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{{Orphan|date=April 2014}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date = June 2022}}
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'''Mong Kok culture''' ({{Zh|c=MK文化}}) is a local terminology used in [[Hong Kong]] denoting a specific culture in the area of [[Mong Kok]], a culture which has grown rather prevalent amongst local youth and teenagers. The area of Mong Kok is especially known for its plethora of stores and vendors who sell assorted knickknacks, playthings, clothing, tools, electronics, and food, along with all other sorts of novelties. Mong Kok also provides a variety of entertainment, among which includes the cinema, for young adults and teenagers. The multipurpose nature of the area thus draws in teenagers and young adults who avidly pursue the latest popular trends. The area is also a popular meet-up and dating location amongst local youth. Teenagers who have a high affinity for the Mong Kok culture and hang around the area but do not necessarily live there are known as '''MK people''' ({{Lang-zh|c=MK人}}), and depending on their gender, an '''MK boy''' ({{Lang-zh|c=MK仔}}) or '''MK girl''' ({{Lang-zh|c=MK妹}}). Their age typically ranges between 14-25 and often dress in particular styles of clothing, including hip hop or punk, without fully acknowledging the implications of what they wear.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hkcd.com.hk/content/2008-06/25/content_2115394.htm |title=【港事講場】 MK look的次文化解讀_中國窗-香港商報 |publisher=Hkcd.com.hk |date=2008-06-25 |accessdate=2014-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081304/http://www.hkcd.com.hk/content/2008-06/25/content_2115394.htm |archive-date=2014-04-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
'''Mong Kok culture''' (MK) is the local term in [[Hong Kong]] noting a specific culture in [[Mong Kok]] district which has become a widespread phenomenon among some [[Hong Kong]] teenagers. As Mong Kok is a place that sells trendy stuff and provides many entertainments to the youngsters like cinema, it attracts many teenagers who want to be trendy to hang out and have datings.


In the MK culture, a group of teenagers are known as '''MK people''' who always stay in [[Mong Kok]] but do not necessarily live there. This group of people are usually at the age range from 14-25, who share a special and similar dressing style but without understanding the background of them, such as Hip Hop, punk and skateboard style.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkcd.com.hk/content/2008-06/25/content_2115394.htm |title=【港事講場】 MK look的次文化解讀_中國窗-香港商報 |publisher=Hkcd.com.hk |date=2008-06-25 |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref>
Essentially, the term '''MK person''', which carries a rather negative undertone, is often used to describe a person who blindly follows trends without thought with the implication that they have a poor taste or behaves in a bad way. It could also mean that he or she has nothing productive to do so as to idly squander their time wandering around the streets of Mong Kok.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metropop.com.hk/contents/396/cover-story/1152/ |title=MK仔有今生有前世 - Cover Story - Issue 396 |publisher=Metropop |date=2014-03-13 |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref>


⚫
==Image of the MK people==
The term MK people is mainly used by others calling them. It is actually quite negative or even insulting, implying that they are just following the trend blindly and have poor taste or bad behaviour, and also that they have nothing else to do in their spare time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metropop.com.hk/contents/396/cover-story/1152/ |title=MK仔有今生有前世 - Cover Story - Issue 396 |publisher=Metropop |date=2014-03-13 |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref>


⚫
=== Appearance ===
The MK people have also been known as '''MK guys''' and '''MK girls''' regarding their gender under the same category.
⚫
The origin of their dressing style is believed to be the movie series '''''[[Young and Dangerous (film series)|Young and Dangerous]]''''' produced in the 1990s, which describes the lives of [[Hong Kong]] gangsters and their triad activities. However, some other people believe that it is because this group of people purchase their hip hop clothing in [[Mong Kok]] only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oocities.org/hk/MKLOOKCOM/ |title=MK look首頁 |publisher=Oocities.org |date= |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=100毛Foto’sTijdlijnInfo |url=https://www.facebook.com/100most/photos_stream |title=100毛 - Foto’s |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref>


