Why Are So Many People 'Becoming Chinese'? TikTok Trend Explained

About

Becoming Chinese refers to a viral trend that involves Western internet users, primarily on TikTok traditional Chinese customs in an effort to "become Chinese." The trend reflects a wider appreciation, ironic or otherwise, for China and Chinese culture among younger internet users, similar to the related You Met Me At A Very Chinese Time In My Life meme.

Origin

In late 2025, TikTok creator @sherryxiiruii began posting videos jokingly instructing non-Chinese viewers on how to “become Chinese.” On December 17th, 2025, Sherry posted a video following up on previous instructions to drink hot water instead of cold, in accordance with traditional Chinese medicine. The video received 5.5 million views and 778.200 likes in about four months.

@sherryxiiruii you drank cold water didn’t you? #chineseamerican #中文 #chineseculture #asianamerican #americanbornchinese ♬ original sound – sherry

The following day, Sherry posted another video, stating "now that you're Chinese, you need to stop walking around your house barefoot," explaining that Chinese people wear slippers around the house. The video received over 6.3 million views and 968,500 likes in less than four months.

@sherryxiiruii another lesson to get you to embrace your inner chinese baddie #chineseamerican #中文 #chineseculture #asianamerican #americanbornchinese ♬ original sound – sherry

Spread

On January 2nd, 2026, TikTok user @sosadeee10 posted that she was "officially Chinese" thanks to Sherry's advice. The video received about 883,400 views and 96,000 likes in about three months.

@sosadeee10 @sherry thank you girl I’m officially Chinese 😂 it’s day 1 I have on my slippers and I’m drinking my hot water #sherry #hotwater #chinese #imchinese #newyear ♬ original sound – sosadeee10

The trend spread on the platform, which prompted conversations from other Chinese content creators. On January 5th, 2026, TikTok user @emmapeng0619 posted a video welcoming the trend, which received 5.6 million views and 769,600 likes in less than three months.

@emmapeng0619 a statement on the recent trend of being Chinese , #newlychinese ♬ original sound – EmmaPeng

On January 14th, TikTok user @leilani142214 posted a video showing how to make hot water with lemon in accordance with the trend. The video received 3 million views and 291,700 likes in less than three months.

@leilani142214 @sherry am I doing this right? 😅 #chinesemedicine #hotlemonwater #fyp #trending #chinese ♬ original sound – alex

Various Examples

@lavishchichi 1- We wear house slippers 2- Get our Lymph nodes moving, jump 50x loosely every morning 3- Drink warm water/herbal tea multiple times per day. #chinese #hotwater #chinatiktok #fyp ♬ original sound – alex @simplysashanoel We are about to become Chinese baddies this year. #chinesebaddies ♬ original sound – simplysashanoel @meabhmorgan5 I’m only a beginner Chinese, please share tips. The apples aren’t stewed cause I’m in the office and I have limited capabilities. #appletea #chinese ♬ original sound – alex @welcometolynnslife My mom and grandma would be proud. #vlog #chinese ♬ original sound – Lynn @mikeandgwynn When the “becoming Chinese” trend goes too far 🇨🇳🫠 #china #chinese #skit #internationalcouple #funnycouple ♬ original sound – Mike & Gwynn @xcelinchen And yes I’m wearing slippers too while making it. haha, absolutely love this trend. #chinese #chinesemedicine #tcm #applewater #chinesesong ♬ original sound – alex >/center>

Search Interest

External References