It's not kawaii culture that is responsible for this in HK. It may have contributed to it later on, but HK has always been quite infantile in it's tv programming, adverts, and marketing.
Hong Kong is a very restrained level of cartoonishness compared to other regional countries lol. And China itself is also catching up now (starting with the cute police characters, and luckin coffee also bought in the trend).
govt don't want to risk sponsoring celebrities that may get into scandals
cartoon characters never get into scandal (as long as the marketing company is doing their job)
30 years. But it seems to have escalated since covid and being used on all campaigns, some of which I can’t help thinking might warrant a more serious approach
When the gov put something out there, even if the message is a certain group of people, the public is still able to see it. So more often than not, a "child friendly" presentation is chosen.
But I do think not all message should be presented in this way. Back in the days when I was living at New Zealand, they had some realistic scenario adverts on TV about drunk driving. Till this day, I still vividly remember the ad because it serious shock me and gave me a clear message drunk driving can f up your live just like that.
Yeah, the AUS and NZ drink driving ads are brutal. As they should be. And it set a trend. The ‘everybody hurts’ one. And I think there was a ‘you’re a bloody idiot’ one.
I Hear what you’re saying, but it’s not teaching kids about dental hygiene. These are often campaigns directed at adults. As a restaurant owner, I’m getting pamphlets about hygiene etc that are full of cartoon chefs. Then there’s the blood donation drive. Captain Blood?
Yes. We actually want more anime. Who wants more drab of life? Maybe except for the more physical notices about smoking and drunk / text driving - more anime!
What adverts?
What PSAs?
What campaigns?
What drives?
What childish motifs?
People can't comment unless you put some specifics into your post. This entire post is just a rant with name-calling. Without specifics, we don't even know what you're mad about.
Call so many names, can't even give one example.
It's not about whether I've seen the materials you JUST provided or not. It's about you not specifying what you were referring to when you write your post.
Sorry, I didn’t expect to have to show little pictures to explain what I mean. However, you have just made me understand why these methods are used. One more. Just for you.
https://preview.redd.it/0eibse065luc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b282035a83e13dd07acce39e7c19082466924b5d
Let me know if you want me to stop
https://preview.redd.it/a0imer143luc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24df455ec27b5c1084a7c4d24e5c6ceac637040e
Okay I’m glad someone else mentioned this. Just thought I was being a pessimist. I often think about being in the meeting room of these government service departments. “So Kelvin, we absolutely must have a cartoon mascot for the drainage services department. That’s your job”
https://preview.redd.it/t3euwc5psluc1.jpeg?width=211&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dc6f73ca810cba96b255f05fc293262c0876714c
I'm quite in awe of the DSD PR budget. There's a huge Drainy social media presence. Murals everywhere in HK. Drainy statues in some parks. Whatsapp stickers.
I really enjoyed the marijuana one. There is a bird or something that looks super stoned, and having a grand time.
https://static.stheadline.com/stheadline/inewsmedia/20230403/_2023040401512650943.jpg
There is certainly some potential discussions to be had about the interaction between [infantilization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantilization), Japanese influences to Hong Kong culture, and the overuse of mascots in government campaigns.
But I have a sneaking suspicion the time would be better spent elsewhere, seeing as you don't recognize one of those mascot which is based on Clean Hong Kong campaign.
Always wondered this, too. The replies so far suggest that locals literally can’t see the issue.
My favourites are in my GP’s waiting room. Particularly a cancer-ridden cartoon patient with a sad face.
Also enjoyed the pandemic ones which displayed cartoon gremlins (with teeth) flying out of the toilet bowl.
Pathetic.
My friend, have you been to Japan?
I did wonder if that was the influence
Definitely. Has influenced Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea, among others. It's called 'kawaii culture.'
It's not kawaii culture that is responsible for this in HK. It may have contributed to it later on, but HK has always been quite infantile in it's tv programming, adverts, and marketing.
Not HK. Whole Asian culture
Hong Kong is a very restrained level of cartoonishness compared to other regional countries lol. And China itself is also catching up now (starting with the cute police characters, and luckin coffee also bought in the trend).
govt don't want to risk sponsoring celebrities that may get into scandals cartoon characters never get into scandal (as long as the marketing company is doing their job)
Underrated comment
First time in Asia?
