Beyond the Revolution

3 years have passed since the outbreak of the Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement in 2019. Tolerating no dissent, Beijing bypassed the local legislature and imposed the National Security Law on the city. "National security," "subversion," and "collusion with foreign powers" are all broad and vague in their definitions. Dissenting speech on the internet is regarded as incitement. Civil society has been dismantled. Hong Kong is now under authoritarian rule.

According to the figures of the Hong Kong government till 31st August 2022, more than 12000 people haven't been arrested due to protest-related activities. More than 2000 cases have been closed, and over 80% of the defendants are guilty. 230 people are arrested under the National Security Law. 140 of them have been charged. The conviction rate is 100%, and the penalty ranges from 1 to 9 years in jail. Renowned dissenters such as Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily News, and the 47 democrats who took part in the primary elections, have been detained for more than two years, and their cases are not yet in session.

As the political conditions deteriorate, Hong Kong is now facing a brain drain. Regarding the Hong Kong government's statistics, from 2020 to 2022, net migration is 245000. The number of people aged between 20 to 24 decreased by 20.7%, 9.8% for the 25 to 29-year-old. While the 35 to 39 age group declined by 7.2%, the 5 to 9-year-old also reduced by 10.7%. Young people and families with kids are most eager to leave. They are educated and supposed to be the progressive power of society.

"Beyond the Revolution" is to record the Hong Kong diaspora's situation and how they maintain their identity. Some protestants fled Hong Kong and became political exiles. Others vote on their feet to say no to communist rule. They can never cut off their affection for Hong Kong.

This photo series was taken in Taiwan and is still going on. Taiwan was once a common choice of the Hong Kong diaspora due to the minimal geographical and language barrier. Some interviewees are determined to root in Taiwan, and some are irritated by Taiwan's volatile migration policy and leave again for the UK or Canada. The social movements altered their lives drastically. Teenage exiles from broken families lead an underground life in Taiwan due to the lack of resources and a lawful identity; professionals lacking practicing licenses in Taiwan had to change to another industry; blue-collar workers acquired a student visa to stay in Taiwan. Some of them can hardly get on with school life, while some enjoy studying. Some insist to work out every day, dreaming that they can form an army one day to regain Hong Kong.

