John Chung Lai-ho, a 24-year-old magician from Hong Kong, captivated the audience at the inaugural Greater Bay Area Golden Bauhinia Magic Championship. In his unique performance, Chung integrated local Hong Kong culture with his magic tricks.
Chung’s act featured a beloved local street food — the curry fish ball — as the centerpiece of his sleight-of-hand tricks. Wielding a pair of kitchen tongs, Chung seemed to make the fish ball appear and disappear right before the audience’s eyes. The trick was just one of many that incorporated Hong Kong’s street culture, which Chung is passionate about.
The stage was designed to resemble a typical street scene in Hong Kong, complete with neon signs and the familiar hum of traffic lights. The soundtrack, punctuated by Cantonese speech, set the stage for the performance. Chung’s magic table, cleverly disguised as a mobile food stall, enhanced the experience. He wore an apron, resembling a curry fish ball vendor, and began his tricks by making condiments appear from a towel. He then transformed a fish into a fish ball and multiplied it into dozens.
As the performance progressed, sirens blared, and a voice shouted, “Stop, don’t move!” Chung acted startled and rushed off the stage, leaving his stall behind. This moment reflected a cultural reference that many Hong Kong residents would understand — the term “jau gwei” refers to illegal street vendors quickly abandoning their stalls when law enforcement approaches.
Though Chung finished third in the competition, he felt his biggest achievement was introducing Hong Kong-themed magic to a broader audience. He believes magic can do more than entertain; it can also promote cultural understanding.
“Magic has a marginalized position in the city,” Chung said. “I want to change that.”
