Aspiring Livestreamers Come to the Fore in New Chinese Documentary

It’s no secret that China’s top e-commerce livestreamers, such as Li Jiaqi and Viya, often seize headlines for pulling sensational stunts or getting embroiled in scandalous situations. Meanwhile, ordinary livestreamers are often ignored in the media, and their contributions to the country’s booming livestream industry have been trivialized.


Long Live The Soul, a new documentary that shines the spotlight on several ordinary content creators living in Yiwu city in Zhejiang province, East China, premiered at this year’s FIRST International Film Festival on August 2. At the festival’s conclusion on August 4, the film walked away with the prestigious title of best documentary.


The city, which has been dubbed ‘The World’s Capital of Small Commodities,’ houses a small village — also an industrial park specializing in ecommerce — called Jiangbei Xiazhu. Thousands of ecommerce workers call it home.


Film poster of Long Live The Soul, image via Douban

Film poster for Long Live The Soul. Image via Douban


According to the Chinese publication The Paper, the village’s community is made up of some 5,000 livestreamers, many of them immigrants from rural China.


Filmmaker Hao Yang chose to highlight the life of Yuantou, a content creator cum entrepreneur, in his film. As viewers discover, the tricenarian is well-known among his peers for aspiring to elevate China’s ‘insignificant people,’ and has successfully courted favor from his followers after putting on several ostentatious online performances.


Yuantou

Yuantou entertaining his 296,000 Douyin followers. Screengrab via Douyin


Nevertheless, Yuantou has yet to discover a formula for monetizing his content. Not only does it look as if his team might disband, but he is also constantly in discord with his investors.


As the film progresses, Yuantou, in a state of agitation, reveals the worst side of himself. The self-indulgent and conceited man ends up lost, and loses his foothold in the burgeoning livestreaming industry.


In addition to telling the story of Yuantou’s struggle, Long Live The Soul reveals a peculiar, utopian-like landscape on the streets of Jiangbei Xiazhu. The highly performative world is packed with people shooting short videos or peddling small commodities to a livestream audience.


Jiangbei Xiazhu

A short video creator peddling trash bags in Jiangbei Xiazhu. Image via Youtube


During a Q&A session at the film screening, the director described the documentary as “spectacle-like.” After all, everything there seemed extremely unusual when juxtaposed with ‘the real world.’


Hao’s documentary has been well-received since premiering at FIRST; not only did audience members praise it during the Q&A session, but the film has also scored high ratings from media representatives — which only confirms RADII’s observation that content with rural subjects and themes is increasingly popular.


However, we lament the fact that the film doesn’t go a step further to explore subjectivities touching on rural-urban immigration, modernization, and urbanization, important themes that were successfully addressed in We Were Smart, a 2021 documentary on China’s shunned subculture shamate.


Keep an eye out for imminent screenings of Long Live The Soul. In the meantime, stream People Republic of Desire (2018) by director Hao Wu for another take on China’s livestreaming culture.


Cover image via FIRST International Film Festival

Wang Yibo’s New Hip Hop Comedy Movie Gets First Trailer

Picture this: A fast-cut montage of an energetic crowd made up of hip hop dancers cuts to a young man stating, “If I do well, do I have a chance of staying in the street dance club?”


Thus begins One And Only’s first and only (so far) trailer, which was released on July 26.


wang yibo hip hop dance

How could anyone ever say no to this face?


Directed by comedian-turned-filmmaker Dong Chengpeng (also known as Da Peng), the film stars Wang Yibo, one of China’s best-known pop idols.


Wang will step into the shoes of an emerging hip hop dancer who dreams of joining a street dance club run by a veteran dancer; the latter will be played by actor Huang Bo, known for starring in comedic roles.


wang yibo hip hop movie


At the time of writing, the 15-second trailer for the film, which will be released later this year, has racked up more than 33.6 million views on Weibo and gained over 482,000 likes from enraptured fans.


“Looking forward to seeing Wang Yibo on the big screen!” reads one comment, summarizing how millions of the celebrity’s fans feel. (In case you didn’t know, Wang’s fans are wild: The 24-year-old has previously paid the price for fame and been stalked by crazed fans, who have even gone as far as placing tracking devices on his car.)


wang yibo hip hop movie


Many are excited about One And Only’s unusual blend of comedy and hip hop.