Hong Kong protestants are of various age, backgrounds, and social classes. They might only meet each other in the protest scene. Thanks to the energetic civil society of Hong Kong, they quickly collaborated because of a common goal: democracy and justice. These power have not vanished. The Hong Kong migrants in well-off from a new network to help the fragile young exiles. How would they see themselves after two or three decades? Would they still treasure their ethos in 2019? There is no end in defiance, nor this project.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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i (alias) , 2X years old, freelancer i comes from a troubled family. Her parents were separated when she was an infant, and her grandparents raised her. She was beaten by her grandfather, which ended up in court; bullied by youth gangs in school; and suffered from dyslexia, an eating disorder, and drug abuse. Quit school at 14 years old; she has worked on or off as a bargirl. In 2019, she was assaulted by the police while passing by a demonstration scene. An eye for an eye, she joined the violent demonstration. Eventually, she left for Taiwan. Having drifted along different cities and towns, she is sheltered by some Hong Kong migrants and hoping to seek a job as a hair salon assistant.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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K and H, 2X years old, unemployed K and H regard themselves as radical localists. After fleeing to Taiwan, they insist on working out and practicing boxing, hoping to organize an "army" to reclaim Hong Kong some day. But fellow recruitment is more complicated than they imagined.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Nathan Law Kwun-Chung, 29 years old, activist Nathan was a student leader in Umbrella Revolution 2014 while a university student. He was elected as a legislative councilor in 2016 at 23 but was later disqualified due to his controversial oath-taking. He was the chairman of Demonsisto, a political party founded by him, and Joshua Wong, another student activist now in jail. He was nominated for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize before pursuing a master's degree in East Asian Studies at Yale University with a full scholarship. Following the enactment of the National Security Law on 1 July 2020, Law left for London. In April 2021, he was granted political asylum. He is an international lobbyist, and actively involved in Hong Kongers' community in the UK.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Alex Tsui 2x years old, student Alex was a sous-chef in a 5 star hotel in Hong Kong. Determined to be a chef since teenage, Alex studied in a culinary school, hoping to build a career in food and berverage industry. During the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement in 2019, he became the chairman of Catering and Hotel Industries Employees General Union, a branch under the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) , which was forced to dismantled by the National Security Law. Some of the key members of CTU are now imprisoned, accused of mastering subversive activities. Refuses to live in fear, Alex applied for an university in Taiwan. He is now studying Sociology but will probably be back to the kitchen some day.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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K, 3X years old, Social Worker K was a social worker in Hong Kong. He was actively involved in the volunteer team that provided emotional support during the social movement when suicidal thoughts were spreading among youngsters due to societal disappointment. In early 2021, the police arrested and charged 47 people who participated in the pro-democracy Legislative Council primary election with conspiring to subvert state power under Hong Kong's national security law. Sources said the new arrests would target social workers, journalists, and first responders. Kenneth left for Taiwan and studied for a doctoral degree in Cultural Studies. He's quit and is now looking for a job in the welfare sector in Taiwan.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Jay（alias）, 32 years old, student Jay worked for an air freight company and enjoyed a reasonably well-off life in Hong Kong as he didn't have a family burden. He didn't pay much attention to social affairs before but joined the demonstrations after the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement became an overnight sensation in June 2019. Jay was on a work trip while the police smashed the 'stronghold' of his team. He fled to Taiwan without going back to Hong Kong. His teammates suspected him as the police's informant because most of them were arrested. Taiwan has yet to have official policies for political refugees, and Jay has to stay in Taiwan as a student, though he is barely interested in school life. It's difficult for a foreigner to get a job in Taiwan without local qualifications. He is now living on his savings.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Daniel(alias) , 25 years old, student Daniel was an administrative executive before he fled to Taiwan in 2020. He is now studying for a master's degree. Daniel has to work hard to make a living. Still, he's able to get a desirable academic result. Afraid of being stalked, Daniel remains as low profile and isolated as he can. He spends much effort dealing with bureaucratic procedures with the government. The National Immigration Agency required him to provide the attendance record in school to renew his right of residence. But graduate school doesn't take attendance. He had to bother every professor that taught him to get the proof. Wondering if he can get permanent residency one day, he is considering leaving Taiwan after graduation.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Papa (alias) 34 years old, media worker "Papa" is a name that comes from a "thug family" in the anti-extradition movement documentary "Revolution of Our Times." At different protests, he met a group of protesters ranging from teens to people in their twenties. Some were at odds with their parents because of their different political views, and so did "Papa" himself. They took care of each other as if they were a family. In November 2019, protesters, including Papa's family, were besieged at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He escaped from the PolyU by roping down from a flyover and fled to Taiwan shortly after. Although he was not arrested, Papa's bank account in Hong Kong was frozen, and his savings were blocked. He hopes to settle down in Taiwan.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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E, 2X years old, student Edo was a graphic designer in Hong Kong. She fled to Taiwan after the 2019 Social Movement in Hong Kong. Studying for a master's degree in fine arts to ensure a residential status, she finds the syllabus uninspiring and hesitates if she should quit.