In brief
China’s fast‑paced tech boom has left Gen Z battling job pressure, romantic uncertainty and the myth that hard work guarantees stability. In a surprise turn, Professor Biao Xiang – a 54‑year‑old anthropologist – is becoming a guiding celebrity, offering heartfelt talks about anxiety, meaning and how to navigate the "involution" of modern life. Over 500 people flocked to his Singapore lecture, snapping photos and asking questions, turning the event into a cause‑for‑change fan‑meeting. Xiang’s candid, science‑backed approach resonates with young people hungry for a new narrative beyond the grind, proving that an academic can outperform pop stars as a trusted voice of the moment.
”A star sent from the heavens,” is how 19‑year‑old Zihan Han describes Professor Biao Xiang, a 54‑year‑old anthropologist who has become the secret idol of China’s Gen Z.
Unlike a pop singer, Xiang talks about the everyday battles people face—career anxiety, love pressure and the mental toll of a hyper‑competitive society.
At a recent Singapore lecture, over 500 young people, most from the Chinese diaspora, gathered to hear him speak for an hour in Mandarin. When the talk ended, a line formed for selfies and autograph sign‑ups, turning what critics dubbed an “academic fan‑meeting” into a cultural moment.
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