China Takes Viral Falling Stars Challenge to New Level

By Ryan Gandolfo

You’ve probably seen one of a vast number of photos spread across social media depicting people sprawled upon the floor, surrounded by their most prized possessions. 

Aptly named the ‘Falling Stars Challenge,’ this new viral phenomenon can be traced back to early August when a Russian man’s Instagram account posted a picture of him falling out of a grounded plane with his luggage clutched in hand. A fairly modest starting point for a trend that has since taken the world by storm.

The social media craze eventually made its way to China, which as of October 14, has over 1.2 billion people following and 790,000 people actively talking about and/or doing the 'Falling Stars Challenge' on Weibo. 

While in other parts of the world the social media game was mainly picked up by young and wealthy Instagram account holders, in China the hilarious photo-ops have been very inclusive.

Image via CCTV News/Weibo

Image via 头条新闻/Weibo

Image via 头条新闻/Weibo

Professionals from a host of different industries have participated in the challenge, utilizing their Weibo accounts to join in on the fun. Top Story News, a popular Weibo media account, compiled some hilarious renditions of the comical concept, including a gymgoer surrounded by free weights, a firefighter faceplanting in front of a row of firetrucks and a man losing his balance at an emergency call center office with papers thrown in all directions. 

Image via 头条新闻/Weibo

Image via CCTV News/Weibo

People on Weibo have been eating the ‘Falling Stars Challenge’ up. More idiosyncratic renditions of the challenge have seen idealists surrounded by vegetables, whilst others have gone the hilariously mundane route – surrounding themselves with items of plain clothing.

One person pointed towards the creativity that the challenge has brought about, commenting “How lovely, people from all different walks of life showing off their talents.” Meanwhile, another commenter had a novel idea, writing “I enthusiastically welcome any banking staff members to come to my house to take a picture,” insinuating towards the amount of cash he could then sweep up. 

[Cover image via Zhivana_Nantaniella/Instagram]

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