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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S (alias) 26 years old, former assistant to a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong S started to get involved in social movement in high school in 2012 when she opposed the national education policy. She was initially an assistant to a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. In late 2020, her party members and her boyfriend got arrested one after another. She resigned from her job and provided inmate support. In early 2021, after 47 pro-democracy figures were charged with conspiring to subvert state power under Hong Kong's National Security Law, rumors spread that the police would target those in charge of logistical support next. S left for Taiwan in mid-2021 and eventually fled to the UK in 2022 to seek political asylum.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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S (alias) , 22 years old, student S has been a bartender and waiter in Hong Kong since he left school. He only paid a little attention to social affairs before but joined the demonstrations after the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement became an overnight sensation in June 2019. The street protest became his off-work activities. He fled to Taiwan after the 'stronghold' of his team was smashed by the police. As Taiwan does not have official policies for political refugees, Sam stays in Taiwan as a student. He majors in Sociology, which he has never been acquainted before. Sam found himself academically minded. He also works part-time editor for a publisher founded by Hong Kong culturists.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Q (alias) 23 years old, Student Q is a typical Hong Konger: aiming for a stable job after graduating and planning to invest in real estate one day. On November 11th, 2019, a police officer in Sai Wan Ho shot a student at close range. The incident intensified the actions of the protesters. Previously, Q only participated in legal protests, but her friend broke a bone while being chased by the police on November 11th. Q was heartbroken and decided to join in helping block roads. Q was arrested by the police and charged with "possession of offensive weapons" and "endangerment of public safety." She was sentenced to a month in prison with a criminal record. In April 2021, Hong Kong revised the Immigration Ordinance, and the government could now prohibit anyone from entering or leaving Hong Kong at will. Feeling that her freedom was threatened, Q moved to Taiwan to study nursing.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Lee, 19 years old, Student On August 31, 2019, Lee witnessed police forces attacking innocent passengers at Prince Edward MTR Station. He recorded the vibe of Hong Kong after the 2019 protests through film. The short film "Mr. Tse" won the gold medal in the youth category of the 26th ifva Independent Short Film and Video Awards. Mr. Tse is a night shift janitor at Lee's school. "Don't underestimate the ordinary people. You don't see them on TV or the street, but it doesn't mean they are indifferent." The Hong Kong government has revised the law on film censorship. In the past, it mainly focused on pornography and violence, but now "national security" is considered. Creative freedom is no longer available. In September 2021, Lee moved to Taiwan and is currently studying film production at the National Taipei University of the Arts.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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L, 18 years old, Student L(alias) has performed in several short films related to the 2019 Hong Kong Protest, including "May You Stay Forever Young," which was banned in Hong Kong, and "Night is Young," which won the Best Feature Short Film at the 57th Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. L's family were supporters of the establishment and felt that the protesters were "messing up Hong Kong." One day in 2019, demonstrations took place near L's residence. Her father took a stick and went on the street to intimidate the demonstrators, but he got beaten up instead. Due to stress and the tense relationship with her family, she decided to leave Hong Kong and is currently studying Art in Taiwan.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Tiger, 24 years old, Student Tiger was one of those who rushed into the Legislative Council on July 1, 2019 and went to Taiwan shortly afterward. He was in his second year of university in Hong Kong, but after the incident, his studies ended abruptly. As the protest movement continued to burn, he couldn't help but watch the live broadcasts every day, and his emotions were on the verge of collapse. During the police siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, he collected information online and planned escape routes for his partners. After a year of diaspora, Tiger settled in Chiayi, a town in Southen Taiwan. Tiger studied chemistry in Hong Kong but now majors in politics and looks forward to someday becoming a politician in Taiwan.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Issac Cheng, 22 years old, former vice-chairman of Hong Kong Demosisto Issac was still a high school student when he joined Demosisto Hong Kong, where he was responsible for education issues. In September 2019, he was ambushed and beaten on his way home, and ended up in the hospital. In June 2020, he launched a referendum on strikes against the "National Security Law." He was named and condemned by the CCP. Afterward, Issac left Hong Kong and stayed in Taiwan for nearly a year before moving to the UK. During his exile, he continued to develop teaching material on the history, language, and culture of Hong Kong with other overseas Hong Kongers.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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T (alias) 27 years old, Project Manager T was one of the founding members of the Hong Kong Demosisto. In November 2019, protesters were besieged at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. T entered the campus, and his name was recorded by the police when he left the scene. In early 2021, the police arrested and charged 47 people who participated in the pro-democracy Legislative Council primary election with conspiring to subvert state power under Hong Kong's national security law. Pursuing fearless freedom, T came to Taiwan in May of 2021 and then moved to the UK. He developed the mobile app "Punish Mee" for the "Yellow Economic Circle" (distinguishing merchants based on political attitudes). After leaving Hong Kong, he works on a social platform targeting overseas Hong Kong people.

© Chung Ming Ko - Image from the Beyond the Revolution photography project
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Wu Gin, 25 years old, Independent Journalist Wu studied journalism at the City University of Hong Kong. He joined the campus media team during the peak period of the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement in late 2019. Wu and his high school friend Frankie Fung set up an online media outlet called DB Channel, where they wanted to speak up for the localists. Later, because Fung participated in the primary election of the Legislative Council, he was involved in the "Hong Kong 47" case. He was detained since early 2021. Wu believes he might also be arrested because of the National Security Law. Currently, Wu is based in Taipei, living in a tiny room, surviving off instant noodles, but insists on writing in journalism.

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