2019: The Year of The Pig

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2019: THE YEAR OF THE (PEPPA) PIG

By Philippa Tonkin

‘Peppa Pig,’the British preschoolers cartoon, was released in 2004 and since then has taken the world (China, in particular), by storm.

First introduced in China on state broadcaster, CCTV, in 2015, ‘Peppa Pig’ has quickly become a household name and icon.

The pink pig with the hairdryer shaped head has racked up over 34 billion views since its release and its popularity is continuing to grow.

However, like any other celebrity, Peppa hasn’t shied away from controversy. The popular meme of Peppa savagely hanging up the phone after discovering that her friend Suzie Sheep could whistle while Peppa could not quickly broke the internet and catapulted Peppa away from toddlers and into the spotlight, transforming her into an unlikely rebel icon here in China.

She became a ‘shehuiren,’ slang term for ‘gangster,’ a symbol for those wanting to live a life free of constraints and societal pressures. In May 2018 on Weibo, the hashtag #societyperson’speppapig had been viewed nearly 30 million times. Peppa’s increasing popularity as a gangster has even sparked a new tattoo craze through a short rhyme roughly translated to ‘get your Peppa Pig tatt, shout out to your frat.”

In March 2018, a series of pictures appeared on Weibo, one of China’s biggest social

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"When the young generation grows up, their cultural characteristics will deeply influence the progress and development of our society," Jiang said. "Therefore, it is necessary to conduct positive means such as monitoring and leading to improve the quality of young people and their self-understanding."

But it appears that the Peppa censoring came too late; the pig’s influence had already filtered out into society and could not be stopped.

It is necessary to conduct positive means such as monitoring and leading to improve the quality of young people and their selfunderstanding.

A feature film marking the rehabilitation of Peppa starring the peppy pig is set to be released on February 5th, just in time for the Lunar New Year. The movie, translated as ‘Peppa Pig Celebrates Chinese New Year’, tells the story of two Chinese children nicknamed Jiozi (dumplings) and Tangyuan (glutinous rice ball), and their friend Peppa, celebrating the festival with their families.

networks, combining Peppa Pig and the logos of various premium brands such as Supreme, Chanel and Gucci. One t-shirt in particular stands out by mixing Balenciaga’s slogan, ‘the power of dreams,’ with Peppa thereby creating ‘Balencipeppa,’ or ‘the power of Peppa.’

However, this rise to fame did not sit especially well with the government. In late April, videos of Peppa disappeared from Douyin much to the dismay of users. Previously, there were at least 30 000 videos under the hashtag #peppapig.

The state newspaper, The Global Times, explains that in the online context, ‘shehuiren’ refers to people who run counter to the mainstream value and are the antithesis of the young generation the Party tries to cultivate.

Jiang Haisheng, chief of the Journalism and Communication Department under Shandong University of Political Science and Law explained to The Global Times that "if the subcultural thoughts and behaviors go out of control to the extreme, it could damage society.

In late October 2018, China’s first ‘Peppa Pig’ theme park opened in Shanghai with another planned to open in Beijing later in 2019. The park brings the TV characters to life with family inclusive activities.

As you can see Peppa Pig is well and truly a Chinese sensation. Her ability to capture the hearts and minds of everyone from toddlers through to adults is a true phenomenon that does not appear to be slowing down. So, sit down, put on some Peppa Pig and get ready for the Year of the Pig, a year that is sure to be an exciting one for Peppa, you and me.

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A PIG YEAR FOR US ALL

By Izabella Cuyuca

Here’s what you need to know if you’re a Pig in 2019:

Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 8 Lucky Colors: Yellow, Grey, Brown, Gold Lucky Flowers: Hydrangea, Pitcher Plant, Marguerite Lucky Directions: Southeast, Northeast Most compatible with: Tiger, Rabbit, Goat Least compatible with: Snake, Monkey

At this exact moment, life feels so serendipitous. As someone who was born in the Year of the Pig, who will also be in China during Chinese New Year in 2019, it all seems like it’s meant to be. In Chinese, 緣分 (yuán fèn) means “fateful coincidence”, a concept in Chinese culture used to describe one’s destiny and fortune in life. Here in China, terms like ‘fortune,’ ‘destiny,’ ‘chance,’ and ‘fate’ are closely linked to your zodiac animals. For myself, and anyone else born in the years 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007, the Pig symbolises a year of good fortune and health.

