China Unpacked

The American Capturing China Like You’ve Never Seen Before — and How Living There Changed Him

Meet Craig Hickerson, an American filmmaker documenting everyday life in China through cinematic mini-documentaries. After moving from the U.S. to China, Craig began capturing the small, ordinary moments most people walk past — a flower on the ground, strangers in the park, public dances, local habits, and the quiet details of daily life. He posted these videos on Chinese social media platform under the name 'Craig也叫快克' and quickly grew a following. Over time, filming China did more than change his work. It changed how he sees people, culture, America, and himself. This week on China Unpacked, Craig opens up about why he left America for China, how his filmmaking style evolved from camera tutorials into cultural storytelling, and why the most meaningful stories often come from simply paying attention. His story is a reminder that seeing the world through fresh eyes can help us better understand others — and ourselves. We Talk About -What pushed him and his wife to take a chance on living in China -How Craig’s original plan in China changed after unexpected barriers forced him to pivot creatively -How moving to China changed the way Craig sees America, public space, transportation, and community -The surreal experience of being recognized and followed by fans in public while living in China -Why Craig believes genuine curiosity can help people see beyond stereotypes Craig’s long-term vision for documenting his life in China — and how his journey may become a much bigger story over time

From Peking University to Internet Fame: How an American Built a New Life in China and Left Behind the American Dream

Meet Gavin, an American who moved to China to study at Peking University — and ended up building a career inside one of the world’s most competitive digital ecosystems. From mastering the Chinese language to growing millions of followers on Chinese platforms, His story challenges what we’ve been told about the “American Dream” and why he believes more opportunity exists in China today. We Talked About -How Gavin chose to enroll in Peking University — and what it took to get accepted -What it’s really like studying in China’s intense academic system -How he built multiple social media accounts with millions of followers in China -The reality of working with Chinese MCNs — and why he eventually walked away -How creators actually make money in China (and why the market is more competitive than ever) - The biggest differences between Chinese and Western social media platforms -How China’s tech and AI ecosystem is changing content creation -Why Gavin believes the American Dream is fading — and what the “Chinese Dream” looks like today

How an American Accidentally Opened a Pizzeria in Rural China, and Became an Overnight Sensation

Meet Adrien, an American who opened a pizza shop in China’s countryside. By blending local ingredients with Western cooking, his restaurant became a viral sensation, attracting both locals and tourists. This week on China Unpacked, Adrien opens up about what it’s really like to start a restaurant in rural China — from adapting to local tastes, to earning the trust of a tight-knit village. His story is a reminder that no matter how different we may seem, food has a way of bringing people together. We Talk About 1. How Adrien ended up in rural China — and why opening a pizzeria was never part of the plan 2. How he turned the traditional Anhui specialty 'Stinky Mandarin Fish' into a pizza that put his shop on the map 3. How Douyin and Chinese social media unexpectedly blew up his shop 4. The reality of starting a restaurant in rural China without experience and learning everything the hard way 5. The hilarious story of Adrien representing Team China at a pizza competition in Italy as an American 6. Why success in one village didn’t translate when he tried expanding to other cities

How a Foreigner Mastered Chinese Comedy, Lost it All and Then Rebuilt Everything with Tea | Jesse's Teahouse

Meet Jesse, the creator who turned tea into one of the most unexpected cultural bridges between China and the world. But before Jesse’s Tea House, he did something few foreigners have ever managed to do: he mastered traditional Chinese comedy and built a massive following performing entirely in Chinese. In this episode of China Unpacked, we sit down with Jesse to unpack his remarkable journey — from studying and performing xiangsheng (traditional Chinese comedic dialogue), to becoming a viral sensation in China, losing everything he built almost overnight, and ultimately reinventing himself by turning his lifelong love of tea into a global brand. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE Mastering Chinese Comedy as a Foreigner — How Jesse became one of the few non-Chinese performers to apprentice under a xiangsheng master and perform traditional Chinese comedy on stage in China. Becoming Viral in China and Losing It All — Jesse breaks down how he built a massive comedy following in China, why it suddenly disappeared, and what it’s like to lose an entire career almost overnight. Reinventing Himself with Tea — How a personal passion turned into Jesse’s Tea House, and why selling something he genuinely loves gave him creative freedom he never had before. Inside Chinese Comedy Culture — The differences between xiangsheng, stand-up, and improv, and why performing comedy in a second language is one of the fastest ways to truly understand a culture. Life Between Two Worlds — Jesse opens up about reverse culture shock, identity, and what it’s really like to split life between China and the U.S. after spending nearly a decade abroad.

Everything You Know About Tofu is Wrong! This American Chef’s Plan to Make Tofu a Staple in America

Meet George, the chef on a mission to change the perception of tofu in America.  Trained under a fifth-generation tofu master in China, George is here to prove that everything you know about tofu is wrong. In this episode of China Unpacked, we’ll taste tofu dishes that will make you go, “I can’t believe it’s tofu!”, we learn George’s secrets to making tofu flavorful, and explore how this humble ingredient’s versatility might just be the key to saving our planet. Meet George, the chef on a mission to change the perception of tofu in America.  Trained under a fifth-generation tofu master in China, George is here to prove that everything you know about tofu is wrong. In this episode of China Unpacked, we’ll taste tofu dishes that will make you go, “I can’t believe it’s tofu!”, we learn George’s secrets to making tofu flavorful, and explore how this humble ingredient’s versatility might just be the key to saving our planet. In this episode, we covered The Ancient Craft of Tofu-Making — How George trained under a fifth-generation tofu master in China. The Secret to Delicious Tofu — George’s tips for transforming tofu from bland to flavorful and delicious The Varieties of Tofu — From tofu that explodes in your mouth to tofu that tastes like aged cheese. George reveals over 26 varieties of tofu you didn’t know existed Tofu’s Role in a Sustainable Future — How tofu’s versatility could help fix our broken food system and fight climate change.