Opening the Mailbox: Chinese Innovation, Chinese Dating Apps, Learning Chinese & Labubu
August 4, 2025
We bring back ShanghaiMailbox! Thanks for your questions. Here are the questions you submitted that Ali and I answered on today's podcast.
1. If you had your own money, what’s one Chinese startup or trend you’d invest in right now that most foreigners have never heard of?
2. Learning Mandarin used to be the rage, but now it’s less popular. With all the powerful apps and AI is it still worth learning a second language?
3. How do you think of online dating in China? That is, the online “Relationship-shopping” culture.
4. What differentiates agencies if everyone is using the same AI tools or platform?
5. What lessons have been learned from the latest and successful Coca-Cola + Pop Mart Labubu collaboration?
We bring back ShanghaiMailbox! Thanks for your questions. Here are the questions you submitted that Ali and I answered on today's podcast. Enjoy!
1. If you had your own money, what’s one Chinese startup or trend you’d invest in right now that most foreigners have never heard of?
2. Learning Mandarin used to be the rage, but now it’s less popular. With all the powerful apps and AI is it still worth learning a second language?
3. How do you think of online dating in China? That is, the online “Relationship-shopping” culture.
4. What differentiates agencies if everyone is using the same AI tools or platform?
5. What lessons have been learned from the latest and successful Coca-Cola + Pop Mart Labubu collaboration?
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
Got a Question? Access Our Mailbox: https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6StjsljIEPkXt3M
ShanghaiZhan Theme Music: by Bryce Whitwam
https://soundcloud.com/bryce-r-whitwam/bad-cough-syrup?si=cfb30a6e0c0e459da78b912bf60825ac
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/
1. If you had your own money, what’s one Chinese startup or trend you’d invest in right now that most foreigners have never heard of?
2. Learning Mandarin used to be the rage, but now it’s less popular. With all the powerful apps and AI is it still worth learning a second language?
3. How do you think of online dating in China? That is, the online “Relationship-shopping” culture.
4. What differentiates agencies if everyone is using the same AI tools or platform?
5. What lessons have been learned from the latest and successful Coca-Cola + Pop Mart Labubu collaboration?
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
Got a Question? Access Our Mailbox: https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6StjsljIEPkXt3M
ShanghaiZhan Theme Music: by Bryce Whitwam
https://soundcloud.com/bryce-r-whitwam/bad-cough-syrup?si=cfb30a6e0c0e459da78b912bf60825ac
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/