Unpacking culture and social trends popping in today's China and maybe even the world… This is the China Popcast with your hosts Min Rui and Wendyl Martin. Through interviews, candid conversation and thought-provoking guests, the China Popcast aims to put the spotlight on what Chinese people enjoy today and offers deep insight and perspective on current trends and topics of interest.
Come see what's popping!
Contact us:
min.rui@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
WATCH: International students talk China-US youth exchange
A steady stream of Americans has been exploring China this past summer and over the last few years. It's part of an initiative that was announced in November 2023 that involves at least 50,000 young people from the US visiting China over a five-year period to increase China-US exchanges. But where exactly are we with youth and education exchange between the two countries? This episode of China Popcast is a hangout: Darien Vargas from the US, a student majoring in Chinese studies and sinology at Beijing Language and Culture University, tells us about his cultural explorations and the value of student exchanges. Meanwhile, Chinese students Liu Tingxi and Duan Jinyi, who are at University of California, Santa Barbara and Grand Canyon University respectively, describe their experiences in the US. Catch our video podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1JWrNhVR4ACONTACT:min.rui@cgtn.comwendyl.martin@cgtn.com
2 Sept 2026
International students discuss China-US youth exchange and studying abroad
A steady stream of Americans has been exploring China this past summer and over the last few years. It's part of an initiative that was announced in November 2023 that involves at least 50,000 young people from the US visiting China over a five-year period to increase China-US exchanges. But where exactly are we with youth and education exchange between the two countries? This episode of China Popcast is a hangout: Darien Vargas from the US, a student majoring in Chinese studies and sinology at Beijing Language and Culture University, tells us about his cultural explorations and the value of student exchanges. Meanwhile, Chinese students Liu Tingxi and Duan Jinyi, who are at University of California, Santa Barbara and Grand Canyon University respectively, describe their experiences in the US.
Catch our video podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1JWrNhVR4A
CONTACT:
min.rui@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
6 Jul 2026
WATCH: Insiders' guide for your summer trip in China
Passport – check. Suitcase – check. Dreams of visiting the Great Wall and other marvels of China? Let's help you out a little. In this episode, we offer you travel tips and essential advice for your summer China trip: apps, translation tools, booking tickets for attractions, maps and more. We're joined by Beijing-based tour guide Chen Hongpeng and CGTN China Travel host Jack Klumpp. New China Popcast host Min Rui starts the show with a quickfire round of questions, to test our guests' knowledge of traveling in China. Also, we answer questions from tourists out and about in Beijing.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GiH7x1piO8&t=1s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GiH7x1piO8&t=1s)
CONTACT:min.rui@cgtn.com (mailto:min.rui@cgtn.com)
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com (mailto:wendyl.martin@cgtn.com)
2 Jul 2026
Insider tips and advice for your summer trip in China
Passport – check. Suitcase – check. Dreams of visiting the Great Wall and other marvels of China? Let's help you out a little. In this episode, we offer you travel tips and essential advice for your summer China trip: apps, translation tools, booking tickets for attractions, maps and more. We're joined by Beijing-based tour guide Chen Hongpeng and CGTN China Travel host Jack Klumpp. New China Popcast host Min Rui starts the show with a quickfire round of questions, to test our guests' knowledge of traveling in China. Also, we answer questions from tourists out and about in Beijing.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GiH7x1piO8&t=1s
CONTACT:
min.rui@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
9 Jun 2026
Chinese hanfu garments make comeback among culture-conscious youth
Can you put hanfu clothing in a washing machine? Can people who are not Chinese wear this cultural attire from China? And does the Adidas Tang jacket count as hanfu? Amid the revival of hanfu among China's Gen Zs and other young people, China Popcast unpacks these issues and much more. Our guests in the studio are Beijing-based hanfu enthusiasts Chen Huiyi and Wang Zichen, aka Sanhuai Mingche, who both offer us insight into the origins of these traditional garments, the reasons for its comeback among young people and its role in cultural identity. US-based Jason Tse, a member of the North California Hanfu Association and co-author of the book "Hanfu," joins us for an online chat to share more on the overseas hanfu experience. And, stay tuned until the end of the show for an announcement from host Lucy.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j4XxzdB8Yk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j4XxzdB8Yk
)
CONTACT:
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
9 Jun 2026
WATCH: Hanfu garments make comeback among culture-conscious youth
