AGP Executive Report

Hong Kong Tourism & Heritage: Tourism chief Rosanna Law says the city must be “bigger and better” to outcompete rivals, pointing to plans to build new heritage attractions that blend historic buildings with cultural experiences, including a next step after the popular old Yau Ma Tei police station exhibition and a push to develop Haw Par Mansion. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal: The government has extended the tender deadline for the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal operator, with Law stressing the next operator needs vision beyond just managing cruise berths. K-pop Live Buzz: Stray Kids announced their “Run It” world tour, kicking off with Seoul shows in late July and bringing dates to Hong Kong and Taipei in December. Music & Creativity Spotlight: Hong Kong-born composer Alice Yeung is gaining attention for visually driven music that turns concert halls into immersive experiences, including a work inspired by her pigeon phobia. Art & AI Industry Watch: Getty Images signed a multi-year display deal with OpenAI, bringing licensed images into ChatGPT search and discovery—while the lack of clarity on training terms is raising eyebrows. Sports Streaming: Prime Video (US) and 5 (UK) are set to premiere the tennis docuseries “Aces: The ATP No. 1 Club,” with Hong Kong and India also picking it up. Tech for Gamers: Valve confirmed Steam Machine pricing, with the 512GB model at $1,049 and 2TB at $1,349, available in Hong Kong via KOMODO. Global Travel Costs: UAE summer holiday fares are rising, with Hong Kong listed among pricier Asia routes.

Hong Kong TV & Film: ViuTV host and actor Lillian Sze has died after a battle with ovarian cancer, with tributes pouring in after her public updates on treatment and palliative care. Venice Film Festival: The 83rd Venice Film Festival has named its international jury under Maggie Gyllenhaal, with Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To among the judges. Arts & Culture (Digital Art): Art Basel’s Zero 10 is reframing digital art as part of a longer history of artists using new tools, with Hong Kong’s crypto-native audience spotlighted in its journey. Local Events (Dragon Boat): Stanley’s Dragon Boat Festival got a bigger, more lifestyle-heavy push as Shangri-La’s Dragonbeat expanded beyond racing with food, art, fashion and a beachfront after-party. Sports & Entertainment (Esports): Team India finished runner-up at the Pokemon UNITE Asia International Tournament, with Hong Kong among the national teams in the AESF-sanctioned event. Health Alert: CHP is investigating a suspected paralytic shellfish poisoning case after a family ate whelk in Causeway Bay; one patient remains hospitalised in stable condition.

Hong Kong Pop Culture: Disney Korea is teaming up with G-Dragon’s Peaceminusone for a “Toy Story” collaboration, rolling out across major Asia-Pacific cities including Hong Kong, with 70+ items from figures and plush to fashion and accessories. Anime & TV: Bandai Namco Filmworks confirmed the October return of Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly, with a new cast member joining the idol-themed magical-girl story. Music & Live: The Weeknd kicked off the European leg of After Hours Til Dawn in Copenhagen with two sold-out Parken Stadium shows, featuring a huge Hajime Sorayama sculpture and a career-spanning setlist. Film & Heritage: Lisa Lu, now 100, made a surprise appearance at Shanghai’s screening of restored Hong Kong filmmaker Tang Shu Shuen’s The Arch, celebrating the 1968 arthouse classic. Sports (Macau/HK ties): China’s Hu Zhe’an won men’s singles at the Macau Open badminton, while Hong Kong’s Chan Yin Chak and Ng Tsz Yau fell in the mixed doubles final. Local Arts & Community: Shangri-La launched Dragonbeat at Stanley Main Beach, blending dragon boat racing with culture, food and entertainment, with Olympic champion Eileen Gu attending.

Box Office Buzz: Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” soared to a $312M worldwide opening, the second-best Pixar start (outside China), with $160M domestic and $152M international. Film & Festivals: Shanghai International Film Festival closed with “Atlantic Rhapsody” winning the Golden Goblet for best feature; Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai led the jury and also weighed in on AI’s impact on filmmaking. Hong Kong Culture Spotlight: Shangri-La launched “Dragonbeat” at Stanley Main Beach, pairing Dragon Boat Festival racing with food and entertainment, while the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s “Harmonious Horse” exhibition tour moved to Tamar Park. Local Entertainment & Community: Hong Kong TV host Lillian Sze died of ovarian cancer, and Father’s Day yum cha got a boost as families watched the World Cup together at teahouses. Sports in the Region: Hu Zhe’an won men’s singles at the Macau Open badminton tournament; Mongolia’s “MongolZ” claimed the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz chess title in Hong Kong. Health & Travel Watch: A measles case passed through LAX amid World Cup crowds, prompting warnings for travellers to check immunity.

