According to local Chinese media outlet Guangming on the 26th, the Shanghai Xinhua Road underpass has recently emerged as a ‘life shot spot’. Young people are flocking to take ‘retro Hong Kong-style photos’ in the style of Hong Kong film director Wong Kar-wai.
Although the underpass is a section where pedestrians are prohibited from entering, reviews and location information are being shared on social media such as TikTok.
The young people in the photos are standing on the edge of the road just 0.5m away from the vehicle, or sitting on the emergency escape route with their feet out toward the road, making dangerous poses.
There are positive posts on SNS saying that taking photos in this underpass will make you look like a celebrity and leave you with a wonderful ‘life shot’ that will last a lifetime. However, there is criticism that it encourages dangerous behavior because it does not inform people that it is a section where pedestrians are prohibited.
Although the SNS platform posted a warning message saying, “Do not imitate,” comments asking for the location and reactions trying to follow the trend continued. In fact, some users went to the scene after getting information and were stopped by the police or arrested.
Local Chinese media and netizens expressed concern about the indiscriminate spread of online trends, saying, “‘SNS certification shots’ are the most dangerous mass madness of the current era.”
SOPHIA KOM
US ASIA JOURNAL
