China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 103 Week of 1 June 2026
(1) Inaugural Hong Kong Comic Con draws massive crowds and global vendors
Hong Kong Comic Con drew large crowds of fans and big spending collectors to its debut at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, blending major celebrity appearances, popular global franchises and strong merchandise sales. The event also highlighted the city’s push to revive its economy by attracting high profile international cultural showcases.
(2) Shanghai Film Festival Unveils Golden Goblet Competition Selection
The Shanghai International Film Festival has unveiled the full Golden Goblet Awards lineup for its 12 to 21 June edition, with 12 world premiere features in the main competition. Led by jury president Tony Leung Chiu wai, the festival reinforces its role as a major platform for cinematic exchange in Asia.
(3) Toronto Economic and Trade Office Supports 2nd Kung Fu Film Festival, Presenting Seven Screenings of Martial Arts Movies
Hong Kong’s Toronto trade office supported Ontario’s second Kung Fu Film Festival to celebrate the city’s martial arts cinema heritage and deepen cultural ties with Canada. Through seven screenings and an opening ceremony, officials used Hong Kong’s best known film tradition to promote shared values, people to people exchange and its enduring global cultural influence.
(4) Hong Kong-born actress Kaja Chan on her ‘burning desire’ as she rises on TV, video games
Hong Kong born actress Kaja Chan is steadily building a cross platform career in Britain, with roles in Bridgerton, major London theatres and the game Split Fiction. Driven by an ambition formed in childhood, she now hopes to work internationally and eventually help bring a Hong Kong period drama to the screen.
(5) SEVENTEEN’s Vernon and THE 8 to bring ‘V8 LIVE’ concert to Hong Kong
SEVENTEEN members Vernon and THE 8 will bring their new duo project to Hong Kong in July, launching their first V8 LIVE concerts as a unit. With an album expected in June and both artists involved in production, the shows are building anticipation for a more distinct musical identity and strong fan response.
(6) ‘Detective Chinatown’ Helmer Chen Sicheng’s Palliative Comedy ‘Being Towards Death’ U.K.-Bound With Trinity CineAsia
Trinity CineAsia will release Chen Sicheng’s Being Towards Death in selected U.K. Odeon cinemas on 5 June 2026, bringing one of mainland China’s first palliative comedies to British audiences. The film marks a significant change of direction for the director, who is best known for thrillers and the Detective Chinatown franchise.
(7) A Chinese online video streaming platform iQIYI’s AI production platform Nadou Pro surpasses 10,000 creators
A Chinese online video streaming platform iQIYI says its AI production platform, Nadou Pro, has signed up more than 10,000 active creators since launching commercially in April, with the tool already used in over 100 original productions. The rapid uptake supports the company’s wider push to make AI central to content creation and expand creator led distribution globally.
(8) China’s Hisense Adds Spotify Music Streaming App to Connected Televisions
A Chinese electronics and appliances brandHisense has added Spotify to its VIDAA powered smart TVs worldwide, widening the entertainment options available on its connected screens. The move reflects the growing role of televisions as all in one home media hubs, while giving Spotify broader household reach through direct access to music, podcasts and video content.
(9) Veteran Hong Kong actors’ devotion to acting a legacy for the industry
The death of veteran actor Lau Shun has sparked tributes across Hong Kong and mainland China, with many remembering the quiet power he brought to supporting roles. His passing also marks the fading of a generation of performers whose discipline, versatility and craft helped define the golden age of Hong Kong cinema.
(10) ‘King Sir’ Chung King-fai, titan of Hong Kong theatre, dies aged 89
Chung King fai, a towering figure in Hong Kong theatre, has died on 3 June 2026, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the city’s modern performing arts. Revered as a director, actor, educator and mentor, he helped bring global drama to local audiences and trained generations of talent who transformed Hong Kong stage and screen.
(11) Coca-Cola blends Chinese music with FIFA campaign
Coca-Cola has launched its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with JUMP, a new anthem featuring J. Balvin and Liu Yuning. The song marks the brand’s first Chinese language World Cup anthem in 12 years, blending global pop production with Chinese musical elements to drive fan engagement ahead of the tournament.
(12) French Company Mediawan, China manufacturer BYD Unveil Special ‘Miraculous Chibi’ Episode
Mediawan and BYD have launched the first project from their new entertainment partnership with a branded Miraculous Chibi episode released on YouTube. Backed by a major investment, the alliance will weave BYD vehicles into future screen projects, reflecting both companies’ global ambitions in media, branding and consumer culture.
