Halloween Mania Hits Shanghai: Cosplay Festival Sparks Enthusiasm and Controversy Among Chinese Netizens
In China, Halloween has become an increasingly popular event for many adults to let loose and embrace their inner children, much like the spirit of the festival itself. This year, a cosplay festival in Shanghai attracted a large crowd and generated enthusiastic reactions from netizens on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
30 October 2023
At a recent documentary screening in Beijing, some viewers volunteered to provide promotional items such as fake visits, teary mourning, and shocking experiences to help promote the movie. This caused laughter among the audience and highlighted the dedication of fans in China's film industry.
Netizens on Weibo expressed their delight at the news from Shanghai, with one user commenting, "I wouldn't even think how happy I would be if my mental state had allowed me to go to Shanghai for Halloween today! The Halloween Festival being renamed the Million Challenge Festival isn't a joke!" Another netizen jokingly accused Shanghai of "Halloween one day," implying that they believe Halloween is more exciting than traditional Chinese festivals.
The cosplay festival in Shanghai has become an annual event and this year did not disappoint. The attendees were dressed up as famous characters from various fields, such as Li Jiaqi, Shi Juina, Wu Jing, Xiang Ta, Nan Ying, Faye Wong, and An Ling Rong. This diversity of cosplay options reflects the wide-ranging popularity of foreign festivals in China, prompting some netizens to wonder if traditional Chinese festivals will eventually be replaced by foreign ones.
However, not all reactions were positive. One user criticized the fact that people were celebrating Halloween instead of traditional Chinese festivities at home, saying "Why can't Chinese people celebrate the Spring Festival at home? They are not angry. People are very excited about foreign festivals. In a few years, it may be that traditional Chinese festivals will disappear and become foreign festivals!"
Despite this criticism, the overall enthusiasm among netizens was clear, with many expressing their desire to join in on the fun. One user exclaimed, "Oh, I want to go crazy in Shanghai so much!" Others were equally excited, with one netizen even mocking those who do not participate by saying, "Aren't you supposed to be off entertainment for three days? Why is it so happy on Western Ghost Day? Don't you have any shame?"
The most impressive cosplay was also a topic of discussion among Weibo users, with one netizen asking, "What do you think is the most impressive cosplay?" Another user even joked about their desire to go crazy, saying "You should come to Shanghai and join in on the fun! Hahaha, I really want to go crazy at will without worrying about the eyes of the world."
In conclusion, Halloween has become a beloved event in China, offering adults a chance to embrace their childlike tendencies and have fun. While there are criticisms regarding the popularity of foreign festivals over traditional Chinese ones, the excitement and enthusiasm among netizens on Weibo reflect the widespread enjoyment of these events. This is demonstrated by the diverse array of cosplay options available at this year's festival in Shanghai, which attracted a large crowd of excited participants.