The IP of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

Long time no see—ok, “hear”! It’s been a while, but we’re back with another episode of China Vibes. This time, we’re delving into a topic that has lately been dominating China’s cultural conversation: IP--the stories, symbols and franchises shaping the country’s creative industry.

From Harry Potter and Mission Impossible to The Wandering Earth and Nezha, and from online micro-dramas to Labubu, China’s creative universe is expanding fast--and the world is watching. What’s behind this wave of homegrown hits? How do Chinese IPs differ from--and at times mirror--the franchise-driven model perfected by Hollywood ?

To unpack it all, this episode brings together Beijing Review reporters Elsbeth van Paridon, Peng Jiawei and Tao Xing, and Krislyn, a Houston native and film enthusiast.

Inthis episode, we ask:

—Why is Hollywood facing “narrative fatigue” among Chinese audiences?

—What makes Chinese franchises resonate differently from Western blockbusters?

—How are platforms likeDouyin (the Chinese TikTok) and Bilibili (China’s YouTube equivalent) reshaping who gets to create--and what gets made?

—How sustainable is China’s new wave of creative IP?

—And what explains the runaway appeal of micro-dramas and Labubu?

So, stay with us as we decode the business of imagination--and find out what’s huo in Zhongguo right now!