers to when it …
A. was most popular.
B. had just started.
C. was nearing its end.
D. had undergone lots of changes.
5. When did the Sunbeam Theatre open?
A. 1927
B. 1972
C. 1997
D. 2025
6. Why is it common for Cantonese opera actors to use rented costumes?
A. because renting is more environmentally friendly
B. because they do not have storage space to keep them
C. because the costumes cannot be easily found in Hong Kong
D. the costumes are expensive to buy
7. What was Woo's grandfather's occupation?
A. work on lighting for Cantonese operas
B. design costumes for Cantonese operas
C. write Cantonese opera scripts
D. perform in Cantonese operas
8. How many members are there in Otome Syndream?
A. three
B. four
C. seven
D. nine
9. What happened to Otome Syndream during the Covid-19 pandemic?
A. They disbanded.
B. They recruited more members.
C. They switched to online streaming performances.
D. They started performing Cantonese opera.
10. When did Otome Syndream release their first album according to the podcast?
A. right after they debuted
B. during the Covid-19 pandemic
C. early this year
D. information not given
11. Arrange the following events in Woo's life in chronological order from 1 to 4. (4 marks)
(a) Studied Cantonese opera
(b) Performed at Tone Music Festival
(c) Became part of Otome Syndream
(d) Left Hong Kong's first J-pop group
Rika Woo's unique blend of artistry keeps both art forms alive in Hong Kong, a city facing economic challenges and competition from overseas events. Photo: Reuters
Answers
1. B
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. A
8. B
9. C
10. D
11. (a) 1; (ii) 4; (iii) 3; (iv) 2
Script
Adapted from Reuters
Voice 1: Rika Woo wears a white sleeveless top and a long white skirt embroidered with lace as she performs Japanese songs for an energetic group of young fans in Hong Kong. In stark contrast, she transforms for her Cantonese opera performances, applying bright theatrical make-up and donning striking, colourful costumes embellished with purple flowers. Her headpieces are adorned with pearls and lace veils, adding to the dramatic flair of her act.
Voice 2: The 31-year-old local entertainer is unique in Hong Kong for her efforts to appeal to both young and old audiences as a cross-cultural artist. She performs both the centuries-old art form of Cantonese opera and the modern music phenomenon of J-pop with her all-girl group, Otome Syndream. Woo expressed her desire to act as a bridge between these two cultures. She hopes people will appreciate the beauty of traditional art while also being open to pop culture.
Voice 1: Many types of live performances are struggling to draw crowds in Hong Kong amid an economic downturn and competition from overseas events. Although there are up to 1,000 Cantonese opera performances in Hong Kong each year, the art form has steadily declined since its golden era in the 1950s and 60s. For artistes, the cost of performing is high because the costumes can set them back several thousand dollars, so often, outfits are borrowed. The city's iconic Cantonese opera house, Sunbeam Theatre – which opened in 1972 – closed earlier this month.
Voice 2: For opera, Woo was influenced by her grandfather, who worked on lighting for Cantonese operas. She now also teaches Cantonese opera in schools. While Cantonese opera has deep roots in Chinese culture, the city's underground J-pop scene only emerged in 2015. That year, Woo studied Cantonese opera at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and joined a competition organised by a J-pop entertainment company.
Voice 1: Woo was asked to join the city's first J-pop group in 2015, although it broke up after five years. Woo and three others established their underground J-pop-style idol group, Otome Syndream, in Hong Kong in 2017 and officially debuted in Japan in 2019. Their performances were upended by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when they swapped live shows for online streaming. Woo and her group finally grabbed the public eye in 2021 after performing at two local music festivals – Tone Music Festival and Unison Fest.
Voice 2: This year marks the 10th anniversary of Woo becoming a J-pop entertainer. Woo admitted that she had many difficult times, and there were moments when she wanted to give up. However, she has the support of her mother, Emma Cheung, who said her daughter's ambitions reflected generational change.