Young woman with black hair wearing a white denim jacket holding a black bag, standing in front of a wooden wall with artwork and framed pictures.

Culture.
Business.
Strategy.

I’m Crystal Tai — an internationally-recognised journalist, author and strategist exploring how culture, business and consumer behaviours are reshaping the way we work and live.

Originally from Hong Kong and Canada, I’ve spent more than a decade living and reporting across Asia. As an editor and researcher, my writing and commentary have appeared on global platforms including The Guardian, BBC, CBC, and other media. I am also the co-author of Honjok: The Art of Living Alone (Welbeck/HarperCollins, 2021).

For collaborations, speaking engagements or other enquiries, you can reach me at hi@crystal-tai.com.

Close-up of a Black Lives Matter poster with various colored handprints surrounding the words in white uppercase letters.
Bold black text saying 'The Guardian' on a black background.
Blue banner with white text that reads 'Toronto Star'.
Al Jazeera logo with a stylized gold emblem and blue text.
South China Morning Post logo with styled dark blue text.
Text with the words 'Jing Daily' in bold black font on a white background.
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The word 'MONOCLE' in large, black letters on a white background.

What I do

Journalism

Reporting on business, culture and social change across Asia and beyond.

Research + Analysis

Cultural intelligence, consumer insight, emerging trends.

Narrative / Storytelling

Shaping concepts and data-driven insights into compelling narratives.

Speaking & Commentary

Podcasts, panels, lectures and workshops.

Stories

A person running on a grassy trail in a scenic landscape with green hills and white cliffs in the background, under bright lighting.
Smartphone displaying a digital assistant interface asking, 'What can I help with?'

Canadian craze: The rise of Arc’teryx, Lululemon in China. — Jing Daily

The perils of AI and data privacy.
— Al Jazeera News

I explored why Canadian brands have become so popular in China, and what’s driving the country’s interest in Canadian lifestyle.

I looked at Canada’s proposed privacy rules, and what they could mean for our data and everyday lives.

Four young adults posing outside a building at night, with three standing and one crouching in front, illuminated by neon lighting.
Street scene in an urban area with tall buildings, signs in Chinese, parked cars, and a man with a cart in the middle of the street.

I went to -26C Mongolia to explore its streetwear scene and how young people are mixing global fashion influences with local identity.

In Hong Kong, poverty becomes a fire hazard. — The Toronto Star

Ulaanbaatar Street Style
— id Magazine

I wrote about the Hong Kong fire and the deeper housing unaffordability, and structural problems that made the tragedy possible.

Read more
Nine books about Honjok, a Korean concept of living alone, displayed on a white surface. The covers feature various colorful and minimalist designs, including birds, mountains, and Korean or other Asian-inspired artwork.

My Book

Honjok: The Art of Living Alone (Welbeck/HarperCollins 2021) explores how demographic change, economic pressure, and shifting ideas of identity and belonging are reshaping modern life in South Korea and beyond. The book has been translated into multiple languages and published internationally.

More about Honjok

Let’s work
together.

For collaborations, select projects and other enquiries — get in touch via hi@crystal-tai.com.

PR pitches: I welcome relevant story ideas and launches across culture, business, technology and consumer trends.