Can you put hanfu clothing in a washing machine? Can people who are not Chinese wear this cultural attire from China? And does the Adidas Tang jacket count as hanfu? Amid the revival of hanfu among China's Gen Zs and other young people, China Popcast unpacks these issues and much more. Our guests in the studio are Beijing-based hanfu enthusiasts Chen Huiyi and Wang Zichen, aka Sanhuai Mingche, who both offer us insight into the origins of these traditional garments, the reasons for its comeback among young people and its role in cultural identity. US-based Jason Tse, a member of the North California Hanfu Association and co-author of the book "Hanfu," joins us for an online chat to share more on the overseas hanfu experience. And, stay tuned until the end of the show for an announcement from host Lucy.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j4XxzdB8Yk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j4XxzdB8Yk)
CONTACT:wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
13 May 2026
US expat father explains why south China's Shenzhen is ideal for his family
China is amazing expat residents and visitors with its safety and convenience. From valuables like laptops, tablets and bikes being left untouched in public spaces, to midnight jogs and cycles and seamless delivery services, social media has been abuzz with comforts of a secure life in the country. Brad Krae, an American father of two and husband who lives in Shenzhen, tells China Popcast about why he chose to raise his family in China and how it feels like a place of "endless possibilities."
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_kfMGSLzIc
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture:
www.cgtn.com/culture
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa
13 May 2026
American father explains why south China's Shenzhen is ideal for his family
China is amazing expat residents and visitors with its safety and convenience. From valuables like laptops, tablets and bikes being left untouched in public spaces, to midnight jogs and cycles and seamless delivery services, social media has been abuzz with comforts of a secure life in the country. Brad Krae, an American father of two and husband who lives in Shenzhen, tells China Popcast about why he chose to raise his family in China and how it feels like a place of "endless possibilities."
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_kfMGSLzIc
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture: www.cgtn.com/culture
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/
3 Apr 2026
WATCH: 'Cousin Sherry' Zhu and New York mom Sade on being Chinese baddies
They came to RedNote as "Tik Tok refugees" and caught glimpses of Chinese culture they had never seen before. American streamer iShowSpeed toured China, putting the country on full display to millions. "Cousin Sherry" then started telling netizens that they are turning Chinese, forming a global community of Chinese "baddies," a term of endearment and solidarity on social media among people who adopt traditional lifestyle habits – such as drinking warm water and taking traditional Chinese medicine – to improve their lives. And now netizens are taking it to the next level with Chinamaxxing. Chinese-American influencer Sherry Zhu and New York mother Sade take us through the ins and outs of their "becoming Chinese" experiences.
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture:
www.cgtn.com/culture (http://www.cgtn.com/culture)
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/ (https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/)
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/ (https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/)
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/ (https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/)
3 Apr 2026
Influencer 'Cousin Sherry' Zhu and New York mom Sade on being Chinese baddies
They came to RedNote as "Tik Tok refugees" and caught glimpses of Chinese culture they had never seen before. American streamer iShowSpeed toured China, putting the country on full display to millions. "Cousin Sherry" then started telling netizens that they are turning Chinese, forming a global community of Chinese "baddies," a term of endearment and solidarity on social media among people who adopt traditional lifestyle habits – such as drinking warm water and taking traditional Chinese medicine – to improve their lives. And now netizens are taking it to the next level with Chinamaxxing. Chinese-American influencer Sherry Zhu and New York mother Sade take us through the ins and outs of their "becoming Chinese" experiences.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP9TvZWAFU4
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
12 Mar 2026
Short vertical dramas keep viewers on the edge of their phone screens
Heightened emotions, wild plots and fast-paced story telling – these elements come together in the viral screen phenomenon that is short vertical dramas. American actor Christopher Boidy, who has played roles in several short vertical dramas, and Beijing Film Academy Associate Professor Mu Ling join China Popcast for a chat about what makes these shows so addictive and how they are made.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVBa1ebqhpg
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture: www.cgtn.com/culture
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/
11 Mar 2026
VIDEO: Short vertical dramas keep viewers on the edge of their phone screens
Heightened emotions, wild plots and fast-paced story telling – these elements come together in the viral screen phenomenon that is short vertical dramas. American actor Christopher Boidy, who has played roles in several short vertical dramas, and Beijing Film Academy Associate Professor Mu Ling join China Popcast for a chat about what makes these shows so addictive and how they are made.
