Hong Kong – The long-running musical “Our Youth Diary” is approaching its 800th performance, a milestone celebrated with a special concert at a shopping mall this week. Artistic director Tom Chen, leading the cast, marked the occasion as the show prepares to expand its reach beyond Hong Kong.
The concert, hosted by the production company Explosion Theatre, featured principal cast members alongside guest performers including Koo Bo-wai, Raymond Wong, Sam Shum, and Windy Chim. During the event, veteran actress Koo Bo-wai revealed she initially committed to only 10 performances in 2019, reluctant to repeat the same role. “I worried about getting bored,” she told the audience. “Even the long-run version I agreed to was only 40 shows.” Yet she has since performed the role over 160 times and become a fixture of the production.
Asked what changed her mind, Koo said: “It’s the work itself—the script, the songs, the production quality. I never tire of it. As long as Tom doesn’t mind, I’ll keep performing until I’m 90.”
Chen, the show’s 28-year-old artistic director, used the concert to announce a major expansion. Three spin-off musicals—titled “Ko’s Coffee’s Last Hour,” “Nancy’s Love Chat Show,” and “Yan Tak Storm”—will launch an overseas tour in October. The productions, derived from characters and storylines in “Our Youth Diary,” are scheduled for over 120 performances across six months, traveling to multiple cities outside Hong Kong.
“This is a milestone for Cantonese musical theater,” Chen said. “We are bringing original Hong Kong productions to new audiences.” Specific tour locations and cast lineups for each spin-off will be announced at a later date.
“Our Youth Diary,” a musical about love, friendship, and ambition among young Hongkongers, premiered in 2019 and has since become one of the city’s longest-running stage productions. Its success has been credited to a strong score and relatable themes that resonate across generations.
For Koo, the journey from reluctant guest star to permanent cast member reflects the show’s enduring appeal. “It’s rare in this industry to find a piece that feels fresh every night,” she said. “The audience’s energy keeps us going.”
The upcoming tour signals a strategic push to export Hong Kong’s performing arts to regional markets, following similar moves by other local theater groups in recent years. Industry observers say the move could help sustain the city’s live entertainment sector, which has faced challenges from shifting audience habits and rising production costs.
What this means for theatergoers: Fans of the original musical can expect new storylines featuring familiar characters, while international audiences will get a taste of Cantonese musical theater. Ticket details and tour schedules are expected in the coming months.
As “Our Youth Diary” approaches its 800th show, its creator and cast are looking ahead. “We’ve built a community around this show,” Chen said. “The next chapter is just beginning.”
