Bags from Milk Tea Brand Chagee Are China’s New Dior Totes

Chinese consumers are transforming bags from Yunnanese milk tea brand Chagee into their own line of products: DIY cylinder purses, book covers, tissue boxes, and even foot baths. Some Chinese netizens have ridiculed these DIY innovations. “Why don’t you just carry the books with the bag?” was one Weibo user’s response to a DIY book cover. Others defended the trend, saying that it’s a waste to not up-cycle such high-quality, aesthetically-pleasing bags. Indeed, Chagee’s blue and off-white bags are surprisingly elegant. The longer one stares at the milk tea bag, the more familiar it seems: From the colors down to the capital letters, the milk tea bag looks undeniably like a Maria Grazia Chiuri Dior book tote. The popularity of Chagee’s and Dior’s design proved one thing: Chinese art penetrates both time and culture.
A comparison of Chagee’s milk tea bag and Dior’s tote bag. Image via Bilibili.
This uncanny similarity has sparked debate online, with some Chinese netizens pointing out that Chinese prints inspired Chiuri. After all, the bag’s blue is a Chinese porcelain blue, and the pastoral background is a familiar motif in Chinese traditional paintings. Chagee’s use of a similar design can be seen as an attempt to update Chinese traditional tea culture. Accordingly, many of the DIY influencers transforming Chagee bags have picked up on the brand’s traditional Chinese aesthetics. Most videos of their projects are soundtracked by Chinese folk or classical music. As seen on Bilibili, netizens have created Chinese fans, pencil holders, and origami lotus flowers out of the bags. Taking things further, one netizen even recreated a Chagee store using a milk tea cup. undefined
The DIY Chagee store. Image via Bilibili.
These viral transformation of Chagee bags once again illustrates how online creators are tirelessly transforming Chinese culture for the contemporary era. Banner image via Bilibili.

Song Yadong falls to former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan at UFC 299

It’s an outcome that will likely disappoint fight fans in China: Chinese mixed martial artist Song Yadong fell short of securing his third consecutive win on March 9. He lost to Russian fighter and former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan in three rounds at UFC 299 in Miami, Florida, by unanimous decision.


The three-round bantamweight contest was the opening fight of the evening’s main card, which was headlined by a bantamweight championship bout between current champ Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera.


The first round started slow, with a confident Song bidding his time and landing a few well-placed punches. In the final minute of the opening round, Song kept Yan on the canvas and delivered some big shots to his opponent’s head.


Song was the clear winner of round one, and Yan’s ring-side crew couldn’t have been happy with their man’s performance in the fight’s first five minutes. Yan found his pace in the second round, though, keeping the pressure on Song and delivering some strong uppercuts in the final minute. Yan also executed a beautiful takedown in the final 30 seconds of the round, keeping Song pinned until the buzzer.


Round three was likely the most thrilling of the fight, with some wild takedowns. Song showed some signs of fatigue in the final five minutes, and he appeared to struggle to keep up with Yan’s pace through much of the round. Song finished the final round pinned to the canvas.


After being crowned the victor, Yan thanked his fans while speaking with UFC commentator Joe Rogan.


(Fun fact for Chinese MMA fans: While Yan fights out of Mother Russia and describes himself as a “Russian Orthodox Christian Man,” he has a personal connection to China — Chinese ancestry. Yan has claimed his paternal grandfather is “pure Chinese,” according to the South China Morning Post. The Russian fighter has previously been subjected to racist, online abuse due to his Chinese roots.)


Song Yadong and Petr Yan at UFC 299

Screengrab via Sportsnet


Song, 26, came into the fight ranked seventh in the bantamweight division with a record of 21-7-1. According to UFC stats, Song has ended nine fights by knockout and three by submission, with seven of his wins secured in the first found.


Meanwhile, 31-year-old Yan ranked fourth in the same division, boasting a record of 16-5-0. Yan has seven knockout wins and three submission wins to his name.


Before the fight, Yan was slightly favored to win, with odds at -130. Song was the betting underdog with odds of +105.


