China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 116 Week of 31 August 2026
(1) Afterpiece Marked the Opening of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Kuala Lumpur
Afterpiece, directed by Malaysian-born Keane Wong, served as the opening film of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Kuala Lumpur, marking a meaningful homecoming for the director.
(2) Hong Kong Entertainment and Media Industry Revenue Projected to Reach US$15 Billion by 2030
According to PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2026-2030 report, the local entertainment and media industry’s revenue is expected to rise from US$13 billion in 2025 to US$15 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.7 per cent.
(3) Yau Ma Tei Theatre to Reopen in First Quarter of Next Year as Venue for Traditional Chinese Opera
The Grade II historic Yau Ma Tei Theatre, closed since 2022 for Phase 2 expansion works, is scheduled to reopen in the first quarter of 2027 to provide performance, rehearsal and training facilities for traditional Chinese opera.
(4) Fully AI-Generated Drama Beyond Wukong Premieres with 30 Episodes of 40 Minutes Each
The fully AI-generated long-form drama Beyond Wukong began broadcasting on 31 August 2026. The first season comprises 30 episodes, each 40 minutes long, and is the first AI long drama to air in a provincial satellite TV prime-time slot.
(5) TRENDY TAIPEI Tech-Music Interactive Exhibition inviting public to experience Urban Music Culture
The free TRENDY TAIPEI Tech-Music Interactive Exhibition opened at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, offering interactive installations that map Taipei’s music scene through technology.
(6) Ella Chen Staged Two Nights in Nanchang, celebrating S.H.E.’s 25th Anniversary
Ella Chen performed two consecutive nights in Nanchang as part of her It’s Me Ella’s Idea World Tour, with fans using the occasion to mark the 25th anniversary of S.H.E.’s formation.
(7) Jolin Tsai and Faye Wong Lead Nominations at the 4th Wave Music Awards
The 4th Wave Music Awards nomination list features strong showings by Jolin Tsai and Faye Wong, with the ceremony scheduled for 6 September.
(8) G.E.M.’s Sci-Fi Novel The Path of Revelation Nominated for Galaxy Awards
G.E.M.’s debut science-fiction novel The Path of Revelation has been nominated for Best Original Book at the 37th Galaxy Awards, China’s leading science-fiction honour.
(9) Priscilla Chan Concludes Nine-Month Mainland Tour, Resonating with Cantonese Fans
Veteran singer Priscilla Chan wrapped up a nine-month mainland China tour, with her Cantonese repertoire consistently drawing strong emotional responses and collective singing from audience across multiple cities.
(10) Fan Bingbing Receives Special Tribute Award at Toronto International Film Festival
Actress Fan Bingbing was honoured with a Special Tribute Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in recognition of her distinctive screen presence and career contributions to international cinema.
(11) Bruno Mars Hong Kong Tour Dates Officially Announced with Special Guests
Global pop star Bruno Mars has officially confirmed Hong Kong concert dates, with local promoters revealing the special guest line-up and generating strong early interest among fans.
(12) HKITDA Art-Tech Concert Held at Cyberport, Spotlighting AI Creation Trends
The Hong Kong Innovative Technology Development Association (HKITDA) presented an Art-Tech Concert at Cyberport as part of the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026, focusing on new trends in AI-assisted creative production and the fusion of technology with live performance.
(1) Afterpiece Marked the Opening of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Kuala Lumpur
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
Afterpiece, produced by Derek Yee and starring Stephen Fung, Angela Yuen and Myolie Wu, was selected as the opening film of the Asia Film Awards Academy’s Hong Kong Gala Presentation in Kuala Lumpur. Director Keane Wong and lead actress Angela Yuen attended the opening ceremony and post-screening discussion, engaging directly with Malaysian audience.
For Wong, who grew up in Ipoh before moving to Hong Kong at 16 to study filmmaking, the screening represented a personal homecoming. More than 40 relatives and friends travelled from various parts of Malaysia to support the event. The film received funding support from Hong Kong’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund under the Directors’ Succession Scheme.
Audience responded enthusiastically to the film’s complex “play-within-a-play” structure and Angela Yuen’s breakthrough performance. Wong expressed particular gratitude to the Asia Film Awards Academy and CCIDA for enabling the work to reach regional viewers.
