Life After Fame

life-after-fame

After ‘Malatang’ Craze, Grimacing Chef Finds Reasons to Be Cheerful

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

SIXTH TONE ×

When hordes of foodies descended on a small shop in northwestern China, one cook’s exhausted expression broke the internet. Now his focus is flavor, not fame.

The Paper

Why Jay Chou’s Viral Lookalike Is Sticking With Pancakes

Street food vendor Bai Xianying’s resemblance to the “King of Mandopop” made him an overnight hit — but he prefers flipping pancakes to chasing fame.

How Viral Fame Strained a Noodle Seller Almost to Breaking Point

For 15 years, Chinese farmer Cheng Yunfu had sold cheap hand-pulled noodles at a local fair — then a trending video sent his life spinning out of control.

Instant Karma: No Regrets for ‘Coffee Gran’ Who Stirred Media Frenzy

Han Suzhen’s tiny alleyway store was overrun with customers after a post about her “hand-brewed coffee” went viral — and it almost cost her health.

After the IShowSpeed Bump, Chongqing’s Uncle Goose Is Back Chasing Traffic

When a Chinese livestreamer ambushed a U.S. streaming star with a braised goose from his hometown, sales boomed. Why didn’t it last?