Hong Kong’s newest Cantopop sensation, Honey Punch, is set to electrify audiences at the upcoming Lantern Festival Star Wishing Carnival in Whampoa on February 28. The six-member girl group will share the stage with popular artists Aska Cheung (張馳豪), Lo Kai-ho (羅啟豪), and iDG Bubbles for a vibrant evening marking the conclusion of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
The rising ensemble recently shared lively anecdotes about their festive traditions and preparations, offering fans a glimpse into their holiday routines before they gear up for their highly anticipated performance at the carnival.
Holiday Traditions and Festive Mischief
For the members of Honey Punch, the Lunar New Year is a time for indulgence, family rituals, and clearing out old energy.
Casey, the group’s leader, confessed that the holiday period is her favorite time of year, attributing it to a temporary reprieve from parental scolding. She humorously admitted, “It’s the smoothest time of the year because my parents essentially cannot scold me.” Casey also cautioned against overconsuming mandarin oranges, a popular festive fruit, warning, “We eat a lot of them, but remember not to have too many, or you’ll end up with a stomachache.”
For Colour, the holiday begins abruptly. She described her father’s unmissable tradition: “Every year at 9 AM on the first day of the Lunar New Year, my dad blasts New Year songs loudly to wake me up. He’ll yell, ‘Colour, get up! Happy New Year! Good health!’”
Other members focused on the celebratory aspects. Alma highlighted the joy of receiving lai see (red envelopes) immediately upon waking and greeting her parents, along with indulging in plenty of festive treats. Jacey emphasized the spiritual cleansing aspect, explaining that deep cleaning her home helps “sweep away bad energy and bring in positive vibes” for the year ahead.
Embracing Fortune and Family
Family customs remain central to the group’s celebrations. Keira shared a recurring familial snack saga: “We always buy stacks of melon seeds, but my brother eats them all in two days, so my mom always has to restock them.” She added that the tradition wouldn’t be complete without family dim sum and the annual reunion dinner with grandparents.
Chelsa expressed her deep affection for the chuen hup (traditional candy box), specifically enjoying the ritual of shelling various types of melon seeds while watching television. A unique aspect of her tradition is bathing with pomelo leaves, a custom believed to wash away misfortune and ensure good luck for the rest of the year. She also declared her favorite holiday treat to be White Rabbit candy.
Performance Honors Group’s Debut
The upcoming Star Wishing Carnival will feature extensive festive decorations, providing the perfect ambiance for the group’s performance. Honey Punch expressed collective excitement, particularly noting the visual synergy of the venue’s decor.
“We are so happy and excited,” the group stated. “We will see so many beautiful lanterns, flower tunnels, and these amazing butterfly installations.”
This motif is particularly significant for the nascent group. “The butterflies perfectly match Honey Punch because our first song is called ‘Butterfly Style,’” they explained, suggesting a full-circle moment where their performance will naturally align with the scenic backdrop.
The appearance at the Whampoa carnival serves as a major platform for Honey Punch to connect with a broad audience as they build momentum following their highly successful debut, marking a festive highlight as Hong Kong closes out the annual Lunar New Year festivities.
