A TikTok trend dubbed "Becoming Chinese" is sweeping social media this month, blending humor and cultural curiosity as millions worldwide adopt habits like drinking warm water 🫖, practicing Baduanjin exercises at dawn 🌄, and cooking herbal soups. The movement, sparked by Chinese American creator Sherry Xiiruii’s playful video, has become a GenZ-approved celebration of everyday Chinese customs.
Sherry’s original clip, which jokingly warns viewers about "turning Chinese" through lifestyle choices, has racked up millions of views since January 2026. "It’s not about nationality—it’s about finding joy in small rituals," one commenter wrote, while others shared videos of themselves wearing cozy home slippers 🩴 or steeping goji berries in thermoses.
The trend has evolved into livestream challenges where creators compete to showcase the "most Chinese" daily routines. Analysts note it reflects China’s growing soft power, with traditional practices like Baduanjin—a 1,000-year-old fitness regimen—gaining TikTok fame alongside modern wellness trends. "This isn’t imitation; it’s cultural participation," said one sociology student interviewed about the phenomenon.
