The Dream of the ’90s Is Alive on the Chinese Internet

A growing internet trend in China, known as 'dreamcore,' is tapping into the nostalgia of millennials. This aesthetic movement draws heavily on imagery and feelings associated with the 1990s, a period many young Chinese adults remember fondly from their childhood and adolescence. The trend manifests in various online content, including visuals, music, and discussions, creating a shared cultural experience centered around past memories. Its effectiveness appears to stem from its ability to evoke a sense of comfort, simplicity, and a perceived golden age before the rapid technological and societal changes of recent decades.

This trend highlights how digital spaces are being used to process collective memory and nostalgia, influencing contemporary cultural expression among young Chinese internet users.