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Letters | Lesson for Hong Kong’s dream chasers in DSE documentary

  • Readers discuss a film about a student’s struggles, and the importance of inculcating financial literacy at school

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A still from the film Once Upon a Time in HKDSE featuring student Tang Ngai-hong (left) and YouTuber Hui Yin (right). Photo: Handout
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The documentary Once Upon a Time in HKDSE, produced by the YouTube channel Trial & Error, has recently garnered quite a bit of public attention. It follows Tang Ngai-hong as he prepares for his Diploma of Secondary Education exam, offering a raw and honest look into the challenges he faced.

After watching the YouTube channel’s series that was turned into the film, I would like to express my gratitude to Tang for his poor exam results.

The channel’s decision to feature elite tutors like Y.Y. Lam sparked considerable discussion. Lam observed that Tang had spent three years in high school in a daze, leading to a weak academic foundation that would make passing the DSE a challenge. This choice of tutor and the resources Tang was able to access because of the channel’s popularity ignited questions about fairness from young viewers. Despite the intensive support, Tang did not achieve the score required for undergraduate admission.

Tang’s experience offers a profound lesson on the true nature of success. Many of us aspire to succeed in various aspects of life, whether through academic achievements, winning competitions or amassing wealth. However, the journey to success is often riddled with obstacles, and it’s tempting to seek short cuts. Tang’s story illustrates that those who pursue short cuts often fall short of their goals, finding themselves stuck in a cycle of disappointment.

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I am not mocking Tang for his results; rather, I am grateful for the lesson he has imparted. True success requires setting clear goals, investing time wisely, preparing diligently and persevering through hardship without making excuses.

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