Liang mou
Encyclopedia
Lang mo or Pseudo-models is a Cantonese
slang term used to describe a type of models in Hong Kong who rose to prominence since the late 2000s, and was the most popular new term in Hong Kong in 2009. The term refers to young models with no training and who do not possess the physical qualities required of high fashion catwalk models, which usually include a minimum height of 5'9".
Lang mos often work as promotional model
s at fairs and expositions. They often attract publicity by welcoming photos of them being taken in skimpy outfits, such as bikini
s. Many have published their own albums of photographs.
The English translation of lang mo to pseudo-models, first appeared in the South China Morning Post
in a story by reporter Vivienne Chow. According to a Hong Kong TV and radio host, Jacqueline Pang, the typical 'lang mo' is a teenage girl who is prepared to dress (and undress) and "show off her hot body at public functions in a way that, in previous years, could only be seen in adult magazines." According The Standard, '' was the most popular new term in Hong Kong in 2009.
But in the early 2000s, a new type of models known as lang mo gradually rose to prominence, principally due to media attention given to some of them. Instead of performing catwalk shows for high fashion, they are hostesses at shows and exhibitions, particularly those promoting video games and electronic products. They soon gather a large fanbase consisting mainly of young otaku
men.
Some web groups such as "Public culture protection groups" (公共文化活動關注組) are against the models making appearances in certain places. In July 2009, they complained against the models' appearance in the annual Hong Kong Book Fair
and caused a media stir. More than 30,000 signatures were gathered in an online petition against the models. Already mindful about potential disruption to the fair, organisers Hong Kong Trade Development Council dedicated a remote area for those autograph sessions in 2009.
Citing numerous complaints from the previous year, the Trade Development Corporation decided to ban promotion of leng mo photograph collections at the 2010 Book Fair. They said that they wanted to minimise disruption caused by the presence of these girls publicising their books. The decision was welcomed by 22 parent-teacher groups, Tsao, and by Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong. Publishers and the models objected, and many stationed themselves outside the book fair venue, holding autograph sessions. Saying that the organisers could not bar them from entering the exhibition hall, some of the girls challenged the organisers by entering the book fair venue in their capacity as ordinary members of the public. The organisers' attempt to contain the exploits of the lang mo's did not succeed from taking away the attention on them.
Following the ban on promotions at the Book Fair, organisers of the annual Animation- Comic-Games Festival also decided to ban pseudo-models from taking part in promotions within their salon. Microsoft, which had engaged Chrissie Chau and Jessica C, were informed that the girls only be allowed to enter the event as visitors, and that promotions must only be held at designated areas "in order to avoid chaos and to ensure visitors' safety."
Veteran Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong has openly criticized and ridiculed leng mo, (specifically Chrisse Chau) calling them brainless and overall a "bimbo
" during July 2010 in a few open events. This has led to a recent book fair controversy (in 2010) where pseudo-models were banned from participating in the event. Many non-leng mo fans consider his remarks a prominent one, as not many people agree or approve how they get into the spotlights at times.
Cantonese
Cantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
slang term used to describe a type of models in Hong Kong who rose to prominence since the late 2000s, and was the most popular new term in Hong Kong in 2009. The term refers to young models with no training and who do not possess the physical qualities required of high fashion catwalk models, which usually include a minimum height of 5'9".
Lang mos often work as promotional model
Promotional model
A promotional model is a person hired to drive consumer demand for a product, service, brand, or concept by directly interacting with potential consumers. A promotional model can be female or male, and typically is intended to be attractive in physical appearance. They serve to provide information...
s at fairs and expositions. They often attract publicity by welcoming photos of them being taken in skimpy outfits, such as bikini
Bikini
The bikini is typically a women's two-piece swimsuit. One part of the attire covers the breasts and the other part covers the crotch and part of or the entire buttocks, leaving an uncovered area between the two. Merriam–Webster describes the bikini as "a woman's scanty two-piece bathing suit" or "a...
s. Many have published their own albums of photographs.
