The Other Faces of Hong Kong (SoCO)

[@wendybrierley5412]

In my 20's we invited some Hong Kong friends to our new house for a meal. They were so impressed with it. It's only a 3 bed semi, front and back gardens and a garage and drive. I didn't realise the reality of Hong Kong's lack of space. These videos actually wakes you up and you realised how lucky we are to have comfortable homes. We are not rich.

[@deloreswilson1798]

They barely have room to bury their dead.😢

[@fungchan3780]

Sympathy to the poor of Hong Kong. I am extremely happy that I don’t live in these cramped and dangerous places.

[@amangcaya4468]

I have a soft heart for old people. My dad is now retired, living on a pension, and even though I live independently, I make sure I spend enough time with him. I make sure everything is taken care of for him like the grocery, bills, everything in the house. I pity old people living in such conditions shown in this video 😞😞😞

[@cindypattana6071]

So sad, makes you appreciate what little you might have.

[@Catmak3334]

Always stay greatful🙏

[@michaelthong598]

Appreciate whatever you have. Never complain.

[@deewastamang9135]

Now suddenly i'm starting to like my bedroom

[@vanilasky713]

Haha Sure you really do.

[@yentyhotspicy]

yes me too.....i don't want to complain too much

[@dreamer6471]

To be all , to last breath we have . We all are the same species , in same earth . We should share the gratitude of life with others to admire the aspiration of meaningful way .

[@anamariagutierrez2019]

I started to see my bachelor apat in Toronto like a big place, having say that all these families look very loving thowards their kids, that is the most important thing.

[@primaandolini8408]

i live a very decent life here in indonesia, i used to think.that my childhood is very poor since i was raised by my father who didnt have a steady job, but looking at this video i feel guilty for thinking that i had a tough life on my childhood. we always had a good sleep at night, eat a homecooking meal made by my mum and have a space for playing in the house.

[@dhui777]

Hong Kong has basically gone backward in the past one to two decades. This is the kind of living conditions of many Hong Kong people in the 60s and 70s.

[@Gaby-ep9cc]

I don't have much and honestly I always felt so bad because of that. but watching this video made me realize that I have to be thankful for what I have and not being ashamed of it!

[@Nor1998_]

Makes me question myself whenever I try to complain about my lot in life.

[@pearlytran9814]

There so grateful for what they have it makes me appreciate life much more💕💘💖💝💞💓💗❤️❣️💜💛🧡💙💚

[@MadMan-xx8sf]

Thank you very much for the brief look into their lives. Thank you. Kudos.

[@mparthur144]

I feel for these poor people. I am currently living in a spacious two bedroom penthouse style apartment and yet I have been complaining that my place is tiny. Watching these people dreaming of having their own bigger space makes me feel now my apartment is large enough to accommodate me.

[@iwanmurtanto4202]

mp arthur Yeah...now you can see they living,,, toilet and kichen at the same area.

[@VictoriaStobbie]

I feel the same.

[@bladimirnunez7545]

penthouse style

[@ecwingmak1]

mp arthur but I am living in the future building of hong kong

[@loco_123]

Just took a glance at my room and im so thankful.

[@charleshoang6481]

37 years ago I came to Hong Kong I lived like these people but only 8 months I don't think I could live like this for the rest of my life!

[@ecwingmak1]

Charles Hoang I live in Hong Kong and now in 2019 I am living in a bigger building with 2 swimming pools 1clubhouse and one barbecue area

[@Anneena1]

​@@ecwingmak1 Wtf I dont think saying theis kind of joke underneath this video is appropriate,go and make a new episode yourself by bragging about how you make big deposits ;)

[@Bay-BGhost]

I would love to see a video on American poor, and their living conditions. The difference from the wealthy to the poor here is just as extreme

[@earthandwind820]

Jen & Kevin Kasper Agreed, but it’s usually hidden from tourists and Americans who are used to living in specific types of areas (I.e. wealthier suburbs). Here in Chicago, the tourists will go downtown and maybe to some new hipster areas 15 minutes away from downtown. They’ll see some homelessness downtown, but will be more distracted by the shiny buildings and shopping than actually paying attention to it...similar with the hipster areas. However, if you go throughout a lot of the south or west sides, you’ll see tons of decayed buildings and a complete lack of services but it’s usually hidden from the media lens and again, tourists. Also, when I go downstate and into Central IL, there’s also a lot of poverty. I lived in Milwaukee for college and it’s very unequal there,too.

