Bai Lan and the Politics of Refusing to “Lie Flat” in China, South Korea, and Japan
In this excerpt, Slavoj Žižek uses a mix of polemic and paradox to introduce the Chinese youth trend known as bai lan (“let it rot”) and the related idea of tang ping (“lying flat”). He frames these attitudes not simply as apathy, but as a quiet rejection of work pressure, official ideology, and the demand to endlessly overachieve. From there, he broadens the discussion to South Korea and Japan, where he sees a different form of depoliticised life built around routine, choice among minor pleasures, and withdrawal from larger political concerns. The passage then shifts into a critique of “enforced welfare,” using historical examples and contemporary references to argue that welfare can also become a mechanism of control. The excerpt ends by suggesting that what looks like a stable social order may depend on hidden suffering and imbalance.
From political critique to cultural symptom
Žižek begins with reactions to his meeting with Alex Soros before pivoting to bai lan and tang ping, presenting them as signs of youth disillusionment and refusal rather than simple laziness or personal failure.
Bai lan, tang ping, and the rejection of overwork
The text describes bai lan as a minimalist work ethic—doing only what is required and prioritizing well-being over advancement—and tang ping as a “lying flat” stance that lowers desire and resists social pressure.
Depoliticised life in East Asia
Žižek extends the argument to South Korea and Japan, where he sees a culture of everyday choice, routine, and contented disengagement from major political questions, as illustrated by Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days.
Enforced welfare and the dark side of stability
The excerpt turns to the phrase “enforced welfare,” arguing that welfare can be tied to coercion, control, and confinement. It invokes historical abuses and contemporary political examples to show how protection can coexist with restriction.
The turtle analogy and hidden suffering
Žižek closes this part of the passage with a turtle story to suggest that what appears dysfunctional or cruel may actually be part of a larger social equilibrium—raising the question of what suffering underpins apparently stable societies.
Key takeaways
- bai lan and tang ping are presented as forms of passive refusal shaped by disillusionment
- the essay links Chinese youth attitudes to broader patterns of depoliticised life in East Asia
- Žižek uses “enforced welfare” to show how care and control can overlap
- the excerpt argues that social stability may depend on hidden suffering and imbalance
- the piece relies on paradox, provocation, and analogy rather than a straightforward policy argument
Source: Slavoj Žižek, “BAI LAN: A REFUSAL TO LIVE LIKE A TURTLE ON ITS BACK” (Substack), published 2026-09-02. Read the original: https://slavoj.substack.com/p/bai-lan-a-refusal-to-live-like-a-df0 Read the original post on Substack.