entertainment

In China’s Latest Hit Film, Family Downfall Meets Bloody Revenge 

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

Adapted from a 2015 novel, “Across the Furious Sea” joins a wave of successful suspense and crime films in China this year.

Ye Zhanhang

China's 'Cameo' Industry in Spotlight After Celebrities' Videos for Crime Family Go Viral

China’s celebrity personalized video industry includes Olympic athletes, CCTV hosts, and more than a few Hong Kong actors. Some have found themselves in hot water recently after netizens unearthed videos of their birthday messages for the son of a notorious crime lord in Myanmar.

He Qitong

Chujiu: A Master of Disguise

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

The makeup artist, who has found fame with her magical transformations, explains the motivation behind the hit “100 Villains” series and the hours of work needed to create just one short video.

Neweekly Lifestyle

In ‘Only the River Flows,’ China Gets an Unlikely Arthouse Hit

With its open-ended narrative, this detective film set in the 1990s in rural China invites audiences to draw their own conclusions, sparking debate and interpretations on social media.

Ding Rui

As Viewers Fret, China Vows to Streamline Fees for OTT Content 

In recent months, netizens have voiced frustration about subscribing to multiple video streaming platforms with overlapping content and additional fees for mobile subscriptions.

Jiang Zuer

As Live Music Booms in China, Disabled Fans Call for More Inclusion

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

The return of large-scale pop concerts has sparked huge excitement in China over recent months. But fans with disabilities still face serious barriers to accessing the events — and they’re calling for change.

Xu Cen

Ni Dandan

‘No More Bets’: China’s New Runaway Hit Film Takes On Online Fraud 

Inspired by thousands of real cases, the movie offers an unparalleled glimpse into the dark world of overseas cyber fraud that has grown rampant in China.

Panic! At the TFBoys Show

The boy band celebrated its 10th anniversary with its first live concert since 2020. But it was the group’s excited, occasionally unruly fans who made headlines.

Chinese TV Show Brings Together Country’s Leading Writers to Discuss Kafka, AI

Set on a picturesque resort island in southern China, “I Read Books on an Island” is proving a hit with viewers enthralled by discussions surrounding the love of writing and reading.

Despite Slow China Start, ‘Barbie’ Sets a Benchmark — For Dating

Since its release last Friday, “Barbie” has grossed around $7 million, far behind domestically produced titles.

Yang Caini

Rock and Rivals: Two Cities Duel for China’s Music Capital Crown

For Shijiazhuang and Xinxiang, the race to become China’s rock music capital is more than just a title; through social media and viral campaigns, they hope to boost tourism.

Vincent Chow

Popstar Jay Chou’s Fans Fume as Scalpers Cash in on Concert Hype

Tickets for the Taiwanese singer’s shows are being resold online for a staggering 150,000 yuan ($21,000), sparking outrage on social media.

How Korea Quietly Reshaped Chinese Pop Culture

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Even in the face of geopolitical tensions, the Korean culture wave shows no signs of receding.

Li Tian

Tang Dynasty Poetry Comes Alive in Animated Film ‘Chang An’ 

Blending modern animation with traditional poetry, ‘Chang An’ has been a surprise hit at the box office and won praise for its celebration of traditional Chinese culture.

On China’s Broadway, IP Is King — For Now

The pandemic was unusually kind to China’s musical theater scene, but an obsession with established properties threatens the industry’s creativity.

Wu Changchang

Lights, Camera, Etiquette: China’s Film Fans Want a Silent Show

To battle distractions, movie fans are now recording disruptive behavior during screenings in an online shared document. They hope it will help create a more respectful movie-watching culture.

China’s Livehouse Music Scene Struggles to Ride Post-Pandemic Wave 

Demand for live shows has exploded following the loosening of pandemic restrictions, but fierce competition from music festivals and increased costs mean that smaller acts are finding it difficult to afford livehouse shows.

In China, Male Mermaids Are Making Waves

Defying gender stereotypes, male mermaids are making themselves seen on Chinese social media.

‘The Phantom of the Opera’ is Here — in Chinese 

The first-ever Chinese-language production of the legendary musical was always going to find it difficult to impress diehard Chinese musical fans. But the translation has largely been a success.

Fan Yiying

A Crazy Labor Day Holiday — But Not For Movies

The long May holiday is an important period for China’s film industry. But this year, moviegoers didn’t seem all that impressed with what was on offer.