May 16, 2026:
“The Drop Marathon”:
a running water championship
Cartoon I drew for fun.
May 17, 2026:
Today I went to IFC to do some interviews and take photographs for my HK Helper Stories account. Today was also the first day I got to really test out my new camera, Sony A7 V.
May 19, 2026:
I’ve thought about how I could meaningfully support domestic helpers in HK. Seeing them sit on the cold pavement to eat their meals on Sundays made me wonder what they truly needed. That question led me to spend several weeks researching reusable, portable, light-weight tables.
May 20, 2026:
Designing. Tracing. Drawing. Cutting.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat………….
Each step came with its own share of failures- more than I can count. Pieces that didn’t fit. Sketches that didn’t translate. Cuts that went wrong. Materials that weren’t strong enough. But after countless setbacks, I finally arrived at a design I was happy with, and committed to building it.
May 24, 2026:
And finally- after all the planning, designing, developing, and assembling- I created something I’m truly happy with. I feel proud of myself.
May 31, 2026:
Today I went to Statue Square to deliver the first two tables for the Sik-Gu Table Delivery Service I started for domestic helpers. And I did some interviews and photoshoots that I posted on HKHelperStories Instagram and Facebook.
June 6, 2026
The 2026 Local Elections in S. Korea (June 3rd, 2026);
The incident began when elections were disrupted by ballot paper shortages at 67 polling stations including 14 polling stations in Seoul (Jamsil, Gagnam, Gwanjin, etc.).
At this moment, tens of thousands of Korean citizens are in the streets–not for themselves, but for the future of their country and the fundamental rights of a free democracy. They are ordinary people: parents, grandparents, teachers, doctors, small business owners, and young people, all standing together out of a deep sense of responsibility.
Yet those who should be accountable–the government and the National Election Commission–remain evasive, offering only hollow expressions of “regret.” Peaceful demonstrators are reportedly being suppressed by hired personnel, some even wearing imitation police uniforms, raising serious concerns about the abuse of power. Equally troubling is the silence of Korea’s major media. Instead of reporting fairly, many outlets dismiss these citizens as “far-right protesters,” distorting reality and denying the public the truth.
Seeing news from Korea on social media and personal blogs breaks my heart. As one of the Korean citizen living far away in Hong Kong, I earnestly hope that our country, the Republic of Korea, will remain a nation that protects its citizens’ basic rights and their right to vote.
June 7, 2026:
“Freedom is not free.”
Regardless of age, gender, education, religion, or occupation, countless people gathered in Jamsil, the starting point of this election movement to defend the fundamental rights or a free democracy. Some handed out water, some drew TaeGeukGi (Korean) flags, and some prayed. No one was forced to be there; they are simply anxious for the safety of our country and striving to uphold the sovereignty of the people. How can any government turn its back on citizens like this? Why do they tru to smear them with a “far-right” lable and political slander? Do they really have to direct such narrow-minded attacks even at five-year-old children who come holding their parents’ hands and waving the Korean flags?
June 14, 2026
Today I went to IFC Exchange Square to record an interview for HkHelperStories.
This is my first time working with a tripod and video recording this interview so it was a new experience! I’ll for sure use this as a growth point to better plan video interviews and for factors out of my control like the weather and humidity.
June 21, 2026
Today I went to deliver tables at St Joseph Church and World Wide Center. I had a good experience this time interviewing them with my camera on video and also today was a good day sharing my Sik-Gu project with others that may need it. Next week will for sure entail more deliveries!
June 25th, 2026: 76 Years Later
Seventy-six years ago today, at 4 in the morning, North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and the Korean War began. Three years of fighting left nearly five million dead- more than half of them civilians.
What makes this day meaningful to me isn’t just the loss. It’s who showed up.
Twenty-two nations answered the UN’s call- the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Ethiopia, Colombia, Australia, and fifteen others- sending young men to defend a country they had never seen, for people they had never met. At this year’s ceremony in Suwon, a choir of Ethiopian soldiers’ descendants performed Arirang. That image says everything.
The Korea that exists today- its cities, its culture, its future- was built on that sacrifice.
One thing most people don’t know: the Korean War technically never ended. No peace treaty has ever been signed. The armistice of July 27, 1953 stopped the fighting, but the peninsula remains divided to this day.
So June 25th isn’t just history. It’s an unfinished story.
To the Korean soldiers who gave their lives - 감사합니다.
To the 22 nations who came when called- thank you. We remember.
June 28, 2026
Today I went to deliver tables at Admiralty, World Wide Center, and IFC. This time I was asked a question of “Why have I started this project?”. I think these types of inquiries are great as it shows genuine interest from the people ordering these tables. We also got a table order for someone’s birthday as you can see on the left image. I think these both are great signs of growth in my project and it is exciting to think about how far this project can grow in the future.
