Singapore, Singapore Jul 1, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - When a nationally beloved variety show enters its 11th year and no longer limits itself to generating laughter alone, but instead turns its lens toward Taoist philosophy atop Mount Mao and the origins of Chinese characters in the water towns of Jiangnan, it signals a quiet yet profound evolution in cultural storytelling. In its latest two episodes, Zhejiang Satellite TVs The Class of Run introduces viewers to the Eastern wisdom of Shang Shan Ruo Shui (The Highest Good Is Like Water) through a flowing spring inside a Taiji Bagua formation, and leads them through a linguistic journey in Changzhous Qingguo Lane, where the final puzzle spells out the character "she", symbolizing female empowerment. These intricately embedded elements of Chinese civilization are not only surprises gifted to the audience by Season 13, but also form a carefully curated Next Level open course in the humanitiesdelivered through mainstream entertainment.
Integrating Philosophy to Create a Culturally Enlightening Entertainment Platform
In order to fulfill its mission of subtle cultural transmission, The Class of Run Season 13 adopts an immersive format that transforms abstract philosophical ideas into tangible, experiential games. In the Mount Mao episode, a fantasy setup involving nine mythical birds competing for the title of King of Grains ultimately leads not to a throne, but to a spring of water symbolizing the Daoist ideal of Shang Shan Ruo Shui (The Highest Good Is Like Water). When the Taiji Bagua formation is unlocked and a clear spring flows outward toward all, the noise of competition dissolves into a quiet sense of mutual fulfillment. This powerful visual metaphor presents the essence of Tao Te Chingbenefiting all things without contentionsuggesting that true strength lies not in domination, but in nurturing others like water does.
Remarkably, this philosophical narrative echoed the theme of this years official middle school essay prompt in Shanghai: Mutual Fulfillment. The alignment was not coincidental but rather a reflection of the shows keen understanding of contemporary discourse and traditional cultural values. Once again, The Class of Run proves it is more than a source of viral entertainmentit is a cultural platform capable of triggering social resonance and inspiring thoughtful reflection among younger generations.
This method of non-intrusive cultural delivery has long been the shows signature strength and a cornerstone of its identity as a benchmark in educational entertainment. Through the members competitive trials and personal breakthroughs, viewers vicariously undergo a shift from an obsession with being the king to an appreciation of the selfless, fluid strength of water. Here, philosophy is no longer confined to the cold pages of ancient textsit becomes the spring that refreshes the mind and spirit after each challenge. This success in game design represents not only a creative victory, but also a meaningful execution of cultural philosophyrevitalizing ancient Eastern wisdom in the hearts of todays youth.
Decoding the Birth of She: Tracing Social Progress Through Language
If the journey to Mount Mao represented a philosophical reflection on the cosmos, then the latest Changzhou episode delves into micro-historical narrative and humanist depth. Framed around the theme of retrieving lost voices, the show ingeniously transforms a word-finding puzzle into a profound exploration of the history of Chinese characters and the evolution of womens linguistic empowerment.
Through the pictographic charm of oracle bone script and the shows custom-designed font HanYi Run Style, both the audience and cast members experience a deeply immersive journey through 3,000 years of Chinese script development. When the central mystery unfolds around the missing character "she" in Liu Bannongs renowned poem How Can Help Thinking of Her, the episode reaches an emotional and intellectual climax. From referencing historical documents such as Qian Xuantong and Zhou Zuorens Discussion on Translating the English Word she published in New Youth, to playing archival audio of linguist Zhao Yuanren singing the poem, and finally to the cast members assembling the complete character she during a heated name-tag battleeach segment reconstructs the efforts made during the New Culture Movement to establish women as independent subjects within the Chinese written language.
From adding the radical "female" under the commonly used "he", to popularizing she through Liu Bannongs poem, and eventually formalizing it as a standard character alongside its male counterpart, the character shenow taken for grantedmirrors a trajectory of cultural reform, societal progress, and civilizational growth. By tracing its origins, the show opens a window into feminist humanism while also showcasing the adaptability and vitality of Chinese civilization in the modern era.
The Class of Runs vivid interpretation of she not only rekindles public appreciation for Chinese linguistic heritage, but also provides a compelling example of how modern cultural programs can balance entertainment with knowledge dissemination. Through a carefully chosen narrative thread, the show conveys a powerful historical resonance: that even the creation of a single character can embody generations of pursuit toward equality and social change. It honors the legacy of reformers while offering a lens to understand that the depth of civilization is often reflected in the respect and dignity accorded to every individual.
Preserving National Memory and Paving the Path to Cultural Confidence
Eleven years is long enough for a variety show to become part of a generations collective memory. Over the past decade, The Class of Run has accompanied millions of viewers through their youth and everyday lives. What is most remarkable, however, is that the show has never rested on past glory.
Instead, it continues to evolve in sync with the timesgrowing alongside its audience and consistently meeting each generations expectations with sincerity and innovation. From lighthearted games to deep explorations of traditional culture, from bringing joy to conveying enduring values, these two recent episodes reflect the show's ongoing transformation. What viewers witness is more than just the exaggerated reactions on pressure mats or the adrenaline of a name-tag chase. They also see moments of focus while interpreting the Daoist ideal, and sparks of realization when uncovering the historical journey behind the character "she. "These memorable flashes are not only products of the casts emotional engagement, but are also embodiments of Chinese cultures timeless wisdom and warmth.
Through the character "she," the show reflects gender awareness and identity in cultural evolution. Through the metaphor of flowing water, it brings to life the Eastern philosophy of selflessness and mutual fulfillment. Across these two episodes, The Class of Run Season 13 has used one of the most popular entertainment formats to address profound topics such as Chinese character preservation, cultural confidence, feminism, and classical philosophy. With clarity and emotional power, it has elevated its thematic ambition to new heights. As one viewer aptly commented, when the show presents the stories of Shang Shan Ruo Shui and "she, "it ignites a deeply rooted sense of cultural pride within each individual. This national-level IP, built on shared memory, continues to reflect, evolve, and communicate cultural heritage in its own dynamic waythrough motion, emotion, and meaning. In doing so, it contributes one of the most valuable cultural case studies to the modern television landscape.
Source : Zhejiang Satellite TV
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