Need a light? Just ask Stephen Fung, a 21-year-old flashlight collector who loves to collect and modify flashlights. He illuminates June Ng about his love for his gadget and explains the fun of the on/off button.

HK Magazine: Why do you like flashlights so much? Did your mom lock you in the closet when you were a kid?
Stephen Fung: No, nothing like that! I started to gain an interest in flashlights about two to three year ago. I went on a midnight hiking trip with friends. It was my first time hiking so I just chose a cheap, random flashlight to take with me. But when we got to the hill, it died. So for the rest of the trip, I had to rely on other people to show me the way. When I got back, I went shopping for a more powerful flashlight and I haven’t stopped since.

HK: What can you do with them besides turn them on and off?
SF: Turning them on and off is fun enough already! When I perform maintenance on them, I have to turn them on and off to see if they’re working. It’s fun to go out and beam the light up sides of buildings, too. Sometimes I have to be really careful because the security guards might get grumpy and curse at me as they’re driving me away. Buying and modifying flashlights is a good fun, too. You have to look at the sizes, which kind of light bulbs they’re using and what kinds of batteries they need. A lot of them take rare bulbs and batteries.

HK: Do people say that you’re a geek when they find out about your hobby?
SF: Yes, but whenever people encounter something that they don’t understand, they’ll categorize it as “weird,” so I don’t really mind. And there are many people who share the same interest as me. Honestly, my flashlights are very useful. On midnight hikes, my gear is the most reliable and my friends are always impressed by the light my flashlight generates in the dark. I even have one that can light a cigarette—you just have to modify the metal coil. It was invented by a local flashlight lover.  

HK: What about day-to-day? Do your flashlights have any use?
SF: Of course they’re useful in everyday life. I always carry a small flashlight with me. It’s my lucky charm. I go with it everywhere. So if there’s ever an emergency, for instance, if someone drops something on the floor and can’t find it, I can shine a light and help them to look in dark corners.

HK: Is brighter always better?
SF: No it’s not. You have to use the right light with the right brightness at the right time and circumstances. I wouldn’t randomly use my most powerful flashlight because it might disturb someone. It’s the same as playing music; you might think the song is cool and turn the volume up, but someone next to you might hate it. Personally, I think a lot of lights in Hong Kong are too bright, especially the signboards. They really don’t have to turn on that many light bulbs.

Think our city is too bright? Click here to read our story on Hong Kong’s light pollution problems.