The characteristics include their hairstyles, which are preferably dyed into brighter colours such as gold and silver. Another tendency is to have longer bangs that cover their foreheads or even their eyes. Typical Mong Kok culture attire includes: sleeveless shirts, black garments, bell-bottom trousers, and a number of accessories such as chains around trousers, earrings, and necklaces. Advocates and followers of this particular culture also tend to sport tattoos. These tattoos are often situated on their upper arms, which remain visible to those around them because of the prevalence of sleeveless shirts amongst the culture.
⚫
==Image of the MK ([[Mong Kok]]) people==


=== Appearance ===
=== Behaviour ===
⚫
Those who participle in MK culture are considered to be active on the social-networking sites and online forums, where they can actively share their own lives. This gives them a sense of community for their shared values, and has given a rise to terminology and abbreviations unique to the culture's community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmediahk.net/2014030101 |title=MK仔，其實都幾過癮 |publisher=Inmediahk.net |date=2014-03-01 |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref>
⚫
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oocities.org/hk/MKLOOKCOM/ |title=MK look首頁 |publisher=Oocities.org |date= |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=100毛Foto’sTijdlijnInfo |url=https://www.facebook.com/100most/photos_stream |title=100毛 - Foto’s |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref>
The origin of their dressing style is believed to be the movie series '''''[[Young and Dangerous]]''''' produced in the 1990s which describes the lives of [[Hong Kong]] gangsters and their triad activities. However, some people believe that it is because this group of people purchase their Hip Hop clothing in [[Mong Kok]] only.
The characteristics includes their hairstyles, which they would like to have their hair dyed into some bright colors like gold and silver, also they would tend to have longer fringes that as long as covering their foreheads or even eyes.
They would wear sleeveless shirts, dress in black color, bell-bottom trousers, and carry a number of accessories such as chains around trousers, earrings, and necklaces.
Also, they tends to have tattoos, especially in their upper arms so the sleeveless shirts can help show their tattoos.

⚫
=== Behavior ===
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmediahk.net/2014030101 |title=MK仔，其實都幾過癮 |publisher=Inmediahk.net |date=2014-03-01 |accessdate=2014-05-01}}</ref>
⚫
The MK guys are considered to be active on the social-networking sites and online forums, where they can share their own lives actively. This gives them a sense of majority for their shared values, such as the terminologies and abbreviations created.
The exaggerated dressing style and actions are considered to have relation on their beliefs and personalities that aims at seeking attention and attempting to behave in a mature way.


=== Features of their spoken language and written language ===
=== Features of their spoken language and written language ===

People who are perceived as a representative of [[Mong Kok]] culture always have similar characteristics on their verbal expression and written language. There are several types of features on their use of language, especially the choice of words:
People who are perceived as a representative of [[Mong Kok]] culture always have similar characteristics on their verbal expression and written language. There are several types of features on their use of language, especially the choice of words:


'''Create new words'''
'''Unique Terms'''


They like to create some words that normal Hong Kong people will not understand.
Mong Kok culture has a select, unique vocabulary of words that those foreign to the culture may not necessarily understand.


Example: call men who always ingratiate women as “gourmet”.
Example: the labelling of men who always ingratiate women as "gourmet".


'''Like to use abbreviation'''
'''Usage of abbreviations'''


Example: call “[[Fa Yuen Street]]” as “Fa Street”, “Argyle Centre” as “M Centre”
Notable examples of abbreviations common in their "language" include calling [[Fa Yuen Street]] as "Fa Street", and Argyle Centre as "M Centre".
'''Like to use swear words'''


'''Interweaving of Profanity in everyday speech'''
In order to shows their special personality, they like to mix swear words in every sentence meaninglessly.


It is quite common for advocates of Mong Kok culture to extensively weave in profanities in everyday interactions.
⚫
The above features also appear in their written language. Apart from these, they also like to use [[Martian language]], which is formed by using words have similar or exact pronunciation in Cantonese to replace the original words, or the extensively use of symbols to illustrate their facial expressions when they chat online. It is hard for other people to understand their meaning and incorrect typing always occurs because of their educational level or to act intentionally to follow their culture and reinforce their identities.

⚫
The aforementioned idiosyncrasy also appears in their written language. In addition to profanities, they also like to use [[Martian language]], which is formed by using words that have similar or exact pronunciation in Cantonese to replace the original words, or the extensive use of symbols to illustrate their facial expressions when they chat online. Thus, it is often difficult for those foreign to the culture to correctly understand and interpret phrases that are common amongst the users.


