China’s “New Ugly” Design; Top 5 Chinese Romance Games

Decoding China’s “New Ugly” Design Style; Top 5 Chinese Otome Games

The holidays are here! This typically means more time spent at home and, quite possibly, avoiding family by spending time on your computer. So we’re glad you’re here with us. We’ve got some great cultural deep dives lined up for you, so sit back, click through, and enjoy unwrapping the following.

Have you heard of “New Ugly” design? You’ve most likely seen it. Think those badly Photoshopped brand adverts or gaudy packaging lining the shelves of your Asian mom-and-pop shops. But where did it all come from, and why are contemporary artists and Gen Z designers leaning so heavily into the aesthetic? Find out here.

Finding yourself wanting companionship but without the stress of real-life relationships? Well, check out our list of the top five Chinese-developed otome games—aka “maiden games”—that are redefining romance. From incredible storylines to stellar graphics and deep gameplay that’s free of charge, we’ve got you covered.

— Alex Lendrum, RADII

Here’s what else was going on this past week:

Beyond Second-Hand: Xianyu is China’s Wild Digital C2C Playground

Hong Kong Just Built the World's Biggest Bamboo Alter

Intrigued? Keep scrolling, my friend.

Why Zootopia 2’s Gary De’Snake Means Much More Than Just a Scaly Character?

Sure, Zootopia 2 is the highest-grossing foreign animated film ever in China, but who exactly is Gary De’Snake, and why is he helping China’s soft power through his unlikely hero narrative?

Read the full article by Mandy Wong here.

This Gold Trend in China Is Absolutely Massive #luxury #cultural #trending

This Gold Trend in China Is Absolutely Massive

Gold has become the primary luxury purchase in China, with people lining up for hours for gold jewellery designs. This trend is driven by gold's cultural significance and its role as a reliable financial strategy in a slowing china economy. This gold investment makes it more reliable than other luxury goods, reflecting a shift in luxury lifestyle and jewelry trends.

If you didn’t know, now you know 🔥 follow for more content like this!

How a bullied teenager built China’s unlikeliest music festival.

As Chinese EV companies like BYD continued to grow at home and abroad, U.S. leader Tesla struggled with sales slumps and political turmoil.

A new offline event format is spreading across Chinese cities: improvised presentation nights, where speakers are given random slides and asked to present on the spot.

Every region has its own version of a Christmas tree now.

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RADII
Hong Kong