Reference News Network, November 25 report: On November 22, the U.S. luxury business observation website published an article titled "Ne Zha, Misa, Labubu: Cultural Output That Makes China Trendy," by Ashley Dudalenoque. The following is a compilation of the article:
Before 2024, if you asked most Westerners which Chinese brands there were, the answer would be predictable: Alibaba, Shein. If they followed tech news, they might also mention Huawei or BYD. These brands are known for their scale, efficiency, and price competitiveness, which are impressive but not considered trendy.
China was once respected as the world's factory and feared for geopolitical competition, but it rarely seen as a leader in cultural trends. This has now changed.
What has happened over the past 18 months is not a planned campaign or government initiative, but a more powerful force: a spontaneous cultural wave that has captured global attention. From the mythological Sun Wukong to AI breakthroughs that shocked Silicon Valley, from rapidly spreading live streams to globally popular collectible toys, China has become an undeniable trend center.
This is a story of change, from every moment to every brand.
First Act: The Game Revolution of "Black Myth: Wukong" (August 2024)
The first crack in the old narrative came from an unexpected place: a video game about a monkey. On August 20, 2024, "Black Myth: Wukong" took the world by storm, selling over 10 million copies within three days. This was not just the release of a game; it was a cultural earthquake, announcing the rise of China as a creative power.
Second Act: DeepSeek Moment Shocking Silicon Valley (January 2025)
If "Black Myth: Wukong" demonstrated China's creative potential, then DeepSeek's breakthrough in January 2025 declared China's technological strength. This artificial intelligence startup from Hangzhou released the R1 model, which quickly surpassed ChatGPT to become the highest downloaded application on the U.S. Apple App Store. But the real shock was yet to come: DeepSeek R1 model achieved this feat with only $294,000 in training costs — a fraction compared to its American competitors' investments.
Third Act: TikTok Refugees: A Digital Migration (January 2025)
While DeepSeek was the focus of the news, another major change was taking place in the social media field. The impending ban of TikTok in the United States unexpectedly pushed many Americans toward Chinese lifestyle apps like Xiaohongshu. According to Reuters, over 700,000 "TikTok refugees" joined the platform within two days.
Fourth Act: The Epic Animation "Ne Zha: The Demon Child's Sea Adventure" (February 2025)
As Chinese social media swept the globe, "Ne Zha: The Demon Child's Sea Adventure" also sparked a box office frenzy. This animated film, released during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, broke multiple box office records with a crushing force.
Fifth Act: iShowSpeed: Live Streaming That Changed Perceptions (March 2025)
This new dialogue between China and the U.S. appeared through the image of American streamer iShowSpeed ("Hyper") in China. This streamer has over 45 million followers on YouTube. His journey of live streaming in China attracted tens of millions of viewers, serving as a real cultural diplomacy masterclass.
Sixth Act: The Cuteness Collectibles Trend (2024-2025)
While big live streams dominated the headlines, a quiet transformation was taking place in toy stores around the world. Labubu from Chinese company Pop Mart quickly sparked a global collecting trend. With over 1 million TikTok posts and endorsements from numerous celebrities, these "cute and ugly" dolls can sell for thousands of dollars on the secondary market.
Seventh Act: The Surge of Chinese Brands (2024-2025)
Beneath these cultural events, a similarly significant but more low-key transformation was quietly taking place: Chinese brands are making a striking global impact. In the second quarter of 2025, BYD accounted for 18% of the global pure electric vehicle market. At the same time, as of March 2025, Moxi Ice City had over 46,000 stores, becoming the chain with the most outlets worldwide.
The New Chinese Narrative This chronological journey presents a picture of China that overturns traditional stereotypes.
In 2025, China's net global favorability exceeded that of the United States for the first time. China rose to second place in the global soft power index, reaching a record high.
For global brands, policymakers, and cultural observers, the implications are clear: the flow of influence is no longer one-way. The next great idea, the next hit moment, or the next cultural phenomenon could emerge from Shanghai or Shenzhen, just as easily as from Silicon Valley or Hollywood. China has not only returned to the center of the trend, but has redefined the meaning of "trend" in an interconnected world. (Translated by Wang Diqing)
On November 18, at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Studio in Moonachie, New Jersey, USA, a new float featuring Pop Mart dolls was displayed during a media preview of the parade. (AP)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7576562170717979171/
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