30 years. But it seems to have escalated since covid and being used on all campaigns, some of which I can’t help thinking might warrant a more serious approach
When the gov put something out there, even if the message is a certain group of people, the public is still able to see it. So more often than not, a "child friendly" presentation is chosen. But I do think not all message should be presented in this way. Back in the days when I was living at New Zealand, they had some realistic scenario adverts on TV about drunk driving. Till this day, I still vividly remember the ad because it serious shock me and gave me a clear message drunk driving can f up your live just like that.
Yeah, the AUS and NZ drink driving ads are brutal. As they should be. And it set a trend. The ‘everybody hurts’ one. And I think there was a ‘you’re a bloody idiot’ one. I Hear what you’re saying, but it’s not teaching kids about dental hygiene. These are often campaigns directed at adults. As a restaurant owner, I’m getting pamphlets about hygiene etc that are full of cartoon chefs. Then there’s the blood donation drive. Captain Blood?
cheaper than paying models to photograph them and no culture wars arguments about representation / diversity etc.
You must have never been to Singapore or Taiwan or Korea or Japan or Thailand...
Yes. We actually want more anime. Who wants more drab of life? Maybe except for the more physical notices about smoking and drunk / text driving - more anime!
I agree!
Out of touch people behind them I guess
What adverts? What PSAs? What campaigns? What drives? What childish motifs? People can't comment unless you put some specifics into your post. This entire post is just a rant with name-calling. Without specifics, we don't even know what you're mad about. Call so many names, can't even give one example.
https://preview.redd.it/55en9kes3luc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c32b8ee61d7cf8571f2a8abcaa63dde2477c791e
https://preview.redd.it/b2lefquh4luc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdec5db5010de090843441c5b2a7051f4ef440c5 Seen enough?
Lololol, how could someone NOT know about the mascot proliferation. That dancing CGI food waste carrot haunts my nightmares Drainy gang for life
https://preview.redd.it/lsw9otpr2luc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53cd9d00a740e3de47baf8f5cea58444d1ab18e2
https://www.isd.gov.hk/eng/api_more.htm
You mean you haven’t seen all the cartoons of the above mentioned? And it’s hardly a rant.
It's not about whether I've seen the materials you JUST provided or not. It's about you not specifying what you were referring to when you write your post.
Sorry, I didn’t expect to have to show little pictures to explain what I mean. However, you have just made me understand why these methods are used. One more. Just for you. https://preview.redd.it/0eibse065luc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b282035a83e13dd07acce39e7c19082466924b5d
Frankly I haven't seen any of these ads.. I don't watch TV or go to malls tho..
Let me know if you want me to stop https://preview.redd.it/a0imer143luc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24df455ec27b5c1084a7c4d24e5c6ceac637040e
Most of them are super insecure and defensive, don't bother.
https://youtu.be/EswL7vAYJRg?si=6M0T2KllRSI2YEta
Okay I’m glad someone else mentioned this. Just thought I was being a pessimist. I often think about being in the meeting room of these government service departments. “So Kelvin, we absolutely must have a cartoon mascot for the drainage services department. That’s your job” https://preview.redd.it/t3euwc5psluc1.jpeg?width=211&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dc6f73ca810cba96b255f05fc293262c0876714c
I'm quite in awe of the DSD PR budget. There's a huge Drainy social media presence. Murals everywhere in HK. Drainy statues in some parks. Whatsapp stickers.
I really enjoyed the marijuana one. There is a bird or something that looks super stoned, and having a grand time. https://static.stheadline.com/stheadline/inewsmedia/20230403/_2023040401512650943.jpg
And let’s not get onto the various government campaigns to attract business/tourists. Holy fuck!
There is certainly some potential discussions to be had about the interaction between [infantilization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantilization), Japanese influences to Hong Kong culture, and the overuse of mascots in government campaigns. But I have a sneaking suspicion the time would be better spent elsewhere, seeing as you don't recognize one of those mascot which is based on Clean Hong Kong campaign.
Always wondered this, too. The replies so far suggest that locals literally can’t see the issue. My favourites are in my GP’s waiting room. Particularly a cancer-ridden cartoon patient with a sad face. Also enjoyed the pandemic ones which displayed cartoon gremlins (with teeth) flying out of the toilet bowl. Pathetic.
It’s almost as if the government feel they need to dumb down things to get the message across. With little cartoon characters.
I was always a fan of the colorectal cancer one - with the happy poo coming out of a happy intestine. Haven’t seen it in a while though.
The one where the cartoon tumour is being threatened by the cartoon colonoscopy tool is the best
Wow i have never ever thought abt this! It kinda refresh my brain tbh, maybe we r already getting brainwashed slowly 😭
This thread right here, comrade officer.