[@earthandwind820]

Then there are the people who appear to be doing well, but in reality, have a lot of debt and are a paycheck away from being on the street.

[@joserizal1158]

You can see poor, homeless people living in the skid row in every cities in America.

[@Sunset553]

Check out videos about Appalachia. They are the poorest people in the United States.

[@margaretkimoto9935]

You are so right. I live in Los Angeles.

[@ronniesome8292]

I would love a update. This was almost four years ago.

[@meltax4870]

Interesting how they can live peacefully alongside each other in those living conditions. Absolutely remarkable!

[@thinkpasta8829]

They don't have a choice

[@loisaustin6200]

It's because this is all they have ever known and appreciate even what little they have and grateful for a roof over their heads.

[@QuantumKitty]

Suddenly I’m really appreciating my tiny one bedroom apartment. I have a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. I am blessed. In New York we are also used to tiny apartments. It like that in a lot of cities... Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam.

[@mudslide-md2uz]

I feel sad seeing this, Hong Kong has so much wealth and government should do more to help their people.

[@hanafihudson4205]

Capitalist country..

[@lcy3877]

Why blame capitalism lol should blame their lousy government... Most countries adopt capitalism... But Hong Kong infamous for a long time regarding their lack of housing policies

[@ulerkadut8582]

@icecool1616 when china complete the take over. then we can see development plan of hong kong. current hk govt control the house pricing, because they didnt want to open new land, keep resource low price high. seeing the youth that barely afford all family fortune just to buy a very small flat... compare the youth that barely afford a flat in mainland.... really... eye opening...

[@ulerkadut8582]

@icecool1616 well then we have to wait approx 28 yrs to go to see what china has in pocket for hong kong. meanwhile... just enjoy the democracy show for now.

[@ulerkadut8582]

@icecool1616 they prefer to pay for high price flat... and fact... did china care... actually not... but if foreign nation come in... then... yeah... its china business

[@angiered4910]

other people has thousands of dollar bags while others dont even have money to buy food, other people live in a mansion while others dont even have enough space to stretch their legs, life is just unfair 😔

[@suphangko5812]

Anyone just have same feeling,the last music 🎼 going make you cry 😢 and 😞 sadness

[@georgewu5]

Linda Terrell, if I did not have my daughter, I would have been a homeless old man today ! I have a loving daughter who saved me from being foreclosed when there was no one out there to hire an old man. Now, I have paid off my co-op and drive a Mercedes my daughter gave me 12 years ago as a birthday present. Chinese saying, " To have grains to prevent starvation; to have children to prevent being a poor old person. " That is why people having children. Too bad you don't have any. Hope you have a lot of money when you get older. George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2018-9-16

[@georgewu5]

@Yodel Simmons Part of the human nature is selfishness. Why not ? If China still have the commune system, like my architect uncle and his family, had to swim across the river to have a daily meal, who is going to the factory and the farm to make China wealthy again ? Today China pulled millions of poor people out of poverty just because people are selfish , they worked hard for their children and for their old age. George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2018-10-7

[@georgewu5]

​@Yodel Simmons I idid not have a kid because I wanted to. I was in love in my last year in college.But the hard life prevented me from having another one, because I did not make enough to support another child. I was very lucky to have a wonderfuln daughter who has three of her own. one goes to Ohio State, another in Oxford. the third boy is a straight A student in Fordham Prep.

[@jasminerose9839]

Oh, I see so to have kids is because of security once you grow old. Ah, got it!