The showcase featured six recent Hong Kong titles and included campus talks and industry exchanges, reinforcing efforts to promote Hong Kong cinema across Southeast Asia.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202608/28/AP6a909862e4b0c1e5002681b9.html
(2) Hong Kong Entertainment and Media Industry Revenue Projected to Reach US$15 Billion by 2030
(Photo Credit: HKCNA)
PwC forecasts that the over-the-top (OTT) video segment will expand at a CAGR of 6.8 per cent, with revenue rising from US$345 million to US$479 million. Internet advertising is projected to grow at 6.5 per cent CAGR, while the music market is expected to expand at approximately 5.8 per cent. Cinema box-office revenue is forecast to grow at 3.7 per cent CAGR, from US$145 million to US$173 million.
The projected 3.7 per cent CAGR slightly exceeds the global average of 3.4 per cent for the same period. Growth is expected to be driven primarily by streaming video and internet advertising.
PwC China Media Industry Leader Cecilia Yau noted that listed entertainment and media companies in Hong Kong continue to face challenges, and that AI is dispersing some revenue toward smaller companies and individual creators. She said the industry needs to explore new revenue models and monetisation methods. Traditional television and print media are not expected to disappear entirely; television may integrate further with streaming, while print retains a base of supporters.
The report also observed that AI is already being used to improve efficiency in areas such as editing, subtitling, content recommendation and advertising production, while human creativity remains essential for content that resonates with audience.
News Source: https://www.hkcna.hk/h5/docDetail.jsp?id=101412882&channel=2803
(3) Yau Ma Tei Theatre to Reopen in First Quarter of Next Year as Venue for Traditional Chinese Opera
(Illustration Credit: Sing Tao)
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) informed the Yau Tsim Mong District Council that construction of both the lower block and the new six-storey upper block has been completed. Fitting-out works and system testing are underway and are expected to finish within 2026, allowing public reopening in the first quarter of 2027.
The lower block serves as an extension of the original theatre lobby and will operate daily from 1 pm to 8 pm, extended to 11 pm on evenings with performances. The upper block houses rehearsal and practice rooms and will open from 9 am to 10 pm, in line with other LCSD performing-arts ancillary facilities.
The theatre, completed in 1930 and one of the few remaining pre-war cinema buildings in urban Hong Kong, was revitalised in 2012 together with the neighbouring Red Brick Building into a dedicated venue for traditional Chinese opera. It has focused on providing performance, rehearsal and training spaces for emerging Cantonese opera artists and troupes.
LCSD stated that activities at the venue will continue to be limited to Chinese opera performances and related programmes, aiming to ease demand for suitable performance venues and to support the long-term development of Cantonese opera through improved facilities.
(4) Fully AI-Generated Drama Beyond Wukong Premieres with 30 Episodes of 40 Minutes Each
(Photo Credit: Phoenix News Media)
Produced by Mango TV with the participation of its AIGC Innovation Content Centre, Beyond Wukong is a mythological series adapted from the Ming-Qing dynasty novel of the same name, widely regarded as one of the three major sequels to Journey to the West. The story is set 1,080 years after Sun Wukong attains Buddhahood. The true scriptures have become incomplete and subject to misinterpretation by the world. A new stone monkey, Sun Xiaosheng, is born on Mount Huaguo just as the mountain’s ten elders mysteriously disappear. He later joins Tang Banji, Zhu Yijie and Sha Mi on a renewed journey westward to retrieve and restore the scriptures.
The first five episodes, forming the “Mount Huaguo” arc, premiered on Mango TV and Hunan Satellite TV’s prime-time drama slot on 31 August 2026. The series is also available in the platform’s large-screen on-demand section. Membership rules allow SVIP viewers early access to three episodes and ordinary VIP members access to two episodes. It is the first fully AI-generated long drama to be broadcast in a traditional television prime-time slot in China.
The production employs a full AIGC workflow for characters, scenes and visuals, with no live-action filming or human performers. Visual design draws on traditional Chinese paintings and involved professional historical consultants to ensure period and stylistic accuracy, aiming for a cinematic quality rather than low-cost effects. The series is also the first long drama approved under post-“Guangdian 21 Articles” rules to adopt a “produce while reviewing, review while broadcasting” model. Completed episodes are submitted for review in batches, and subsequent content can be adjusted according to regulatory feedback and audience response.
News Source: https://tech.ifeng.com/c/8w1xwGjPUye
(5) TRENDY TAIPEI Tech-Music Interactive Exhibition inviting public to experience Urban Music Culture
(Photo Credit: OCAC News)
Running from 27 August to 6 September at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the exhibition forms part of the broader 2026 Trendy Taipei Festival. It features three interactive zones curated with input from electronic-music collective The Cave and nine music producers.
Visitors can explore a data wall of more than 1,700 recent Taipei music events, generate sounds through facial-expression sensors, and unlock AR landmarks across the city linked to major music venues. A special “Trendy Bus” service with onboard DJs connects key cultural sites on selected weekends.
Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua and Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs Tsai Shih-Ping attended the opening, encouraging public participation. Lin highlighted the exhibition’s interactive appeal, such as creating music with expressions and experiencing DJ-ing, and welcomed the public to explore a different side of Taipei.
The initiative reflects Taipei’s strategy of integrating music, technology and city branding to position itself as a vibrant East Asian cultural hub. The exhibition is free and designed to turn passive listening into active creation and urban exploration.
News Source: https://ocacnews.net/article/430848
(6) Ella Chen Staged Two Nights in Nanchang, celebrating S.H.E.’s 25th Anniversary
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
Ella Chen staged back-to-back concerts at Nanchang International Sports Center on 29 and 30 August. Strong ticket demand led to a second show being added after the original date sold out quickly.
The setlist balanced solo material with multiple S.H.E.-era hits, including a high-energy medley of “SHERO”, “Persian Cat,” “Don’t Want to Grow Up” and others. Fans responded with collective singing and anniversary messages, creating an atmosphere of shared nostalgia.
During an interactive segment, one audience member publicly wished for an S.H.E. reunion concert; Ella’s warm but non-committal reply fuelled further speculation among long-time supporters.
The Nanchang stops formed part of Ella’s ongoing mainland tour and demonstrated the enduring emotional connection many Chinese-speaking audience maintain with the group’s catalogue two and a half decades after its debut.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202608/31/AP6a956539e4b0c1e50026f87c.html
(7) Jolin Tsai and Faye Wong Lead Nominations at the 4th Wave Music Awards
(Photo Credit: TVBS News)
Jolin Tsai and Faye Wong are among the major nominees for the 4th Wave Music Awards, with the full shortlist drawing strong attention ahead of the September ceremony.
Jolin received five nominations for her album Pleasure, including categories for album, production and female artist. Faye earned nominations for “What the World Gifted Me” in major song and production categories, while her daughter Leah Dou has been nominated for Best Pop Song with fruit fly. This marks the first time the mother-daughter pair have both been nominated in the same mainstream music awards, generating significant discussion.
Other notable nominees include David Tao, who also secured five nominations for “STUPID POP SONGS”, as well as a broad slate of established and emerging artists across pop, R&B, indie and regional-language categories. The awards, organised with input from a large professional jury, emphasise artistic quality in composition, arrangement, production and performance rather than pure commercial metrics.
The 4th Wave Music Awards ceremony is scheduled for 6 September and is expected to be widely livestreamed. The nomination list has already generated extensive discussion among Chinese-speaking audience about generational continuity, cross-strait and regional representation, and the evolving standards of excellence in Mandopop and broader Chinese-language music.
News Source: https://news.tvbs.com.tw/entertainment/music/4015316
(8) G.E.M.’s Sci-Fi Novel The Path of Revelation Nominated for Galaxy Awards
The 37th Galaxy Awards shortlist includes G.E.M.’s first full-length novel The Path of Revelation in the Best Original Book category.
The book, published in 2025 and inspired by her earlier album Revelation, explores themes of artificial intelligence, consciousness and parallel realities across more than 200,000 words. The story weaves together the virtual worlds of “Paradise” and “Wasteland” with reality, creating a complex sci-fi universe.
G.E.M. responded to the news by stating that she would continue to love creating, whether in music or writing, and described herself as a “debut writer” who felt extremely happy about the recognition. The novel had already achieved strong commercial sales upon release.
The Galaxy Awards, established in 1985, are widely regarded as the highest honour in Chinese science fiction. Final results will be announced in mid-September in Zigong, Sichuan, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of The Three-Body Problem.
The nomination represents a notable crossover moment between popular music and literary science fiction in the Chinese cultural sphere and highlights the expanding creative range of artists who move fluidly between different media.
News Source: https://www.jfdaily.com/staticsg/res/html/web/newsDetail.html?id=1169018
(9) Priscilla Chan Concludes Nine-Month Mainland Tour, Resonating with Cantonese Fans
(Photo Credit: Dotdotnews)
Cantopop diva Priscilla Chan recently brought her “The Fabulous 40” tour in mainland China to a spectacular close at the Foshan GBA International Sports and Cultural Center. This final performance marked the end of her musical journey that spanned 17 cities, lasted nearly nine months, and included a total of 29 shows. The tour was a celebration of her four-decade-long career.
The Foshan finale was filled with surprises, as Chan specially prepared a secret setlist for local fans. She performed Unexpected Infatuation again after over a year, and this exclusive encore instantly ignited the audience’s emotions, becoming the most touching highlight of the final show. The performance demonstrated her deep connection with her fans.
