China Unpacked

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

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 AboutHow Adrien ended up in rural China — and why opening a pizzeria was never part of the planHow he turned the traditional Anhui specialty 'Stinky Mandarin Fish' into a pizza that put his shop on the mapHow Douyin and Chinese social media unexpectedly blew up his shopThe reality of starting a restaurant in rural China without experience and learning everything the hard wayThe hilarious story of Adrien representing Team China at a pizza competition in Italy as an AmericanWhy success in one village didn’t translate when he tried expanding to other cities

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 EpisodeMastering 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.

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 coveredThe 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 deliciousThe 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 existedTofu’s Role in a Sustainable Future — How tofu’s versatility could help fix our broken food system and fight climate change.

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

Meet Paul, a multi-talented American who created the biggest meme in China, by pure accidentIn 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 aboutHow 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 fameThe painful process he went through to becoming fluent in ChineseWhat the LGBT scene in China is like What he goes though as a drag performer in China

Meet Joe Wong, China’s most famous stand-up comedian,  who went from a biochemist in China to roasting Joe Biden at the White HouseIn 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 BidenThe subtle difference in racism between US and China Joe's secret technique to become funny, and stay funny

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 impersonationThe 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 USWhether Donald Trump himself knows about Ryan!