Behind the hashtag about Nanjing's cross-dressing ‘Sister Hong’: from legal implications to viral spectacle.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Ten years after it happened, a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old rural girl has ignited a huge debate.| www.whatsonweibo.com
🔥 Quick Take: Trending in China This is a brief update from our curated roundup of what’s trending in China this week. A version of this story also appears in […]| www.whatsonweibo.com
For many girls, makeup is part of their day to day life. But what happens when girls test their boyfriend's knowledge about their makeup items? A new popular game on WeChat and Sina Weibo does not only reveal men's ignorance on cosmetics, it also reiterates China's 'Zhinan' ['Straight Guy'] stereotype.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Labubu is not ‘Chinese’ at all—and at the same time, it is very much a product of present-day China.| www.whatsonweibo.com
The impact of Ne Zha 2 goes beyond box office figures—yet, in the end, it’s the numbers that matter most.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Explaining why the celebration of the success of| www.whatsonweibo.com
From historic speeches to trending slogans, this is China’s official media response to the US tariff escalation.| www.whatsonweibo.com
"This moment is the time to reflect on our unity. If we can choose domestic alternatives, we should."| www.whatsonweibo.com
There are still many questions about the Xuzhou woman, but what is clear is that she now has come to represent many women like her.| www.whatsonweibo.com
From shifting sentiments on Zelensky to a renewed focus on Taiwan, recent geopolitical developments have sparked noteworthy takes from Chinese online commentators.| www.whatsonweibo.com
PART OF THIS TEXT COMES FROM THE WEIBO WATCH PREMIUM NEWSLETTER Over the past few weeks, the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2 has been trending on Weibo every single day. The movie, loosely based on Chinese mythology and the Chinese canonical novel Investiture of the Gods (封神演义), has triggered all kinds of memes and […]| www.whatsonweibo.com
Everyone’s talking about Ne Zha 2—from in-depth online analyses to the booming market surrounding the film.| www.whatsonweibo.com
There are even special Zibo BBQ trains now. This is how Zibo barbecue suddenly became the hottest meal of the country.| www.whatsonweibo.com
With Weibo now 15 years old, we asked Sinologist Wichmann about its evolving role in shaping public opinion, its key moments, and whether it can remain a major platform for public discourse in China’s increasingly crowded digital landscape.| www.whatsonweibo.com
As American 'TikTok Refugees' flock to China's Xiaohongshu (Rednote), their encounter with 'Li Hua' strikes a chord in divided times.| www.whatsonweibo.com
PREMIUM NEWSLETTER | ISSUE #43 Overview: ▶ Dear Reader – “Dear Li Hua”: Explaining the TikTok Xiaohongshu Honeymoon ▶ What’s on Weibo Chapters – 15 Years of Weibo ▶ What’s Popular – ‘Black Myth Wukong’ at Spring Festival ▶ What’s Memorable – Fleeing to Iceland Dear Reader, Imagine you are Li Hua (李华), […]| www.whatsonweibo.com
From 'Chinese Twitter' to digital dinosaur, the story of Weibo reflects the shifting dynamics of China’s online media landscape.| www.whatsonweibo.com
We’re introducing What’s on Weibo Chapters—monthly themes that will allow us to dig deeper into the stories behind the hashtags. Each month, we will dive into one of our six key areas: Digital Life in China, Power & Politics, Tech & AI, Social Shifts & Youth Trends, Pop Culture & Entertainment, and Historical Reflections. These […]| www.whatsonweibo.com
From quirky potatoes to low-key vibes, we uncover 10 buzzwords that shaped China's cultural and social landscape in 2024.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Christmas is an interesting time in China: here are some must-knows about this merry and military time of the year.| www.whatsonweibo.com
A doctor in Tai'an faced resistance when she tried to report a 12-year-old girl's HPV case. She then turned to social media instead.| www.whatsonweibo.com
This is why Bu Xiaohua’s 13-year disappearance became such a major topic of discussion on Chinese social media.| www.whatsonweibo.com
The story of the Chinese MA graduate, Ms. Bu, who disappeared in 2011 brings back memories of the Xuzhou mother of eight, who was later revealed to be a victim of human trafficking.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Social Trends in China by Manya Koetse| What's on Weibo