The bantamweight fighters were initially set to meet each other in the Octagon in December 2023 for UFC Vegas 83, but Yan was forced to bow out of the fight due to an injury. Song ended up trading blows with Chris Gutierrez as part of that event’s main card.


Since losing to Cory Sandhagen at UFC Vegas 60 in September 2022, Song has clinched W’s in his two most recent fights. He defeated Ricky Simón by TKO in the fifth round during the main card of UFC Vegas 72 in April 2023 before besting Gutierrez for a unanimous decision victory at UFC Vegas 83 in the final month of last year.


Song’s loss at UFC 299 will likely be a stinging disappointment for China’s MMA fans, but the night was still a notable occasion for the Chinese fighter: When he entered Miami’s Kaseya Center, it was with a new nickname — ‘Swaggy Song Yadong.’


“According to the man himself, UFC 299 is the introduction of Swaggy Song,” a broadcast host announced prior to Song entering the Octagon. The new nickname presumably signals that Song is parting ways with his former moniker, ‘The Kung Fu Kid,’ which — for obvious reasons — was and remains somewhat unoriginal.


Song hails from the province of Heilongjiang in Northeast China and has become one of his home country’s most recognizable and celebrated MMA athletes. Song, who fights out of UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, was profiled in the second episode of RADII’s 2022 mini-documentary Way of the Warrior, which profiled both established and up-and-coming MMA talent from China. (Click here to watch the second episode of Way of the Warrior.)


Eager to discover more human stories from China’s MMA scene? Take a look at our Way of the Warrior series.


Cover image: screengrab via Sportsnet

Actor-Singer Bao Xiaobo Reconstructs His Late Daughter Through AI

Taiwanese actor and musician Bao Xiaobo, also known as Tino Bao, was used AI to bring the personality of his deceased daughter “back to life.” Though he has shared images and video of the digital model before, a recent interview has drawn more attention to his journey through grief and technology.


In 2021, Bao’s world was shattered when his 22-year-old daughter, Bao Rong, succumbed to a rare blood disease. Stricken with grief, Bao turned to artificial intelligence as a tool for solace and memory, crafting a digital version of his daughter. This AI creation, capable of real-time interaction, has brought a semblance of his daughter back into he and his wife’s lives. In an especially poignant scene, the AI even sang a birthday song for his wife.


Bao shares the AI rendition of his daughter on social media. Image via Baidu.


Bao’s journey into the realm of AI was driven by a desperate need to hear his daughter’s voice again, which was silenced before her passing due to a tracheal intubation. The entertainer immersed himself in AI studies and even enrolled in a PhD program to understand and recreate his daughter’s voice and image. Bao’s fans will also note a change in his appearance: he now has long, flowing white hair, a stark departure from his previous more clean-cut look. He revealed that he hasn’t cut his hair since his daughter’s death, as it had grazed her forehead before her passing.


Bao’s new look in memory of his daughter. Image via Weibo.


However, this innovative approach to mourning was met with skepticism by some internet users in the Chinese mainland. Critics argued that such vivid digital recreations might obstruct the natural grieving process. A notable sentiment shared by a Weibo user was, “Actually, there’s no need for this; if souls truly exist, his daughter won’t be able to rest in peace and move on to reincarnation.” Despite these concerns, Bao remained steadfast in his conviction, asserting in an interview, “AI is a tool for harboring memories and a way to express our yearning.” This perspective garnered substantial support among netizens, drawing parallels to a storyline in Wandering Earth 2, where the character Tu Hengyu, portrayed by Andy Lau, also revives his daughter using AI. One Weibo user reflected, “I understand why Tu Hengyu became Tu Hengyu,” referencing the profound emotional journey of the character and its parallels with Bao’s life.


While Bao’s act certainly is a testament to fatherly love, transcending the digital and real, life and death, debate continues on the ethical implications of AI use.


Banner image via Baidu.

Young Chinese Search for Ideal Dads Online

We might expect influencers to be teens or twentysomethings, but an unexpected demographic is gaining a following on Chinese social media: middle-aged dads.


