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Culture

A restaurant becomes a refuge, cuisine is the language and an ordinary chef becomes an unlikely protector as war upends lives in Once Upon a Time in the Middle East

A new animated film gives Taoism’s Eight Immortals a very human origin story, and sends curious tourists looking for their mythical home

The explosive growth of AI-generated shows resembling live action has shaken China’s multi-billion-yuan microdrama industry. Studios sit idle, while performers and content creators are struggling to find their roles – and engage audiences burned out on AI slop

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Former CCTV anchor turned cultural advocate argues that the longevity of traditional crafts lies not only in commerce and creativity, but also in their power as mindful,everyday practices that elevate the human experience

Low-budget indie film Dear You has gone viral in China, touching millions of viewers with its authenticity and storytelling based on the UNESCO-listed letters of the Teochew (Chaoshan) diaspora

Micro-drama productions featuring young child actors, often playing questionable roles with adult themes in grueling working conditions, are leaving production companies and parents open to accusations of exploitation as experts call for more legal protections