K-pop & Live Music: BOYNEXTDOOR announced their first-ever world tour, “Knock On Vol. 2,” with 33 shows across 22 cities, adding North America and bringing the run back to Asia for stops including Hong Kong. Film & Awards: The Golden Goblet Awards wrapped up at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, with Tony Leung Chiu-wai also leading a masterclass; winners included “ATLANTIC RHAPSODY” and “SECRET IN THE BOX” (Best Actor: Zhang Songwen). Hong Kong Cinema Spotlight: “Tayo sa Wakas” hit P110 million at the box office and is set to open in Hong Kong on June 21, with overseas screenings planned across Asia. Anime: “Akane-banashi” manga adaptation confirmed a second season for January 2027, plus six new cast members for characters appearing in the season finale. Culture in Hong Kong: The “ICH Cuisine” Carnival returns to Oil Street Art Space in North Point, with free workshops and demos tied to Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage food traditions. Sports (Local Interest): The Dragon Boat Festival returned to Victoria Inner Harbour, with races and waterfront cultural activities drawing teams and visitors.

Hong Kong Film & TV: Tony Leung Chiu-wai weighs in on AI in filmmaking, calling it a “double-edged sword” that may cut costs but also threatens jobs, while warning against “calculation” replacing creativity. Hong Kong Cinema Releases: Chinese hit “Dear You” is drawing strong audience response in Hong Kong and Macau, with many screenings selling out quickly after ticket sales. Local Culture & Festivals: The “ICH Cuisine” Carnival returns to Oil Street Art Space (Oi!) for Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Month 2026, with hands-on workshops and demos on dim sum, Chiu Chow food, rice dumplings, egg tart and more, plus dragon dance and Nanyin performances. Sports in the City: Hong Kong will host the 2027 PUMA HYROX World Championships at AsiaWorld-Expo (10–13 June 2027), a “full-circle” moment after the city’s first APAC HYROX event in 2022. Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: “The Furious” continues to buzz for its hard-hitting, Hong Kong-style action approach, with real-body stunts and long brawling sequences doing the talking. News from Hong Kong: Hong Kong Customs seized about 11kg of drugs at the airport (ketamine and cannabis buds) and arrested two men.

Hong Kong Sports & Fitness: HYROX has confirmed the 2027 PUMA HYROX World Championships will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo (10–13 June 2027), a “full-circle” return after the city’s first APAC HYROX event in 2022 and a surge to nearly 20,000 participants this May—expected to draw more higher-spending visitors. Film & Culture: Hong Kong superstar Tony Leung says AI filmmaking has a “double-edged sword” impact, warning it may replace jobs and produce “popcorn movies” with “no soul,” as SIFF 2026 rolls out AI-assisted short-film initiatives. TV & Streaming: My Royal Nemesis (SBS) ends its run today (20 June), with fans already asking whether the hit historical fantasy romance will return for season 2. Arts & Events: A Macao Dragon Boat weekend blends sport and culture with “Art Everywhere” programming at Nam Van Lake, as China Nanhai Jiujiang defends its Open and Women’s titles. Tech & Retail: Mercari launches a standalone Mercari Japan app for U.S. shoppers, adding AI translation and landed-cost checkout via Zonos, building on its Hong Kong/Taiwan rollout.