Recently several influencers have garnered a high numbers of views and likes through documenting, or themselves being, ideal father figures who prioritize their children’s well-being and respect their privacy. Fathers who are especially thoughtful and caring towards their daughters are proving particularly popular. These influencers engage with their audience by showcasing various aspects of caring fatherhood, from seeking skincare advice for their children, to supporting their life decisions.


Zou from Changsha, Hunan province, is one of these “ideal fathers.”


Every weekend, Zou dedicates his free time to cooking for his 29-year-old daughter, who lives in the same city as him. Occupied by work, his daughter always ends up ordering delivery food instead of preparing her own meals. To help his daughter maintain a healthy diet, Zou prepares dishes in advance, and drops off pre-made dishes — from beef brisket with tomatoes and potatoes, to laziji (spicy fried chicken) — at her place.


Zou’s videos showcasing his pre-made meals for his daughter have garnered over 3.5 million views, and have sparked debate online. Some criticize Zou for spoiling his daughter, while others praise his dedication, noting that his actions represent the epitome of a loving parent. As one viewer commented on Weibo, “These must be the only irresistible pre-cooked meals.”


In an interview with Shanhai Shipin, Zou explained his motivations, stating, “My daughter has a demanding job, she’s not very healthy, and she always eats delivery. So I started preparing meals for her… Even when she turns 40 or 50 years old, she’ll still be my child, and deserves to have a healthy diet as well as unconditional love from her parents.”


A viral post about Zou. Screenshot via Weibo.


An analogous influencer also gained popularity on Xiaohongshu recently.


An account named Shiyue Ershiqi Ri [October 27th], apparently operated by a father, made posts soliciting skincare recommendations for his daughter and advocating that parents respect their children’s life decisions regarding marriage. The account’s thoughtful and loving approach towards his daughter earned him the nickname “E-Dad,” (电子爹, diànzǐ diē, literally electronic dad).


However, shortly after gaining viral fame, the account was suddenly deleted, leaving followers confused and unsettled.


One follower, Buhu Huhu, expressed their distress at the disappearance of their “E-Dad,” asking for more information and wondering about the unexpected turn of events. “I was just reading my E-Dad’s post, and suddenly their account is gone. Does anyone know what’s going on all of sudden? Ahhhhh, my E-Dad!“


The query post garnered over 5,800 likes and sparked speculation from netizens, with some pointing out the possibility that the entire persona of the “E-Dad” might have been a fabrication by a daughter longing for affectionate parental love.


Positing that the account was a hoax, the user Sesame Bunny (芝麻馅兔团) commented, “Regardless of the authenticity of the situation, I believe the young girl [behind the account] is incredibly kindhearted. She appears to be striving to comfort herself while also soothing those of us who are grappling with regrets, doubts, fears, love, and hatred within the confines of a traditional Chinese family.”


“There’s a genuine warmth in her words, much like that of a normal and loving fairytale father. My heartfelt wish is for everything to turn out well for her.”


The yearning for an ideal father figure is not coincidental. Many young women online in China seem to have a contested relationship with their fathers.


Last December, the hashtag “Don’t Marry My Dad” went viral.


In a widely circulated Douyin video, interviewees were asked what they would tell their mothers if they could time travel. Many young people gave a shocking answer: that they would ask their mothers to “Find a better husband” and tell her “Don’t marry my dad.”


A similar video, filmed in Ma’anshan, Anhui province. Screenshot via Douyin.


Weibo user Daolan Tuya (岛兰图娅) commented, “After re-watching Everything Everywhere All at Once, I wish in a parallel universe, my mom could have been a female celebrity, a chef, a secretary, or anything else, just not married to my dad.”


A Cornell University doctoral dissertation reveals that, on average, Chinese women undertake 80% of the housework and childcare responsibilities, while the presence of fathers in the household can be largely invisible.


Banner image via Pexels.

