Global youth re-create symbols from past popular culture: discussion about the popularity of retro culture on TikTok

In the era of globalization, the recreation of retro cultural symbols by youth groups through social media platforms (especially TikTok) has become a remarkable phenomenon. Through focusing on the re-creation of retro culture, this paper explores how youth develop novel and unique cultural expressions by deconstructing, reorganizing and reinterpreting historical symbols. The paper also argues that this symbolic practice represents a form of cultural resistance through carnivalization and emotional deconstruction. Youth utilize visual, verbal, and behavioral symbols to construct a comprehensive system of expression. This system serves as a medium to convey their identity, emotional needs, and resistance to mainstream societal norms. The re-creation of retro culture is not only a kind of nostalgic behavior, but also an important way for youth to establish meaning, realize self-expression and emotional belonging in the digital space.