“이 정도 폐급은 봐야지”…중국 애니 뉴라이, ‘추함 감상’ 열풍

China's animated film "Nei RAI" has been generating a strange buzz among audiences. Initially criticized for its poor visuals and weak storyline, the film has become a sensation due to the "cruelty appreciation" (审丑) trend. The film, released on May 5th with no promotional activities, earned 7,352 yuan (approximately 154,000 won) from 300 viewers in its first week. Critics have dubbed it "a D (D grade) beginner's project," "like a low-quality presentation," and "a disaster-level animation."

However, the film's abstract movie poster and online meme turned the situation around. Viewers expressed that seeing something, even if poorly made, was worth it. This led to requests for additional screenings in theaters. In Beijing Chaoyang District, a viewer drove 30 km to witness the event in person. Nationwide, screening numbers skyrocketed from 21 to 359 in just two days, with cumulative box office revenue surpassing 500,000 yuan (approximately 10.5 billion won).

The film's production process has also become a topic of discussion. Only two people, directors Shi Wei Mou and Shi Ri Fang, were involved in creating the movie. Shi Wei Mou served as director, actor, and producer, while Shi Ri Fang contributed to the script and dubbing. The duo worked on the film for five years, composing the ending song themselves.

Local media reports cite economic pressure and restricted social expression as reasons for the surge in "cruelty appreciation" culture. One analyst noted that in a society where people are stressed and have limited outlets for expression, consuming such an unconventional work might be the only way to vent.