Latest news with #ChineseCanadian
CBC
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Chinese pop music's 'deeply local' Canadian story shines in Vancouver exhibition
A new exhibition on Cantopop and Mandopop music in Vancouver is a Canadian story, says curator Melissa Karmen Lee. The Dream Factory exhibit, which opened on May 28 at the Chinese Canadian Museum, pays tribute to the golden age of Chinese pop music "through the lens of Chinese Canadian identity, migration and memory." Its stories are anything but foreign, said Lee, who is also the museum's chief executive. "It is a deeply local story about how many of these Cantopop stars [and] Mandopop stars made Vancouver their home. They lived here, they worked here, they grew up here," she said. "They all deeply considered Canada a part of their identity, and we're so pleased to feature that in this exhibition." Cantopop and Mandopop refer to Chinese-language pop music in the two most widely spoken tongues in the community, Cantonese and Mandarin. The exhibit, running through May 2026, features a collection of music from the genres between 1980 and 2000, when stars such as Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui wowed fans globally. But Lee said many outside the community didn't realize that such giant stars were living among them in Canada. Lee pointed out that Cheung — a singer and actor who became known to Western audiences by starring in movies including Farewell My Concubine and Happy Together — lived in Vancouver in the early 1990s. A park bench that honours Cheung in the city's Stanley Park is a pilgrimage site for fans of the star, who died by suicide in 2003. Lee said singer and actress Sally Yeh grew up in Victoria before reaching stardom. The Cantopop and Mandopop genres are intrinsically connected to Canada's large Chinese communities, especially in neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver and Toronto where their songs were ubiquitous at Chinese malls, restaurants and karaoke bars. Vancouver native Stephanie Kong, who designed a wedding dress at the exhibit that was inspired by Mui's 2003 farewell performance, said Cantopop music saturated many of her childhood memories. "Growing up here in Canada, that was definitely a part of my childhood," Kong said. "Going to Parker Place [a mall in Richmond, B.C.] and waiting while my parents were in those music stores buying LaserDiscs, and I would be like, 'What's taking so long?' "Because I didn't quite understand it … So it's funny that it comes kind of full circle, coming as an adult and getting a new appreciation for what I've always kind of — for the lack of a better word — just dismissed when I was a kid." In addition to costumes inspired by Cantopop and Mandopop in the exhibition's main room, there's a large screen blaring hit songs, a separate room featuring artwork using LaserDiscs, a stage set up for karaoke and listening stations for popular songs. On one wall, original sheet music for famous Cantonese movies from Hong Kong composer Joseph Koo are displayed. Koo lived in Richmond before his death in 2023. 'A preservation of culture' Lee said Cantopop culture seeped deep into many parts of Canada. She said Cheung's 1986 song Monica was anecdotally regarded as responsible for a large number of Chinese Canadian girls bearing the name. "They listened to Cantopop in Vancouver, in Toronto," Lee said of immigrant waves to Canada. "They made this very Asian music part of this global Chinese diaspora community. "So, part of the popularity of Cantopop and Mandopop across the globe was because of these overseas Chinese communities that made it really great. "Immigrants that came in the '60s and the '70s, they brought over their own culture and … made it a uniquely Canadian experience. And so, it's a preservation of culture, but it's also an evolution of something that is Asian into Asian Canadian."
