Chinese photographer Chen Man believes that the future of China will be shaped by groups of like-minded people working in the traditional industries. In the Just Kids Issue, she explains why it’s the everyday people who are making changes from the bottom up. Meet the future stars of the world…
In this spectacular series, Chen Man joined forces with i-D and China’s Modern Weekly (Life Magazine/ 周末画报) to celebrate the hardworking people that make this great nation tick. These are the me’s and you’s of the world. The people that work hard, take pride in what they do and strive to change the world from the inside out. As Chen Man explains, “One person in a group of people is very much like a single cell in the human body. The world is shaped by the force of collective behaviour. It’s only by changing collective behaviour that one can change the world.” We asked 10 waiters and waitresses their views on the world they live in, and the future to come.
LI JIA is photographed by Chen Man for the cover of The Just Kids Issue.
From left Ceng Weimiao, 18. What’s the best thing about being young? Being handsome. What difficulties do young people face today? No house, no car, no cash. What’s the most common misconception about young people? That we’re all layabouts.
An Jiangyan, 22. What difficulties do young people face today? Not knowing what to do. What’s the most common misconception about young people? Immature and lacking punch. What are you most excited about for the future? Being boring and being happy. What makes you happy? Meeting Samadhi people (a higher level of meditation from Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Janis and yogic schools of meditation). Where’s the best party you’ve ever been to? By the river, singing with all my family.
Ren Xinping, 17. What’s the best thing about being young? Young people are the future. What’s the worst? Having a child’s temper. What difficulties do young people face today? Having dreams and not being able to realise them.
Liang Xiao, 21. What’s the best thing about being young? Having vitality and a youthful spirit. What’s the worst? Pressure is high, experience is low. What’s the most common misconception about young people? That we are too public, that we spread everything around too much. What are you most excited about for the future? Being ordinary, balanced and peaceful, nothing special.
Zhao Bin, 38 (young at heart). What’s the best thing about being young? Vitality. What’s the worst? Not having vitality. What are you most excited about for the future? Having a happy family, world peace.
Guo Dongqin, 20. What’s the best thing about being young?Having plenty of time to fulfil your dreams, not being afraid to fail, you can always just try again. What’s the worst? Limited social experience, you don’t understand the ways of the world. What’s the most common misconception about young people that you’d like to set straight? People think that young people today are fragile and don’t know how to put up with hardship, that they only know how to lead lives of pleasure.
Zhang Xu, 22. What’s the best thing about being young? You have the opportunity to do whatever your dreams are. What difficulties do young people face today? Employment pressures are very high. What’s the most common misconception about young people? That we’re irresponsible.
Liang Zheng, 19. What’s the best thing about being young? Having vigour. What difficulties do young people face today? You want to do everything but have no direction. What are you most excited about for the future? Running into setbacks, because these give us our experiences. Where’s the best party you’ve ever been to? A barbecue and loudly chatting with my classmates.
Liang Huan, 21. What’s the best thing about being young? You can fall in love many times. What are you most excited about for the future? Everything being wonderful.
Zhen Yunxia, 22. What’s the best thing about being young? You can travel the world for a few years. What’s the most common misconception about young people? That we have no sense of responsibility. What are you most excited about for the future? Strengthening myself.
