Introduction

Ellen Joyce Loo (1986-2018) was a Hong Kong singer-songwriter and the first female artist to publicly declare her homosexual marriage in the Cantopop music scene.

This dissertation critically examines the overarching narrative of the “good life”, which maintains and reinforces societal norms. By integrating perspectives from queer studies and affect studies, it analyzes Loo’s lyrics and music videos as “un/happy archives”. It explores how her work negotiates the normative tyranny of the “good life” in Hong Kong, particularly in relation to notions of the “happy woman” and “happy family”.

Situating Loo’s un/happy archives within the socio-cultural frameworks of the patriarchal Cantopop industry, LGBTQ rights, and heteronormativity in Hong Kong, this dissertation argues that her narratives create a “queering affective time-space” that articulates alternative imaginations of femininity and kinship. It also addresses the limitations of Loo’s texts and reflects how queer imaginaries engage with real-life meaning-making, advocating for social actions and ultimately fostering alternative ways of life in Hong Kong.

If interested, you may read Kiu Yan’s Dissertation here.

Experience at MALCS

My time at MALCS has provided me with a solid foundation for critically analyzing issues through the lens of cultural theories. It has also equipped me with a self-reflective perspective that helps contextualize and articulate personal yet political issues.

My research project begins with the question, “Will I ever be happy again?” This reflection stems from my mental breakdown over the past few years, during which the concept of a “good life” felt unreachable. This deeply personal question encourages me to explore how my experiences are both social and political, and what transformative possibilities might arise from my depression.

What does it mean to have a “good life”? And what roles does the narrative of “good life” play? While the notion of “good life” is closely tied to the distribution of happiness and unhappiness within societal norms across time and space, there remains cultural agency in how we imagine and define our ways of living – both individually and collectively.

The writing process, along with the interdisciplinary approach I developed at MALCS, empowers me to navigate my personal struggles in a self-reflective, meaningful and creative way.