Rat Tales: How Cuddly Cartoons Took Over the Year of the Rat

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
Changing material conditions — and a Disney-assisted cartoon rebrand — have turned rodents from reviled pests into fun, marketable icons. Read More

Winter Has Come for China’s Movie Extras

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
As a slowdown chills the Chinese film industry, actors are finding creative new ways to make a living. Read More

Ad Featuring Same-Sex Couple Wins Hearts and Minds in China

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
Activists say the rare LGBT-friendly commercial is a step toward acceptance and equality. Read More

Video App Douyin Shatters Some Stereotypes About Its Enormous User Base

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
Short video app Douyin has passed 400 million daily active users, its operator announced Sunday in a visual report that includes previously undisclosed insights on the app’s domestic users and the types of videos they view and create. Read More

How Li Ziqi Repackages Rural China For Urban Fantasies

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
Conversations about the social media star tend to focus on her international popularity, but what do her Chinese fans see in her? Read More

Chinese Celebs Are Taking Unruly Fans to Court for Defamation

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
A first-of-its-kind report revealed that this year, more than 100 stars filed lawsuits against individuals for posting false or malicious information online. Read More

2019 Year in Review: Top 10 Blockbusters in Chinese Cinema

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
Let’s take a look at the top 10 box office hits of 2019, and how they were received critically and commercially.  Read More

Why China’s Cancer Patients Are Sharing Their Lives on Douyin

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
Livestreaming platforms offer young patients a source of support, a sense of community, and the chance to redefine themselves. Read More

The Incredible True Story Behind “Midway”: An Audacious American WWII Raid and the Price China Paid

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
How brave Chinese villagers helped save the crew behind a daring US raid against Japan. Read More

League of Its Own: The Video Game That Shaped a Generation

 /  Chinasplaining  / 
A decade on from its release, the online video game ‘League of Legends’ has become a cultural touchstone for many Chinese millennials. Read More

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