Talking About Culture and Globalization: Not “Rivals,” but “Teammates” Helping Each Other Shine——JIN CHUYUE

When it comes to globalization, it’s easy to think of express deliveries flying around the world, overseas short videos popping up in feeds, or international brands everywhere in shopping malls. But if you look closely, these “global trends” often hide local touches—for example, McDonald’s serving soy milk and fried dough sticks in China, or K-pop stages incorporating traditional fan dances. Culture and globalization are never about one eating the other; they are like a pair of teammates, supporting each other—one expands the reach, and the other adds the color.

Globalization Lets Culture “Go Out” and Connects the World

In the past, learning about another country’s culture often relied on books or traveling. Now, a single smartphone can bridge continents.
Overseas content creators might be singing Chinese traditional songs, and a U.S. drama might show a Chinese restaurant in the background. Globalization acts like a “fast lane” for culture: from niche handicrafts to lively traditional festivals, everything can reach a larger audience through the internet and multinational companies.

Take Japanese anime as an example: from being distributed on DVDs to streaming platforms offering simultaneous global updates, it has become a common topic among young people worldwide. Without globalization, this level of cultural influence would have been unimaginable.

Of course, this “flow of culture” can also be controversial. Some worry that dominant cultures (like Western pop culture) might overshadow local cultures, making everything look the same. In some regions, dialects are disappearing as younger generations speak mostly Mandarin or English. But on the flip side, globalization has also made people more conscious of protecting their culture. More people are learning traditional crafts or wearing hanfu—an interesting form of cultural revival.

Culture “Shapes” Globalization, Keeping It from Being One-Size-Fits-All

Globalization is not a one-way force, culture also influences how it develops. Often, it’s not globalization changing culture, but culture making globalization feel more “grounded.”

1. Globalized Food with a Local Twist

Global chain restaurants are a straightforward example. Their core model is consistent, but culture gives their menus a “local personality,” preserving brand identity while matching local tastes.

  • McDonald’s Localization: In India, the McAloo Tikki burger replaces beef with spiced potato patties to respect dietary habits; in Japan, cherry blossom-themed seasonal burgers reflect local cultural traditions; in China, soy milk and fried dough sticks at breakfast bring Chinese breakfast culture into a global fast-food brand.

  • Starbucks Special Stores: In Milan, Starbucks blends with local coffee bar culture, offering espresso and handmade pastries in small, cozy stores that fit Italy’s slower coffee culture. In Yunnan, Starbucks uses local coffee beans for Pu’er-style drinks and decor inspired by ethnic minority patterns, turning a global brand into a window to local coffee culture.

2. Global Fashion with Local Symbols

Global fashion brands often use cultural symbols to break standardization, attracting local consumers while sharing local culture worldwide.

  • Zara’s Regional Collections: Zara has released African wax print collections, turning West African patterns into dresses and shirts that showcase cultural vibrancy while giving local consumers a sense of familiarity. Collaborations with Chinese designers introduced hoodies inspired by hanfu, turning traditional elements like cloud patterns and buttons into trendy streetwear.

  • Nike’s Cultural Sneakers: For Chinese New Year, Nike releases zodiac-themed sneakers, e.g., the Year of the Rabbit features rabbit patterns, Chinese red colors, and “Fu” characters on the sole. In Japan, Nike has launched shoes featuring ukiyo-e prints from Hokusai’s The Great Wave, turning sneakers into “mobile cultural canvases.”

3. Globalized Film and TV: Local Stories That Resonate Worldwide

Culture has made the global film market less dominated by Western content. Local stories and cultural details often become the “secret to breaking barriers,” offering depth while appealing across regions.

  • Korean Cultural Export: Squid Game became a global sensation not just for its thrilling plot but also for its rich cultural symbols—“Red Light, Green Light,” the main characters’ tracksuits, instant noodle packs, and semi-basement apartments reflect ordinary Korean life. These details allowed global audiences to see a “different Korea” and gave Korean stories a unique charm distinct from Hollywood blockbusters, sparking trends in fashion and games worldwide.

  • Chinese Animation and Cultural Expression: Ne Zha retained the core of Chinese mythology rather than “Westernizing” the plot. Modern animation techniques showcased traditional aesthetics—embroidered costumes, ancient architecture, guzheng and suona music—so overseas viewers could understand universal themes like “rebelling against fate” while appreciating Chinese cultural beauty. This makes Ne Zha a representative example of Chinese animation going global.

These examples show that globalization does not weaken local culture; instead, it gives it a larger stage. Stories that resonate globally aren’t those that imitate the West but those that embrace and showcase their unique cultural identity.

“Ultimately, the best state is when the global breeze carries local flavor.”

Increasingly, people talk about “glocalization”—adapting global trends to fit local culture.
Overseas creators might sing Chinese songs in their own languages with traditional instruments; domestic restaurants may replace pizza dough with Chinese steamed buns, filling them with local ingredients. This “mix of you and me” approach keeps culture connected and diverse without turning the world into a cultural desert.

The relationship between culture and globalization is like a cup of bubble tea: globalization is the tea base, blending different flavors together; culture is the pearls and jelly, adding unique texture and taste. Without the tea, the toppings scatter; without the toppings, the tea, though fragrant, feels incomplete.

Next time when seeing “global trends” with “local touches,” it’s clear—culture and globalization are at their best when they coexist, complementing each other rather than competing.

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