The embrace of Xiaohongshu/RedNote tells us that those in power are clueless about young people
TikTokers would rather learn Mandarin than use Reels
The scriptwriters for the year 2025 have been working overtime given how much they’ve packed into the first 15 days of January. But who knew they were also capable of having the imagination to dream up a plot line that’s got young Americans organically rushing to join the Chinese-owned app Xiaohongshu/RedNote in defiance of their government’s TikTok ban and then bonding with the citizens of a country that’s been dubbed a threat
Or that TikTok “refugees” would adopt the song Kuranmg China App Aku by Galauhero as their battle cry?
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to highly flammable by Rachel Richardson to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.