==Media portrayal==
==Media portrayal==
Being a prominent underground subculture in Hong Kong, Mong Kok culture is often discussed in many forms of media. However, whether it be exaggerated comedy or serious discussion, most media coverage regarding the subculture is held with negative undertones.

Since Mk culture is a special trend in Hong Kong, we could find that MK culture is being discussed in many media products, for example films and news articles. Many of them show some stereotypes of MK people, while reinforce the image of the MK people.


=== Films ===
=== Films ===


'''''[[Young and Dangerous]]'''''
'''''[[Young and Dangerous (1996 film)|Young and Dangerous]]''''' (1996)


This famous Hong Kong movie series is about a gangster [[Chan Ho-nam]]. His clothing, behaviours and hairstyle in the films became a trend that teenagers in 1996-1997 liked to imitate the looks of those characters in the films and it was the beginning of MK style.
This famous Hong Kong movie series is about a gangster [[Chan Ho-nam]]. His clothing, behaviours, and hairstyle in the films became a trend that teenagers in 1996-1997 liked to imitate. The looks of those characters in the films was the beginning of the MK style.


'''''[[Lan Kwai Fong (film)]]'''''
'''''[[Lan Kwai Fong (film)|Lan Kwai Fong]]''''' (2011)


A movie series that talks about the lives of people who go to [[Lan Kwai Fong]] at night frequently. Although the films are more about pubbing and having sex, the lifestyles of characters are also regarded as MK style nowadays. The series fully shows what MK culture is.
''Lan Kwai Fong'' is a movie series that talks about the lives of people who go to [[Lan Kwai Fong]] at night frequently. Although the films are more about going to bars and having sex, the lifestyles of characters are also regarded as MK style nowadays. The series fully shows what MK culture is.


=== Stars ===
=== Stars ===


'''MK-pop'''
'''MK-pop'''
{{main|Mong Kok Pop (MK Pop)}}

In 2014, there are some signers and pop groups, for example, FAITH. They try to replicate the style of [[K-pop]], but their performances receive negative comments by the netizen and being teased that they are MK-pop indeed. Those groups show people's stereotyping towards MK people like they are stupid and follow the trend blindly.
In 2014, a multitude of singers and pop groups emerged (e.g. FAITH) that tried to replicate the style of [[K-pop]]. Their imitations of the style was received negatively by netizens online. Criticisms from netizens often consist of labelling the music as "MK-pop". This label comes from the Mong Kok culture being stereotyped as a culture that blindly follows trends in conjunction with groups like FAITH drawing heavy inspiration from K-pop.


=== News ===
=== News ===


Mong Kok culture frequently appears as a topic in the ''[[Apple Daily]]'' tabloid. Articles regarding the culture are often blatantly mocking towards the culture.
The [[Apple Daily]] tabloid always use MK culture as a topic in their news. They would mock about nowadays MK people on the net, and make it as news. Those news enhance the stupid image of MK people, and also shows the society's point of view on the MK people.


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Yau Tsim Mong District}}

[[Category:Hong Kong culture]]
[[Category:Culture of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Youth culture]]
[[Category:Chinese youth culture]]
[[Category:Mong Kok]]
[[Category:Mong Kok]]
[[Category:Underground culture]]

Latest revision as of 22:58, 3 February 2024

Mong Kok culture (Chinese: MK文化) is a local terminology used in Hong Kong denoting a specific culture in the area of Mong Kok, a culture which has grown rather prevalent amongst local youth and teenagers. The area of Mong Kok is especially known for its plethora of stores and vendors who sell assorted knickknacks, playthings, clothing, tools, electronics, and food, along with all other sorts of novelties. Mong Kok also provides a variety of entertainment, among which includes the cinema, for young adults and teenagers. The multipurpose nature of the area thus draws in teenagers and young adults who avidly pursue the latest popular trends. The area is also a popular meet-up and dating location amongst local youth. Teenagers who have a high affinity for the Mong Kok culture and hang around the area but do not necessarily live there are known as MK people (Chinese: MK人), and depending on their gender, an MK boy (Chinese: MK仔) or MK girl (Chinese: MK妹). Their age typically ranges between 14-25 and often dress in particular styles of clothing, including hip hop or punk, without fully acknowledging the implications of what they wear.[1]

