Why “becoming Chinese” is taking over social media

“I see a bunch of Americans drinking hot water with lemon and honey, eating congee, drinking hot pot, drinking more soup, eating Chinese vegetables,” one Chinese creator, Emma Peng, recently shared in a TikTok, currently with more than 3 million views. “I just want to say that my culture can be your culture. You’re doing really good hydrating yourself. I’m proud of you.”

The “becoming Chinese” trend is currently everywhere on the app, and while the name might give pause, it’s mostly...