A celebratory luncheon in Hong Kong recently marked the launch of a new commercial radio program, “It’s Time to Say Goodbye on the Same Day Again,” featuring a toast that united senior media executives, political heavyweights, and the show’s first-time host. The inaugural event, attended by Commercial Radio’s top leadership, including CEO Chan Ching-han, Chief Strategist Stephen Chan Chi-wan, and Assistant General Manager Kwok Chi-yan, featured Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau, and the show’s host, legislator Judy Chu Hoi-lun.
The spotlight quickly turned to the new program’s unique blend of lighthearted interviewing. During the ceremony, Ms. Chu, making her radio debut, employed culinary metaphors to describe the high-profile guests, synthesizing observations on their public profiles. She likened the widely popular Mr. Chan Chi-wan to siu ngam zai (crispy roasted pork belly), characterized Mr. Yau, who frequently travels globally to promote Hong Kong, as fei tin siu ngo (flying roasted goose), and compared the fit Ms. Ip to sau caa siu (lean barbecued pork).
The launch included a live segment of the new program, where Mr. Chan presented Ms. Ip, the first guest, with a humorous “My Favorite Politician” award. Continuing the show’s relaxed format, a rapid-fire “Choose One” segment offered playful dilemmas to the lawmaker. When asked to choose between cheongsam and yoga pants, Ms. Ip promptly selected yoga pants, explaining that they are practical for hiking and stretching.
A subsequent question on facing a unicorn (keileon, a mythical beast in Cantonese folklore) versus encountering a ghost brought a humorous anecdote from Ms. Ip. She opted to confront a ghost, referencing a high-profile 2015 incident where she was reportedly knocked down by a lion dancer in a costume (hitting the unicorn), an event that drew public criticism at the time. She dryly acknowledged the folklore that “hitting a unicorn brings three years of bad luck,” noting a specific fortune teller’s validation of the belief. Mr. Chan responded wittily, suggesting that her loss in the 2017 Chief Executive nomination race was perhaps “a kind of blessing.”
Ms. Ip offered a candid reflection on her political journey, admitting that not becoming Chief Executive meant less professional pressure. “I do have some advantages because you don’t have to carry such a heavy position,” she stated, adding that difficult policy decisions often face public backlash. Mr. Chan countered this by highlighting her enduring popularity, noting the number of attendees seeking selfies with her.
The discussion also touched on professional dynamics among Hong Kong’s political elite. When asked if she would interact with former Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Ms. Ip confirmed she would initiate a greeting. She then shared an amusing anecdote, reportedly relayed by a former administrative officer, about an unnamed public servant attempting to toast Ms. Lam, only to be met with a sharp inquiry about having too much free time. The luncheon concluded with Mr. Chan presenting Ms. Ip with a custom floral arrangement, thanking her for her participation. The lawmaker completed a final lap around the stage, waving to the gathered guests. The new program is set to deliver accessible, informal conversations with guests from various sectors.