[@georgewu5]

I was a full time waiter when I came to New York 62 years ago, I worked hard to be a licensed architect. I did not plan to be old and poor, but the world would not hire an old man ! When I was in deep shit, did not have a job to pay my mortgage of the house I lived in for 32 years, the bank wanted to foreclose my house, I asked my relative to help me a bit. No! none of them gave me a hand except my daughter. Finally, I have a warm co-op apartment to live in, instead being homeless. George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2018-10-18 , @@jasminerose9839​

[@georgewu5]

@@jasminerose9839 Even some lesbiens who had kids before they came out of the closet. I know too many in my 81 years of age ! George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2018-10-18

[@pearlytran9814]

There so kindhearted ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜❣️💕💞💓💗💖💘💝💟

[@espcsg]

I'm a father and looking at those kids breaks my heart.

[@catherinenguyen2047]

I never complaint , thankful for every thing because I've a roof on my Head . That's why I always try my best to help the homeless ,when I see them on my way.

[@tarnished439]

Thank you SOCO, your work on creating awareness and on the ground activities is to be commended for.

[@samnyan]

Now i more appriciate everything in my simple life living far from urban city but have place to call home...

[@sharonsawyer8814]

No matter who you are, or what you have, No-one should look down on anyone! You may not get what you want, but you get what you need. ( The Stones).

[@dreamer6471]

We should help the needy .

[@mimi_elk.7614]

My heart ❤️ goes for this people especially for the kids I hope that one day they can build for themselves better future.😢😢😢

[@lightupskechers488]

i live in a 1973 old house and it has 5 bedrooms and 2 washrooms and 2 kitchens and 2 living rooms and i thought i lived in a bad house untill i saw this

[@charleshoang6481]

I feel sorry for these people,their ancestors might be also my ancestors thousand years ago!

[@balozhende5727]

No matter what their circumstances, the Chinese value learning. I was a finance prof in China and the USA. Most Americans care but some are bums.

[@generisignacio9446]

Where is this place? Exact location please

[@happy-chanchan]

I guess middle aged couple with 2 kids are Vietnamese. (from 3:50) Also a woman with 2 kids from 7:50 looks like Vietnamese. Am i correct?

[@Johnnymahon218]

This is so sad. Seen a lot of these videos. Feel so sorry for the elderly and families trying to raise their children.

[@jollywong1118]

Thank God for everything.

[@georgewu5]

At 3:51; In 1952, there was a big piece of concrete fell from the ceiling where we lived. Only a few inches away from my brother who was asleep for the night. If it did, there would not be an engineer and a MBA from New York University, a former president of OCA where I.M.Pei was a member in later years. George Wu, ARCHITECT, A.I.A., NCARB 2019-1-8

[@kungfufighter999]

my apt 635 sq feet with 2 bedrooms is considered spacious enough for me.

[@DoWong]

We have to face the reality that in Hong Kong is almost no space. And yet still a lot people still living in poverty and yet still hard issues aren’t been taken away. The symptoms may been taken away. But the source of the real problems are still there. Hopefully that the spirit of the Hong Kong people never go away.

[@stephenlam7677]

I had lived through my entire childhood as a poor kid and experienced the harsh neglect and being looked down by the kids from well-off families. Back in time in the 70's, the social atmosphere was a lot less brutal than today and people still have a sense of empathy. In a city like HK, the poor has been preoccupied every day trying to survive and how to keep a roof over their head. They were mentally trained to accept the harsh reality while the rich and the educated wake up every morning with plans and ideas how to make more money. It is not a crime to being able to make more money, it just goes to show you, the extreme priorities between the poor and the rich. Majority of the people who live in the "coffin flats" are usually elderly with health issues and then there are those with little to no education and came to HK from the mainland during the early 90's. So their children were born and raised in that depressing environment. Many in the rich world do not want to be bothered with stories about the poor . They have their parties to go and celebrations to attend. In this city of 7 plus million, approximately 30% are categorized as poor based on their income. The harsh living condition of the poor mainly has been attributed to the failure of the HK housing authority and the policy makers. With the new HKSAR chief Me Lee, hopefully hope is on the horizon. No matter where we go on this planet, we will always find the life styles of the extremely rich and the substandard existence of the poor. But this contrast in HK is in your face!

