The top 5 ‘Jing Daily’ stories of 2023

The newsroom is not boring, to say the least. This year, we tracked China’s changing consumer behaviors post-pandemic, analyzed the marketing initiatives of top luxury brands, spotlighted the tech and Web3 innovations gripping the nation, and attended fashion, travel, and art events across the world. While our coverage of topics expanded, there were clear favorites. Stories about Chinese lifestyle and fashion trends were the most popular, along with updates on celebrity and KOL controversies and news explainers. We hope to deliver more of this content next year. Until then, here is a recap of some of the five most-read stories on Jing Daily, offering a more nuanced understanding of Chinese society today. Surf and sun: Decoding China’s beach culture in 2023 Want to catch some waves? Head over to Hainan, the so-called Hawaii of the East. As a part of China’s post-Covid outdoor sports boom, surfing, diving, and other water sports have surged in popularity among young Chinese. This budding fascination with surfing has led to a surge in beach lifestyles, making swim and surfwear new closet must-haves. That said, China has its unique preferences, with sun protection and conservative attire still prominent. More here What Evergrande’s collapse means for China’s economy, consumers and luxury When Chinese property developer Evergrande filed for bankruptcy in the US in August, it opened a Pandora’s box of issues that dented Chinese consumer confidence. The housing market contributes around 30 percent of China’s GDP, meaning a collapse in the sector could push the economy into a recession, a concern echoed by the International Monetary Fund. Netizen rage has been directed at the company, as banks, governments, and ordinary property buyers are being left to pick up the pieces. What will this mean for spending on non-essentials like luxury items? More here The evolution of ‘lying flat’ in 5 buzzwords: Why China’s youth are over the rat race Lying flat was so 2021. In 2023, Chinese Gen Z found new ways to express their disillusionment with the 9-to-5 (or really, 9-to-9) culture and the country’s high youth unemployment rate. Some turned to scratch tickets in hopes of turning their fortunes around, while others quit their jobs, threw hot pot resignation parties, and returned home to become full-time children More here Why ‘Barbiecore’ is here to stay 'Barbiecore' has been brewing ever since the first behind-the-scenes pictures of the new Barbie movie were leaked last summer. Coming into full swing once the movie hit theaters in July, the vibrant, girly aesthetic has had surprising longevity in the world of whiplash social media trends. But perhaps this has to do with how versatile the doll is; she can be anything to anyone. With no set style guidelines, fashion lovers have had a field day experimenting with different pink combinations. More here 5 reasons many Western luxury brands are losing luster with China’s Gen Z China’s Gen Z is the wealthiest generation to enter the market, making its members key drivers of luxury consumption. That said, they have different purchase preferences across luxury categories and are influenced by more than national pride. In this op-ed, columnist Daniel Langer details five areas that brands need to pay attention to if they do not want to miss out on this crucial demographic. More here

The top 5 ‘Jing Daily’ stories of 2023

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Published December 29, 2023

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The top 5 ‘Jing Daily’ stories of 2023