News & Events
About Us
Shop
Hello TWOC readers!
Is the bar for what makes a good husband too low in China? The latest internet memes certainly suggest so. And could this be why there’s a growing demand for prenups among young urbanites? That and more in this month’s newsletter.
Read on for:
- The rise of prenuptial agreements in China
- How video games with historical settings may distort your understanding of real history
- How the humble dish of malatang conquered the country
A growing number of young urbanites in China are embracing the concept of prenups. These agreements typically address the nature and ownership of assets post-marriage, but increasingly, young Chinese couples are incorporating lifestyle rules and moral clauses into their documents, which are oftentimes unenforceable by law. Read more
When it comes to video games with real historical references, it’s hard to tell where the real lore ends and game makers’ imagination begins. Even the best, most well-funded franchises can’t convey all the nuances of history through gameplay. Read more
From its humble beginning as an economical comfort food to the latest viral dish people line up for, Malatang (麻辣烫) has evolved into a culinary sensation that continues to captivate taste buds across China. Read more
What We’re Watching
Xie Tian Xie Di (aka Chengdu Disney) by Nuomi
After being eliminated from the popular reality show The Rap of China, Sichuan rapper Nuomi released a diss track, taking aim at the show’s mentor Xie Di. In the music video, Nuomi rides a piece of fitness equipment in Chengdu, thrusting his waist back and forth to the beat while singing “I want to diss you (我要diss你),” a phrase that sounds like “I want Disney (我要迪士尼)” in Chinese. After the video went unexpectedly viral, thousands of young people rushed to recreate the scene in a small residential compound. Read more
Chinese You Need
Perhaps accepting that superheroes are only fiction, Chinese netizens are now obsessed with anti-heroes they have affectionately labeled “the spineless (窝囊废 wōnangfèi).” The men might be plain-looking, submissive, and lack ambition, but they are “good family men (居家好男人 jūjiā hǎo nánrén)” who will be diligent at work, buy food on the way home, cook dinner, and even do the dishes. Read our latest Chinese language guide for the words you need to join the conversation.
If you enjoy our content, consider becoming a supporter to help keep us independent (and the office coffee flowing).
Scan to follow us on WeChat
Or add: Theworldofchinese
