Pseudo Gap Year: Students Are Nervously Delaying Graduation

For college students around the world, graduating represents the end of a long struggle, an ultimate goal and a reward for years hard work. In China, however, graduating is becoming an even more stressful event, as it means it’s time to find a job.


A growing percentage of the country’s university students are choosing to postpone their graduation: new data shows that the number has grown steadily since 2011, and in 2023, is nearly the same as those who graduate on time.


graduation shoot china

Image via Xiaohongshu.


In recent months, many young Chinese started sharing their experiences and concerns online, and in June a related hashtag went viral on Weibo, only to be removed shortly after.


Other users on Instagram-like platform Xiaohongshu reflect on whether postponing their graduation could have ruined their lives, while others document their path with detailed ‘Post Graduation-Delay Diaries’ (there, the hashtag amassed over 25 million views).


Postponing one’s graduation often means taking time away from school, in what has been called a ‘pseudo gap year’ — some students eagerly embrace the opportunity to travel abroad, look for jobs, or learn new skills.


While many report improvements in English exam scores, job search results, and even overall mental health, others criticize the choice as “lazy and pointless.”


china university

Image via Xiaohongshu.


Despite a significant increase in the number of university graduates in 2023, youth unemployment in China hit a record high 21.3% in May. The growth has been steady since the start of the pandemic in 2020, and authorities recently announced they would stop releasing monthly data about youth unemployment, signaling that the numbers may not be improving.


A slowing economy and grim prospects for graduates have given rise to a wide range of responses from Gen-Z and millennials, from sarcastic graduation shoots and wild resignation parties, to an uptick of interest in pursuing advanced degrees as a way to avoid facing unemployment.


Cover image via Xiaohongshu.

‘Running Up!’ – Majin Xuan ft. Bohan Phoenix is a Chinese Drill Moment

This short and to-the-point burst of melodic drill rap brought to you by newcomer Majin Xuan, and the inimitable Bohan Phoenix.


The music video for Running Up! Deja Vu, shot by TheGuyJose, takes viewers to the streets of New York City, owning the drill sound right from the jump.

It’s an eclectic rush of flows and stylistic influences sewn together by the unique delivery of Majin Xuan, whose vocal approach lies somewhere between Pop Smoke and Lil B.


The cherry on top is the razor sharp verse from bilingual rap icon Bohan Phoenix.


Majin alternates between poignant lyrics in the verse (Step in the Manhattan nighttime and the scenery’s beautiful / underneath the neon beams, a lady who glows) and a bouncy, nonsensical hook.


Bohan, meanwhile, shows off his expertise with a deft verse that all ties together at the end (Erykah Badu’s Love of My Life, anyone?).

It’s a hefty introduction for those new to Majin’s sound, and for longtime Bohan fans, a callback to the artist’s roots as a bars-first rapper. Regardless, the video for Running Up is sure to have you running it back.


Cover image via Majin Xuan

‘Black Myth: Wukong’ is Finally Playable

Black Myth: Wukong, the highly anticipated ‘souls-like’ game inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, is finally ready to make its debut at German video game fair Gamescom, where eager fans will finally have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.


Developed by Chinese studio Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong has garnered attention not only for its beautiful graphics and attention to detail, but also for its significance in the Chinese gaming industry. The game represents a major step, both for Chinese game developers, and for the presence of Chinese cultural elements in mainstream games.



With stunning graphics and gameplay influenced by the monumental Dark Souls franchise, Black Myth: Wukong lets players assume the role of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. While the game has received immense positive attention worldwide, Game Science and its founder have also faced criticism over bizarre sexual comments and sexist recruitment ads, which constantly invoked imagery of penises.


The gaming community at large has been undeterred by the controversy.


“I don’t give a damn if [the allegations] are true or not,” one user tweeted. “I wanna play as a badass monkey who will wreck shit up.”


As excitement builds for the release of Black Myth: Wukong, its presence at Gamescom marks a significant milestone in its development journey. In addition to “dozens of machines” for attendees, Opening Night Live will also feature a world premiere for those who can’t make it to the event.


Cover image via Game Science

Chinese Citizens Question the Appeal of South Korea

On August 6, the Chinese embassy in South Korea issued a safety advisory urging Chinese citizens in the country to exercise caution due to a recent series of ‘random homicides.’


On the evening of August 3, a man in a city near Seoul used his car and a knife to attack bystanders, leaving thirteen wounded and one dead. The incident rocked South Korea, where these crimes are uncommon. When a series of copycat threats were posted online, law enforcement subsequently apprehended a group of 46 posters in a two-day operation.


In the aftermath, a multitude of trending hashtags related to travel in South Korea emerged on Chinese social media.


“I strongly advise against traveling to Korea. International students and migrant workers there should avoid crowded areas and leisure activities,” one Weibo user posted. “Stay vigilant, refrain from looking down at your phone, and be attentive to your surroundings when you’re alone outside. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”


The discourse quickly spread beyond the recent news of violence, igniting a wider discussion about Korean culture among Chinese netizens, which touched on everything from kimchi to K-pop.


“The South Korean embassy just issued a safety reminder in South Korea. What’s the significance of your trending hashtag?” another user asked. “In Yanji, Jilin, Dandong, Liaoning, and Shenyang, you can find more authentic kimchi! Do we really need to travel abroad just for a bite of kimchi?”

