Move over, TikTok dances – the 'Becoming Chinese' trend is rewriting viral culture with hanfu try-ons, tea ceremony tutorials, and Mandarin wordplay that's captivating Gen Z worldwide. Chinese-American creator Sherry Zhu, who helped spark the movement, tells NewspaperAmigo:
"When I post about mooncake recipes or qipao styling, it's not about aesthetics – it's sharing joy that's survived 5,000 years."
With over 2.7 million trend participants this month alone, Sherry sees a hunger for connection:
"My DMs blow up when someone in Brazil learns 'ni hao' or a Parisian tries calligraphy. That's the magic – culture outlives algorithms."
Asian diaspora youth are remixing traditions too – think K-pop inspired erhu covers and Lunar New Year streetwear collabs. As one Tokyo-based student commented:
"Sherry's videos helped me ask my grandma about her childhood stories. That's the real trend – generations connecting."