Hong Kong Culture & Media: Taipei opened an exhibition of archives and memorabilia from Hong Kong’s defunct Apple Daily, “Backing Up Apple, Recording Hong Kong,” organised by the Hong Kong diaspora outlet Pulse HK to mark five years since the paper’s closure. Animation & Film: Japanese-French animated feature “We Are Aliens” picked up multiple Asian deals ahead of its Annecy premiere, including Hong Kong distribution via Intercontinental Film Distributors. Festival & Tradition: China Media Group aired a Dragon Boat Festival special highlighting Duanwu customs and “Five Colors of Duanwu,” culminating in a cross-region “Homecoming” performance linking mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Sports Tourism: Hyrox World Championships’ Asian debut in Hong Kong next year could draw higher-spending visitors, with experts pointing to the city’s proximity to mainland China and the event’s marathon-like travel appeal. Local Heritage: Tai O’s annual Dragon Boat Water Parade drew hundreds of visitors, with support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2012. Performing Arts: K-Stage Festival returns to Hong Kong at East Kowloon Cultural Centre from June 25 with productions including “Dream High,” “Jump,” “The Greatest Taekwondo” and “Inside Me.” Streaming Buzz: Netflix’s “The Polygamist” is trending at number one in multiple countries, with Hong Kong among the listed top spots.

Hong Kong Court & Celebrities: A local court dismissed a HK$12m (US$1.53m) claim against actress Cecilia Cheung by her former agent, saying she never signed the alleged agency contract and that the advance payment claim wasn’t proven. Hong Kong TV & Streaming: The six-part thriller The Season (set in Hong Kong’s high-society summer) continues to draw attention on Viu/Hulu/NowTV, with viewers weighing its glitz, revenge plot, and Hong Kong elite vibes. Disney in Hong Kong: Hong Kong Disneyland kicks off a park-wide Pixar Summer Fest with new nighttime show Pixar Pals Spectacular, character moments, and fresh twists on meet-and-greets. Local Sports Tourism: Hong Kong will host the Hyrox World Championships next June at AsiaWorld-Expo, calling it a “full-circle moment” after the city’s earlier Hyrox growth. Tech & Music (HK): Hanson Robotics’ humanoid singer Sophia makes classical-music debut in an HKBU 70th-anniversary AI-themed gala. Arts Market: Art Basel cancels the Baloise Art Prize for emerging artists, shifting sponsorship focus to other platforms. Food & Culture (HK tie-in): Tim Ho Wan will close its Plaza Singapura outlet after 13 years, marking the end of its first overseas Singapore run. Drag & Pride: A regional Pride feature spotlights five fierce Asian drag performers and what to catch in their cities right now. International Spotlight: India beat Hong Kong China 3-1 to reach the World Team Snooker Championship final.

Hong Kong Streaming & TV Buzz: Viu is now streaming the six-part “champagne thriller” The Season, a Hong Kong high-society revenge drama about polished surfaces cracking under betrayal, hidden agendas and power plays. Global Film & HK Connections: Director James Gunn brought the cast and crew of “Man of Tomorrow” to see Hong Kong action hit The Furious, praising its action craft and filmmaker Kenji Tanagaki. Tech Meets Daily Life: Hisense opened its first Hong Kong store at JD MALL Wan Chai, leaning into FIFA World Cup viewing with a 116-inch RGB MiniLED flagship and in-store football atmosphere. Public Safety: With a Black Rainstorm Warning in force, all gazetted beaches under Leisure and Cultural Services Department management were temporarily closed, with fines and possible imprisonment for violators. Design & Place-making: Central Harbourfront’s Central Yards is rolling out art-led temporary activations, including a multi-sensory art bridge and sculptural kiosk to preview its 2027 “groundscraper” vision. Music & Pop Culture: U-Know Yunho of TVXQ! announced his Asia solo tour, with a Hong Kong stop on Sept 26. Sports Entertainment: Hong Kong police arrested 150 in a crackdown on an alleged HK$320M illegal betting syndicate tied to multiple betting websites and processing hubs.

Fitness & Community: Hong Kong is being framed as Asia’s Hyrox capital, with local athlete Clare Cheung pointing to a citywide culture of running, boutique gyms and competitive drive that makes the all-in-one fitness format click. Summer in Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Tourism Board rolls out “Hong Kong Summer Fun” plus “Summer Deals” with phased savings through 31 August, including up to 50% off attraction and transport bundles via Trip.com/Ctrip. Music & Tech: Warner Music China deepens its virtual-artist push via a Dream Maker partnership, backing avatar performers powered by real human motion capture and touting billions of views and top Douyin livestream performance. Arts & Culture: Art Sonje’s “Spectrosynthesis Seoul” spotlights LGBTQ+ art and queer biography debates, bringing 74 artists into a full-building takeover. Box Office & Film: Hong Kong action thriller “The Furious” is praised as a brutal crowd-pleaser and is pulling strong box office numbers, especially in China. Local Crime & Pop Culture: Hong Kong police arrest 150 in a HK$320M triad-linked betting syndicate bust, as World Cup wagering ramps up. Design & Dining: Prix Versailles names Japanese restaurant Mottai in Coral Gables among the world’s most beautiful restaurants for 2026.