(13) The fascinating life of Hong Kong musician/actor Anders Nelsson, who once fought Bruce Lee
As Anders Nelsson nears 80, his life mirrors Hong Kong’s own transformation. Musician, actor, producer and promoter, he has spent decades shaping the city’s cultural scene, from chart success and film roles to major concert tours, all while embodying the resilience, reinvention and restless energy that define Hong Kong.
(1) Inaugural Hong Kong Comic Con draws massive crowds and global vendors
(Photo Credit: Dickson Lee)
Pop culture fans and high-spending consumers packed the show floor at the Convention and Exhibition Centre for the debut edition of Hong Kong Comic Con. The three-day exhibition, which concluded on Sunday, features a vast array of local and international animated properties, rare collectibles, and convention-exclusive merchandise. The launch comes as Hong Kong aggressively seeks to attract premier global cultural events and exhibitions to boost its economy following years of pandemic-related disruptions.
The event’s high-profile appeal is underscored by its star-studded lineup, headlined by Hollywood actors Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Lloyd. On the crowded show floor, giant statues of Japanese hits like Dragon Ball and One Piece share space with a bustling artist alley, interactive digital zones, and dedicated cosplay areas. Attendees, including local families and cross-border travellers from mainland China, dressed up as characters ranging from the Spider-Man universe to American web series like RWBY, contributing to a highly vibrant visual spectacle.
The intense fan passion has fueled massive optimism among international vendors and digital entertainment exhibitors. Shanghai-based intellectual property companies reported explosive promotional engagement, while independent local animation studios like Point Five Creations exceeded sales expectations. For overseas startups, the global nature of the convention has served as a critical testing ground. South Korean animation studio NIUSN selected the event to debut GEMBIT, an AI-designed virtual idol group, using Hong Kong’s diverse audience to gauge the broader Greater China animation market.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3355431/inaugural-hong-kong-comic-con-draws-massive-crowds-and-global-vendors?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
(2) Shanghai Film Festival Unveils Golden Goblet Competition Selection
(Photo Credit: Shanghai International Film Festival)
The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), scheduled to run from 12 to 21 June 2026, has revealed the complete competition slate for its coveted Golden Goblet Awards. The lineup spans five major filmmaking tracks: Main Competition (Fiction), Asian New Talent, Documentary, Animation, and Short Films. Guided by the China Film Administration, the event serves as one of the region’s largest platforms for international cinematic exchange.
The centerpiece Main Competition features 12 world premiere feature films representing 15 countries and territories. High-profile entries include Indonesia’s My Own Last Supper, Turkey’s Night of Blindness, and Germany’s dual entries Superbuhei and The Miserable Mother. The host nation is heavily represented by local titles Atlantic Rhapsody and The Great Skull, alongside a highly anticipated mainland-Hong Kong co-production, Secret in the Box, directed by Frankie Tam Gong-Yuen.
Evaluating the main slate is an elite seven-member jury led by jury president and acclaimed Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai. Joining him on the panel are prominent industry figures including Chinese director Guan Hu, Mexican filmmaker Fernanda Valadez, and Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha.
News Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/shanghai-film-festival-golden-goblet-competition-selection-2026-1236762988/
(3) Toronto Economic and Trade Office Supports 2nd Kung Fu Film Festival, Presenting Seven Screenings of Martial Arts Movies
(Illustration Credit: HKSAR Government Press Release)
Hong Kong’s Toronto Economic and Trade office (“ETO”) backed the second Kung Fu Film Festival in Ontario over the weekend, using the event to celebrate the city’s martial arts cinema legacy and its lasting impact on global film culture.
The festival staged seven screenings in Richmond Hill and Scarborough on 30 and 31 May 2026, showcasing a mix of classic and contemporary Hong Kong martial arts films. To mark the opening, the Toronto office hosted a ceremony in Richmond Hill attended by organisers, cultural figures, business representatives and public officials, including members of the local Hong Kong and Chinese communities.
At the event, Toronto ETO director Bill Wong said the office aimed not only to strengthen economic ties between Hong Kong and Canada, but also to build closer people to people links through arts and culture. He said kung fu films offered more than entertainment, reflecting values such as respect, perseverance and character that Hong Kong seeks to promote.
The two day programme featured seven titles: The Shadow’s Edge, The Way of the Dragon, Ip Man 4, Stuntman, Born to Defence, Blades of the Guardians and I Am What I Am 2. By supporting the festival, Hong Kong officials sought to use one of the city’s most recognisable cultural exports to engage Canadian audiences and reinforce the international appeal of its film heritage.
