Cultural currents: how ‘Becoming Chinese’ trend is transforming Western lifestyles
Although trend may not persist indefinitely, cultural imitation driven by digital platforms will resurface time and again, expert says
If you’re enjoying a cup of apple herbal tea, starting your day with tai chi, and winding down with a soothing foot bath, you may be part of an intriguing trend known as “Becoming Chinese.”
Since January, a TikTok influencer has unintentionally ignited a global movement centred on adopting Chinese lifestyle habits, with videos showcasing these practices attracting over 20 million views.
In one engaging clip, Sherry Zhu Xirui, 23, humorously proclaims to her audience: “If you love hotpot, dim sum, Sichuan cuisine, and Biangbiang noodles, then you are Chinese. Your body is simply yearning for that wonton.”
Zhu, whose father is from Pinghu in Zhejiang province, eastern China, and mother hails from Guizhou, southwest China, was raised in New Jersey after her father came to the US for studies.
In an interview with the SCMP, Zhu shared that her Chinese-American upbringing included traditional wellness habits, such as drinking hot water for digestion and wearing slippers indoors to protect from han qi, the body’s cold energy.
Many users have joined Zhu by posting content tagged “becoming Chinese” or “transforming into a Chinese baddie,” showcasing lifestyle changes like opting for bone broth over salads, replacing coffee with hot water, or practising tai chi and Baduanjin qigong to alleviate work-related stress.
One TikTok user remarked on experimenting with acupuncture and cupping, referring to it as “the painful but worthwhile step to becoming a Chinese baddie.”