“I have seen hip hop movies and comedy movies, but this is the first time I’ve heard of a hip hop comedy movie! The collision of the two themes and the many hip hop groups who participated in this film lead me to have very high hopes,” commented a netizen.


“A fusion of dance and comedy themes [with] a lot of hip hop bigwigs participating in the performances — it’s hard not to look forward to it!” gushed another.


Some have also expressed their hope that the film will help the Chinese street dance scene mature.


Not to be a killjoy, but given China’s strict Covid-19 policies and unexpected prolonged lockdowns, it’s hard to predict how many cinemas will be open during the film’s release. Nevertheless, fingers crossed for the best!


Watch One And Only’s trailer with Chinese subtitles on YouTube.


All images via YouTube

Sun Protection Clothing in China Goes From Laughable to Fashionable

Global warming, be damned! A drastic heat wave in China, which has caused more than 70 cities to hit record temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius, has also birthed a new fashion trend in the country.


Chinese youth, increasingly concerned about their wellbeing, are ordering sun protection clothing and accessories en masse and sharing their OOTDs (outfit of the day) on social media.


On Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform that some liken to Instagram, the hashtag for ‘sun protection clothing’ (#防晒衣#) has 100 million views and produces over 500,000 results.


china facekini summer trend

Samples of sun protective gear in China. Photos via Xiaohongshu


From tips on pairing sun protection items to comparisons of brands, most content under the hashtag pertains to fashion.


Though comical at first glance, the current hype surrounding sun protection clothing is just a manifestation of China’s centuries-old — and arguably unhealthy — obsession with fair complexions.


While we have nothing against sun protection gear, you have to admit that Chinese consumers often take the category of clothing to the next level. Among the near-grotesque summer accessories to come out of China in recent years is the infamous facekini (a portmanteau for ‘face’ and ‘bikini’). Think of it as the lovechild of a balaclava and a gimp mask.


Invented by a Qingdao resident in 2012, the facekini enjoyed relative popularity in China for a few years but never really took off among more fashion-conscious youth.


Conversely, Chinese Zoomers constitute the sun protection clothing market’s largest audience at present, underscores a 2022 industry report.


Specializing in sun protection gear such as hoodies, hats, arm sleeves, and oversized face masks, Ohsunny, Beneunder, and Bananain are some domestic brands favored by Chinese youth.


facekini china

Sun protection gear by Ohsunny, Beneunder, and Bananain. Images via Taobao


While Western audiences might find the above accessories far from fashionable, they are undoubtedly an improvement upon their garish forerunners. Produced using high-quality materials in pastel shades, the new fashion items don’t come cheap either; most headgear costs between 27 to 55 USD on average.


Investing in idol-oriented marketing campaigns has allowed the aforementioned brands to grow in popularity. Take, for instance, Bananain’s recent collab with Chinese actor Wang Yibo, which gained over 700 million views on Weibo.


Take it from us: Not merely confined to the internet, the sun protection clothing trend can also be spotted on the streets of China. So it looks as if the aesthetic is here to stay all summer.


Cover image designed by Zhuohan Shao

Hong Kong Siu Mai Lovers Form Online Community for Iconic Dumpling

Zeros and Ones is a regular series where we explore how technology and the internet impact everyday people’s lives in China and beyond. This month we explore the Hong Kong-based online community that has united around a specific food item: siu mai.


Covered in their canary-yellow flour wrappers, half a dozen fish siu mai, a classic Cantonese dim sum dish, sit in a paper bowl topped with sweet soy sauce and chili oil. Fresh out of the stainless steel steamer, with sauce mingling with water vapor, the dumplings are slippery to catch, just like mudfish in water. Any connoisseur of siu mai would tell you that the best way to tackle the dumpling is to spear it with a bamboo skewer before popping it into your mouth.


hong kong siu mai

Bowls of siu mai are a ubiquitous street snack in Hong Kong


This particular type of siu mai is unique to the streets of Hong Kong. Served in disposable bowls, fish-paste siu mai is a hassle-free snack that can be eaten while wandering around instead of being formally seated at a table in keeping with yum cha etiquette.