Personally, my knowledge on Chinese zodiac related topics are minimal save for the fact that Pigs often symbolize wealth. Like horoscopes, I never thought too much about predictions and chalked up everything that happens was for a reason that I as a mere human being couldn’t quite comprehend.

After delving into the world of Chinese astrology, I realised how much zodiac descriptions were incredibly similar to aspects in my own personality. Was I reading into it too much? Or was I being influenced by China entirely? Either way, my being in China was no accident. Call it ‘chance’, ‘fate’, ‘serendipity’, or ‘yuánfèn’ but there are bigger works happening for this little Pig in China. You decide.

This year, we decided to ask a few Pigs about their goals and dreams for the new year, along with what they hope to do before the year ends.

ASPECTS IN LIFE RELATIONSHIPS

CAREER

HEALTH

LIFESTYLE

EDUCATION

ADVICE FOR PIGS

Heads up Piggies because it seems as though romance is not in the books for us. Regardless, this year is about new prospects and focusing on friendship and making long lasting connections. For Pigs in committed relationships, remember to communicate with your significant other to prevent breakups.

Avoid any sudden change of careers and be aware of conflict.

All clear on the physical health front! Just make sure to stay healthy by keeping up with your usual doctor visits and maintain a balanced diet and exercise regimen. If anything, pay attention to your mental health and don’t be afraid to be vocal about your opinions.

This year is all about focus, whether it be focusing on your future, relationships and longterm goals, focusing is vital to a successful year.

Investing in your education seems like the way to go this year.

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INTERVIEWS

Naomi

1995, Qingdao, Teacher

What do you hope is in store for your life this 2019?

Of course, I'm hoping that I will be lucky, happy and healthy but really, I'm hoping that this year will be bring me more certainty in the decisions I make.

Zoe

1983, Qingdao, Sales Manager

What goals do you hope to achieve before your year is finished?

What's one aspect of your life that you're hoping the Year of the Pig will work its luck on and why?

I hope that I'll be able to keep travelling and meet interesting people. I would love to start learning another language or maybe another skill. I also plan on making more time for my family and friends since they are so important to me.

I'm hoping that I'll get lucky in my career and gain more experience with new opportunities in my field. I'm also planning on continuing my education which will help me get closer to my career goals.

What do you hope is in store for your life this 2019?

What goals do you hope to achieve before your year is finished?

What did you learn from the previous year that you hope improve upon in 2019?

Hopefully I don’t have to take care of my son's homework anymore.

To keep fit and active, though it may be my goal every year for the rest of my life.

To have more time for myself in order to be refreshed and renewed.

Liu Ge

Dominik1983, Qingdao, Real Estate Agent

1995, Qingdao, Law Student

What do you hope is in store for your life this 2019?

I hope 2019 can give me good memories that I can look back on in about 50 years later. 2019 is very important to me and I hope it can treat me well.

What do you hope is in store for your life this 2019?

This year, I hope that everything will be well when I return to Germany. Last year was a busy year so I hope that I have more time for myself in 2019.

What goals do you hope to achieve before your year is finished?

What did you learn from the previous year that you hope improve upon in 2019?

I wish I can get a promotion and salary raise. It would be better if I can get a chance to travel abroad. Most importantly, I have a very big problem I'm facing now that I hope can be solved this year.

"If you eat more for lunch, you won't eat that much for dinner.” That's a complete lie! Don't fall for it!

What goals do you hope to achieve before your year is finished?

What's one aspect of your life that you're hoping the Year of the Pig will work its luck on and why?

My list includes: finishing my bachelor's degree and moving in with my girlfriend.

Career, because I hope that this year brings me good luck in my future work endeavours and whatever happens after I graduate from university.

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JIXIANG HUA

LUCKY WORDS FOR SUCCESS, SWEET WORDS FOR HAPPINESS

By Athena Guo

All around the world we say good words with sincere wishes when special occasions or festivals come around. We hope that the people we care about can have beautiful and bright futures. Here in China we usually greet each other on the first few days. During the duration of the traditional Chinese Spring Festival we pray and wish people luck and happiness, health and wealth, love and peace and many other lucky words. So what kinds of Jixiang Hua do we usually say and how do we use the patterns correctly?

FOR LUCK AND HAPPINESS 鸿运当头 , 万事如意

(hóng yùn dāng tóu, wàn shì rú yì) Farewell to the past, greetings to the coming year and everything goes as you wish.

ALSO 心想事成 , 万事顺意 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng, wàn shì shùn yì ) and etc.

We especially use these words when we want to make a full and comprehensive blessing. For instance, when you are not familiar with the person and have no idea what his or her particular wish is, you can just use these words – they are general words, for everything.

FOR HEALTH AND WEALTH 身体健康 , 财源滚滚

(shēn tǐ jiàn kāng, cái yuán gǔn gǔn) Be healthy, be wealthy.

ALSO 财源滚滚 , 恭喜发财 (cái yuán gǔn gǔn, gōng xǐ fā cái) and ect.

It is true that “you may not live happily with money but you can’t live without money.” People nowadays are more concerned about their health. Wishing others good health and good wealth always makes sense. You can even add 红包拿来 (hóng bāo ná lái) after 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái) for your lucky red pocket money.

LOVE AND PEACE 阖家幸福 , 团圆美满

(hé jiā xìng fú, tuán yuán měi mǎn) All the good for you and your family.

ALSO 平安喜乐 , 家和事兴 (píng ān xǐ lè, jiā hé shì xìng) and etc.

Who wouldn’t want a happy life with his/her family in the new year? So just use these Jixiang Hua to wish your Chinese friends a wonderful new year and they will no doubt be pleased about it!

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BE ALONE, NOT LONELY: SURVIVING SPRING FESTIVAL

By Jasper Zhai

Qingdao becomes a “Ghost City” during Spring Festival, with Chinese residents flocking back to their respective hometowns to celebrate with family and friends. The remaining residents and expats who don’t have the luxury to travel back home, are left behind with a short list of places to eat and entertain themselves. Fortunately, REDSTAR did considerable research to curate this Spring Survival Guide of places that will be open during Spring Festival. You are welcome!

NOTICEWe collected the

information based on current knowledge, but there are chances that the places might change their opening hours, so REDSTAR suggests you make a call before you go. Happy Spring Festival!

BARSRESTAURANTS

CHERRY 65 Xianggang Zhong Lu, Shinan District. 138 0532-2202, 10:30pm-8am 香港中路 65 号

LOONG BAR Yi-21 Donghai Xi Lu, Shinan District. 8386-2667, 7pm- 2:30pm 东海西路 21 号

MOOSE & GŌNG Inside of Moose, 2F, Starlight Walk Plaza, 19 Qinling Lu, Laoshan District. 8099-9858, 10am-6am Metro: Line2, Miaoling 10am-6amLu, Exit D. 觥 崂山区秦岭路 19 号协信星光 里商业街 2 楼

MUVI PUB 1369 Zhujiang Lu, Huangdao District. 8365-9898, 10:30pm- 4am 珠江路 1369 号

ROCKY BAR 53 Minjiang Er Lu, Shinan District. 131 7685-5000, 9:30pm-4am 闽江二路 53 号

ROOM LOUNGE 1F, Bldg Haihua, Binhai Garden, 1 Shandong Lu, Shinan District. 7pm-2am 入目有你 山东路 1 号 滨海花园海华楼 1 楼

TEA STATION & BAR 883 Tong'an Lu, Laoshan District. 6888-7799, 6pm-2am 崂山区同安路 883 号

THE FOX 20-8 Yan’erdao Lu, Shinan District. 185 6279-0672, 4pmlate 燕儿岛路 20-8

THE HOUSE 2- Yi, 65 Xianggang Zhong Lu, Shinan District. 8395-9898, 5:30pm-1:30am 香港中路 65 号 乙 -2 号

WONDERFUL ICE CREAM 22 Yanerdao Lu, Shinan District. 燕儿岛路 22 号

YISU BEER Room102, Unit3, 23 Zhangzhou Lu, Shinan District. 176 0010- 6432, 6pm-12am 一宿 漳州路 23 号 3 单元 102 室

As for restaurants, the ones at the shopping malls and hotels are always open during spring festivals, so it is not that difficult to fill your belly but there are some other choices below you might find useful.

WANDA YACHT CLUB (RESTAURANT & CAFE) 988 Xinghai Wan Lu, Huangdao District. 5558-5199, 8:30-22:30 万达游艇会 黄岛区滨海大道星海 湾路 988 号

XIN FU SHENG Qingdao local food, featuring sea food, 138rmb average per person, 162 Heilongjiang Nan Lu. 8117-7777, 11am-21pm 鑫复 盛礼记酒店 黑龙江南路 162 号

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