Notably, an overwhelming majority of the setlist throughout the tour consisted of Cantonese songs, a rare choice in the Mandarin-dominated market. However, from north to south of China, fans in every city, regardless of whether they understood Cantonese, were able to sing along to every word. This feat proves her unique status as one of the few Hong Kong female singers who can sell out arenas across China relying almost entirely on Cantonese music.
Following the conclusion of the mainland tour, Chan is scheduled to continue her performances overseas. From November to December of this year, she will bring her classic Cantonese hits to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, taking her iconic voice to even more fans around the world.
News Source: https://www.dotdotnews.com/s/202609/01/AP6a96bc35e4b02724bdb31c66.html
(10) Fan Bingbing Receives Special Tribute Award at Toronto International Film Festival
(Photo Credit: Dotdotnews)
The 51st Toronto International Film Festival announced that Chinese actress Fan Bingbing will receive the Special Tribute Award. She will share this honor with Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren and Canadian actor Seth Rogen. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 13, recognizing their outstanding contributions to cinema.
The festival’s CEO, Cameron Bailey, praised the honorees, stating that both Helen Mirren and Fan Bingbing delivered bold and captivating performances at this year’s festival. He noted that their work has further enriched their already iconic careers. Fan Bingbing’s studio subsequently shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude for the recognition of her 30-year journey and dedication to cinematic art.
During the festival, Fan Bingbing will be present in Toronto to present her new film, Diary of a Mad Old Man. The film is directed by Wayne Wang, known for The Joy Luck Club, and is an adaptation of the classic novel by Japanese author Jun’ichirō Tanizaki. She stars alongside actor Lily Franky (Nakagawa Atsushi) in this highly anticipated project.
The film has been officially selected for the festival’s prestigious Gala Presentations main screening section. Its world premiere is scheduled for September 18, where it will be showcased to an international audience. The recognition and her new film mark a significant moment in her career, highlighting Fan Bingbing’s ongoing influence in the global film industry.
News Source: https://www.dotdotnews.com/s/202608/27/AP6a90079de4b04b6c5d380479.html
(11) Bruno Mars Hong Kong Tour Dates Officially Announced with Special Guests
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
American music superstar Bruno Mars has officially announced that he will bring his “The Romantic Tour” to Hong Kong. He is scheduled to perform four shows at the Kai Tak Stadium on May 7, 8, 11, and 12, 2027. This announcement has generated massive excitement among local fans who have been eagerly awaiting his return.
The tour will feature a special guest at all Hong Kong shows: nine-time Grammy Award winner Anderson .Paak, who will perform as DJ Pee .Wee. The current tour has already broken records globally, setting a new single-day sales record for promoter Live Nation and selling 2.1 million tickets in one day on Ticketmaster, a new historical high. The massive tour includes over 115 stadium shows worldwide.
The Asia tour in 2027 will extend beyond Hong Kong to major cities including Singapore, Bangkok, Kaohsiung, Manila, and Goyang. This announcement adds to the tour’s already staggering international scale.
Bruno Mars’s fourth studio album, The Romantic, also made history by debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, marking his first album to ever enter the chart at the top and his second chart-topping album overall, following the release of Unorthodox Jukebox over a decade ago. The album also topped the Worldwide Apple Music Album Chart and Spotify Global Album Chart simultaneously.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202608/28/AP6a90ec74e4b0c1e500268b9c.html
(12) HKITDA Art-Tech Concert Held at Cyberport, Spotlighting AI Creation Trends
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
Held during the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) 2026 at Cyberport, the HKITDA Art-Tech Concert combined live musical performances with AI-generated visuals and digital technologies. The event formed one of the public-facing highlights of the three-day forum, which attracted more than 4,000 participants and explored AI’s role in reshaping digital entertainment and cultural-creative industries under the theme “The Dreamatic Circus.”
The concert featured performances that integrated AI tools into stage presentation, including AI-designed and generated background visuals displayed on large LED screens. Participants and student performers from related programmes demonstrated how generative AI can be used to create original visual content in real time or in pre-production, lowering technical barriers while expanding expressive possibilities for music and performance.
Organised by the HKITDA with Cyberport providing the venue, the concert received support from multiple industry and educational partners. It aligned with the broader DELF programme, which included AI workshops, game-creation jams, film screenings and discussions on IP development and immersive technologies. Officials and industry leaders at the forum emphasised AI’s dual role as both a creative collaborator and a driver of new business models in content production.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202609/03/AP6a99100be4b0c1e500275dce.html
