For China’s Gen Z, the early aught holds a unique charm: The box TVs, pop idols, point-and-shoot cameras, and cartoons of their formative years offer a sharp contrast to the hyper-digitalized world today. “Chinese nostalgia-core (中式梦核)” is flourishing on social media as young people, disenfranchised by the fast pace of society, look for comfort in the fashions and products of the recent past.
Meanwhile, each generation also has its own nostalgia. We interviewed six individuals, aged 15 to 89, about their most treasured memories and their thoughts on social evolution today.
“You have traveled back to the year 2008, and wake to the sound of Tom and Jerry playing on the kids’ channel. Your mom has prepared a plate of chilled watermelon, which you snack on until you and your friends can play The King of Fighters in the afternoon...”Read more
Nostalgia is hardly a new or unique phenomenon. TWOC spoke with six individuals from different generations to explore what stirs their memories. Read more
Once a land of ancient tombs and modern revolutionaries, Changsha has transformed into a vibrant hotspot for young tourists, bolstered by online influencers and a burgeoning entertainment industry. Read more