Essentially, the term MK person, which carries a rather negative undertone, is often used to describe a person who blindly follows trends without thought with the implication that they have a poor taste or behaves in a bad way. It could also mean that he or she has nothing productive to do so as to idly squander their time wandering around the streets of Mong Kok.[2]

Image of the MK people

[edit]

Appearance

[edit]

The origin of their dressing style is believed to be the movie series Young and Dangerous produced in the 1990s, which describes the lives of Hong Kong gangsters and their triad activities. However, some other people believe that it is because this group of people purchase their hip hop clothing in Mong Kok only.[3][4]

The characteristics include their hairstyles, which are preferably dyed into brighter colours such as gold and silver. Another tendency is to have longer bangs that cover their foreheads or even their eyes. Typical Mong Kok culture attire includes: sleeveless shirts, black garments, bell-bottom trousers, and a number of accessories such as chains around trousers, earrings, and necklaces. Advocates and followers of this particular culture also tend to sport tattoos. These tattoos are often situated on their upper arms, which remain visible to those around them because of the prevalence of sleeveless shirts amongst the culture.

Behaviour

[edit]

Those who participle in MK culture are considered to be active on the social-networking sites and online forums, where they can actively share their own lives. This gives them a sense of community for their shared values, and has given a rise to terminology and abbreviations unique to the culture's community.[5]

Features of their spoken language and written language

[edit]

People who are perceived as a representative of Mong Kok culture always have similar characteristics on their verbal expression and written language. There are several types of features on their use of language, especially the choice of words:

Unique Terms

Mong Kok culture has a select, unique vocabulary of words that those foreign to the culture may not necessarily understand.

Example: the labelling of men who always ingratiate women as "gourmet".

Usage of abbreviations

Notable examples of abbreviations common in their "language" include calling Fa Yuen Street as "Fa Street", and Argyle Centre as "M Centre".

Interweaving of Profanity in everyday speech

It is quite common for advocates of Mong Kok culture to extensively weave in profanities in everyday interactions.

The aforementioned idiosyncrasy also appears in their written language. In addition to profanities, they also like to use Martian language, which is formed by using words that have similar or exact pronunciation in Cantonese to replace the original words, or the extensive use of symbols to illustrate their facial expressions when they chat online. Thus, it is often difficult for those foreign to the culture to correctly understand and interpret phrases that are common amongst the users.

Media portrayal

[edit]

Being a prominent underground subculture in Hong Kong, Mong Kok culture is often discussed in many forms of media. However, whether it be exaggerated comedy or serious discussion, most media coverage regarding the subculture is held with negative undertones.

Films

[edit]

Young and Dangerous (1996)

This famous Hong Kong movie series is about a gangster Chan Ho-nam. His clothing, behaviours, and hairstyle in the films became a trend that teenagers in 1996-1997 liked to imitate. The looks of those characters in the films was the beginning of the MK style.

Lan Kwai Fong (2011)

Lan Kwai Fong is a movie series that talks about the lives of people who go to Lan Kwai Fong at night frequently. Although the films are more about going to bars and having sex, the lifestyles of characters are also regarded as MK style nowadays. The series fully shows what MK culture is.

Stars

[edit]

MK-pop

Main article: Mong Kok Pop (MK Pop)

In 2014, a multitude of singers and pop groups emerged (e.g. FAITH) that tried to replicate the style of K-pop. Their imitations of the style was received negatively by netizens online. Criticisms from netizens often consist of labelling the music as "MK-pop". This label comes from the Mong Kok culture being stereotyped as a culture that blindly follows trends in conjunction with groups like FAITH drawing heavy inspiration from K-pop.

News

[edit]

Mong Kok culture frequently appears as a topic in the Apple Daily tabloid. Articles regarding the culture are often blatantly mocking towards the culture.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "【港事講場】 MK look的次文化解讀_中國窗-香港商報". Hkcd.com.hk. 25 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  2. ^ "MK仔有今生有前世 - Cover Story - Issue 396". Metropop. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  3. ^ "MK look首頁". Oocities.org. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  4. ^ 100毛Foto’sTijdlijnInfo. "100毛 - Foto's". Facebook. Retrieved 1 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "MK仔，其實都幾過癮". Inmediahk.net. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
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