China Unpacked brings you the human side of China - beyond the headlines and politics.
From comedians, creators to entrepreneurs, chefs, and cultural insiders, each episode unpacks stories of identity, ambition, and creativity, and what it’s really like to live in one of the world’s most misunderstood and fast-evolving countries.
Tony From LC Sign: China’s Most Viral Star on Getting Crazy Rich, Finding a New Girlfriend, and Who He is Behind Internet Fame
Meet Tony, the viral face of LC Sign — and one of the most recognizable Chinese creators on the internet.
Known for his hilarious accents and unhinged humor, Tony helped turn a Chinese factory account into a global viral phenomenon. But behind the jokes is a much bigger story.
In this episode of China Unpacked, we go beyond the viral persona to find out who Tony really is.
Tony takes us back to his childhood in China, including the horrific bicycle accident he still remembers, how he got his start at LC Sign, and the moment he realized that comedy could make people actually want to watch advertising. He also opens up about how much money his viral success has brought him, and the surprising story of how he met his new girlfriend — which he reveals publicly for the first time.
In this episode, we talked about:
What Tony was like before fame
The childhood accident that left a lasting memory
How he started working at LC Sign
The first viral breakthrough that changed everything
How accents, comedy, and roasting helped LC Sign reach global customers
What it feels like to become the face of a company
The pressure and responsibility of representing LC Sign online
How rich Tony says viral fame made him
The hilarious stories from his trips to America
Getting recognized at customs and in real life
How Tony met his new girlfriend
His future plans, legacy, and life beyond internet fame
This is the story of how a Chinese factory worker became a global internet personality — and how humor turned LED signs into one of the internet’s most unexpected success stories.
13 May 2026
The American Capturing China Like You’ve Never Seen Before — and How Living There Changed Him
Meet Craig Hickerson, an American filmmaker documenting everyday life in China through cinematic mini-documentaries.
After moving from the U.S. to China, Craig began capturing the small, ordinary moments most people walk past — a flower on the ground, strangers in the park, public dances, local habits, and the quiet details of daily life. He posted these videos on Chinese social media platform under the name 'Craig也叫快克' and quickly grew a following. Over time, filming China did more than change his work. It changed how he sees people, culture, America, and himself.
This week on China Unpacked, Craig opens up about why he left America for China, how his filmmaking style evolved from camera tutorials into cultural storytelling, and why the most meaningful stories often come from simply paying attention. His story is a reminder that seeing the world through fresh eyes can help us better understand others — and ourselves.
We Talk About
-What pushed him and his wife to take a chance on living in China
-How Craig’s original plan in China changed after unexpected barriers forced him to pivot creatively
-How moving to China changed the way Craig sees America, public space, transportation, and community
-The surreal experience of being recognized and followed by fans in public while living in China
-Why Craig believes genuine curiosity can help people see beyond stereotypes Craig’s long-term vision for documenting his life in China — and how his journey may become a much bigger story over time
9 Apr 2026
From Peking University to Internet Fame: How an American Built a New Life in China and Left Behind the American Dream
Meet Gavin, an American who moved to China to study at Peking University — and ended up building a career inside one of the world’s most competitive digital ecosystems. From mastering the Chinese language to growing millions of followers on Chinese platforms, His story challenges what we’ve been told about the “American Dream” and why he believes more opportunity exists in China today.
We Talked About
-How Gavin chose to enroll in Peking University — and what it took to get accepted
-What it’s really like studying in China’s intense academic system
-How he built multiple social media accounts with millions of followers in China
-The reality of working with Chinese MCNs — and why he eventually walked away
-How creators actually make money in China (and why the market is more competitive than ever)
- The biggest differences between Chinese and Western social media platforms
-How China’s tech and AI ecosystem is changing content creation
-Why Gavin believes the American Dream is fading — and what the “Chinese Dream” looks like today
3 Mar 2026
How an American Accidentally Opened a Pizzeria in Rural China, and Became an Overnight Sensation
Meet Adrien, an American who opened a pizza shop in China’s countryside. By blending local ingredients with Western cooking, his restaurant became a viral sensation, attracting both locals and tourists.
This week on China Unpacked, Adrien opens up about what it’s really like to start a restaurant in rural China — from adapting to local tastes, to earning the trust of a tight-knit village. His story is a reminder that no matter how different we may seem, food has a way of bringing people together.
We Talk About
How Adrien ended up in rural China — and why opening a pizzeria was never part of the plan
How he turned the traditional Anhui specialty 'Stinky Mandarin Fish' into a pizza that put his shop on the map
How Douyin and Chinese social media unexpectedly blew up his shop
The reality of starting a restaurant in rural China without experience and learning everything the hard way
The hilarious story of Adrien representing Team China at a pizza competition in Italy as an American
Why success in one village didn’t translate when he tried expanding to other cities
13 Jan 2026
How a Foreigner Mastered Chinese Comedy, Lost it All and Then Rebuilt Everything with Tea | Jesse's Teahouse
Meet Jesse, the creator who turned tea into one of the most unexpected cultural bridges between China and the world.
But before Jesse’s Tea House, he did something few foreigners have ever managed to do: he mastered traditional Chinese comedy and built a massive following performing entirely in Chinese.
In this episode of China Unpacked, we sit down with Jesse to unpack his remarkable journey — from studying and performing xiangsheng (traditional Chinese comedic dialogue), to becoming a viral sensation in China, losing everything he built almost overnight, and ultimately reinventing himself by turning his lifelong love of tea into a global brand.
