The quote originates from a fictional satire piece, "Four-Year Curriculum of University",[1][non-primary source needed] written by famous columnist Chip Tsao and published in the newspaper Apple Daily in 2004.
The phrase "Come On, James" originates from the satirical piece, "Four-Year Curriculum of University",[1] by famous columnist Chip Tsao, published in the newspaper Apple Daily on 25 October 2004.
In the article, Tsao mocked the reformed tertiary-education-system – the 334 Scheme[nb 1] – and questioned the credibility of Associate degree courses and community colleges in Hong Kong.
At the end the story, it was explained that the female character had already gotten a new boyfriend also studying at the University of Hong Kong, with brighter career prospects.
[15] There are several adaptations of "Come On, James" regarding different subjects including the iPhone 3GS,[16] Bawang Chinese herbal medicine shampoo[16] and Indonesian instant noodles brand Indomie.
[2] The acting of the male character emphasises that James is disappointed in his girlfriend who breaks their love promise due to the difference of qualifications.
[18] On 1 August 2015, a musical parody[3] of "Four-Year Curriculum of University",[1] named "COME ON JAMES", was published on the parodic YouTube channel "Sing To Say"[19] and was posted on Hong Kong Golden Forum.
[21] Re-using the melody of "Rashōmon"[1], the Cantonese number-one hit[22] of Hong Kong pop-singer Juno Mak, the parodist reworked the lyrics along the storyline of "Four-Year Curriculum of University".
The idea of "Come on, James" was later transformed into a slang widely used by the young generation in Hong Kong, commonly seen on social platforms which underscores one's self-regarded superiority over the others.
In the passage written by Chip Tsao, "Come on, James" is spoken bitterly, sarcastically and disdainfully by a girl who successfully gets into a leading university[8] in Hong Kong yet has got a so-called "unmatched" boyfriend studying in an associate degree program.
As the slang carries an ironic tone, it is widely employed by teenagers nowadays when they feel more superior in terms of economic status, academic achievements or appearances etc.