(4) Hong Kong-born actress Kaja Chan on her ‘burning desire’ as she rises on TV, video games
(Photo Credit: BBC)
Hong Kong born actress Kaja Chan is building an increasingly varied screen and stage career in Britain, driven by a determination she says has shaped her life since childhood. Now based in London, the 25 year old has appeared in Netflix’s Bridgerton, performed at major venues including the Royal Court Theatre and the Old Vic, and earned recognition in gaming through her work on Split Fiction.
Born to a Polish mother and Chinese father, Chan grew up in Sha Tin and Tai Po and first discovered her passion for acting as a child in Hong Kong. Although an early school play was cancelled, she said the disappointment only strengthened her resolve. She later balanced school with youth arts projects before moving to the UK in 2018 to study media and communications. While originally considering journalism, she continued auditioning and secured an agent before graduating.
Chan says she is especially drawn to projects that connect with her cultural background, including the London play Scenes from a Repatriation. She also values roles that stretch her across different forms, from television to voice acting and motion capture.
Looking ahead, Chan hopes to keep working internationally and one day help bring a period drama set in Hong Kong to life, whether as an actor, writer or director.
(5) SEVENTEEN’s Vernon and THE 8 to bring ‘V8 LIVE’ concert to Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
A leading South Korean boy group SEVENTEEN members Vernon and THE 8 are set to bring their new unit project to Hong Kong this July, as the pair prepare to launch their first “V8 LIVE” concerts and begin activities as a duo.
According to a newly released tour poster, the two artists will stage performances in Goyang and Hong Kong under the banner “2026 VERNON THE 8 [V8] LIVE”. The Hong Kong dates are scheduled for 18 and 19 July 2026 at AsiaWorld-Expo Hall 10, following the opening shows in Goyang on 11 and 12 July 2026.
The concerts mark the official start of Vernon and THE 8’s new sub unit under SEVENTEEN, adding to a growing list of unit projects from the group. Previous pairings and spin offs have already built strong fan interest, and this latest combination is drawing attention for the performers’ distinct styles and onstage chemistry.
The duo are aiming to release an album in June and have been closely involved in the project from the planning stage, including taking part in the overall song production process. That has added to expectations that the release will showcase a more defined artistic identity for the unit.
Ticketing arrangements, seating plans and fan benefits for the Hong Kong shows have not yet been announced, with further details expected later from the organisers.
News Source: https://variety.com/2026/global/news/china-box-office-dear-you-mandalorian-grogu-1236758145/
(6) ‘Detective Chinatown’ Helmer Chen Sicheng’s Palliative Comedy ‘Being Towards Death’ U.K.-Bound With Trinity CineAsia
(Photo Credit: Variety)
Trinity CineAsia is a UK distributor that specializes in releasing Chinese and broader Asian cinema in the UK and Europe. It has acquired the U.K. distribution rights to Being Towards Death, the latest film from Detective Chinatown director Chen Sicheng, with the Mandarin language feature set to open at selected Odeon cinemas on 5 June 2026.
The rights were secured from Blossoms Entertainment after the film screened in the main competition at the Beijing International Film Festival and premiered in mainland China on 1 May 2026. The release marks another U.K. push for Chinese cinema, but the film itself stands out for a different reason. It represents a notable creative turn for Chen, who is best known for commercially successful suspense films and franchise work.
Described as one of mainland China’s first palliative comedies, Being Towards Death follows Xiaobing, a debt burdened man who survives a suicide attempt and takes a job supporting patients in a cancer ward. What begins as a practical arrangement gradually becomes something more personal as he becomes involved in the patients’ final wishes, leading to a road trip in a converted ambulance.
The cast includes Jiang Long, Qi Xi and Yang Chaoyue, with veteran actor Ni Dahong and comedian Cai Ming in special roles. For Trinity CineAsia, the acquisition reflects confidence that Chen’s shift into comedy drama can find an audience beyond China.
News Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/chen-sicheng-being-towards-death-uk-trinity-cineasia-1236762053/
(7) A Chinese online video streaming platform iQIYI’s AI production platform Nadou Pro surpasses 10,000 creators
(Photo provided to China Daily)
A Chinese online video streaming platform iQIYI has revealed that its newly launched AI production suite, Nadou Pro, has onboarded more than 10,000 active creators since opening for commercial use on 20 April 2026. The platform has rapidly integrated into the streaming service’s content pipeline, supporting over 100 original iQIYI productions within its first 30 days. Covered genres include science fiction, wuxia (martial arts fantasy), thrillers, and short-form dramas. Notable early adoptions include all 16 titles for the upcoming “Peter Pau × iQIYI AI Theater,” developed in collaboration with the Academy Award-winning cinematographer.
