Episodes - This American Life

For the last year, writer Karen Cheung has been watching her hometown of Hong Kong change in big and small ways under a new law, and wondering when and if leaving will be her last resort.

710: Umbrellas Down

July 10, 2020

Act Two: The Fight

Jennifer, Ira, and producer Emanuele Berry go to a protest and get tear gassed in front of a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. (6 minutes)

Act Four: A Slow Boat to China

Producer Diane Wu goes to a party. A Chinese flag party.

Act Five: Nine Months Later

Host Ira Glass calls Jennifer to talk about the new security law. (12 minutes)

Hong Kong in 2047

686: Umbrellas Up

Oct. 18, 2019

Prologue

A 22-year-old woman has been going to protest in Hong Kong for more than four months. She’s got packing her bag for a protest down to a science.

Act One: The Cursed Generation

A bunch of 22-year-olds from Hong Kong explain why they are cursed and what that means for their and Hong Kong’s future. (17 minutes)

Act Two: The Fight

Ira and Emanuele go to a protest and get tear gassed in front of a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. (6 minutes)

Act Four: Good Cop, Dad Cop

A protestor who thinks the Hong Kong police are terrible has a chat with his dad — a police officer. Alan Yu reports. (12 minutes)

Act Six: Two Weeks Later

The 22-year-old woman from the beginning of the show catches up with producer Diane Wu. Things are different.

Act Five: A Slow Boat to China

Producer Diane Wu goes to a party.