The Wandering Earth 2 is not simplistic and you've probably missed a lot since you aren't fluent in the language, because you can't capture the nuances yourself and you aren't able to go into Chinese-langauge spaces to see what other people have found. I also have no clue who the two people you mentioned in the pop music bit are, but idk why you are talking about them instead of hugely popular musicians like Phoenix Legend or Li Yuchun, both of whose works very much have evolved throughout their careers.
There are a lot of structural factors when it comes to Chinese cultural products having less impact in the imperial core. I think you discount the lack of exposure. Even if there was some Chinese media that you personally feel is innovative blah blah, do you think the imperial core would let it get popular? So idek why that is a gripe that you have.
You have valid critiques (and people in China complain about capital being lazy and not producing more creative films and tv shows), but a lot of this post sounds like lack of cultural self-confidence on your part, as well as viewing Chinese media through a Western lens/palate tbh.
I learnt an instrument at school, and I also presume that not all school kids in the US get to learn an instrument.
School workloads are being reduced. The problem right now is with the parents forcing their kids to compete.
I've been able to pull it out, and usually they can be re-used without any problems.
Shanghai does. They have a reputation (at least online) for being full of libs.
For Chinese comrades stuck in a family of libs who love the US, we don't get that respite :(
