Icy Ku Ping-sum, an 18-year-old former student of St Paul’s Co-educational College, last year achieved an extraordinary feat by scoring 5** in eight subjects on the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams, making her one of the top scorers in Hong Kong. As a result, she secured a coveted spot at the University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) Faculty of Medicine.
But alongside her aspirations of becoming a doctor, Icy continues to pursue her passion for Cantonese culture and language. She not only appreciates it as an interest but actively works to promote and preserve it.
Her journey to promote Cantonese began in 2021 when she started a channel on Xiaohongshu, often referred to as the “Chinese Instagram”. Through this platform, she introduces Cantonese idioms and culture, seizing the opportunity to connect with Mandarin speakers in China, particularly in light of the Hong Kong government’s efforts to promote the Greater Bay Area.
SOTY 22/23: Linguist category runner-up connects with culture through Cantonese
In recent years, there have been controversies regarding identity, which has instilled in me a desire to protect and pay special attention to Cantonese culture,” Icy explained.
Despite the platform’s algorithmic tendency to limit Cantonese content to a small user base in Guangdong, Icy’s innovative approach to sharing Cantonese slang and popular songs has attracted a wider audience, including Mandarin speakers, who engage in lively discussions about the language.
Icy’s commitment to language has been recognised with two Student of the Year (SOTY) Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. She won first in the Linguist (Cantonese) category this year, having previously won first in Linguist (Putonghua).
These accolades highlight her linguistic prowess and dedication to cultural advocacy. The judges described Icy as a talented debater, presenter, and writer passionate about promoting Cantonese and connecting people through language.
The nomination period for SOTY 2024 is open until April 21.
She has also honed her communication skills through her role as a host on a podcast created by her friends. By interviewing figures like Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, the retired Legislative Council president, Icy has gained valuable insight into effective communication.
Tsang’s emphasis on humanity and humour resonated with her, enhancing her abilities in debate and public speaking.
SOTY 21/22 Linguist (Mandarin) awardee grew her skills with storytelling
“He teaches that when communicating with others, you should be humble and sincere, not fake. And humour is important – it can attract others and make the person you’re communicating with feel relaxed and comfortable in the conversation,” recalled Icy.
Beyond her academic and cultural pursuits, Icy is committed to community service. She dedicates her time to tutoring underprivileged students and teaching English, viewing it as an extension of her passion for languages and education.
Recognising the shortage of medical personnel in Hong Kong, Icy aims to contribute to the medical field. She believes that her linguistic skills and empathetic communication will greatly benefit patient care. “A doctor can do much more. It’s about how you care for the patients or their families,” she said.