[@Iam-me]

Sad 😢

[@samiam4661]

People suffering all over the world and we complain that they don’t have the shoes (we don’t NEED) in a certain color, or that we have too many clothes but keep buying and throwing away many things “we don’t like anymore”

[@babybaby5893]

Thx for letting us see the dark side that we never get the chance to see though we went to HK 80 times

[@caryn9561]

Section 8 is closed in the USA many people living in tents we have a similar problem

[@sammagnolia7612]

my heart goes out to them...

[@syuhadahasri995]

Can't imagine if fire occurs anything bad happen to them.but let's hope that nothing bad will happen n they keep their health in good condition n live to the fullest.seeing their life in this state make me realise even I live in a small flat at least I can still move about freely n still comfortable to stay in.hopefully they will success in their lifes.

[@JackKing12.]

...and you have people in the UK moaning about not having social housing, living on the poverty line, food banks etc etc...you people have not lived like these poor souls in HKG...count your UK lives lucky...

[@spankyharland9845]

in a place like Hong Kong, you have the "haves" and the "have nots" there is nothing in between in the middle.

[@williamkane6155]

Our one bedroom apartment is a palace !feeling very fortunate .

[@naturalgamerplaynaturaly]

Really man, as a unemployed person me living with my father's pension . Complaining for having Small room, just imagine of these guys. I got a better life

[@loisaustin6200]

So much poverty and misery in this world. It makes me so sad seeing people in such bad circumstances all over the planet. The United States definitely has a multitude of its own problems, but all in all we need to thank God we are not doing nearly as bad as some countries.

[@lindaelia2616]

I know I had it pretty good...but sleeping on a queen bed in a house with extra empty beds kind of make you feel horribly spoiled.

[@XomyakOgo]

They living in their own world society without any knowledge that there is so many space outside the big city called nature/forest/field where you can build something and grow something for your food.

[@imunishine3011]

This is a long-term problem for HK, if these people couldn't provide a better living environment for their kids, they should at least consider to have less kids, don't make kids suffer, be responsible!

[@darbzz]

Ahhhhhhhhh tabarnak de coliss !!! This world and the corruption has my mind blown. My heart... :( Everyone appreciate what you have. One day i hope to be a teacher. I've always helped.people around and will keep doing it.

[@Lady-br3zy]

This is a real tear jerker. China has to do better for it's ppl.

[@emosnoopy]

Errr it's Hong Kong not China

[@yingdormak9049]

Never dare to complain and keep to be grateful. Be honest, I used to live that kind of environment when I was a child in the 60s however, there are lots of opportunities around you in society and we know that it could be obtained and reached by working hard and determined However, just basic living needs it seems to most of us are a luxury thing and unreachable The gap between poor and wealth is not as big as nowadays and we still can make a dream come true and believe hope n no fear in the future. Sad is total adverse status nowadays in HK

[@charlizeangel8223]

And here in Australia my mother make me feel guilty when she has a house to herself and has the freedom to do whatever she want.

[@deloreswilson1798]

One careless smoker...thank God for angels.I've experienced their protection many times,I know.🤗

[@ChristopherInTexas]

As a journalist I'm gone if I see bed bugs.

[@ab-ew6ee]

To Christopher Tx: There are bedbugs in some of those nice looking Hotels in Hong Kong. Remove the mattress cover and check the seams of the mattress with your phone flashlight. That is where they hide. They are the size of these letters.

[@jiro2020]

the fact that Hong Kong is one of the wealthiest cities in Asia

[@annecorey607]

Very sad in this video living in H, K, so many poor people I never thought the people so poor and homeless as well thanks , 30-11-18:

[@vladimirpia148]

I don't have much, but compared to these people I have everything I need 🙏💖✨🇳🇿

[@rsashimi7810]

shame on the government of Hong Kong for failing to provide for it's people. instead the government suck up to Beijing and the tycoons.