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Digital Twin: Liann Zhang, Julie Chan is Dead
Photo: Bloomsbury Psychological thriller writer Liann Zhang's debut novel Julie Chan is Dead satirises Instagram and Tiktok stars, social media, status and obsession. When Julie Chan steals her dead identical twin's internet sensation persona she inherits her sponsorship deals, her followers, her wealth, her whole life. Julie Chan had nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Liann Zhang is a second-generation Chinese Canadian, who after a short stint as a skincare content creator, graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in psychology and criminology. Liann speaks with Susie.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Chinese pop music's ‘deeply local' Canadian story shines in Vancouver exhibition
A dress that pays homage to Cantopop star Anita Mui, designed by Stephanie Kong, is seen at the "Dream Factory" exhibit, which opens Wednesday May 28, 2025, at the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver in this undated handout photo. The exhibition is a tribute to the golden age of Cantopop and Mandopop. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Chinese Canadian Museum *MANDATORY CREDIT* VANCOUVER — A new exhibition on Cantopop and Mandopop music in Vancouver is a Canadian story, says curator Melissa Karmen Lee. The 'Dream Factory' exhibit, opening Wednesday at the Chinese Canadian Museum, pays tribute to the golden age of Chinese pop music 'through the lens of Chinese Canadian identity, migration and memory.' Its stories are anything but foreign, said Lee, who is also the museum's chief executive. 'It is a deeply local story about how many of these Cantopop stars (and) Mandopop stars made Vancouver their home. They lived here, they worked here, they grew up here,' she said. 'They all deeply considered Canada a part of their identity, and we're so pleased to feature that in this exhibition.' Cantopop and Mandopop refer to Chinese-language pop music in the two most widely spoken tongues in the community, Cantonese and Mandarin. The exhibit, running through May 2026, features a collection of music from the genres between 1980 and 2000, when stars such as Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui wowed fans globally. But Lee said many outside the community didn't realize that such giant stars were living among them in Canada. Lee pointed out that Cheung — a singer and actor who became known to western audiences by starring in movies including 'Farewell My Concubine' and 'Happy Together' — lived in Vancouver in the early 1990s. A park bench that honours Cheung in the city's Stanley Park is a pilgrimage site for fans of the star, who died by suicide in 2003. Lee said singer and actress Sally Yeh grew up in Victoria before reaching stardom. The Cantopop and Mandopop genres are intrinsically connected to Canada's large Chinese communities, especially in neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver and Toronto where their songs were ubiquitous at Chinese malls, restaurants and karaoke bars. Vancouver native Stephanie Kong, who designed a wedding dress at the exhibit that was inspired by Mui's 2003 farewell performance, said Cantopop music saturated many of her childhood memories. 'Growing up here in Canada, that was definitely a part of my childhood,' Kong said. 'Going to Parker Place (a mall in Richmond, B.C.) and waiting while my parents were in those music stores buying LaserDiscs, and I would be like, 'What's taking so long?' 'Because I didn't quite understand it … So it's funny that it comes kind of full circle, coming as an adult and getting a new appreciation for what I've always kind of — for the lack of a better word — just dismissed when I was a kid.' In addition to costumes inspired by Cantopop and Mandopop in the exhibition's main room, there's a large screen blaring hit songs, a separate room featuring artwork using LaserDiscs, a stage set up for karaoke and listening stations for popular songs. On one wall, original sheet music for famous Cantonese movies from Hong Kong composer Joseph Koo are displayed. Koo lived in Richmond before his death in 2023. Lee said Cantopop culture seeped deep into many parts of Canada. She said Cheung's 1986 song 'Monica' was anecdotally regarded as responsible for a large number of Chinese Canadian girls bearing the name. 'They listened to Cantopop in Vancouver, in Toronto,' Lee said of immigrant waves to Canada. 'They made this very Asian music part of this global Chinese diaspora community. 'So, part of the popularity of Cantopop and Mandopop across the globe was because of these overseas Chinese communities that made it really great. 'Immigrants that came in the '60s and the '70s, they brought over their own culture and … made it a uniquely Canadian experience. And so, it's a preservation of culture, but it's also an evolution of something that is Asian into Asian Canadian.' This report by Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press, was first published May 28, 2025.
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Chinese Canadian Museum Celebrates Canada's Role in Three Golden Decades of Cantopop and Mandopop's Global Musical Revolution
