Nine years ago, RADII set out with a simple mission: to captivate the world through stories that transcend boundaries. Since 2017, that mission has grown into thousands of stories documenting the ideas, trends, people, and movements shaping Asia’s youth culture, not through tired clichés or headlines chasing outrage, but through curiosity, creativity, and genuine cultural exchange.

Over the past nine years, RADII has become a home for stories that sit at the intersection of music, film, food, fashion, technology, design, and underground subcultures. From deep dives into China’s independent music scene and profiles of emerging artists to explorations of viral internet phenomena, esports, AI, and contemporary Asian identity, we’ve tried to tell the stories others overlooked—always with the belief that culture is one of the best ways to understand one another.

That spirit has extended far beyond the written word. Alongside more than5,400 articles, RADII has produced 400+ videos, documentaries, podcasts, mixtapes, and social content that have reached audiences around the globe. Our award-winning YouTube documentary series Way of the Warrior explored the lives preserving China’s traditional martial arts, while City Bites under the GOLDTHREAD channel introduces viewers to unforgettable local food cultures through the people keeping them alive. Meanwhile, RADII Voices, our longest-running series, continues to shed light on emerging artists and the multifaceted aspects of their lives. We were also fortunate enough to spot creators before the algorithm did, featuring personalities like Tony LC Sign and SKAI ISYOURGOD long before they became viral sensations.

Offline, RADII has always believed culture is something best experienced together. We’ve organized concerts, exhibitions, creative talks, community meetups, and even staged a music festival in Los Angeles, bringing together artists, musicians, filmmakers, and audiences across borders. More than 300 contributors have helped shape what RADII has become, and somewhere along the way we even accidentally helped spark a romance between two colleagues that eventually turned into a lockdown wedding. As we enter our tenth year, we’re also quietly launching our Patreon — a new way for readers who believe in what we do to help keep independent cultural journalism alive. Members will get access to Patreon-exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes content, limited-edition merchandise, and other perks as we continue telling the stories that deserve to be heard.

Now it’s time for the next chapter.

This Thursday, July 30, we’re celebrating our ninth birthday with a Happy Hour Creative Mixer at Junto in Shanghai, the city where RADII’s journey began.

More than a birthday party, it’s a celebration of the community that has made RADII possible. Whether you’re an indie filmmaker, musician, designer, photographer, writer, artist, or simply someone curious about Asia’s creative scene, come meet the people behind the stories and the people creating the next ones.

We’re also thrilled to be joined by the Shanghai Filmmakers Alliance, bringing together even more of the city’s independent film community for an evening of conversations, collaborations, and new connections. Curious about contributing to RADII or working together on future projects? Come say hello. We’re partnering with Junto to keep the drinks flowing, with free beer for early arrivals and exclusive drink specials for registered guests.

Nine years ago, we started by telling stories that crossed borders. This week, we’d love to celebrate the people who helped make those stories possible—and hopefully begin a few new ones.

RSVP now and join us on Thursday.

All images via RADII.