Nadia Cheung

creative portfolio & blog

  • Is Tumblr making a comeback?

    I’ve had Tumblr since the early days, before Instagram took off and took over. I don’t think I’ve logged in for over a decade, but I remember sharing aesthetic illustrations with ominous one-liners, following bands I enjoyed, and getting excited when The Kills randomly followed me back.

    I hadn’t thought about Tumblr in years—until recently. Buried in the 300+ unread marketing emails cluttering my inbox, one kept catching my eye: Franky @ Tumblr. Maybe it’s because I’ve been obsessively refreshing my inbox for job application updates, but Franky managed to stand out.

    Whatever Tumblr is doing, it’s working. I tried logging back in, but it had been too long. My old account was gone. Ironically, I can still find my MySpace profile—even though they suffered massive data loss during a server migration back in 2019.

    So who the fuck is Franky? Probably just an alias for whoever’s tasked with re-engaging old users. Good job, Franky. After three emails in three weeks, I got curious enough to open one and sign up again, even though I had no idea what I’d do with it.

    If you ask Google whether Tumblr is making a comeback, it answers:

    Yes, Tumblr appears to be experiencing a resurgence, particularly with Gen Z users.

    And why is Tumblr resonating with Gen Z? For starters, this cohort is simply growing older and looking for spaces away from platforms that encourage endless doom-scrolling. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and Facebook thrive on constant distraction, designed to keep users glued to their feeds and consume every spare second of their time.

    Platforms that prioritise users’ interests and provide content that complements, rather than overwhelms, our dopamine receptors are growing in popularity. When you explore Tumblr now, you’ll find almost anything in a focused community setting: illustrations, fan art, writing prompts, and more. It’s similar to how Substack and other platforms are designed as spaces where people can share, discover, and connect over what matters to them. Even Meta is experimenting with this through Threads—a place that feels a lot like what Twitter used to be, and everything Instagram isn’t: text-focused, more intimate, and (allegedly) less algorithmically manicured.

    Instagram is so popular now that asking for someone’s handle is basically the same as asking for their phone number. But people are growing tired of algorithms constantly telling them what they like, turning them into targets for products they don’t need and content engineered to make them follow, subscribe, and buy. More people are stepping back from mainstream social media in favor of platforms that feel more curated and intentional. Because sometimes, it’s refreshing to decide for yourself what’s worth your attention.

    Thanks for reading! Please subscribe if you’d like to read my next idea on this topic: Does the idea of having a Facebook account still freak a lot of people out?

  • Presenting Sprachspiel during 48 Stunden Neukölln

    Next week, I’m presenting Sprachspiel, a project I’ve been chipping away at for the past three years. It’s all about German idioms and expressions, and I’ve hunted for their closest English equivalents by springing them onto friends and in real-life conversations. Some attempts landed; others earned confused looks (fair). That trial-and-error helped me figure out which sayings people actually use and which should probably stay on the internet.

    I’ve been collecting and playing with these phrases to explore language, meaning, and the ways we express ourselves. If that sounds like your thing, swing by! I’ll have a bunch of interactive activities, and—fingers crossed—you’ll head home with a few new German idioms up your sleeve.

    Sprachspiel has been a big part of my journey living in Germany, and I’m excited to finally share it.

    More info: www.nadiacheung.com/sprachspiel

  • 5 things I’ve learned from Improv Comedy

    Improvisational comedy is the art of acting in the moment. Unscripted actors, known as players, are given a variety of games to play on stage, all with the goal of making the audience laugh. Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a classic example. I remember watching reruns of the show growing up and admiring how quickly the players would come up with hilarious gags on the spot.

    While improvisation is a diverse and abstract skill that can be trained like a muscle, players don’t need a background in comedy or acting to get started. Here are a few lessons improv has taught me:

    1. To be adaptable and take things in stride

    Being adaptable means staying open to your surroundings and letting go of preconceived outcomes. In improv, you’re often collaborating with a fellow player who sees things differently. Sticking rigidly to your own idea, just because you think it’s funny, won’t help. What makes improv exciting is the flow of spontaneity on stage, creating moments that are completely unique. While those moments can’t be repeated exactly, the words and actions in an improv scene often get referenced or built upon throughout the performance.

    2. Listening is key to form any connection

    Listening goes hand-in-hand with being adaptable. Without it, you can’t respond to the changes around you. Improv isn’t always about your best idea in the moment. It’s about being present and listening to whatever comes your way, allowing you to make relevant connections that allow for both spontaneity and flow. There are two types of listening skills commonly practiced in improv: active listening and generative listening. Active listening is self-explanatory, where you are actively listening (and watching) for valuable pieces of information to formulate a response or action. Generative listening is all about listening with the intent to create something new or build on what’s being said. In improv, we often identify this as an “offering”.