The controversy about kimchi can be traced back to 2021, when major vlogger Li Ziqi found herself embroiled in a social media dispute between Korean and Chinese netizens. The conflict arose from a video in which Li labeled kimchi as a ‘yanbian’ (Korean-ethnic Chinese) traditional food rather than a Korean one, setting off a contentious debate.


The deepening divide between China and South Korea isn’t new — according to a recent Pew survey, younger South Korean adults hold a more pronounced disapproval of China compared to older generations; an anomaly among the 19 countries surveyed.


In contrast, cultural enthusiasts and K-pop fans have been forging a different path. Despite the strained relations, they’ve maintained hope for K-pop’s return to the Chinese market. This optimism follows a subtle easing of unspoken constraints, signaled by an agreement between China Media Group and Korean Broadcasting System in 2021.


In March, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism declared its acceptance of applications from foreign performers for visits and tours in the country. However, it was unclear whether South Korean acts would be included in this new opening.


When Jay Park made his first post-pandemic appearance in China, it caused widespread discussions about the potential relaxation of the ‘K-pop ban’ by the Chinese government.


Although a ban on K-pop idols was (unofficially) initiated in 2017 due to Seoul’s deployment of the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD), which Beijing viewed as a security threat, Chinese K-pop fan clubs have persisted in showing their support via organized group purchases of their favorite idols’ albums.


Cover image via Cait Ellis

‘Citywalks’ Are the Trendiest Way to Travel Urban China

Young Chinese people are banding together to wander around new cities — or their own — in pursuit of a laid-back, authentic experience.


Encompassing everything from aimless wandering and foodie destination-hopping, to seeking out interactions with locals, ‘citywalks’ have rapidly taken over Chinese social media in recent months, where they’re seen as a budget-friendly way to soak in some local color, and avoid potentially overrated destinations.


a xiaohongshu post about citywalks china

A citywalk guide for Shanghai


Often conducted in groups and occasionally with a guide, some of the most popular citywalk destinations include Beijing’s hutongs or picturesque Liangma River, and Shanghai’s Changning District.


According to Chinese social media, the term ‘city walks’ reportedly originated in the UK, referring specifically to guided tours that focused on a city’s history and culture. However, the meaning of the phrase in China is far less specific — the main idea is for citywalk participants to forge their own routes, feeling out the atmosphere of a city for themselves.


liangma river in beijing

Beijing’s central Liangma River is a popular place for citywalkers


Though citywalks were born as an off-the-beaten-path method of exploration, the virality of the trend has led to thousands of citywalk guides and recommendations, and even official citywalk routes promoted by municipal governments.


On Instagram-like Xiaohongshu, a search for ‘citywalk’ turns up more than 600,000 posts and tens of millions of views.


Online commentators have compared citywalking to the French flânerie, a noun that refers to ‘aimless, idle behavior.’ 19th-century literary figures like Charles Baudelaire and Walter Benjamin turned the flâneur into an archetype and symbol, an observer of contemporary life.


“An extended stroll represents the ability to wander away from society,” wrote Chen Xuan in The Paper. “The walk is a way to understand the rich diversity of the urban landscape.”


citywalk in tianjin

A photo from a citywalk in Tianjin


One WeChat blogger wrote, “Many people are confused, [asking] whether citywalks are just regular walks…but the difference lies in one’s mentality and point of departure: you have to start with curiosity, in a relaxed way, open to feeling the beauty and freedom of the journey.”


Citywalks are the latest chill travel trend to sweep the country — over the past few years, temple excursions and road trips have also had their turns in the spotlight.


Cover image via Yusong He, all other images via Xiaohongshu

Short Film ‘Encounter in Jiangnan’ Blends AI and Chinese Poetry

The concept for ‘Encounter in Jiangnan’ came to writer/director Gary Yong on a train ride.


“It feels like there’s never enough time, and yet here I was on a 12-hour train ride,” says Yong, who was working against a deadline to enter the ‘Picturesque and Dynamic Zhejiang’ global short film contest.


“There was this paradox of not having enough time, for an idea that came to me when I had so much of it. I was thinking about how both these things could be true — especially today, when everything is speeding up. More and more demands on our time, alongside more and more time-saving technologies.”


The result is a short film which questions the fluid, temporal nature of time in relation to attention.

‘Encounter in Jiangnan’ blends the old and the new, tapping into the cultural landscape and aesthetics of ancient Chinese poetry and ink painting, as well as the future-forward thinking of generative AI film production.


It’s a short film debut for RADII favorite, musician and influencer Gigi Lee, who stars opposite actor Barret Coates.


“When a foreign athlete meets a local artist in the beautiful water town of Shaoxing, Zhejiang, their chance encounter inspires them to poetize the fleeting moments in life,” Lee summarized on Weibo, where the video has racked up over a half-million views.


“As we blur the lines between past and present, technology and art, what emerges is a meditation on the ineffable beauty of our world, calling us back to the present moment,” she added.


The concept for the film is grounded in the classic ‘Orchid Pavilion Preface,’ a renowned work of calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, who is sometimes regarded as the greatest calligrapher in Chinese history.



But for Yong, it’s important to romanticize the present moment as much as we do the past.


“Jiangnan isn’t just a physical place, a landscape, a scenery,” Yong tells RADII. “It represents a sort of nostalgia for something that’s always been in the past. Even in ancient times, the way the poets wrote about it, that romanticism was always there.”


“It’s not just us looking back,” he adds. “It’s them looking back as well, feeling like they’d missed something!”


Follow RADII for more about indie film in China and Shanghai’s creative scene.


Images via Gary Yong