In search of real live
In an age of viral labels and AI-generated content, young viewers increasingly value stories that present influencers as complex human beings.
Whether in a restaurant or on the subway, it has become increasingly common to see young people absorbed in their phones, endlessly scrolling through short videos. Their eyes stay glued to the screen as their fingers swipe repeatedly, refreshing a steady stream of new content every few seconds.
But 21-year-old Wu Haoyu is an exception.
A sophomore at the Communication University of Zhejiang, Wu prefers to watch a single documentary-style video while eating, typically one that lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
"When you watch a longer video, your hands are free — you don't have to keep swiping," Wu explained. "One meal is just enough time to finish it."
Among young people, this habit is often described as enjoying "digital side dishes" — videos consumed alongside a meal.