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture: www.cgtn.com/culture (http://www.cgtn.com/culture)
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/ (https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/)
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/ (https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/)
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/ (https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/)
18 Feb 2026
2026's fire horse: The origins of the Chinese calendar and what the horse represents
It's the Year of the Horse and it's set to be a fiery year ahead.
In this episode of China Popcast, we chat with heritage expert Matthew Hu about the origins of the traditional Chinese calendar, what it means for people today and what the horse represents. This is specifically the Year of the Fire Horse, so Matthew helps us unpack why and what this means for 2026. He also brought along some creative Chinese calligraphy done for this year's celebrations. The episode was recorded on Lichun, or the Start of Spring solar term, ahead of Chinese New Year.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be2UWyqxJGw
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture: www.cgtn.com/culture
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/
6 Jan 2026
AI and music: Instantly generated chords, lyrics and melodies and how this will change music forever
Testing one, two… AI has "stepped up to the microphone" and is storming up playlists, music platforms and even some charts.
In this episode of China Popcast, we are unpacking AI-generated music, and its effects on the music industry. We are joined by young music producer Pinak and live music venue owner Sawyer to look ahead to how AI is changing the way music made, distributed, performed and consumed.
Pinak takes us through his journey of harnessing AI tools to make music, particularly hip-hop in China, while Sawyer tells us how AI is impacting live music and musicians.
Catch our video podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTuq0K461Po
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture: www.cgtn.com/culture
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/
4 Dec 2025
Traditional Chinese medicine: Tongue examinations, acupuncture and creating internal balance
This time on China Popcast, traditional Chinese medicine experts Professor Wang Lepeng and Dr Zheng Zhishan join us to discuss the boom in interest on social media in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). From herbal tea and coffee bars to a myriad of TCM-rooted life hacks, our experts highlight how they've seen a shift among youngsters who are now incorporating this ancient wisdom into their lifestyles. To demonstrate TCM diagnostics and treatment methods, the guests give our hosts a tongue examination and some in-studio acupuncture.
Catch our video podcast here: https://youtu.be/8x6KZ0mc-8w
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture: www.cgtn.com/culture
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa
23 Sept 2025
Labubu: Collector and marketing prof on how a furry 'monster' goes global
This time on China Popcast, toy collector and reporter Vica Li and marketing professor Zhang Ying have discussed how a wild-yet-charming forest elf character designed for Chinese-owned Pop Mart went global. Labubu has taken the world by storm, popularized after it was seen with celebrities such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Lisa from Blackpink. Our guest Zhang Ying is a professor at Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, where Pop Mart's executives, including founder Wang Ning, were students in an MBA program. The "grandfather" of Labubu, or "La Ye Ye" as we named him, tells us what Wang and the others were like as students. And Li tells us about the emotional rollercoaster of toy collecting: the appeal, the thrill of blind boxes, swapping and giving collectables away, and the art of dressing up your little "monster" companion.
Catch our video podcast here: https://youtu.be/D2-0nShIkEk?si=HiaNPBn5vqZwqE0b
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
29 Aug 2025
WWII in China: Mountaineer and Gen Z content creator delve into haunting stories
In today's episode, mountaineer Kevin Wang and Gen Z content creator Jonathan Yao join China Popcast hosts Lucy Lv and Wendyl Martin for a discussion about China's never-to-be-forgotten World War II stories. Wang is the founder of the "Back to the Hump," through which he leads expeditions over the mountains of Yunnan to find the wreckage of aircraft and pilots who flew along the Hump, an air route over the Himalayas that was used to help deliver supplies to China. Yao, who uses his video channels to uncover history and culture, talks about the Japanese occupation of his native northeast China. Catch our video podcast here: https://youtu.be/1btDfhiaFa0?si=ZPHdMDWuaws1lOzr
CONTACT:
lucy.lv@cgtn.com
wendyl.martin@cgtn.com
For more on Chinese culture see: www.cgtn.com/culture
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusnews/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplusamerica/
https://www.facebook.com/chinaplussa/
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