[@WbZ-sb9si]

What have the British been doing for 999 years?

[@Bay-BGhost]

Shame on the United States government too

[@hwoarang2001]

Government is not to provide for people, but provide security, rule of law, and basic infrastructure. Everything else is up to you and how you cope with a changing environment.

[@Dingo7423]

Yeah, they just open( est $2B, ) 30 miles long bridge to China ( H.K is not a island) . Go figure

[@NoRINO212]

@@WbZ-sb9si, the Brit-China contract was for Nine-Nine years not 999 years. Brits made H.K. into world class city before relinquished control of the territory, it is an extremely small area with the population size of entire California into one small county in equivalent. Uncontrolled migration is the cause of such misery, much like migrants flooding California for the American dream but in micro space.

[@snackgila]

I wishes for better life after watch this video.

[@kuyakulutTv]

Wow I have never seen this side of Hong Kong 😮 I feel so bad..... there's is bigger than mine :'(

[@garaldtao1801]

Last woman didn't want her son growing up this way but gives zero fox about her daughter.

[@999hermione]

I feel blessed with my 300 sq ft rented house. Hopefully they'll get better house.

[@ferdinandvn]

I hope those kids are living better now

[@leahquispe4569]

I live in a Trailer... I like it!

[@supersaiyangoku3580]

I'd like to see the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fan.

[@toujours405]

Director: 900000 people live in poor, inhumane conditions. Hong Kong: ShOw Us ThE fAcTs Director: *Shows video*, Hong Kong: ThOsE pEoPlE lIvE hErE iLlEgAlLy. We CaN't HeLp ThEm.

[@georgewu5]

Sir, my solution of the housing problem is to reuse the shipping container to build 40 story and surrounded by 7 story housing into 800' square blocks with pocket Central Park in between, built along the high speed railways between Hong Kong and Beijing. the containers are cheap only $2,000 USD each. inserted into the fire proof structural cage, and covered with aluminum with insulation panels. sketches can be viewed in Facebook / George Wu

[@ab-ew6ee]

To georgewu5: I wish I had the money to hire you to do the shipping containers as dwellings in the poor areas of the Philippines. My ex-brother-in-law used shipping containers to build a two-storey 6-bed apartment behind his house in New Territories, Hong Kong. Why don't you start a business teaching Architecture in Hong Kong? I too had problems getting work in Hong Kong because of the businesses way of thinking there of not hiring anyone over the age of 35. I ended up tutoring in English part-time at three English Learning Centres and helping my wife with her restaurant business there.

[@deloreswilson1798]

People living that close together during another Pandemic is frightening and deadly. God help them...🤔🙏💔

[@desertlove3350]

Amazing. Hong Kong is one of the richest cities yet also one of the poorest.

[@judithreynolds1657]

Wondering how old is this?

[@FunkyMeng]

Now feeling how lucky I am.

[@dominadorgalvez8347]

What you have now be thankful and grateful maybe others they don't have totally what you have....

[@HansumRob100]

I did not see this wen I was there.. most of what I saw was well dressed people.. this is sad...

[@GoogleUser-qz8px]

There's one thing common among all these people, HOPE.

[@_8a8]

My heart 💔

[@obama8888]

These scenes and situation have been around for more than half century in Hong Kong. Even more than half a century its still the same. This government is a total failure. I don't think they have any idea of how to run the country. Even the Bangladeshi workers in my country have luxurious amenities like a 144 sq. ft bedroom to 3 persons in an Apartment with modern toilets and big kitchen and a lounge room.

[@nischalrai7625]

the problem is not about the small room its also about the highly rent. even if you wan paid more money you cann’t get nice room. or apartment. too expesive to stay in hongkong with low. salary.

[@reeseyme9613]

you can pay millions and thats in US$ to get a apartment with 2 bedrooms thats just large enough to fit a queen size bed. these people just don't stand a chance now and worse in the future to own even a tiniest studio apartment.

