A Scratch Embellishing an Empty Face: Shamate Subculture and Chinese Migrant Workers in <i>We Were Smart</i> (2019)

This article examines the Shamate subculture, a fleeting yet fervent phenomenon among young Chinese migrant workers (2008–18), as depicted in the collaborative documentary We Were Smart (dir. Li Yifan, 2019). Originating as a form of self-expression and community for workers facing grueling assembly-line labor and urban exclusion, Shamates adopted flamboyant hairstyles and clothing inspired by Japanese visual kei. Through digital platforms like Q Zone, Kuaishou, and Douyin, these youths forged a shared identity while asserting visibility in a society that often marginalized them. Blending worker testimonies with cell-phone footage, the documentary foregrounds their humanity while challenging classist bias. We Were Smart embraces “light media” and grassroots circulation to prioritize public dialogue over profit. It critiques exploitative labor systems underlying global capitalism while offering an intimate lens into workers’ lives. Adopting a cross-disciplinary approach bridging labor studies, cultural studies, and media studies, the article explores Shamate as an unconscious, passive, yet poignant resistance to neoliberal norms. It reflects on the potentials of digital platforms for amplifying marginalized voices and fostering public discourse. By situating Shamate within global labor and media ecologies, the article sheds light on the interplay between subcultural identity, digital media, and labor struggles.