Return to the Mountains

An office worker became a viral sensation overnight, gaining millions of followers. To grab people's attention, he fabricated stories of hardship and exploited the bonds of rural life, sinking ever deeper into fame and fortune. Then a disastrous livestream got his account banned, saddled him with a huge compensation claim, and left him abandoned by everyone. Down on his luck, he returned to his hometown. In the Ailao Mountains, he began using short videos to document intangible cultural heritage, ancient villages, and the scenery of the mountains and countryside. He led the villagers onto a steady path to prosperity, and ultimately found his way back to himself and redeemed his soul. This is a story about someone ruined by online traffic, then healed anew by the land.