The past is prologue

By rediscovering meaningful retro artifacts from the past, young people are reconnecting with emotional bonds and memories.

At Moyu Office, a photo studio in Beijing, 20-year-old store manager Liang Jiaqiu from Fuxin, Liaoning province, captures moments using a Polaroid Big Shot camera. Guests hold their breath for a minute and a half as the image develops, eagerly peeling apart the film with delight.

This peel-apart instant film, a now-discontinued photographic paper, has recently gained popularity among young people for its distinctive color tones and nostalgic shooting experience.

According to Liang, since the store introduced its Polaroid service last October, it has become a major hit — especially after celebrities like Ouyang Nana and Ju Jingyi shared their experiences online.