(The Chinese Language Section of HKCT's Division of Languages & General Studies hosted the launch of Popular Lyrics Anthology Vol. 1 on 18 August 2026)
The Chinese Language Section of HKCT's Division of Languages & General Studies at Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) held the launch ceremony for Popular Lyrics Anthology Vol. 1 on 18 August 2026.
Supported by the Education Bureau’s “Applied Education Diploma Student (Professional Development) Activity Subsidy”, HKCT students spent six months on the project from February to August 2026. The publication brings together the outcomes of a series of workshops covering popular lyrics criticism, academic writing, interview techniques and practice, and book publishing.
The anthology was jointly researched, compiled and edited by nine HKCT students participating in the programme. In addition, secondary school students from across Hong Kong were invited to submit works on related themes. The publication highlights the rigorous approach and analytical capabilities of young scholars in literary criticism, textual analysis and academic publishing, demonstrating their ability to move beyond emotional appreciation of popular music towards critical inquiry and evidence-based humanities research.
(Ms. Lee Wai-man, Senior Director (Post-Secondary Education) of HKCT, remarked that the publication exemplifies the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration. She expressed her hope that future publishing projects and related events would extend beyond the campus, reaching bookstores and public spaces to foster broader community engagement and dialogue.)
Integrating Learning Across Four Workshops to Demonstrate Strength in Critical Analysis and Publishing
((Left) Students interview Professor Chu Yiu-wai at The University of Hong Kong.)) (Right) The editorial team tackles final production challenges and discusses plans for the next issue.)
More than a publication, Popular Lyrics Anthology Vol. 1 represents the culmination of students' learning and achievements across four thematic workshops. Through the “Popular Lyrics Criticism” workshop, participants developed multiple perspectives for analysing lyrics, examining works from the viewpoints of authors, texts, readers and broader social contexts. Building on this foundation, the “Academic Writing” workshop equipped students with the skills to formulate research topics, apply citation standards and adhere to academic formatting conventions, enabling them to transform their reflections on Cantopop into well-structured critical essays.
The students explored a wide range of topics, including the growing trend of incorporating popular song lyrics into Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination writing, analyses of songs that share the same melody but feature different lyrics, and studies of contrasts, rhetorical devices and imagery in lyric writing. Some participants also undertook cross-textual comparisons between modern Chinese poetry and popular song lyrics, demonstrating both flexibility and rigour in literary and textual criticism.
Beyond textual analysis, students enhanced their practical communication skills through the “Interview Techniques and Practice” workshop, where they learned interview planning, questioning strategies and response management. As part of the programme, they conducted an exclusive interview with Professor Stephen Yiu-wai Chu, a Cantopop Lyric Studies Expert at The University of Hong Kong, and turned it into an insightful feature article for inclusion in the anthology.
Students also took charge of the entire publishing process, from soliciting submissions and proofreading to page layout and visual design. Determined to preserve the warmth and humanistic spirit of the project, they incorporated hand-drawn elements into the publication's design. By bringing together classroom discussions, literary research, and in-depth interviews in a professionally published volume, the students demonstrated comprehensive capabilities spanning critical analysis, interview practice, editorial work, and book publishing.
Tutor Yu King-hei: “Carving Emotions into Words” Captures Six Months of Achievement, While Cross-regional Exchange Inspires Academic Potential
(Mr. Yu King-hei, the lead instructor of the workshop series, said the publishing project was conceived as a culturally rich and accessible platform through which students could begin their academic journey while connecting scholarly inquiry with everyday life)
Mr.Yu King-hei, Susankie, the lead instructor of the workshop series, explained that the Chinese title of the anthology, Ke Yi (刻意), carries the meaning of “carving emotions into words”, reflecting the team's commitment to sincerely documenting thoughts, feelings, and cultural observations through writing. He noted that the publishing project was designed to provide students with an academic starting point that is both intellectually enriching and closely connected to everyday life.
Originally envisioned as a year-long publishing initiative, the project was completed in just six months through the efficient collaboration of students and teaching staff. According to Mr. Yu, students from diverse academic backgrounds are fully capable of demonstrating excellence in both research and practical application when given appropriate and systematic guidance.
Looking ahead, the project team has already built up a reserve of more than 20 high-quality manuscripts for future publication. Planned topics include interviews with lyricists and singer-songwriters, as well as interdisciplinary studies exploring the relationship between song lyrics and mental health. Through these initiatives, the team hopes to transform the learning experience into a sustained platform for academic inquiry and knowledge creation, generating meaningful scholarly outcomes that continue to evolve beyond the classroom.
Student Editor Fong Kam-hei: From a Three-hour In-depth Interview to an Aspiration for a Career in Education
(Mr. Fong Kam-hei, a student of the Diploma of Applied Education Programme in General Education at HKCT and the chief student editor of the anthology, said that the editorial process gave the team a deeper appreciation of both the rigour and the enjoyment of academic research)
Mr. Fong Kam-hei, a student of the Diploma of Applied Education Programme in General Education at HKCT and the chief student editor of the anthology, said that the publishing journey enabled the team to gain a profound appreciation of both the rigour and enjoyment of academic research.
Reflecting on the team's interview with Professor Chu Yiu-wai of The University of Hong Kong, Fong noted that they prepared seven to eight key questions in advance and conducted an in-depth three-hour conversation. Following the interview, the team carefully transcribed the recording verbatim and refined the content to ensure clarity and readability. They also incorporated symbolic illustrations into the book's layout design, adding a sense of warmth and emotional resonance to the publication.
According to Fong, the experience not only strengthened the team's abilities in textual analysis and time management, but also enhanced their skills in interviewing, visual design and collaboration. He added that participating in the publishing project and engaging in cross-regional academic exchanges significantly broadened his horizons, reinforcing his determination to pursue further studies and build a future career in education.
Completing a Rigorous Publishing Process: Anthology to Join Hong Kong Public Libraries' Collection
(Popular Lyrics Anthology Vol. 1 will officially become part of the collections of public libraries throughout Hong Kong, allowing both the public and the academic community to access and consult the publication)
The publication of Popular Lyrics Anthology Vol. 1 marks a significant milestone in HKCT's Chinese language education and academic exploration, serving as a valuable record of students' learning, research and creative achievements. Upon completion of publication registration and related procedures, copies of the anthology will be submitted to the Hong Kong Public Libraries for inclusion in their collections, making the work accessible to both the general public and the academic community.
HKCT will continue to draw on cultural materials that resonate with young people as entry points for academic inquiry. Through research, writing and hands-on publishing projects, the College aims to nurture students' critical thinking, humanistic values and ability to apply knowledge across disciplines, empowering them to engage thoughtfully with contemporary culture and society.
