This Zine talked about Chinese examination system, which is closely related to Chinese ‘face culture’, which refers to the psychological comparison between adults when academic performance is used to judge who is good or bad depending on their score in the college entrance exam. On one hand, the Balinghou were required to follow their parents’ arrangement under the constraints of filial piety culture, where they didn’t want to let their parents down. On the other hand, as students, they also wanted to develop their interests, not just focus on academic performance as they realised the importance of self-worth and freedom, popular cultural, independent literature, movies, and rock music all influenced the information of their ideologies. To some extent, the Balinghou students found themselves in a state of obedience and resistance with their parents.

Zine mockup.

Zine publication.