China's "Chicken Cutlet Curator": The Street Vendor Redefining a Buzzword
meiting
2
10-17Mia: You know, when I hear the word 'curator,' my mind immediately goes to a museum or maybe a high-end fashion boutique. But what if I told you China's latest internet sensation is a... chicken cutlet curator?
Host John: A chicken cutlet curator? That sounds like a joke, but I'm guessing it's not. Let's talk about this unexpected internet star. Li Junyong, a 48-year-old street vendor selling chicken cutlets for just 6 yuan, became this huge online personality called chicken cutlet brother after a customer's video just blew up on Douyin.
Mia: It's fascinating how a simple video can catapult someone to such fame. What exactly about his service made him stand out so much?
Host John: Well, his unique customer service is indeed the key. He’s not just selling chicken; he's creating an experience. This brings us to his other, more sophisticated nickname.
Mia: Exactly. Beyond chicken cutlet brother, Li Junyong has also acquired the nickname chicken cutlet curator, or 鸡排主理人. This term, which literally means chief operator or chief curator, really became a buzzword in 2023-2024.
Host John: That's an interesting evolution of language. Originally, curator or 主理人 was associated with boutique brands and entrepreneurs who were meticulously crafting their personal image and a very specific customer experience. It's about translating personal charisma into market competitiveness.
Mia: Right. And it's precisely this contrast that makes the chicken cutlet curator nickname so compelling. It completely turns the concept on its head.
Host John: The term curator was even officially recognized as a top internet keyword in China, defined as someone translating personal charisma into market competitiveness. But this guy, the chicken cutlet curator, is a complete inversion of this.
Mia: He has no polished presentation, no scripts, no fancy production. It's just genuine, fast-paced, and friendly service alongside delicious, affordable chicken. He's cracking jokes withMia: So, have you heard about China's latest internet sensation? It's not a pop star or a tech CEO. It's a 48-year-old street vendor named Li Junyong who sells chicken cutlets for about a dollar.
Host John: You’re kidding. A chicken cut customers while rapidly taking multiple orders.
Host John: This really highlights a significant shift in consumer preference, doesn't it? We're seeing a growing appreciation for authenticity and realness over manufactured perfection. It's a powerful reminder that at the core of any successful venture, whether it's a luxury brand or a streetlet vendor?
Mia: Exactly. He’s now famously known as chicken cutlet brother. It all started when a customer posted a short video of him working at his stall on Douyin, and it just exploded. He shot to the top of the trending lists.
Host John: Well, that's stall, is a genuine connection with the customer.
Mia: Absolutely. So when we look back at this whole phenomenon, what are the main things we should take away?
Host John: I think there are a few key points. First, it shows how an ordinary person like Li Junyong can become a sensation the magic of the internet, isn't it? It’s completely unpredictable. You can spend millions on a marketing campaign that goes nowhere, or a customer's phone can turn a street vendor into an overnight sensation.
Mia: Absolutely. So, this chicken cutlet brother is suddenly everywhere. What through viral content, driven by his warm, humorous, and incredibly efficient service. Second, the nickname chicken cutlet curator is so brilliant because it humorously subverts this high-concept business term. It proves that authenticity and a great, affordable product can be more powerful than a polished brand strategy. Ultimately, it really points to what people are craving today: real, relatable experiences, not just perfectly produced content.