165.Interesting Chinese Culture——China’s Long History of “So-Bad-It’s-Good” Entertainment.

Why can a rough, low-budget animated film become a viral sensation and fill theaters across China? Beginning with the unexpected popularity of Niu Lai, this episode traces the ancient roots of China’s “so-bad-it’s-good” entertainment—from pre-Qin court jesters and Han dynasty street performances to Tang storytelling, Song entertainment districts, Ming and Qing folk opera, and today’s memes, livestreams, and scrolling comments. Behind these seemingly “tacky” cultural hits lies a long tradition of grassroots creativity, anti-elitist humor, collective participation, and the powerful vitality of ordinary people.