Furthermore, fish-paste siu mai’s affordability appeals to all Hong Kongers, from cash-strapped students to busy workers trying to squeeze in a quick bite between breaks, making it a quintessential element of Hong Kong food culture.

To declare their love for this local comfort food, more than 200,000 Hong Kongers have formed an online community called Hong Kong Siu Mai Concern Group (香港燒賣關注組) to rate and share tips about their beloved comestible.

Internet Food Cults in Hong Kong

Founded in late 2019, the Siu Mai Concern Group is a one-stop shop for all things centered around siu mai. Most active on Facebook and Instagram, its social media accounts are replete with siu mai memes, news, and reviews.


Members may banter under posts, arguing which siu mai is the best, or submit pictures of novel ways of consuming their favorite comestible, such as adding siu mai to traditional Cantonese festival meal poon choi or barbecuing the street snack.

In recent years, a wave of food-centric interest groups has swept across Hong Kong’s social media sphere. That said, many were short-lived fads or ‘three-minute passions’ (‘三分钟热度,’ san fenzhong redu) in Chinese slang, such as this Coriander Lovers Group, which seems to have given up on their crusade to fix the herb’s lousy reputation (the group has only posted once so far this year).


Regardless, various ‘food fan clubs’ have spurred a renewed love for classic local dishes like wonton noodles and satay beef noodles. Social media has served as a platform for Hong Kongers to unapologetically embrace and advocate their obsession with local delicacies.


The three founders of the siu mai group, who have chosen to stay anonymous, boast the ultimate superpower to recognize different siu mai stalls simply by glancing at their wares. See the provided samples below:


Sui mai online group chat


Sui mai Hong Kong online group chat


They have further demonstrated their devotion to the snack by publishing what is apparently the world’s first-ever comprehensive Siumaipedia, a comprehensive online encyclopedia explaining everything there is to know about the food.

Siu Mai Merchandise

The Siumaipedia is just one example of the group’s capabilities. It has taken less than a year for the online community to transform from a casual interest page for like-minded foodies to an established club, whose influence extends far beyond the Sinosphere.

Among other things, the group offers a 88 HKD (around 11 USD) lifetime membership that unlocks a plethora of benefits, including a complimentary siu mai whenever ordering from any of their 30-something partner stalls, one of which is located in Okinawa, Japan.


Should members wish to burn off a few calories, the membership card also grants them access to discounted fitness classes.


Welcome gifts, namely free siu mai and sauce, are also doled out to new members.

Members of the group like to joke that theirs is the most inclusive community: one only needs to name their favorite siu mai stall and brand to qualify as a member.


To some extent, they are right. Such clubs provide a safe space for food lovers to voice their honest critiques without going through any ‘middlemen,’ such as vendors, establishments, or media outlets.


hong kong food stall

Customers stand in front of Happy Fry Day, one of the Siu Mai Concern Group’s partner vendors


Although some may laugh at the idea of paying membership for a club solely devoted to a style of Chinese dumplings, the founders take it seriously. The group’s maxim reads:


“Siu mai is not just a food item. It symbolizes culture and reflects the essence of a person.”


Those who resonate with the above words on their website will certainly find value in becoming a paid member.


The founders have half-jokingly said that if siu mai ever ceases to exist, they would have to migrate to another planet (and presumably seek out the dumplings in the unexplored depths of our universe).


hong kong siu mai

A display of siu mai, which has been named a Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Item, at the Sam Tung Uk Museum in Hong Kong. Image via Facebook


The group has also collaborated with local food manufacturer Man Lok Yuen to produce their own vegan siu mai. It’s another attempt to broaden their inclusivity and reach by making siu mai accessible to individuals with different dietary requirements.


What is perhaps most moving is how these proud Hong Kongers are expressing their loyalty to local dishes and street food. It is comforting to know that despite there being thousands of other regional or international cuisines in the city, traditional food in Hong Kong is still loved and preserved.


All images courtesy of Tan Jia Ying unless otherwise stated

Magical Mooncakes by Harry Potter Franchise & Chinese Bakery Holiland

Ever wanted to taste a Cauldron Cake (a fictional pastry) from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter? If you live in China, the second closest thing might be these limited-edition mooncakes released by Chinese bakery Holiland on July 31, which just so happens to be famed wizard Harry Potter’s birthday.


