What Hong Kong can take away from Ne Zha 2's creative success
As the animated Chinese blockbuster
Ne Zha 2 gains widespread attention domestically and internationally, hopes are high that it will be a prime example of a Chinese cultural export. This showcase of Eastern aesthetics embodies the maturity of China's cultural industry and against this backdrop, Hong Kong, once known as the Eastern Hollywood, has a historic opportunity to redefine its cultural soft power.
Advertisement
Hong Kong cinema has made progress in visual effects, with films like
Warriors of Future setting new standards. However, the cultural industry faces a structural imbalance in original intellectual property (IP) development, having relied traditionally on the
martial arts novels of Jin Yong and more recently,
nostalgic content
This limits market growth and fails to meet the diverse needs of younger audiences. Although the Hong Kong brand
B.Duck has found success in IP licensing, the city still lags behind the mainland in IP development and industry transformation; it doesn't have a successful work like Ne Zha 2, which resonates with Generation Z through innovation and emotional power.
Although the Hong Kong government has supported the creative sector through schemes like the CreateSmart Initiative, the industry still lacks the global reach and influence necessary to compete with major international markets.
Ne Zha 2 was five years in the making, with 138 animation companies across China putting together over 1,900 special effects shots; it is a product of a well-established ecosystem.
Advertisement
Enlight Media's IP development model for Ne Zha and other films drawn from the classic mythological novel Investiture of the Gods seamlessly integrates various stages, including creation, technological innovation, market expansion and derivative product development, ensuring a complete and efficient industry chain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Rejuvenated Rangers aim for Hong Kong FA Cup glory to launch new golden era
Wong Chin-hung has challenged his BC Rangers players to launch a new golden era for the club when they go for FA Cup glory against holders Eastern on Saturday. Advertisement Rangers' dynamism in a 3-0 rout of Lee Man last weekend was testament to how Wong, one of Hong Kong's brightest young managers, has transformed a once flatlining team since taking over in October. He ripped up an all-attacking policy and his methods built confidence. His side can underline their revival in a Mong Kok Stadium final bearing special meaning for Wong, 43, who won the 2016 league as a player with Eastern, then began his coaching career there the following year. 'If we win, it would be an important moment in the club's history,' said Wong, a former left-back who won the 2011 cup with South China. 'It could make our future very different … we will play in AFC Champions League 2, so the board might invest.' Wong Chin-hung is becoming one of Hong Kong's brightest young bosses. Photo: BC Rangers Asked if that could mean a marquee recruit like his ex-South China teammates Nicky Butt and Mateja Kezman, Wong said: 'Nothing is impossible. This level of player has a great impact on the league … they share their experiences with teammates, and make their opponents pay more attention.' Advertisement Wong has aimed high since he pursued football against his parents' wishes. 'I was always getting injured, so they didn't want me to play,' he said. 'They never came to watch my games.'
RTHK
4 days ago
- RTHK
Shenzhou-20 crew sends video greetings from space
Shenzhou-20 crew sends video greetings from space In their video greeting, Chinese astronauts - from left - Wang Jie, Chen Dong, and Chen Zhongrui - reflected on their childhood aspirations as Young Pioneers. Photo: CCTV The Shenzhou-20 crew on board China's orbiting space station on Wednesday extended greetings to children in celebration of the upcoming International Children's Day on June 1. The crew, made up of Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, reflected on their childhood aspirations as Young Pioneers to contribute to China's space exploration. They expressed hope that today's youth would actively play a role in the nation's progress. The Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP) is a national organisation for Chinese children. "I still remember the first time I put on the [young pioneer's] red scarf. It was then that I made a silent vow to become someone who could contribute to society. That childhood dream has guided me through my journey in the aerospace field, and it's what has brought me to space today," said Chen Dong. "Back when I was a young pioneer, I was fascinated by the blue sky and curious about what was beyond Earth. When China's first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-5, was launched, I was thrilled, and it strengthened my determination. Today, I've finally realised my dream and am able to work aboard China's space station," said Chen Zhongrui. "I have been remembering clearly the first line of the CYP anthem: 'We are the successors of communism.' This song has inspired generations of young pioneers to honour the legacy of our revolutionary predecessors, following in their footsteps with courage and striving toward our ideals. "When I sang this as a child, it always filled me with a sense of strength. Today, I'm proud to be an astronaut, contributing to our country's space endeavours. In the future, I hope you, the younger generation, will carry the baton and help China's space exploration to take steadier and farther steps," said Wang Jie. "This time, we brought the CYP flag to China's space station.... We believe you will take up the baton of history, starting by learning from the pioneers and growing into true pioneers, with the ambition to serve and strengthen our nation, and to be resolute and responsible strivers." Chen Dong added. The crew declared a "happy Children's Day to all the children" as they waved a Chinese Young Pioneers flag. The Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft was successfully launched on April 24, 2025. (CCTV)
HKFP
4 days ago
- HKFP
Hong Kong's first giant panda twins named Jia Jia and De De, Ocean Park announces
Hong Kong's first-ever giant panda twins have received their official names, Ocean Park has announced, following a naming competition. The female cub is named Jia Jia while her brother is called De De, after a competition that, according to the park, drew more than 35,700 submissions from the public. The competition's judging panel considered the names to be 'highly meaningful,' Rosanna Law, the secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said on Tuesday. Jia Jia conveys the Chinese phrase of encouragement – 'add oil' – and is also a homophone of the Chinese character for 'family,' while De De means 'to succeed' and is also a homophone of the Chinese character for 'virtue,' Law added. The twins were born in August to mother Ying Ying and father Le Le, marking the first giant panda births in Hong Kong. Ying Ying and Le Le were both gifted by the central government to Hong Kong in 2007 ahead of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Ying Ying gave birth to the twins one day before her 19th birthday. She was 'the oldest giant panda on record to have successfully given birth' as a first-time mother, the park said. The nine-month-old panda cubs are growing up 'strong and healthy,' Ocean Park said in a social media post on Tuesday, adding that they weighed 21 kilogrammes each. 'In recent weeks, they have even started mimicking their mother by nibbling on bamboo leaves, though they are not quite ready to eat them and still rely on milk,' the post read. Ocean Park is now home to six giant pandas – the twins, their parents, as well as new additions An An and Ke Ke, who arrived in October as gifts from Beijing. The park, which launched a number of panda-themed experiences in November, said it would 'capitalise on the presence of six giant pandas in the park to drive citywide excitement' this fiscal year. Opened in 1977, Ocean Park is Hong Kong's largest theme park. It also conducts animal conservation research and boasts around two dozen animal attractions, including an alligator marsh, aquariums, and an Arctic fox den. In November, the park announced a HK$71.6 million deficit in its latest fiscal year, despite recording the highest number of visitors in five years. The rise in visitors was driven by non-local visitors, with tourists from mainland China almost quadrupling while those from India and the Philippines increased by more than three and five times, respectively. But at the same time, the park's operating costs increased 17 per cent compared with the previous year, with spending on conservation and education comprising almost 30 per cent of this.