Launching Wednesday, May 28, 2025 , and running through to May 31, 2026 , from dazzling music videos and glamorous fashion to the unforgettable voices of Cantopop superstars like Anita Mui , Leslie Cheung and Faye Wong , Dream Factory explores the three-decade rise of popular music sung in Cantonese and Mandarin, and the role Canadians played in the cultural era. Originating in Hong Kong and inspired by Western genres, Cantopop and Mandopop resonated far beyond its geographic origins, shaped the Asian entertainment industry and ignited a global music revolution. More than just music, Cantopop and Mandopop were the nostalgic soundtracks of growing up Chinese in Canada . Dream Factory reclaims these histories by exploring how Chinese Canadian youth connected with pop idols like Jacky Cheung , Andy Lau , Sally Yeh , and Sam Hui — icons who bridged continents and hearts — as well as the many Chinese Canadians who were actively involved in the industry whether in front of the camera, on the stage, or behind the scenes. "Cantopop and Mandopop weren't just music — they were lifelines," says Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee , CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. "At a time when waves of immigrants from Hong Kong , Taiwan , and mainland China were arriving in Vancouver — from the late 1960s through the 2000s — these songs carried the pulse of home. They helped newcomers navigate a new world while staying rooted in who they were. The voices of Anita Mui , Leslie Cheung , and Faye Wong didn't just echo through radios — they echoed across generations, linking parents to children, and memories to futures. This music connected the Chinese diaspora in ways no passport ever could." Curated by Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee with Yilin Chen and Bofei Zhang, Dream Factory features a dynamic mix of vintage album art, music videos, eclectic fashion, fan memorabilia, the original hand-written scores of Chinese Canadian composer Joseph Koo and unique installations by contemporary artists, this exhibition tells the story of cross-Pacific cultural exchange — fueled by waves of immigration, family ties, and the global power of pop. "As a cultural museum, our exhibitions aim to reflect the Chinese Canadian identity and stories of lived experiences," explains Grace Wong , Board Chair of the Chinese Canadian Museum. "Cantopop and Mandopop played an important role in helping Chinese Canadians feel connected to their places of origin and to each other, reflecting their struggles, hopes and dreams and offering comfort, connection, and a sense of identity. As a museum, we are honoured to spotlight how this beloved music genre resonated across generations and continents, connecting heritage with home." Set against the backdrop of Chinese Canadian communities — long a hub of transnational culture — Dream Factory invites visitors to step into a dazzling, immersive space that celebrates the glam, grit, and genius of a golden era in Asian pop. This is not just a retrospective — it's a reclamation of a cultural history that belongs at the heart of Canada's story. The Dream Factory feature exhibition highlights include: Fashion Meets Music spotlights the bold vision of six Chinese Canadian fashion designers, including Charlotte Chang , Bev Huynh , Stephanie Kong , Tina Tam , Ric Yuenn , and the iconic Vancouver Chinatown tailoring store, Modernize Tailors . From vintage glam to streetwear edge, their designs reimagine the visual language of Cantopop and Mandopop. spotlights the bold vision of six Chinese Canadian fashion designers, including , , , , , and the iconic Vancouver Chinatown tailoring store, . From vintage glam to streetwear edge, their designs reimagine the visual language of Cantopop and Mandopop. Legendary Sounds - A full-height LED sound wall anchors this immersive space, pulsing with custom-built 1980s-style speakers. Visitors are enveloped in a video projection playlist that brings Cantopop's most beloved stars — Anita Mui , Leslie Cheung , Faye Wong , and others — vividly to life. Their electrifying rock ballads, synth-driven dance tracks, and emotionally charged duets became the soundtrack of longing, rebellion, and joy for a generation of Chinese Canadians. At the heart of it all is a tribute to legendary composer Chinese Canadian Joseph Koo , whose unforgettable handwritten scores defined the cinematic and musical soundscape of Hong Kong's golden era and reverberated through the diaspora. A full-height LED sound wall anchors this immersive space, pulsing with custom-built 1980s-style speakers. Visitors are enveloped in a video projection playlist that brings Cantopop's most beloved stars — , , , and others — vividly to life. Their electrifying rock ballads, synth-driven dance tracks, and emotionally charged duets became the soundtrack of longing, rebellion, and joy for a generation of Chinese Canadians. At the heart of it all is a tribute to legendary composer Chinese Canadian , whose unforgettable handwritten scores defined the cinematic and musical soundscape of golden era and reverberated through the diaspora. Contemporary Art and Film Commissions showcases a show-stopping stage installation by internationally acclaimed artist Ming Wong and Liam Morgan and features vibrant new visual artworks by Bagua Artist Association and commissioned paintings by Ho Tam — a vibrant tribute to the bold aesthetics, emotional intensity, and nostalgic glamour and spectacle of Cantopop performance culture. A new Leslie Cheung documentary by Black Rhino Creative captures the iconic sound, star power, and cultural legacy of the pop singer Leslie Cheung , a voice and star that connected generations across borders. Dream Factory goes beyond the exhibition space with dynamic public programs, including live musical performances, karaoke nights, theatre productions, and film screenings. Educational initiatives such as drama lessons for children, school tours, interactive workshops, and documentary screenings provide opportunities for deeper engagement with the themes of the exhibition. The museum's new retail gift shop, 1889 Trading Co., is also open to the public featuring a curated selection of unique cultural gifts and museum products that celebrate Chinese Canadian heritage. From locally