McDull: the Not-So-Cool Pig

McDull, the little cartoon pig, has been attracting a huge fan-base. The character was created by Hong Kong artist Alice Mak.

Mak says although McDull is a kindergarten kid, he represents the office workers of Hong Kong.

[Alice Mak, Hong Kong Artist]:
"As a city girl, I had never seen real pigs before. Piggies were so wonderful and lovely in my imagination, so I decided to draw piglets. Firstly I drew a pink piglet named McMug; and then I gave birth to a clumsy one, who is less cute, less handsome and has a birthmark on one of his eyes. He is McDull."

Alice Mak majored in illustration at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. After graduation she met Brian Tse during her internship, and it was from there that McDull's 20-year success began.

[Alice Mak, Hong Kong Artist]:
"After graduation, I dreamed about having my own studio and making some money, and then my life would be just perfect. I never expected to meet Brian Tse, an amazing storyteller. He is versatile, and he writes poems as well stories. We started building websites, making animation and related products together, thus becoming product designers instead of just being planners."

In a fast-spinning commercial society like Hong Kong, reading McDull might offer readers a glimpse of an alternative lifestyle, a simpler life.

[Alice Mak, Hong Kong Artist]:
"We all have friends like McDull, not so clever and not from privileged families. What are their lives like? Would there be cute aspects in them? If we can love McDull, can we love those people as well? Or maybe we can relate to his story, then feel comforted and learn to treasure our own lives."