Ming Wong | Speculative Futures: Cantopop and Transnational Chinese Identity

Leading up to the handover of Hong Kong from British rule back to Chinese sovereignty between 1984 and 1997, over 300,000 Hong Kong people emigrated to Canada. For them, they not only brought over their families and dreams for a better future, but also the sounds of home through Cantopop and the laserdiscs of their favourite artists came to life.

On this episode of the School Room, host Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee sits down with Singapore born artist Ming Wong, whose artwork composed of dozens of laserdiscs takes center stage in the Chinese Canadian Museum’s new feature exhibition, "Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s-2000." Tune in to hear about Ming and Liam Morgan’s futuristic stage installation, "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies," the inspiration behind it, and how the concept of speculative futures relates to the immigrant experience.

"Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s-2000" is now on view at the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver Chinatown until the end of May 2026, with special curator tours in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin occurring every month. To learn more about the Chinese Canadian Museum and book tickets, visit https://www.chinesecanadianmuseum.ca/.