Taylor Swift Singapore Tour Dates Inspire Envy and Ecstasy

Taylor Swift — who we last saw “speaking Chinese” — is currently in Singapore, in the middle of a six night run for the final Asian dates of her “Eras Tour.” As the only Asian shows of the tour besides four nights in Tokyo back in February, the sold-out concerts have attracted a huge amount of attention, generating excitement from fans in Singapore and neighboring countries, plus envy from governments around the region yearning to host lucrative cultural events. Swift’s stay in Southeast Asia has also launched a wave of memes, equal parts cringeworthy and hilarious, as Singaporeans attempt to either capitalize on or parody Swiftmania.


Singapore’s status as the only tour stop in Southeast Asia has attracted fans from China, the Philippines, and beyond, but also raised eyebrows in government offices around the region. Last month Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin claimed that Singapore’s government was paying Swift USD 2-3 million per concert. In an interview with Channel News Asia, Singaporean Minister for Culture, Education, and Youth Edwin Tong stated that the government had provided a grant to secure the concerts, but that it was “nowhere as high” as implied by rumors. The news outlet suggested that they understand the grant to be around USD 2-3 million in total for the six shows.


So, to the grumbles of its neighbors, Singapore is trying to make the most of Swift’s exclusive concerts, which are estimated could bring up to SGD 500 million (around USD 370 million) in tourist spending to the city-state. It’s also hoped that the shows might help build Singapore’s reputation as a cultural destination and shed its somewhat dowdy, business-focused image.

Getting in on the action, Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung posted a video to his Instagram editing himself into Swift’s video for “You Belong To Me,” using the opportunity to remind young Singaporeans to maintain healthy study habits. More acerbically, local satirical news account The Pressing Times posted that “300,000 Asians” were “ready for group therapy with one American lady.” Meme account yeolo.sg even appropriated a viral video of an Australian fan crying at a Swift concert to represent the rest of Southeast Asia’s reaction to Singapore’s show subsidies.

Swift’s Singapore shows continue until Saturday, March 9th. And it seems that just like back in America, she has an uncanny ability to inspire undying devotion among Gen Z and millennial fans, and send older politicians and pundits spiraling into embarrassing behavior as they reach for a piece of the cake.


Banner image via TAS.

Zigong’s Lantern Festival Hops on AI and AR Trends

Last week, more than 450,000 tourists visited this year’s Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival in the southeastern corner of Sichuan province. Though the festival has ancient roots, it has kept up with the times, and this year the undoubted highlight for AI enthusiasts was a lantern in the form of a nian, a mythical Chinese monster.


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The nian lantern. Image via Weibo.


Tourists can converse with the nian through a mini-program on their phones. Ask it a question and the 12-meter-tall creature will respond with nods, roars, or even breathing “smoke” made of water vapor. The nian also has a sense of humor. When one tourist asked the creature to bainian (拜年, meaning to say a New Year greeting), it did not obey. Playing with the double meaning of the Chinese word bai, the nian replied, “I’m not going to bainian. I’ll baideng [拜灯, pray for the lanterns] instead. May the lanterns be brighter!”


Old traditions also took on new forms. Instead of the usual fireworks, this year’s lantern festival opened with a light show composed of 2024 drones. On February 2nd, the mythical dragon and majestic phoenix soared through the night. Cartoon characters also greeted visitors from the sky. The drones shimmered, made fizzing sounds and swooshed to mimic the sights and sounds of fireworks. Over Chinese New Year, the drones even collectively created screen-like visuals to advertise the spectacle. These advancements all work towards the festival’s environmental goals.


In other displays, Chinese tradition was recast through contemporary technology: for the first time Terracotta Warriors donned Vision Pro headsets, and the Flying Horse of Gansu wore mechanized armor made of recycled tires. A 40-meter memorial wall also features the entire history of China written in ancient Chinese writing systems like the oracle bones script.


The Flying Horse of Gansu in mechanized armor. Image via Wangyi.

The Flying Horse of Gansu in mechanized armor. Image via Wangyi.


Like previous editions, the festival has been met with praise from visitors. In fact, Zigong’s lantern festival is now a global brand, the Zigong Lantern Group having just presented the Luminosa Festival in Miami. The Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival continues until the end of March back in Sichuan.


Banner image via 163.