Written by Hairong Long 2022 Cohort
Smart is a subculture that appeared in China during the 2000s. It is known for its colourful hairstyle and distinctive outfits, like Vijuaru Kei in Japan and Heavy metal music in America. In China, migrant workers created these alternative fashion styles. They built many communities on social media to attract more and more people to display their aesthetics and characters. The most famous one is called “Buried Love.”
What’s behind “Made In China”
Nowadays, nearly all of our supplies, light industrial products specifically, come from China. As one of the largest production centres in the world, China has a vast population to support its labour requirements. But have you ever wondered who and what is behind the label “Made in China”?
In 2008, the total number of migrant workers in China was 200 million. 1 out of 7 rural farmers from small villages have come to the big cities looking for jobs, hoping for better futures for their families. Like their parents, the dazzling glow of the metropolises tempted many teenagers to come and seek their dreams. But the reality has always been harsh, especially for those most virtuous and kind-hearted. Due to the lack of supervision and awareness of the law, many were hired as illegal child labourers; they earned minimum or even below minimum wages by working in the factories. They were given only 4 to 8 rest hours each day; after that, there became hollow robots cracking their crooked souls from 6 am till midnight. Many described themselves as prisoners locked up in jail; they were too young and clueless to find a way out.
How do these workers feel?
Riding on the train of adolescence, lilacs were blooming on the hilltops; mountains stood silently on the world’s edge, and rain and tears dropped soothingly into brooks beneath, so we just shrugged and waited for the next station. For these young workers, sentiments and romance are privileged emotions; solitude and insecurity are their only companions. But none of these things had turned them into numb and cynical living-dead because they still believed in their uniqueness, empathy and kindness.
What made them become Smart?
The only criterion defining Smart is the hairstyle; it is colourful, extroverted, and even outrageous. It was almost religious to reform one’s soul by ritually changing their hairstyle, seeing a completely different person in the mirror overwhelmed with joy, and becoming a Smart somehow quenched their longing for attention because most of them had been facing the absence of parental roles and lack of love.
In the Smart clan, they had similar interests and life experiences, and whoever joined was happily welcomed as a clan member. If anyone were in trouble, the rest would always lend a hand. The hairstyle created a new persona and helped them find a way out.
Although they found their solution, that did not mean society would accept them. Their workplace did not take them anymore because many company executives are conservative and stubborn. After being turned away, they had to leave and consequently lose income. Some of them starve and wander the street.
Disappearance
In 2012, some stigmatized comments that parodied Smart were posted on the Internet. Netizens discovered these unique styles of people and spread malice to them. The spite was unstoppable and became an online trend. It eventually spread into reality. Smart was faced with random malevolence in public areas; some were sent to the police station for no reason. Soon, the government issued entertainment regulations, and Smart was banned.
People who were Smart evaporated in one night.
Now
After the popularity of short videos, TikTocks, for example, Smart, was back in the spotlight. Now they are using a wig instead of natural hair, and they stir curiosity. To clarify, some of Smart’s videos show them speaking loudly with a rural accent and throwing ashes on themselves. They understand that people like to watch them torment themselves. Other Smarts who join the live streaming, although they still have limited income, are willing to contribute to the movement as much as possible.
Conclusion
The process of industrialization has brought a dazzling array of commodities, a decent living standard, and towering buildings shrouded in clouds. But other voices disappeared beneath the clouds and asked to be heard. These are our Smarts.
References
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1ob4y1d7un/?vd_source=0c18dad6146f7b1d893ae5ff03ed5fa3
https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-hans/%E6%9D%80%E9%A9%AC%E7%89%B9