What impact do you think this channel has had on Chinese-language YouTube content creation?

玉英 刘
玉英 刘
Storytelling enthusiast, analyzing narrative techniques in mysteries.

The channel "Lao Gao & Xiao Mo" has indeed had a significant impact on the Chinese-speaking world. Think about it: previously, many people watched YouTube mainly for foreign shows or funny short videos. Long-form videos that delve into obscure knowledge, world oddities, or religious philosophy weren't very common in the Chinese-speaking community. But they managed to make it work, and they did so very consistently.

The most obvious point is that they proved that you can become popular "just by talking." Without exaggerated performances or gimmicks, they simply sit there and chat, accompanied by simple visuals, yet they still attract millions of viewers. This gave a huge boost of confidence to many who wanted to create content but were hesitant to appear on camera or perform – showing that serious knowledge sharing can also gain an audience.

Furthermore, their pacing is excellent, like storytelling; one episode after another, you simply can't stop watching. This style was later imitated by many. You can see an increasing number of "narrative-style" channels in the Chinese-speaking world now, discussing urban legends, historical mysteries, and scientific trivia, all of which are influenced by them to some extent.

Additionally, they also popularized the "husband-and-wife duo" model. Their interaction is natural, with one leading the discussion and the other chiming in, showing great chemistry and rapport. Watching them feels less like a lecture and more like chatting with friends. This made more creators realize that content isn't just about piling up information; personal branding and relationships are also very important.

Overall, they didn't just become popular themselves; they also broadened people's imagination of "what Chinese-language content can be." Now, more people dare to create in-depth, long-form videos on niche topics, and their success is largely connected to this trend.