Nadou Pro is designed to bridge the quality gap in long-form AIGC (AI-Generated Content) by handling end-to-end workflows. It integrates nearly 30 base model capabilities with roughly 70 specialized AI agents. This structure manages tasks from scriptwriting and storyboarding to editing and final rendering.
The tool’s rapid adoption coincides with a broader strategic overhaul. iQIYI Founder and CEO Gong Yu stated during a recent earnings call that the platform aims for AI to power the bulk of its films and shows within the next five years, pivoting toward a decentralized, creator-driven distribution network. To incentivize adoption, iQIYI is offering AI creators an additional 20% subsidy on advertising and membership revenue shares through the end of 2026. Global expansion is also underway, with foundational English-language operations live via Nadou.ai in Canada, Singapore, and Brazil.
News Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202605/28/WS6a1805c7a310d6866eb4b3d1.html
(8) China’s Hisense Adds Spotify Music Streaming App to Connected Televisions
A Chinese electronics and appliances brandHisense has expanded the entertainment offering on its connected televisions by adding Spotify to its lineup of available apps, giving users direct access to the world’s largest subscription music and podcast streaming platform through VIDAA powered smart TVs.
Spotify said the service now reaches 761 million users, including 293 million paying subscribers across 184 markets, underlining the scale of the audience Hisense could tap through the partnership. The app is now available globally on Hisense smart TVs that run on the VIDAA system in all territories where Spotify already operates.
Hisense said the move reflects the growing role of smart televisions as central hubs for home entertainment, as consumers increasingly use large screens not only for films and television series but also for streaming music, podcasts and video content. Rob Andrews, head of strategy and go to market at Hisense UK, said the shift in viewing habits had made the television screen a more important gateway for digital media services.
Spotify also framed the launch as a way to expand its presence in households around the world. Ian Geller, the company’s vice president of business development, said the rollout would give both new and existing users easier access to Spotify’s catalogue of songs, podcasts and video content through their television screens.
News Source: https://www.mediaplaynews.com/chinas-hisense-adds-spotify-music-streaming-app-to-connected-televisions/
(9) Veteran Hong Kong actors’ devotion to acting a legacy for the industry
(Photo Credit: Liu Xiangya / GT)
The death of veteran Hong Kong actor Lau Shun at 87 has prompted a wave of remembrance across Hong Kong and mainland China, where audiences revisited the many supporting roles that made him such a familiar and admired screen presence. Though he was rarely cast as a leading man, Lau earned lasting respect through richly detailed performances that gave weight, texture and humanity to every film he entered.
He belonged to a generation that helped define the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. Actors like Lau, Cheng Pei-pei, Leung Siu-lung and Ng Man-tat did not rely on celebrity culture or carefully manufactured stardom. Instead, they built their reputations through discipline, technical skill and complete commitment to the craft, often drawing on backgrounds in opera, martial arts and stage performance.
What made these veterans special was their willingness to elevate every role, no matter how small. Lau could move naturally between comic, villainous and dignified characters, while Cheng Pei-pei brought both elegance and force to wuxia and later character roles. Leung Siu-lung likewise embodied an older style of martial arts performance rooted in physical precision rather than spectacle.
Their passing marks more than personal loss. It signals the gradual fading of an era in which Hong Kong cinema was shaped not only by stars, but by a deep bench of dedicated character actors whose craftsmanship gave its films enduring soul.
News Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1362503.shtml
(10) ‘King Sir’ Chung King-fai, titan of Hong Kong theatre, dies aged 89
(Photo Credit: Handout)
Chung King-fai, widely celebrated as the founding father of modern Hong Kong theatre, passed away peacefully at home on 3 June 2026. His nephew confirmed the news through broadcaster TVB, prompting a wave of tributes from the city’s arts community and government officials, including Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, who described his passing as a “tremendous loss to Hong Kong’s performing arts sector.”
Chung leaves behind a towering legacy as a pioneer who modernized the local dramatic arts. After making history as the only Asian student in his 1962 Yale School of Drama class, he returned to Hong Kong and became a vital conduit for Western literature. He was the first to stage Cantonese-adapted Broadway musicals and post-war Theatre of the Absurd productions. Over his multi-decade career, he directed and performed in more than a hundred landmark stage plays, including Death of a Salesman, Equus, and Tuesdays with Morrie, earning 11 Hong Kong Drama Awards.
