On this unique episode of Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, I speak with LK, a Hong Kong artist, puppeteer, playwright, and dissident now living in exile in France.

LK’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and defiance. We discuss how art can resist silence, the dangers and power of puppetry and object theatre, and the struggle to create freely under censorship. LK opens up about leaving Hong Kong in 2019, the wave of repression that followed the National Security Law, and the transnational threats they and their family continue to face.

We also explore:

• How art and activism intersect—and why LK insists on keeping them apart
• What it means to live in exile, and the difficulty of building a new “anchor” in a foreign land
• The unique role of Hongkongers in Ukraine, Taiwan, and the global fight for democracy
• Why freedom of speech and human rights are not luxuries, but basic survival needs

In one of the most powerful parts of the conversation, LK reflects on Hong Kong’s 2019 movement, the sacrifices made, and what democracy and human rights mean at their core. Their message to dictators is short, sharp, and unforgettable.

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