100 million views: why China’s viral AI rap track has struck a chord

An AI-generated Chinese rap song featuring historical figures has gone viral, accumulating over 100 million views in just two weeks. Titled "The One Who's Been There" (Guo Lai Ren), the track brought together 10 iconic figures from Chinese history and mythology, such as poets, statesmen, and the legendary Monkey King. Instead of reciting classical verses, they rapped about their own historical hardships to connect with today's burnt-out world.

The song opened with Du Fu, a Tang dynasty poet, lamenting the struggle of renting in the capital, Changan. Later, Song dynasty literary giant Su Shi addressed the pressures of the workplace, including the "curse of 35" and "optimisation," a corporate term for layoffs. The track resonated with modern audiences grappling with similar issues like mortgages and job insecurity.

Created by Wang Kunzhe, a veteran visual creator who used AI-assisted production, the song took just three to four days and cost a fraction of traditional music video shoots. The comments section on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, became an emotional outlet for users sharing their own struggles and pondering life's purpose. Wang views AI as a "democratisation of technology" that makes creators equal on the starting line.

He believes AI can mass-produce content but cannot replicate the resonance and empathy that human creators provide. Encouraged by the song's reception, Wang plans to explore new musical styles and storytelling formats using AI, with aspirations of directing an AI-generated feature-length film in the future.