From Ba Duan Jin to hot water rituals, the “Becoming Chinese” trend on TikTok is reshaping the global wellness landscape.
A new social media trend, humorously called “Becoming Chinese”, is gaining popularity on TikTok. It focuses on a comfort-driven lifestyle rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Chinese customs.
According to Global Times, creators like Sherry Xiiruii, a Chinese-American TikToker, have led the charge. Her video, in which she calls viewers “the chosen one,” quickly racked up 1.4 million views. The trend encourages followers worldwide to adopt habits like wearing house slippers, drinking hot water, doing Ba Duan Jin exercises, and focusing on wellness. A key rule is simple: never walk barefoot on cold floors to protect kidney health. Fans of the trend call this shift a “highly Chinese era.”
The trend’s reach is impressive. Hashtags such as #NewChinese and #SpiritualChinese have surpassed 500 million views. This has sparked sub-trends like #HotWaterChallenge and #ChineseWellness.
Unlike past “China crazes” that focused on exotic symbols, this trend explores deeper, more philosophical ideas. It marks a shift in how people interact with Chinese culture. No longer passive observers, they now actively embrace these practices for personal benefit. In China, there’s a saying: “True wisdom lies in acting on what you know.”
Chinese life philosophies, such as harmony between heaven and humanity or the balance of yin and yang, offer a remedy for today’s “burnout society.”
This trend reflects a broader change. In a fast-paced, divided world, the Chinese way of life offers a sense of order, inclusivity, and inner peace. As Western societies face political uncertainty, people are looking beyond borders for a more balanced lifestyle.
Written by Yi Shen.
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