The Mid-Autumn Festival treats are available on Taobao and JD.com and will make their way to brick-and-mortar stores on August 15. (For the blissfully unaware, Mid-Autumn Fest is one of the most important Chinese holidays and falls on the 15th day of the lunar calendar’s eighth month.)


horry potter holiland


Two tiers of Harry Potter and Holiland mooncake sets are up for grabs: The basic package (see above), containing six mooncakes and a Gryffindor badge, is priced at 289 RMB (almost 43 USD), while a larger gift set including 12 mooncakes, a magic wand-shaped pen, and The Monster Book of Monsters, a fictional textbook from the Harry Potter realm, costs 589 RMB (about 87 USD).


harry potter holiland


As you might expect, the mooncakes featured in the packages come in a variety of flavors and derive inspiration from the series of fantasy novels.


One mooncake shaped like a Hogwarts school badge is stuffed with egg yolk, spicy pork floss, and mochi. Too savory for your liking? The Chocolate Frog mooncake caters to non-adventurous eaters.


Another mooncake from the collection looks like a train ticket for Platform 9¾ and is flavored with green beans, while the one resembling a jellybean from Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans supposedly tastes like mint toothpaste (you couldn’t pay us to try it).


There is also an Earl Grey-flavored mooncake shaped like Hedwig, the owl, and a custard cake inspired by the Golden Snitch.


harry potter holiland


Although mooncakes traditionally come with fillings such as sweet red beans, lotus seeds, and egg yolk, modern brands across various industries — Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, and Starbucks — have put contemporary spins on the Chinese pastry.


Nowadays, few would bat an eye to seeing a pastry brand collaborating with the Harry Potter franchise. If anything, it makes sense given the latter’s strong fanbase, both in China and worldwide.


Harry Potter-related products have always created a huge buzz in China. Earlier this June, Chinese audio platform Ximalaya released the first Mandarin-language audiobooks of the series of seven fantasy novels.


All images via Weibo

Voision Xi, Gatekeeper of Shanghai Jazz, Releases New Ambient EP

On July 28, Voision Xi, a Shanghai-based jazz musician, released 5 Loops in Her Way via one of RADII’s favorite music labels — Eating Music. A follow-up to 4 Loops in Her Way, which the artist released last year, the solo EP is the latest addition to her ambient electronic ‘Loops’ series, representing her musical journey from 2020 to 2022.

A veteran of Shanghai’s vibrant jazz scene, Xi formed her own jazz band called Little Happiness Group in 2015. The group released their first EP — titled Debut — in 2018.



Shanghai boasts a rich history of jazz, so much so that the metropolis has been dubbed China’s jazz city. The music genre, which found its way to the city in the 1920s, is still going strong a century later.


jazz-artist-voision-xi-drops-loopy-sounds-in-newest-ep-'5-loops-in-her-way'

A portrait of Voision Xi making music


Outside her band, Xi works on solo projects marked by naturally warm and touching vocals. For instance, January 2022 saw the release of her first full-length album, Lost for Words.


“My whole life, I’ve had too many people describe me as calm and cool-headed. This kind of ‘compliment’ perhaps shines a light on some of the obstacles and conflicts I experience when trying to express myself through music. Will this temperament of being lost for words come across as the ‘me’ in my music?” mused Xi in an introduction to her first album.


jazz-artist-voision-xi-drops-loopy-sounds-in-newest-ep-'5-loops-in-her-way'

Voision Xi during a live performance


Xi often jumps out of her comfort zone in jazz and explores other music genres like ambient electronic music with the ‘Loops’ series. The epitome of chill, the series is likely to put anyone at ease and is the perfect background music for your next laidback gathering.


In the track titled ‘Too Late to Complain,’ the musician mixes her high and sweet vocals with an upbeat rhythm. Meanwhile, ‘Blackout’ is all about soft instrumentals and vocals that loop around the listener’s head.


But enough reading and more listening: Visit Bandcamp to play some sample tunes before committing to buying the digital album. Also available is a special cassette combining Xi’s previous and current EP along with two bonus tracks.


All images via Instagram


This article was updated at 1:40 PM on August 4, 2022, to clarify that Voision Xi’s new EP is ambient electronic, not jazz, as previously reported.