handcrafted artisan creators to exclusive exhibition-inspired one-of-a-kind pieces, the shop is designed to extend the cultural stories found within the museum's walls. The Dream Factory exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Province of British Columbia and Din Tai Fung North America . For more information about the Chinese Canadian Museum and its current exhibitions, please visit . About the Chinese Canadian Museum | The Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia is an independent, non-profit organization established in March 2020 to create a museum honouring and sharing Chinese Canadian history, contributions, and living heritage. Guided by its mission statement "Connecting to the Chinese Canadian story – addressing inclusion for all", the Chinese Canadian Museum aspires to provide an invigorating and transformative experience for present and future generations through its exhibitions and educational programming throughout B.C. and Canada . The first of its kind in Canada , the Chinese Canadian Museum opened to the public in 2023, and is located in the historic Wing Sang Building in Vancouver Chinatown. Instagram: @ccmuseumbc Facebook: @ChineseCanadianMuseum Linkedin: @ChineseCanadianMuseum SOURCE Chinese Canadian Museum Media contact: Yvonne Chiang, [email protected]
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, Andy Lau: Cantopop's pop idols showcased in Vancouver Chinatown museum
For countless Canadian Chinese, the soundtrack of their childhood takes centre stage at Vancouver's Chinese Canadian Museum, where a new exhibit celebrating the rise of Cantopop music opens Wednesday. Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s-2000s showcases popular music sung in Cantonese and Mandarin that swept Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and as the communities of the Chinese diaspora in Canada and around the world. For many immigrants to Canada, the music carried 'the pulse of home,' said curator Melissa Karmen Lee. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'This is in many ways an exhibition for our parents,' for that generation 'who immigrated and left behind homes to come here and rebuilt their lives,' said Lee. 'It provides an emotional connection they could reach across and have.' Lee's parents came to Canada in 1967, part of an early wave of immigration from Hong Kong. For the Canadian-born Lee and her generation who grew up in Canada, astride both worlds, the music is more than nostalgia. 'It's honouring the cultural heritage of our parents and the fact that this mix of being Chinese and growing up in Canada and listening to some Chinese music and western music is really what it means to be Chinese Canadian.' Many of the pop stars that defined the genre — and those working behind the scenes — weren't just from Hong Kong, Taiwan or China, but were products of the Chinese diaspora. That's something the exhibit highlights, said Lee, so people understand that while the genre is 'viewed as an Asian phenomenon, many of these singers had Canadian roots and Canadian ties.' That includes Cantopop diva Sally Yeh, who was born in Taiwan and grew up in Victoria. Early in her career, she did not know how to read and write Chinese and had to write out English phonetics to Cantonese lyrics. There's also Chinese Canadian composer Joseph Koo, who has been called Godfather of Cantopop for his musical creations that defined Hong Kong in the 70s and 80s. And pop icon Leslie Cheung who, at the height of his career, moved to Vancouver. To this day, fans make a pilgrimage to a memorial bench outside one of his favourite spots, the Teahouse at Stanley Park, on the anniversary of his death. The exhibition includes a mix of installations by Chinese Canadian artists, vintage album art, music videos, and fan memorabilia. Original handwritten scores by Koo, who died in Metro Vancouver in 2023 at age 91, are displayed. Hundreds of artists are featured in various ways throughout the exhibition, including music legends Teresa Teng, Anita Mui and Faye Wong and the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, Leon Lai and Aaron Kwok. A fashion section shows the work of Chinese Canadian designers who redesigned some of the costumes worn by the pop superstars. There's a floor-to-ceiling LED sound wall with custom-built 1980s-style speakers playing Cantopop hits, with hundreds more accessible at listening stations where visitors can be immersed in the music of that age. For Lee, who described the exhibit as her 'dream exhibit, the one I always knew I wanted to do,' the connection was personal. She vividly remembers going with her parents' to their friends' homes and playing with other kids to the strains of Cantopop. One song resonated: Cheung's bright and bouncy 1986 chart-topping hit, Monica. 'It's this pivotal song, which is on our exhibition, and I remember we as seven- and eight-year olds just dancing to this song,' said Lee. 'That's a core memory of mine.' And not just hers. According to Lee's research, there was a boom that year of Chinese Canadian baby girls named Monica. Listening to Cantopop perhaps set Chinese Canadians apart from mainstream Canadian culture back in the 80s and 90s, but that's something Lee wants to reclaim as part of Canada's story. 'The music always has been a key part of culture an Canadian culture, but in many ways it was left out,' she said. 'But it was so emotional and important and sparked the imagination of many in the Chinese Canadian community.' Dream Factory runs to May 31, 2026 at the Chinese Canadian Museum at the Wing Sang building in Vancouver's Chinatown. Also on exhibit: A Soldier for All Seasons, on the third floor, which features overlooked stories of Chinese Canadian soldiers in the Second World War. chchan@
