China's efforts to enhance its global image through cultural influence are examined, focusing on the challenges and strategies involved in creating international pop stars. The podcast explores China's historical suppression of pop music and its attempts to build cultural centers and expand news outlets. The failure of the Earth's Music project, which aimed to launch RuHan as a global pop star, is contrasted with the success of TFBOYS, a Chinese boy band modeled after K-pop groups. Amy He, a K-pop expert, weighs in on the limitations of TFBOYS' reach due to its derivative nature and government influence on creative fields. Despite these challenges, the podcast suggests that China's pockets of cool, such as its rap scene and fashion brands, may hold the key to increasing its soft power.
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