Hong Kong Arts & Culture: The city’s publishing scene gets a spotlight as the CCIDA leads a Hong Kong Pavilion at the 32nd Beijing International Book Fair, featuring 600+ local titles plus a new VR zone “Hong Kong Literary Strolls.” Film & Identity: Mary Stephen’s documentary Palimpsest: The Story of a Name lands with a Hong Kong-wide release previewing her search for heritage across Hong Kong, Australia and Montreal. TV & Streaming: Viu is set to premiere pan-Asian thriller Kidnap Game in October, shot across Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and more, starring Kentaro Sakaguchi and Lee Joon-gi. Sports & Entertainment: The Season on Hulu returns as a revenge drama set against Hong Kong’s boating-season power games, with reviews noting strong momentum despite a few plot stumbles. Design & Craft: Masuo Fujimura’s “Birdcage” chair wins Gold at the A’ Design Award, praised for turning near-fully recyclable steel and regional craft into a modern form. Local Community: The Immigration Department arrests 15 suspected illegal workers and five suspected employers in an anti-employment operation, with raids targeting renovation and installation work.

K-pop Spotlight: Seventeen’s The8 and Vernon are launching a new subunit, V8, with an EP dropping June 29 and standalone concerts in Korea (July 11–12) plus Hong Kong dates July 17–19. Music Industry: Warner Music APAC rolls out “Listen Up,” a regional artist accelerator anchored by showcase events in Sydney (Aug 6) and Singapore (Aug 12), with Hong Kong artist Gareth T cited for massive streaming momentum. Hong Kong Arts-Tech: HKUST presents “SURREALITY” Mixed Reality × AI Digital Art in a cross-city exhibition, opening at HKUST(GZ) June 17 and running to July 31 before returning to Hong Kong. Local Culture & Events: GO PARK Aqua in Sai Sha unveils a major waterfront upgrade, adding sailing, workshops, glamping and a first-in-HK Fiat 500 Carboat Tour. Sports & Community: Hong Kong police arrest 150 over a HK$320m illegal online betting syndicate ahead of the World Cup, while the city hosts the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Championships with Magnus Carlsen making his Hong Kong debut. Film & Animation Deals: Superights announces new international sales for “Miffy & Friends” and “Underdog,” including Hong Kong distribution for “Underdog” via ViuTV.

Courtroom Drama: Hong Kong’s High Court has rejected actress Cecilia Cheung’s HK$12 million claim against her former agent, ruling she never signed the alleged agency contract and that the claimed HK$2.76 million advance payment wasn’t proven. K-pop & Live Music: Seventeen subunit V8 (The8 and Vernon) will debut with EP “V8” on June 29, with Hong Kong performances set for July 17–19. Health & Performance: NMIXX’s Sullyoon says she suffered back pain after overexerting during dress rehearsal, sharing she received treatment including laser therapy and an injection. Art & Fashion: Drag Race winner Nymphia Wind brought her hand-constructed gowns to the Asian Art Museum, turning couture into a resilient, story-led showcase. Tech Meets Art: HKUST and HKUST(GZ) unveiled the SURREALITY MR × AI Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition, using MR/AI to bring campus into a global arts hub. Hong Kong Spotlight in Global Chess: Magnus Carlsen made his Hong Kong debut ahead of the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Championships. Entertainment Releases: Superights announced new international deals for “Miffy & Friends” and “Underdog,” including Hong Kong distribution for “Miffy & Friends.” Film Buzz: Chinese hit “Dear You” is set for release across several ASEAN markets, including Hong Kong and Macau. City Summer Plans: “Summer of Light: Cinema in Motion” returns to Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre with parent-child workshops and free activities this July.