'Chinese Dreamcore,' Where Gen Z Relives a Brighter Past

5 days ago

Young Chinese are using Chinese Dreamcore, a digital subculture, to cope with current economic hardships by reminiscing about the early 2000s.
This trend involves sharing nostalgic content like old photos, memes, and retro aesthetics from childhood, serving as a 'digital pain reliever'.
Chinese Dreamcore resonates emotionally with Gen Z, who feel a loss of familiar past scenes due to rapid societal changes and urbanization.
Artists and creators contribute through eerie mash-ups, animations, and photography to preserve memories and express subconscious feelings.
State media warns of risks like existential crises from over-immersion, though it's seen as more superficial than past nostalgic critiques.
The trend has gone mainstream, appearing in games, ads, and products, while fostering community and healing through shared vulnerability.

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