The essay suggests that the recent popularity of Zibo BBQ is a symptom of a society that's all about consumerism and empty social spectacle.| www.whatsonweibo.com
It's a Culture & Tourism Bureau social media battle: China's local tourist offices are fighting to go viral to attract more visitors.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Part of Harbin's enormous success can be attributed to a snowball effect, but the hype is also the result of a well-coordinated campaign.| www.whatsonweibo.com
The crackdown on Haitang Literature City has led to greater awareness of it, with Chinese netizens now paying closer attention to the repression of erotic content and the struggles faced by its authors.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Most netizens aren't buying the story about the Xiaoxitian bao'an allegedly| www.whatsonweibo.com
Social Trends in China by Manya Koetse| What's on Weibo
After a Chinese blogger exposed the alarming presence of hidden cameras in hotels, public outrage and mistrust soared about privacy violations and the lack of accountability from local authorities.| www.whatsonweibo.com
'Land Rover Woman' is more than just the Chinese equivalent of the American 'Karen' meme. Understand why this viral story is shaking things up, and read about the trending topics that matter this week.| www.whatsonweibo.com
China's standout moments, trending topics, and social media buzz from the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Whatever possessed the female driver of a Land Rover to go against traffic, cut in line, and assault another driver? A recent incident in Qingdao, Shandong, has gone viral on Weibo and other Chinese social media platforms. Various videos show a female driver in a Land Rover driving in the wrong direction on a congested […]| www.whatsonweibo.com
Most commenters agree she is legally right but feel the situation is unfair and doesn't help women's position in the workforce.| www.whatsonweibo.com
The proposed ban on clothing deemed harmful is stirring debate, with some arguing for the significance of protecting national pride and others emphasizing the value of personal expression.| www.whatsonweibo.com
The Chinese cosplayer was taken away by police for dressing up as a Japanese manga character:| www.whatsonweibo.com
Fu Yuanhui is China's sweetheart:| www.whatsonweibo.com
Zibo had its BBQ moment. Now, it's Tianshui's turn to shine with its special take on malatang. Tourism marketing in China will never be the same again.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Exploring Olympic narratives on Weibo, the craze surrounding China's youngest triple gold champion, the latest trending stories, and the Weibo word of the week.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Is Biden the preferred candidate for most Chinese, as is often claimed? An overview of discussions on Trump vs Biden on Weibo.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Why does 'Trump' have multiple names in Chinese?| www.whatsonweibo.com
A Chinese girl who was refused entry to a local comic convention for wearing a 'kimono' raised questions about whether restrictions on Japanese attire were motivated by historical sensitivities or gender bias.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Our China Olympic Trending File: Explore the main Chinese social media discussions and hashtags surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics.| www.whatsonweibo.com
It's the incident that broke the champion's bat - after winning gold at the table tennis mixed doubles, Wang's paddle got damaged. It's a topic that keeps brewing online.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Throughout the years, Biden has received many nicknames on Chinese social media.| www.whatsonweibo.com
Humble prodigy or deceptive impostor? Jiang Ping has been fueling online discussions since her remarkable score in the Alibaba maths competition.| www.whatsonweibo.com
A string of violent incidents made people wonder what else is brewing at Manner Coffee besides fresh coffee.| www.whatsonweibo.com
From facekini to no-face hoodie: China's anti-tan fashion continues to evolve.| www.whatsonweibo.com
The viral Chinese 'Samsung' Tiktok song is also not about cheating or getting back with your ex.| www.whatsonweibo.com
China's 'Old Godmother' Tao Huabi, creator of Lao Gan Ma, is China's hottest businesswoman.| www.whatsonweibo.com