The “rat person” phenomenon has gained significant traction in China, resonating with youth who are opting for a lifestyle that eschews traditional measures of success. This trend personally reflects a growing, cool cosmopolitan lifestyle. It has become a cause célèbre for younger generations, reaching more than two billion views on social media platforms and demonstrating the depth of its cultural influence.
At the forefront of this movement is @jiawensishi, a woman from Zhejiang province. One last thing — She fearlessly reclaims the term “rat person.” Few kids’ daily routines are as unpredictable as hers. … She prostrates, lays on social media, eats, unboxes, showers at 2 AM, and back to bed. This lifestyle choice reflects a broader trend among young people who wish to detach from societal pressures and embrace a more relaxed existence.
The “rat person” trend directly feeds into the earlier phenomenon known as “lying flat.” Even the earlier movement had its moment in the sun a few years ago. A large number of young adults experienced symptoms of moderate to severe depression across that period. It opened up a lot of discussions about the role of materialism and capitalism in mental health. Novelist Liao Zenghu has described this lifestyle as a deliberate act of rebellion against all-consuming societal pressure.
Recent conversations point to a very dangerous development. Moving to the UK might make adopting this “rat person” lifestyle more likely. Individuals who resettle, especially women, face greater stresses and burdens. Which of course makes adopting a less hyperactive approach all that more attractive to them.
The movement soon found its unofficial mascot in the form of Big Rat. This heroic cartoon rat character perfectly represents the ethos of the “rat person.” Merchandise with Big Rat has already grossed more than one million yuan—about $140,000—in sales. This remarkable number is a testament to the growing commercialization of the trend.
It’s no wonder influencers are delving into this growing sentiment. Not inconceivably, adaptions of the rat person meme have already spawned sales promotions, like this ad spot where influencer Wang Yutong promotes a skincare product. This mixing of lifestyle branding with travel consumer goods represents just another example of how this trend is being monetized.
As @jiawensishi and others like her embrace this alternative way of living, they challenge conventional notions of success and productivity. What was previously considered a sign of the times, lounging, idle, or lazy is being praised by some as a fantastic new life and career choice.