[@supernova7966]

same in Singapore...

[@sparkflames5556]

this is the reality..how does beautiful building uve seen its been double to have this tiny room or people sleep in the park..hot or cold times

[@hanikkusuma3996]

thanks my god to give me enough health and food and nice family

[@--ag]

This is heartbreaking! Inhumane! What is wrong with Hong Kong?!

[@cuongthanhtran7029]

wow that bad my father 80 years ago have been lived there

[@michellevuong4877]

If you look down, you will appreciate what you got.

[@juliussalamanis5778]

I'm still blessed I'm poor here in england but the size of cubicle house in hongkong my toilet is quite big and still complaining what life I have.

[@paulhunter6742]

What about landlords whom subdivision these rooms cramped as many tenants as possible. And charging this money. But, not even providing liveable conditions.

[@helpfulbystander5218]

8:50 she says doesn't want her son to continue growing up in such condition. What about her daughter? Isn't she equal? So typical favouring son over daughter. Very sad and sorry for ther circumstance but not for her believe of son first over her daughters.

[@franklinhu573]

sure she meant daughter too. just a figure of speech.

[@helpfulbystander5218]

@@franklinhu573 do u understand Cantonese? Its not figure of speech. She said son and skip to mention daughter in her sentence. the translation is also correct.

[@franklinhu573]

no I don't understand Cantonese but the subtitle said our son. but how can only the son have better life unless the whole family does also.@@helpfulbystander5218

[@syuhadahasri995]

I believe she love both her son n daughter equally.she want the best for both her children she doesn't want them to suffer.

[@nitdapribula5026]

My family should be happy and less complain we have a big house big farm land I feel sad for the older and children

[@mijo1413]

waaah i didn't expect this, i work here hk i see a lots of people rich and my boss always buy everything ect..but i don't know there's a place here like this...i think hk is a rich country a lot of business build new apartment buildings so why they give these people a nice home and give a low rentals... RICH PEOPLE HERE IN HK doesn't care others..if you have cares to others and this governments..they can rent pr acquired the house for a low wages...all investor's even builder getting rich for higher rentals and high housing in the market...so can you imagine how can they cope up the expenses...

[@amyalexandria8495]

I can't believe how much money those building owners are making and they can't even make the place look decent and add atleast 2 central ac units with some duct work to cool down the floors atleast to 77 degrees or something I mean why not be proud of your building and business why leave it so sloppy and gross they make more then enough every month if you multiply 1 rent by the number or renters to get some work done on the buildings Also why not build underground to

[@ab-ew6ee]

To Amy Alexandria: The owners don't care. Just as long they are getting rent money. I lived in Sham Shui Po (I call it 'Some So Poor') in Hong Kong for three years and I know. When they rent a place to you, they don't even fix it up. You have to do all the fixing before it becomes livable.

[@mabellee424]

Watching this 🥺🥺😭😭

[@TheArtPerspective]

Why don't they team up to rent a flat? Weird thinking

[@helpfulbystander5218]

And than what? Whole team live in the same flat? Will be still crowded, everyone shares same toilet and kitchen etc. They end up in same condition going by your genious idea. Beside, I don't know renting requirement in HK but most likely they would have some sort of credit checks to make sure tenant can pay the rent plus rules on number of people in a flat etc that might prevent this happening.

[@TheArtPerspective]

@@helpfulbystander5218 it'd be cheaper. And much more comfortable. Btw use common sense when elaborating; what whole team? No other flat around? Can't rationalize the numbers?

[@vivienchingpeiying]

It's simply too expensive for them to afford. Even if they want to come together to rent a FLAT, they can't.

[@TheArtPerspective]

Subsidised flats for the underpaid

[@vivienchingpeiying]

@@TheArtPerspective not sure if they have that in place. Hopefully they will start implementing something to help them.

[@nancychen9733]

Kasihan juga ya.🤦‍♀️setelah melihat ini..aku Jauh lebih bersyukur..untuk apa yg aku punya hari ini🙏🏻