Today we’d like to introduce you to Winnie Gu
Hi Winnie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2019, I started making webcomics under the username “Third Culture Chinese” to share my globally mobile upbringing–I was born in China and raised in China, Japan, the US, and Singapore. In my comics, I illustrated stories of learning a foreign language, the lack of agency in moving to a different country, facing culture shocks, and having a hard time answering “Where are you from?” The project gained traction on social media and soon blossomed into a hub of cultural exchange for many transnational individuals that resonated with my experiences. Through drawing bilingual comics, creating videos on linguistics and comparative cultures, and interacting with other immigrants, I got to reconnect with my Chinese heritage, something that I had somewhat lost touch of due to the constant uprooting in my formative years. I also have come to terms with my identity crisis thanks to the support I found within the stories of other third culture individuals. In 2024, I transitioned from an elementary science teacher to a full-time content creator and moved to Houston. I am currently co-hosting the Panda Cub Chinese Heritage Program, illustrating bilingual books, and of course, still making art!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth ride. The biggest challenge I faced was monetizing my content and getting a stable, sustainable monthly income. I have a decent amount of following on my social media platforms, but I struggled to convert followers to paid customers–in the realm of art, especially webcomics, many people are used to (and expect) free content. Besides, a big percentage of my followers are teenagers and young adults that do not have much purchasing power. I have partially overcome the obstacle by starting to cohost the Chinese Heritage Program that follows a monthly subscription model, and I consistently reach out to institutions to propose illustration commissions, but stability is still a worry of mine from time to time. I need to plan many things ahead of time to make sure that I secure the bag every month. Besides monetization, another roadblock was a selective audience’s negative reaction to some of my content, especially during politically sensitive periods. My content has always had a focus on intercultural experiences through the perspective of a Chinese individual, and just being Chinese alone can sometimes invite unsolicited and xenophobic comments. But over the years, I have learned not to lend credence to every single comment on the internet.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I curate and create bilingual (English-Chinese) webcomics and videos that compare and contrast languages, traditions, and cultural norms. Since I started making this type of content right around COVID pandemic, I am especially proud that some of my webcomics were able to empower Asian Americans and other diasporic communities around the world to feel comfortable with their identity and existence during a time in which their presence did not always feel welcomed. Over the years, my work has been featured on magazine and articles such as Mochi Mag and Tenement Museum Blog. I think what sets me apart from others is my upbringing and perspective. I identify as a third culture individual–I embody cultures that are different (and more) than that of my home and host nations. My cultural identity is a combination of a little bit of every country that I have lived in. There is a sense of never belonging anywhere, because I never feel “native” enough for any environment. However, being a perpetual outsider has also made it easier to clock my internalized biases and examine things more analytically.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My parents deserve the biggest credit in my journey of exploring my identity personally and artistically. Because of my parents’ jobs, I was able to grow up in multiple countries, meet people from different backgrounds, and remain open-minded to diversity. Though I wouldn’t say they were impressed with my decision of leaving my teaching job to pursue content creation, they didn’t oppose it either. I think that already counts as being supportive by Asian family standard–as long as I am not a disappointment. My boyfriend, Pond, has always been there for me and served as a mentor and role model. (I think it’s worth mentioning that he recently published his PhD thesis in Nature, and he was first author!) He had faith in me and my career when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I admire and appreciate his dedication and diligence. I also want to thank Morgan and Lindsay, who were my internship and graduate assistantship supervisors at Lehigh University, for giving me the opportunity to explore content creation in a professional setting, which paved the way for my future endeavor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.guyunyun.online/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturechinese/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdculturechinese
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winniegu/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThirdCultureChinese
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturechinese
