What's trending?

As people across China spent billions during the Double 11 shopping bonanza, one high school reminded everyone why the day is called “Singles’ Day” with the famous Taiwanese singer Terry Lin showing that you do not have to spend a penny to celebrate on November 11.

What's the story?

Before becoming the online shopping bonanza that everyone knows today, Nov 11 was more commonly called "Singles' Day" or "Bachelors' Day" by Chinese social media users celebrating being single.

A high school attached to Northeast Normal University (MSANNU) has a ten year old tradition of all the teachers and students singing “Bachelors’ love song” (单身情歌) together on Singles’ Day every year. The original Taiwanese singer of the song, Terry Lin, saw a video of the event on Weibo several years ago and promised the school that if they were able to keep the tradition going for ten straight years, he would visit the school and sing it with them.

2020 marked the 10th year of the school singing the song. Despite major travel obstacles due to the pandemic restricting movement between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, Terry Lin kept his word and came to the school, even completing 14 days of mandatory quarantine when he arrived on the Chinese mainland.

While the rest of Chinese social media was full of discussions of bargains picked up on Double 11, this high school “musical” captured the hearts of millions, trending online.

What are people saying online?

High schools in China generally “prohibit” students from falling in love or discussing issues related to romantic relationships. The school’s open approach to teachers and students discussing, and even singing, about their relationships has won praise across social media.

“In this case, it’s not just that the artist is awesome; the school’s open and free spirit is even more awesome,” one popular comment read.

Although sales on the Tmall platform reached a record 498.2 billion yuan (USD$75.2 billion) this year for Double 11, many people felt the school and the singer captured the essence of the day which is all too often forgotten. “I still prefer the original spontaneous celebration of Singles’ Day with youthful memories. The hard work, fearlessness, loneliness, and longing… I don’t want this day to be ruined by Taobao and Tmall and just be about Double 11 shopping festival,” another comment read.

Contact editor Marcus Ryder (marcusryder@caixin.com)

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