    3. Embracing new ideas and taking bold risks

    Taking risks means having the courage to make bold choices and following through with them. In improv, the goal is always to make the audience laugh, and embracing these bold choices—even when they don’t work out—is part of the fun and spontaneity. Characters and storylines often get weaved into improvisation, and sometimes the best ideas come from familiar themes, like fairy tales, popular film genres, or even everyday life. Everyone is familiar with the hero and villain arc, for example. Playing with these familiar tropes often resonates with the audience because they are easy to connect with. It’s no surprise that Hollywood keeps remaking stories like Snow White—familiarity engages audiences.

    4. Teamwork makes the dream work

    In improv, the goal is to make the audience laugh, not to compete against one another. Having an ego can disrupt the presence and spontaneity needed for a good scene. While some players naturally bounce off others better, the best performances happen when everyone collaborates and builds on each other’s ideas. The essence of improv is teamwork, working together, not standing apart. Improv philosophies such as “always say yes,” offering cues to fellow players, and being open to doing something unexpected yet complementary to what’s already happening on stage, are all essential to creating great moments.

    5. Comedy is therapy

    Whether you’re laughing or making others laugh, the experience of laughter is truly special. It reminds us we’re alive and fully present in the moment. Laughter can release tension, boost mood, and contribute to emotional well-being. Regardless of whether you’re the one laughing or creating the laughter, the shared experience helps foster connection and unity. On a deeper level, playing with scenes in improv can have a therapeutic effect on self-confidence and allow us to explore different facets of our personalities. Personally, I’ve found it cathartic to embody outlandish characters and explore quirky scenarios, expressing emotions that may be difficult to articulate otherwise. In those moments, making others laugh can feel incredibly rewarding and validating.

    To sum it all up, I guess you could say I’m a big fan of improv comedy, but it’s not just about making people laugh. Improvisation is a valuable, well-rounded skill that anyone can learn. It’s about building a community, staying present, embracing the unpredictable, and collaborating to create something special. The lessons from improv can help anyone become more confident, adaptable, and empathetic in any situation. I truly believe these skills help foster stronger connections with others. So next time you find yourself in a tricky situation: embrace the chaos, listen deeply, and take a bold risk. You never know where it might take you if you do.

    If you enjoyed this post, I’d love to hear your thoughts. As I continue to develop my writing, any feedback or suggestions for future topics would be greatly appreciated. What kinds of blog posts do you enjoy most?

  • Chasing everlasting youth in The Substance (2024)

    Demi Moore stars in the titular role of Elisabeth Sparkle, a has-been fitness instructor desperate to reclaim her fading television career. As always, if you haven’t seen the film yet, consider this your spoiler warning.

    Obsessed with staying relevant, Elisabeth turns to a black-market serum that transforms her into a younger, more glamorous version of herself: Sue (played by Margaret Qualley). The catch? The transformation only lasts seven days before the bodies switch back without exception. At first, Sue embodies everything Elisabeth once aspired to be—and more. But as Sue’s reckless, hedonistic tendencies take over, Elisabeth is pushed into the shadows, reduced to an aging recluse biding her time until she can reclaim Sue’s body for another fleeting week of youth.

    As Sue’s career skyrockets, Elisabeth spirals deeper into insecurity, unable to face her deteriorating original form. Confined to her home and television, she lives only for the brief moments she can return to Sue’s vibrant life. Yet with each switch, the toll on Elisabeth’s body worsens, exacerbated by Sue’s increasingly volatile behavior, which threatens the delicate balance required for the serum to work. Despite the mounting risks, Elisabeth remains ensnared by the serum’s allure, clinging to the intoxicating promise of beauty and relevance, even if only for a week at a time.

    While the ending may stretch believability, it delivers a poignant critique of the relentless pressure to maintain youth in an industry that idolises beauty and vitality. With a punchy score and choppy, edgy cinematography, The Substance injects a frenetic energy that keeps viewers on edge, eagerly anticipating what will happen next. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley’s powerhouse performances elevate the film’s tragic arc, making its bleak conclusion all the more devastating—a chilling commentary on the desperate desire for fame and relevance.

    In all its vapid glory, this modern satirical horror not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the value of authenticity and the fleeting nature of life. At least, that’s how I felt after watching it. Life is short, and living it the same way over again feels futile. Yet Elisabeth and Sue are no different from each other—both thrive on attention and admiration, unable to exist without it. Are there really people like this? How far is art imitating life?

    Few films tackle this subject so effectively. With weeks of hype following its release on MUBI, The Substance is poised to secure its place as one of the year’s best films—and deservedly so. Reminiscent of body-horror classics like Death Becomes Her, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Fly, and even Freaky Friday, The Substance weaves a dark, cautionary tale of beauty, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of admiration. Director Coralie Fargeat seems to draw inspiration from modern obsessions with Botox, fillers, and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, crafting a sharp critique of society’s fixation on eternal youth and relevance—a fixation magnified by today’s social media trends and tabloid fascination with the rich and famous. Reflecting on the film’s subject matter, Fargeat captures the poignancy of this struggle, particularly for women, remarking on the violence of self-image as a constant battle: “I don’t blame anyone for still wanting to exist.”