Etymology
Lang mo is a neologism derived from Cantonese slang to describe teenage models with no formal training. The word lang (𡃁), written alternatively as "o靚" or "口靚", is from Cantonese usage, meaning 'young' or 'lacking in maturity'. It is used mainly in Hong Kong and does not exist in Putonghua. 'Mo (模)' simply means 'model'.The English translation of lang mo to pseudo-models, first appeared in the South China Morning Post
South China Morning Post
The South China Morning Post , together with its Sunday edition, the Sunday Morning Post, is an English-language Hong Kong newspaper, published by the SCMP Group with a circulation of 104,000....
in a story by reporter Vivienne Chow. According to a Hong Kong TV and radio host, Jacqueline Pang, the typical 'lang mo' is a teenage girl who is prepared to dress (and undress) and "show off her hot body at public functions in a way that, in previous years, could only be seen in adult magazines." According The Standard, '' was the most popular new term in Hong Kong in 2009.
History
During the late 1980s, Hong Kong's modelling industry produced many professional and "proper" models, such as Janet Ma (馬詩慧) and Sophia Kao (aka QiQi 琦琦).But in the early 2000s, a new type of models known as lang mo gradually rose to prominence, principally due to media attention given to some of them. Instead of performing catwalk shows for high fashion, they are hostesses at shows and exhibitions, particularly those promoting video games and electronic products. They soon gather a large fanbase consisting mainly of young otaku
Otaku
is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga or video games.- Etymology :Otaku is derived from a Japanese term for another's house or family , which is also used as an honorific second-person pronoun...
men.
Hong Kong Book Fair
Many have now issued 'albums' which are launched at book fairs and sold at news stands. These have been generally criticised as 'low-class' and 'inappropriate'. Public figures, notably pundit Chip Tsao, said: "allowing these vulgar photo books to be sold in the book fair reflects a wide spread of stupidity in Hong Kong."Some web groups such as "Public culture protection groups" (公共文化活動關注組) are against the models making appearances in certain places. In July 2009, they complained against the models' appearance in the annual Hong Kong Book Fair
Hong Kong Book Fair
The Hong Kong Book Fair is a book fair organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, held annually at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, selling and exhibiting books, printed matter, stationery, printing, compact discs and other multimedia publishing.The annual exhibition at...
and caused a media stir. More than 30,000 signatures were gathered in an online petition against the models. Already mindful about potential disruption to the fair, organisers Hong Kong Trade Development Council dedicated a remote area for those autograph sessions in 2009.
Citing numerous complaints from the previous year, the Trade Development Corporation decided to ban promotion of leng mo photograph collections at the 2010 Book Fair. They said that they wanted to minimise disruption caused by the presence of these girls publicising their books. The decision was welcomed by 22 parent-teacher groups, Tsao, and by Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong. Publishers and the models objected, and many stationed themselves outside the book fair venue, holding autograph sessions. Saying that the organisers could not bar them from entering the exhibition hall, some of the girls challenged the organisers by entering the book fair venue in their capacity as ordinary members of the public. The organisers' attempt to contain the exploits of the lang mo's did not succeed from taking away the attention on them.
Following the ban on promotions at the Book Fair, organisers of the annual Animation- Comic-Games Festival also decided to ban pseudo-models from taking part in promotions within their salon. Microsoft, which had engaged Chrissie Chau and Jessica C, were informed that the girls only be allowed to enter the event as visitors, and that promotions must only be held at designated areas "in order to avoid chaos and to ensure visitors' safety."
Veteran Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong has openly criticized and ridiculed leng mo, (specifically Chrisse Chau) calling them brainless and overall a "bimbo
Bimbo
Bimbo, in its popular English language usage, describes a woman who is physically attractive but is perceived to have a low intelligence or poor education. The term can also be used to describe a woman who acts in a sexually promiscuous manner...
" during July 2010 in a few open events. This has led to a recent book fair controversy (in 2010) where pseudo-models were banned from participating in the event. Many non-leng mo fans consider his remarks a prominent one, as not many people agree or approve how they get into the spotlights at times.
Current well known models
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External links
- Central Station (2 July 2010). "Sex and the city", The Standard, Hong Kong.