Summary of the Core Content
The toad (referred to as “Lai Ge Bao” in Sichuan and Chongqing) has suddenly gone from being despised as one of the “five poisonous creatures” and an “ugly monster” to an object of widespread apology and sympathy on the internet. This change stems from a blogger’s clarification of common misconceptions about toads—they don’t have sticky secretions, don’t attack aggressively, and only secrete venom when injured. The blogger’s post triggered a sense of guilt among netizens who had bullied toads in their childhood. Subsequently, AI-generated videos portrayed the toad in various roles, such as a “master of household chores,” a “martyr,” or a “dependent creature,” using a narrative that emphasizes empathy (being bullied, crying, then being rescued) without any element of revenge. Behind this trend is the popularity of a new literary genre called “wo-nang literature” (describing feelings of powerlessness), which resonates with many young people who feel passive, misunderstood, and ordinary. Treating toads kindly reflects their hope that life will treat them well in return.
How Did the Toad Go from Being Hated to Being Mourned for?
In the past, people feared toads due to their sticky appearance, toxicity, and ugliness. As a child, it was common to throw stones at them, cover them with cow dung, or use them as bait for fishing. However, a blogger named @ErBao released videos that revealed the toad’s actual nature:
- Their skin is dry and feels even cooler than the subway during rush hour;
- They are timid and flee at the sight of people, never attacking first;
- Their venom is only produced in the glands behind their ears and is not secreted unless injured;
- Their urine is similar to water, and they urinate to lighten their weight when running away (a portrayal of a “frustrated but harmless beauty”).
Realizing they had wronged the toads, netizens began to apologize, saying things like, “I’m sorry, Lai Ge Bao.” Some even protected the toads from traffic and fed them mealworms, turning them from “villains” into “adorable little beings.”
How Did AI Videos Make the Toad a Trend?
To completely change people’s perceptions, netizens created a series of AI-generated stories about toads, featuring three popular themes:
1. The Master of Household Chores: The toad is depicted as capable of cooking meals and farming, embodying the qualities of being both kind and hardworking.
2. The Martyr Who Endures Abuse: Despite being treated badly, the toad remains kind and continues to do good, eventually being comforted by kind people (a story of kindness being recognized without revenge).
3. The Dependent Toad: After being bullied, the toad seeks comfort from its mother, who understands its feelings (evoking memories of childhood and stirring emotions).
These videos portrayed the toad as vulnerable, kind, and passive, which made viewers unable to stop watching them.
Why Has “Wo-Nang Literature” Become a Popular Trend Among Young People?
Previously, people preferred stories of overcoming adversity and seeking revenge. Now, they are drawn to tales of helplessness—such as a toad that doesn’t resist being bullied but continues to work. This resonates with many young people who face situations like working late into the night, being scolded by bosses without retaliation, or being unfairly treated by life. They accept their ordinariness and no longer fantasize about dramatic turns for the better.
Netizens identify with the toad’s characteristics: unattractive, overweight, kind-hearted, and prone to shrinking back when noticed. The toad’s “helplessness” reflects the reality of many people—while they don’t want to give up, the cost of resistance is too high, so they choose to be kind instead.
What’s Behind the Toad Trend’s Success?
The popularity of AI-generated toad videos isn’t due to their cuteness (there are many cuter characters), but rather because they tap into emotional triggers:
- The toad’s suffering evokes sympathy and anger (e.g., when its food is stolen);
- The absence of revenge makes the stories more relatable to real life (many people endure injustice silently);
- Immediate emotional response: watching the videos makes viewers empathize with the toad’s situation.
This trend is similar to how Jia Zhangke’s short films about powerful families resonate with audiences; these stories are about human experiences, not just animals. Young people see themselves in the toads and hope that someone will recognize and treat them kindly.
The Shift in Young People’s Attitudes
Once, they believed that hard work would lead to success, but now they realize that success is a privilege for a few. Many feel like ordinary “toads” struggling through life. The toad trend reflects a shift in their mindset: they no longer aspire to be heroes but accept their ordinariness. Treating toads kindly is a way of comforting their own sense of being bullied without the ability to fight back. They hope that someone will recognize their kindness and treat them well.
In essence, the toad trend is a gentle way for young people to come to terms with their ordinariness. Not everyone can become a hero, but everyone can be kind to themselves and to the world around them. After all, it’s better to be kind to oneself first and then to the world.