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20-Year-Old Satirical Meme About 'Zhao Jianming Autographed Ball' Sees Resurgence

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A 20-year-old internet animation featuring a satirical "Zhao Jianming autographed ball" has resurfaced due to recent public attention on Chen Hsing-yu's ex-husband.
  • The animation, "Heartless Department Store," humorously contrasted the highly sought-after "Wang Chien-ming autographed ball" with one signed by Zhao Jianming, who was involved in scandals.
  • This meme has sparked nostalgia and discussion among netizens, with many recalling the original context and its prescient humor.

A nearly 20-year-old internet animation has experienced a "renaissance" online, driven by recent public discussions surrounding Chen Hsing-yu's ex-husband, Zhao Jianming. The classic satirical animation, "Heartless Department Store," originally circulated around 2008 on platforms like YouTube and PTT, has been rediscovered by a new generation of internet users.

Because of Chen Hsing-yu's recent issues, I finally know who the "Zhao Jianming autographed ball" from Heartless Department Store is. I was only 8 when I first heard it.

— NetizenA social media post sparked the renewed interest in the animation.

The animation's enduring humor stems from a memorable skit where a fictional store announces a giveaway: "Spend over 20,000 yuan and get a Jianming autographed ball!" This was followed by a punchline: "Heh heh, it's a 'Zhao Jianming' autographed ball!" This gag cleverly played on the immense popularity of baseball star Wang Chien-ming, whose autographed balls were highly coveted at the time. By substituting Wang's name with Zhao Jianming, who was frequently in the news for scandals like the Ti-Kai case, the animation created a stark, ironic contrast that resonated deeply.

I first heard of this person from Heartless Department Store too.

— NetizenCommenters shared their similar experiences with the animation.

The recent resurgence of interest in Zhao Jianming, fueled by Chen Hsing-yu's public statements regarding their divorce and clinic management, has prompted netizens to revisit the "Heartless Department Store" meme. A post on Threads noting the connection between the recent news and the "Zhao Jianming autographed ball" gag went viral, eliciting widespread nostalgic reactions.

So funny that something from 20 years ago is being dug up again. Given his current persona, it's really suitable to be sold at Heartless Department Store.

— NetizenNetizens commented on the enduring relevance of the satirical humor.

Comments flooded in, with many users expressing amusement and surprise at how a 20-year-old piece of internet culture has become relevant again. Phrases like "Dead memories are attacking me" and "Childhood memory, renaissance" capture the sentiment. The humor, once a product of its time, now serves as a shared cultural touchstone, highlighting how satire can remain potent across different eras.

Dead memories are attacking me.

— NetizenUsers expressed nostalgic reactions to the resurfaced meme.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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