​Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Comics and Culture Exhibition in Seoul today (September 27):

Dr Tony Wong (Chairman of the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation), Mr Kim Dong-hwa (renowned Korean comics artist), esteemed comics artists from Hong Kong and Korea, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Annyeonghaseyo (Korean: Hello). Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you for the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Comics and Culture Exhibition. Today, we gather to unleash the unlimited potential of comic creations with our Korean friends and to strengthen the amicable ties between the cultural and creative industries of Hong Kong and Korea.

     Comics are more than just a form of entertainment; they are a vibrant art form that captures our way of life, echoes our collective memories, and expresses our unique cultural identities. By showcasing the works of 19 Hong Kong comic artists across generations, alongside two internationally-acclaimed Korean comic artists, this exhibition initiates a powerful creative dialogue. It offers us all a wonderful opportunity to understand each other's lives and cultures more deeply.

     Some of you may already be familiar with our classic, iconic characters like "Old Master Q" (老夫子) and "My Boy" (牛仔), who have won the hearts of generations around the globe. Today, we have brought a diverse collection of these and many more characters to meet our Korean friends. Our exhibits include exciting crossovers between contemporary comics, film, television, games, and art toys. I encourage you all to take your time to explore and enjoy the authentic humour and satirical wit of Hong Kong comics.

     This exhibition is made possible with the support of my Bureau's Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the tremendous efforts of the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation. The Federation's work is vital to our industry's growth. For instance, through its Hong Kong Comics Support Programme launched in 2021, we have nurtured new talents and publishing enterprises. This initiative has already led to the publication of 63 original comics and secured over 30 licensing agreements for foreign-language editions. This is a testament to the global appeal and competitiveness of Hong Kong, as it effectively expands their reach into overseas markets. Here today, you will see artworks from six of the award-winning artists of the Programme.

     This exhibition is also a highlight of the Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul, which officially began last night. The week features 14 curated programmes with around 65 performances and activities. I sincerely hope that you will join us for these events and enjoy the array of arts and culture we have brought from Hong Kong to Korea.

     In closing, I would like to congratulate the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation and all the talented comic artists from Hong Kong and Korea for making this exceptional exhibition a reality.

     I wish the Hong Kong Comics and Culture Exhibition a resounding success and look forward to more fruitful collaborations between Hong Kong and Korea in the years to come.

     Kamsahamnida (Korean: Thank you). Thank you.

Ends/Saturday, September 27, 2025
Issued at HKT 10:43

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