Beyond his creative achievements, “King Sir” was an unmatched industry builder. He founded TVB’s legendary Artiste Training Class in 1971, personally nurturing its earliest cohorts, which included future superstar Chow Yun-fat, and went on to serve as the founding Dean of Drama at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from 1985 to 2001. His lifelong contributions were officially recognized by the government with the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2013.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3355785/king-sir-chung-king-fai-titan-hong-kong-theatre-dead-89?pgtype=live
(11) Coca-Cola blends Chinese music with FIFA campaign
(Photo Credit: Coca Cola)
Coca-Cola has officially launched its marketing campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the release of “JUMP,” the brand’s official tournament anthem. Developed in strategic partnership with Tencent Music Entertainment Group, the high-profile musical campaign features both a global cut and a specialized Chinese-language adaptation. The cross-cultural track stars global reggaeton icon J. Balvin alongside popular actor, singer, and Coca-Cola brand ambassador Liu Yuning.
Marking Coca-Cola’s first Chinese-language FIFA World Cup campaign anthem in 12 years, “JUMP” is an ambitious reinterpretation of the classic Van Halen rock anthem of the same name. To bridge international pop culture with regional heritage, the track boasts an elite global production team, featuring legendary guitarist Steve Vai and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. The final arrangement layers traditional Chinese instruments, including the pipa, guzheng, Tang drum, and erhu, directly alongside electric guitars and modern percussion, topped off with a contemporary rap verse by Liu Yuning.
The track has simultaneously rolled out across major domestic and international digital streaming applications, including QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. According to Coca-Cola, the entertainment-led initiative underscores its long-standing partnership with FIFA, utilizing music as a universal vehicle for global connection, fan engagement, and cultural exchange ahead of the tournament kick-off.
News Source: https://marketingreport.one/creation/coca-cola-blends-chinese-music-with-fifa-campaign.html
(12) French Company Mediawan, China manufacturer BYD Unveil Special ‘Miraculous Chibi’ Episode
(Photo Credit: Mediawan, BYD)
European media company Mediawan and Chinese automotive giant BYD have officially unveiled the inaugural project from their newly formed international entertainment alliance. The collaboration debuts with a special episode of the globally popular digital animated spin-off series Miraculous Chibi, titled “Watt a Dream Date!” Released worldwide on YouTube, the episode centers on the franchise’s main character, Marinette, as she drives the brand-new BYD Dolphin Surf electric city car through a chaotic, slapstick race across Paris to meet her date.
The high-profile branding initiative is backed by a substantial financial injection believed to be well over 15 million euros. The deal establishes a long-term cross-industry framework where BYD vehicles will be natively integrated into future Mediawan film and television properties. This agreement includes a prominent product placement slot in the upcoming Miraculous theatrical feature film alongside several original formats specifically inspired by the automotive manufacturer. To cement the partnership, the companies also hosted the inaugural Build Your Dream Award at the Cannes Film Festival, which saw Ukrainian filmmaker Zhanna Ozirna take home the top prize for her marital drama Honeymoon.
The creative integration arrives at a high point for both corporations. BYD has recently overtaken Tesla as the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer. Meanwhile, Mediawan continues to expand its vast global production footprint, which encompasses over 100 subsidiary companies and delivers 400 titles annually, including acclaimed hits like Slow Horses and Call My Agent!.
News Source: https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/mediawan-byd-special-miraculous-chibi-episode-1236764832/
(13) The fascinating life of Hong Kong musician/actor Anders Nelsson, who once fought Bruce Lee
(Photo Credit: Eugene Lee /SCMP)
As Anders Nelsson approaches his 80th birthday on 10 June 2026, his life story reads like a parallel history of modern Hong Kong. Since arriving in the city in 1950 as the young son of Swedish missionaries, the California born performer has worn many hats, including musician, singer-songwriter, actor, composer, concert promoter and record producer, while building a career as varied and restless as the city around him.
Fluent in Cantonese and still creatively active, Nelsson has spent decades at the center of Hong Kong’s cultural life. He helped shape local musical tastes through multiple eras, scored chart success with bands such as The Kontinentals, worked as an entertainment columnist and later became a promoter who brought international stars including Elton John and Bob Dylan to the city. He also stepped into film after a chance meeting with Bruce Lee led to his screen debut in The Way of the Dragon.
Yet Nelsson’s story is about more than a list of achievements. It reflects the qualities that have long defined Hong Kong itself: resilience, reinvention and a willingness to seize opportunity. Even now, he continues to perform, compose and support community projects, still driven less by grand strategy than by instinct, curiosity and an enduring gift for being in the right place at the right time.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3355632/fascinating-life-hong-kong-musician/actor-anders-nelsson-who-once-fought-bruce-lee?pgtype=live