July 4, 2026: Two Flags, One Sky
Today in Seoul, Two things happened at the same time.
At Olympic Park, a large crowd gathered demanding voting rights for a free Republic of Korea. They waved Taegukgi flags in the evening air, large enough to fill the sky above the trees.
A few kilometers away, the Lotte Tower lit up in red, white, and blue for America’s 250th Independence Day.
My uncle sent me these photos for me. The flags against a pale twilight sky. The tower glowing in American flag colors after dark.
Wishing for the protection of liberal democracy in Korea- may the voting right and political participation be upheld. And happy Independence Day to the US! God bless you.
July 8, 2026
Today I got the news that I was thankfully shortlisted for the John Locke essay competition.
I chose International Relations Category. More specifically, the question 2: “Is the US economy harmed by cheap imports from China?”
For over 2 months I’ve worked hard researching, and writing this paper. I am very grateful that it was shortlisted and hopeful about possible awards it may achieve. Even if I do not get any other awards, I am very happy that my paper was shortlisted! Especially with the amount of contestants in this year’s contest.
July 12, 2026
Today I went to IFC (MTR station B2 Exit) and delivered two tables. I managed to do an interview with one of the people who filled out the form and felt like the quality was the best yet. I’m also happy that her friends and people around her asked for information about the table delivery service as it seems like they are geniunley interested and find the service of use. Hopefully I can get more sign ups in the future!
My 2026 Summer
June 22 - July 3:
For the first two weeks of my summer, I joined YASC (Youth Advocates Summer Camp) for Hong Kong NGO Justice Center (formerly ASK). Throughout these two weeks, I learned about refugee law in Hong Kong, witnessed client interviews with refugees trying to seek asylum, chatted with multiple barristers about refugee law and law in Hong Kong, and also did service work packing clothes and supplies for refugee children.
July 6 - July 17:
Throughout these two weeks, I did paid internship at a law firm, where I managed to contribute to a lot of projects and I really enjoyed this experience of working, and I think it gave me valuable skills and exposure for my future.
July 20 - July 27:
A week of Pre-College Credits learning at HKUST
I took a pre-college course at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology:
“Managing Risk in Business and Daily Life”.
It turned out to be a truly rewarding experience. I found the course genuinely helpful, giving me a real taste of university-level learning. I made new friends among the other motivated people in the program, and I dove into risk management with a depth and rigor that went far beyond a typical introduction- exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for in a subject I care about.
August 10, 2026
Awarded “Winner”
2026 6Th IYAC Global Youth Art Contest
My Artwork has been awarded as a Winner!
August 15, 2026
“South Korean Liberation Day”
The day in 1945 Korea gained independence from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule, and separately, the day in 1948 the Republic of Korea’s government was officially established. Both events share the same date, which is part of why it carries such weight. It’s one of Korea’s five official national holidays, marked with a national flag-raising and a government ceremony honoring independence movement figures.
August 19 - August 25, 2026
Media Tower Broadcast of the award-winning works from “Big City, Small Artists Exhibition”
IYAC Global Youth Art Contest
My Artwork has been broadcast from Aug 19 to Aug 25, 2026 through COEX Media Tower and Parnas Media Tower, the core media spaces in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, as the winner.
Unfortunately I can not go there to see them. but still so excited to see my artwork has been broadcast in the heart of Seoul, Korea.
2026 IYAC Exhibition at Detour Gallery, NY
My artwork has hung at main window. So honored!
Place: Detour Gallery, NY
545 W 23rd St., New York, NY 10011
Dates: Aug 19 - Aug 23, 2026
August 26, 2026
2026 Legal Eagle Bee Art for Equity Competition
My artwork has been selected as Honorable Mention,
Aug 26 - Sept 25
Hey everyone!
School has been crazy busy lately, so I haven’t been up to too much other than buried in assignments.
I finally started my photography account! It's been my favorite little escape from the constant studying.
I'd love for you to follow along:
Instagram account @matthew_lee_photography
Sept 25 - Oct 10
Great news! I got HIGH Commendation in IR for my John Locke Essay Writing Competition submission!
I am very proud of this achievement especially considering it was my first time doing this.
Oct 10 - Oct 17
Over the past week and for the rest of this year, I have and will be focusing a lot on my school grades. So far the main classes I’ve been doing a lot of work on is my AP Biology class and Honors Precalculus. Honors Precalculus especially is proving to be quite challenging, but I’m up to the challenge and I’ll take it on this year!
Oct 17 - 24
Over October break, I made sure to strike a good balance between work and fun. I locked in some solid study hours to stay ahead in Honors Precalc, but I also completely unplugged to go on an awesome day adventure with my friends. Taking that time to explore, hang out, and recharge was the perfect mental reset, leaving me refreshed and ready to crush the rest of the semester