In Hong Kong, a simple introduction rarely settles "who you are." People may judge by skin tone, accent, or surname. A casual "Where are you from?" can sound like an ordinary question—yet it can also feel like a quiet test of belonging. But in this city, identity is often shaped less by appearance than by the way you live: your pace on the street, your instinct on the escalator, your obsession with efficiency, and your ability to keep humor and warmth even when everything is moving fast.
I Live in HK looks at the many different ways people make a life in this city—how people find their place in a crowded, high-speed city; how difference and misunderstanding can be transformed into connection; and how laughter can soften boundaries that once felt rigid.
In this episode, we share the story of Vivek Mahbubani.
Vivek Mahbubani is a Hong Kong stand-up comedian who performs in both English and Cantonese, switching effortlessly between languages to turn daily observations into punchlines—and stereotypes into conversations.
You might not guess it from his appearance, but Vivek was born and raised in Hong Kong. A Hong Konger of Indian descent, he has lived here for three generations, as has his family. Growing up in local schools, often as the only non-Chinese student in the room, he learned early what it feels like to be misunderstood, singled out, and quietly asked—again and again—whether he truly "fits."
Comedy became part of his answer.
Vivek believes laughter can change the way people see each other. Once people are laughing together, the awkwardness starts to disappear. And when you get to know someone, their appearance becomes a lot less important.
He performs overseas as well, and he repeatedly asks organizers for one specific line when they introduce him: "He's from Hong Kong." Because for Vivek, Hong Kong is not simply where he happens to live. It is where he grew up, where his family has built a life, and the place he calls home.
In this episode of I Live in HK, we follow Vivek both on and off stage: how he builds bridges across languages, navigates cultures without apologizing for complexity, and turns discomfort into clarity. More than a comedy set, this is a story about belonging—and about the quiet power of being able to say, with certainty: Hong Kong is my home.
(Reporter: Lynn Zhou | Cameraman: Felicia Li Hao, Ian Lau | Producer: Felicia Li, Zoey Sun | Copywriter: Felicia Li)
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