HK Magazine was a free English-language alternative weekly published by HK Magazine Media Group in Hong Kong. Launched in 1991, it offered coverage of local affairs, social issues as well as entertainment listings. The 1000th issue was published in 2013, the same year that it was sold to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) group. The magazine printed its final issue on 7 October 2016. This was the third SCMP subsidiary to close since the takeover of the newspaper by the Alibaba Group.
History
HK Magazine was founded by best friends Greg Duncan, Stephen Freeman and Gretchen Worth. In 1989, considering Hong Kong a suitable place to start a magazine, they decided to establish an English-language publication.
The first issue, called HK: the indispensable Hong Kong Guide, was published in June 1991 by the local private company Asia City Publishing Limited. It had 24 pages and claimed a circulation of 15,000. It continued to publish on a monthly basis until November 1992, when because of the ambiguity of the name and the change of the publisher's schedule, the magazine was renamed HK Magazine, and switched to a bi-weekly schedule for the next three years.
In September 1995, it became a weekly magazine.
On 27 March 2009, the magazine allowed the publication of an article from its columnist, writer Chip Tsao. His article War at Home alleges the Philippines to be a nation of servants and also claims China is the master. This triggered a massive outcry from the Filipino community in Hong Kong and outraged many across the Philippines. Tsao made a public apology three days later on 30 March 2009.
In 2013, it was reported that Asia City Media Group had sold its Hong Kong business, including HK Magazine and other titles, to South China Morning Post for a sum of HK$13 million. South China Morning Post, including HK Magazine, was sold to Alibaba Group in early 2016.
Distribution
The magazine, which was audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, was free at around 900 venues including restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bookshops and retail stores. The distribution outlets were mostly concentrated in commercial business districts.
Readership
The magazine claimed around 236,000 readers per week.
According to a survey conducted by HK Magazine in 2004, 87% of the readers were holders of at least one university degree and 75% earned more than HK$30,000 per month. (Source: HK Magazine 2004 Readership Survey, HK Magazine 2004 Distribution Survey).
Contents
HK Magazine usually contained features about social issues, and articles about music, movies, fashion, dining and travel, etc. The main sections that appeared regularly in the magazine were:
Upfront – The opening pages of the magazine, featuring humorous and usually satirical commentaries on current affairs. Letters – Letters from readers. There may be comments or thoughts about past issues of the magazine or opinions towards social issue, etc. Street talk – Interviews with ordinary Hong Kong people on their lifestyle and working environment, of persons of interest around town coinciding with special events they are taking part in. Features – Generally, there are two features in each issue, both covering local issues and sometimes foreign issues. The first one is usually on social, political and cultural issues and events. The second one usually covers events in everyday life. 852 – This section, named for Hong Kong's IDD code, is split into four sub-categories: Shopping, Dining, Travel, and Healthy and Beauty, with selected new items featured under Shopping, as well as resident weekly columnists each writing under last three sections. 852 also features reviews on restaurants around town every week, written anonymously. Listings – There are three different categories in this section: Arts: Art-related events; split into sub-categories Stage and Exhibitions, which include concerts, opera, dances and other theatre shows. Includes interview features with personalities working in the arts. Nightlife: Concerts, gigs, club events and happy hour listings. Includes reviews on newly opened bars and clubs around town or interviews with musicians and DJs. Also featuring a Nightlife column. Film: Synopses and reviews of recently released or soon-to-be-released movies. First Person – A full-page interview with notable Hong Kong personalities, including politicians, entrepreneurs and celebrities. Classified – Attached as a separate booklet, containing classified advertisements and weekly column Mr. Know-It-All, who answers readers' questions. In every issue: comics, astrology, Savage Love column