Chongqing - When grassroots humor from Chongqing meets everyday life in the United States, the result is a vivid and relatable cross-cultural encounter. Ryan Chen, a Chongqing-born content creator with more than four million followers on Chinese social media platforms, recently embarked on his first trip to the United States.
Known for his observational humor and unscripted storytelling, Ryan documented ordinary American life through short videos that emphasize authenticity, warmth, and human connection rather than spectacle.
From Los Angeles streets to CES Las Vegas: Ryan captures everyday America
Ryan began his U.S. journey in Los Angeles, where he immersed himself in local life and street culture. Instead of focusing on tourist landmarks, he engaged residents through casual conversations about food, sports, and daily routines.
In Irvine, he sampled local-style burgers and interacted naturally with community members. On city streets, he spoke with NBA Boston Celtics fans, using sports as a shared language to bridge cultural differences. His short-form videos, including Funny Moments in LA, captured small but telling details of American life and generated strong engagement among overseas audiences.
The screenshot of @RyanChen's video.
In Santa Monica, Ryan filmed quiet morning scenes and spoke with visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds, discussing lifestyle habits and perspectives on everyday happiness. These interactions offered a grounded and relatable portrayal of life on the U.S. West Coast.
After leaving California, Ryan traveled to Las Vegas, where the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was underway. As one of the world’s most influential technology exhibitions, CES brings together thousands of companies showcasing innovations in artificial intelligence, smart devices, and consumer electronics.
The screenshot of @RyanChen's video.
Rather than focusing solely on product demonstrations, Ryan documented the human side of the event. His videos highlighted scenes such as long queues, informal interviews, and the everyday challenges of navigating a massive exhibition, offering viewers an immersive and approachable perspective.
One of his most widely discussed vlogs, centered on finding food inside the CES venue, blended humor with realism, revealing daily life behind the global tech spotlight. He also recorded hotel stays and spontaneous interactions, combining technology content with personal storytelling.
The screenshot of @RyanChen's video.
International media spotlight on Ryan
Ryan's trip to the United States attracted wide attention from major international media outlets. Multiple globally recognized news organizations published in-depth reports in different languages, helping raise Chongqing's visibility on the international stage.
International media outlets, including AFP, Free Press Journal, Screen World, Exame, The Daily Record, Gulf News, The Indian Express, WION, Daily Tribune, and Asianet Newsable, published original multilingual reports focusing on the Chongqing-based creator.
Meanwhile, several major international outlets, including The Straits Times, Bangkok Post, NDTV.com, Dawn.com, France 24, The Herald-Palladium, and MSN Italia, republished AFP's reports, further expanding Ryan's international exposure.
On social media platforms, the Chinese-language X account of BBC News Chinese released multiple posts about Ryan, while AFP shared related content on X, Facebook, and YouTube. Video reports were also published on the YouTube channels of The Indian Express and WION, generating continued discussion among overseas audiences.
As of Jan 13, BBC News Chinese's posts on X have received more than 940,000 views and over 2,300 likes, while AFP's posts on X have accumulated over 240,000 views and more than 1,500 likes.
The screenshot of news reports about RyanChen.
Building bridges through cultural exchange
Ryan’s U.S. journey went beyond simple travel documentation, becoming a vivid example of people-to-people cultural exchange. Rather than pursuing grand narratives, his videos focus on authentic everyday moments—from street conversations in Los Angeles to technology experiences in Las Vegas—reflecting his curiosity about and respect for different cultures.
As a content creator who rose to prominence in Chongqing, Ryan has used this journey to present global audiences with an image of Chinese youth that is open, humorous, and observant.
Overseas audiences responded warmly. One YouTube viewer commented: “I love how you use events to bring people together and make us have a good time. I feel that your love for people is greater than the desire to grow your channel, and I love you for that.”
Through this approach, viewers encounter not just travel destinations, but a complex, dynamic, and vibrant society. Ryan has said he will continue documenting the world through his lens, using genuine storytelling to promote cross-cultural understanding and to share the openness and cultural confidence of contemporary Chinese youth.