7 stories from 2025 that made us feel good, including Jimmy O. Yang and Cantopop DJs

The festive season is all about spreading cheer, so here we take a look back on some of our favourite feel-good stories of 2025. Hong Kong artist Joannah Hon, who paints local people and then reveals the art in public, made us happy with her work, and Aiden Tsang’s wholesome Instagram reels, where the eight-year-old teaches Cantonese, also put us in a good mood. American photographer Austin Bell also put a smile on our faces thanks to his project that saw him photograph, from above, all of Hong Kong’s outdoor basketball courts, turning the images into geometric art. Here, we revisit seven fun stories of 2025. 1. This Hong Kong artist’s art has gone IG viral In her short videos, which are often paired with classic Cantonese songs, Joannah Hon Pui-yan reveals her oversized oil paintings of local cultural icons on the streets of Hong Kong. The 32-year-old artist – known as Jobey – poses next to the subjects that her paintings depict, including taxi drivers, fishmongers and even women doing tai chi. She began posting content on her Instagram account @jobeyhon in June, and her most viral video is one in which she reveals a painting in the middle of a wet market in Hong Kong. Read the full story here 2. A famed Chinese restaurant in Paris that drew the stars For almost 40 years, Davé, a Chinese restaurant in the heart of Paris, attracted the who’s who of fashion, film, art and music. Opened in 1982, it was not just a place to eat, but an exclusive, intimate salon where celebrities, artists and designers gathered for what felt like a private, timeless film sequence. Conversation and creative juices flowed as fast as the champagne, and at the centre of it all was the owner, Hong Kong-born Tai “Davé” Cheung, a charismatic host who spent nights weaving his way through the dimly lit tables, often with his beloved cat Momo in tow, chatting with a cast of celebrities. Read the full story here 3. Want to learn Cantonese? This 8-year-old will teach you There is something about Aiden Tsang’s Instagram reels that instantly puts you in a good mood. The eight-year-old’s videos – a combination of innocence and cuteness, delivered with a huge cheeky smile – are the perfect antidote to much of the inane content flooding social media. Born in Hong Kong, Aiden, who moved with his parents to the Western Australian capital of Perth, admits he is a little homesick. But he has found a creative way to stay connected to his home, thanks to his Instagram account @cantohkaiden, where he shares lessons on how to speak Cantonese. Read the full story here 4. For Jimmy O. Yang, Hong Kong feels like home Back in 2014, between the first and second seasons of the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley, in which he had a supporting role, Jimmy O. Yang spent his days moonlighting as an Uber driver. The Hong Kong-born Hollywood hopeful used a pay cheque for his role in the series as Jian-Yang – he received the Screen Actors Guild minimum of US$900 a day – to buy a used Toyota Prius hybrid, which he would drive around Los Angeles to earn the money to pay his rent. Read the full story here 5. These DJs are rekindling Hong Kong’s love of Cantopop The three members of Beat Friday do not look like your typical DJs when they take to the decks. Dressed in suits and ties, or even braces and gold-rimmed glasses, the group have curated their image to remind party-goers of the golden age of Cantopop. From the 1980s to the 2000s, the music genre was one of the most unifying cultural forces in Asia, and Hong Kong was an entertainment powerhouse that dominated cinema and music in the region. Read the full story here 6. Hong Kong’s 2,549 outdoor basketball courts become art In 2017, American photographer Austin Bell visited Choi Hung Estate, a public housing estate in Hong Kong’s Kowloon district that is also an Instagram hotspot popular with residents and tourists, who flock there to photograph its colourful facade. It was his first visit to the city and, like many, he was captivated by the vibrant hues of the estate’s buildings, which were named Choi Hung after the Cantonese for “rainbow”. But what really struck a chord were the bold patterns covering the estate’s basketball courts. Read the full story here 7. Meet the Chinese dancer who loves Indian dance Silver jewellery, the flick of an eye and intricate hand gestures that flow to the melody – Chau Hoi-shan, known by her stage name Shanti, skilfully weaves sounds and movements into her Bollywood dance routine. Chau, who was born in China and moved to Hong Kong when she was 15, was always a dancer – but her interest was in a genre that you might not expect. “When I was a child, I was exposed to Chinese dance,” she recalls. “However, I watched Indian movies as a child, and the dance scenes in them were very captivating and brought me joy.” Read the full story here

7 stories from 2025 that made us feel good, including Jimmy O. Yang and Cantopop DJs

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Need a feel-good boost? We revisit seven uplifting stories from the year, showcasing Hong Kong artists, adorable Cantonese teachers and more

1. This Hong Kong artist’s art has gone IG viral

Need a feel-good boost? We revisit seven uplifting stories from the year, showcasing Hong Kong artists, adorable Cantonese teachers and more