What We Talked About in This Episode
Mastering Chinese Comedy as a Foreigner — How Jesse became one of the few non-Chinese performers to apprentice under a xiangsheng master and perform traditional Chinese comedy on stage in China.
Becoming Viral in China and Losing It All — Jesse breaks down how he built a massive comedy following in China, why it suddenly disappeared, and what it’s like to lose an entire career almost overnight.
Reinventing Himself with Tea — How a personal passion turned into Jesse’s Tea House, and why selling something he genuinely loves gave him creative freedom he never had before.
Inside Chinese Comedy Culture — The differences between xiangsheng, stand-up, and improv, and why performing comedy in a second language is one of the fastest ways to truly understand a culture.
Life Between Two Worlds — Jesse opens up about reverse culture shock, identity, and what it’s really like to split life between China and the U.S. after spending nearly a decade abroad.
14 Oct 2025
Everything You Know About Tofu is Wrong! This American Chef’s Plan to Make Tofu a Staple in America
Meet George, the chef on a mission to change the perception of tofu in America. Trained under a fifth-generation tofu master in China, George is here to prove that everything you know about tofu is wrong.
In this episode of China Unpacked, we’ll taste tofu dishes that will make you go, “I can’t believe it’s tofu!”, we learn George’s secrets to making tofu flavorful, and explore how this humble ingredient’s versatility might just be the key to saving our planet.
Meet George, the chef on a mission to change the perception of tofu in America. Trained under a fifth-generation tofu master in China, George is here to prove that everything you know about tofu is wrong.
In this episode of China Unpacked, we’ll taste tofu dishes that will make you go, “I can’t believe it’s tofu!”, we learn George’s secrets to making tofu flavorful, and explore how this humble ingredient’s versatility might just be the key to saving our planet.
In this episode, we covered
The Ancient Craft of Tofu-Making — How George trained under a fifth-generation tofu master in China.
The Secret to Delicious Tofu — George’s tips for transforming tofu from bland to flavorful and delicious
The Varieties of Tofu — From tofu that explodes in your mouth to tofu that tastes like aged cheese. George reveals over 26 varieties of tofu you didn’t know existed
Tofu’s Role in a Sustainable Future — How tofu’s versatility could help fix our broken food system and fight climate change.
24 Sept 2025
A Chinese American Rapper’s Plans to Make Chinese Entertainment Global
Meet Laurence, the viral creator, rapper, film director, and future entertainment lawyer determined to make Chinese music and entertainment the next global phenomenon.
In this episode of China Unpacked, we dive into Laurence’s multifaceted journey, from overcoming the challenges of biracial identity to building cross-cultural fashion brands, and explore his vision for taking Chinese creativity worldwide.
We talked about:
Blending American, African and Chinese Cultures – How Laurence went viral with his African friends in China, formed a rap group, and fused American, African, and Chinese influences into his body of work.
The Evolution of Chinese Hip Hop – How it grew from copying Western styles to becoming its own unique sound infused with Chinese elements
Beijing vs. Los Angeles: A Tale of Two Cities – Laurence breaks down the real differences between the two cities he calls home, from traffic, food to even dating.
The Future of Chinese Entertainment – Laurence’s ambitious plan to make Chinese entertainment a global phenomenon, and why he believes it could happen very soon
31 Aug 2025
How an American Accidentally Created China’s Biggest Meme
Meet Paul, a multi-talented American who created the biggest meme in China, by pure accident
In this episode of China Unpacked, we dive into Paul’s unlikely journey: from growing up in Amish country in the US to moving to China, cracking the code of Chinese social media, and becoming a viral sensation.
We talked about
How he created the biggest meme in China (and it's not just pure luck!)
How major brands and companies hijacked his viral meme for marketing campaigns
The intense pressures of China’s social media scene — and Paul’s honest reflections on jealousy, resentment, and coping with viral fame
The painful process he went through to becoming fluent in Chinese
What the LGBT scene in China is like
What he goes though as a drag performer in China
15 Aug 2025
The Untold Story of China’s Most Famous Comedian
Meet Joe Wong, China’s most famous stand-up comedian, who went from a biochemist in China to roasting Joe Biden at the White House
In this episode of China Unpacked, we unpack Joe’s extraordinary journey, from arriving in the US with zero comedy experience, to battling racism on and off stage, and ultimately becoming one of the most recognizable comedians in the world
We talked about:
Why he change career path from Biochemistry to Comedy (How they are more related than you think!)
What’s the stand-up comedy scene is really like in China (and Why you should move to China if you are a stand-up comedian)
The night he got into a fight after being called racial slur by another comedian
What it’s like to perform comedy at the white house for Joe Biden
The subtle difference in racism between US and China
Joe's secret technique to become funny, and stay funny
5 Aug 2025
How China's Viral Trump Impersonator Bridge US and China through Comedy
Meet Ryan, China’s most viral Donald Trump impersonator.
In this episode of China Unpacked, we dive into Ryan’s journey — from learning English to perfectly mimicking Trump’s voice, going viral on social media, and navigating the pressures of internet fame.
We talked about:
How Ryan started doing his viral Trump impersonation
The physical and mental toll of going viral (including gaining 50 pounds!)
The story of how a group of Americans got mad at him for impersonating Trump!
The wild world of Chinese social media
The truth about meeting IShowSpeed & Ryan's own hilarious impersonation of him!
How he speaks perfect American English without ever living in the US
Whether Donald Trump himself knows about Ryan!
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