ULTILAND Launches meme@HK, Partnering with FHKDCI to Explore On-Chain Creation of Hong Kong Urban Culture

'Wan sik je (just making a living).' Just three characters, said lightly, but behind them is often a whole day of hustle. That is part of what makes Hong Kong people interesting: even when swamped, they still find a moment for a joke; even when a little disheveled, they still keep some grace. The so-called 'dai sei' humor—witty, sharp, and satisfying—sometimes means seeing through life's hardships but refusing to let them take over completely. Saying 'm4 zoi3 (no worries)' does not necessarily mean everything is fine; sometimes it is just a way to settle one's mood and keep going. This tone, which knows how to laugh at itself and how to leave room for one another, feels closer to Hong Kong than any postcard.

This temperament has its origins. The port brought people from north and south, and postwar immigrants, capital, and crafts found a footing in tong lau (tenement buildings), factories, and industrial buildings. Garments, plastic flowers, toys, and watches—piece by piece, 'Made in Hong Kong' moved from cramped spaces to the wider world. When the great era landed on ordinary people, it meant starting work, paying rent, and supporting a family; it meant taking one step at a time and always finding a way. Much of Hong Kong's creativity grew out of such days. This history need not be polished into a legend of universal success. It includes the hardships endured, and it includes ordinary people who were unwilling to simply follow the script and tried to make something different.

In 1972, Below the Lion Rock turned its lens to the Heng Tau Kam resettlement estate, viewing society through the daily life of one family. The Lion Rock spirit, often cited afterward, can become just an inspirational slogan and make people forget the temperamental, struggling, and warm-hearted people living below the hill. In the same year, Liu Yichang's Reversal began serialization, letting two characters walk similar streets—one looking back at the past, one imagining the future. The same Hong Kong could indeed be home to very different times. To understand Hong Kong, one must make room for different people's stories.

So nostalgia can exist, but creation need not stop at nostalgia. Old signboards, film posters, and hit songs are worth preserving and examining closely; the new situations people face today are also worth drawing and singing. If one only replays the iconic scenes of the previous generation, one misses the voice of this generation.

meme@HK, initiated by ULTIMEDIA and ULTILAND, aims to put this space of storytelling into the hands of today's creators. Hong Kong's forte is not only the classics, but also the ability to give classics new meaning. A Cantonese phrase can be 'sik zi (wordplay)', a familiar scene can be seen from another angle, and an originally serious life can suddenly become 'kwai ma (quirky)'. Images, music, short videos, writing, and original characters—the form is yours to choose; AI can help, or it can be left out entirely. Most important is that the work carries your own perspective. Those who understand the joke will recognize the shared wit; those unfamiliar with Hong Kong can also start from the work and gradually understand its context.

The planned Meme Gallery | On-Chain Chronicle of Urban Culture will organize creative threads from city history, street life, and pop culture, so new works know where they come from and also have a place to remain. Participants can issue ARTmeme through ULTILAND, linking their works to on-chain issuance records; related commemorative NFTs offer another way to discover and collect works by interest. On-chain records preserve the work; creation gives it meaning. Both must come together for it to be worth continuing.

The Federation of Hong Kong Design & Creative Industries (FHKDCI) has become a key supporting partner of meme@HK. The two sides will advance cooperation around cultural-theme creation, work provenance, nurturing young creators, salons, and physical exhibitions. Designers, filmmakers, and artists, together with people familiar with internet culture and on-chain creation, may not start off speaking the same language; but as long as works are placed in front of them, there will be something to discuss. Starting from one sharing session or exchange may lead to collaborations that were never originally imagined. Letting the craftsmanship of veterans meet the new approaches of young people is more meaningful than putting 'heritage' on a poster.

If you are interested in participating, you can first visit the meme@HK channel on ULTILAND's official Discord or Telegram to learn about the project and rules. There is no need to rush to define all of Hong Kong. One small thing you remember, one tone you can hear, or one story you have always felt worth telling can be a starting point. The previous generation turned Hong Kong into films, songs, and novels, and into goods that crossed oceans. This time, it is your turn to submit a work. Hong Kong still has something new, waiting for you to create it.

Source: TechFlow