Popular Media as Gender Curriculum: Implicit Feminism and Informal Learning in Jia Ling’s Yolo

Siyi Chen

doi:10.63313/IJED.9018

Authors

Siyi Chen Bachelor of Arts, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/IJED.9018

Keywords:

Informal Learning, Gender Curriculum, Celebrity Feminism, Media Literacy, Feminist Cultural Analysis, Chinese Cinema

Abstract

This study investigates the educational significance of Jia Ling’s 2024 film Yolo as a form of informal gender curriculum. Drawing upon feminist cultural analysis and the concept of the hidden curriculum, this research explores how the film’s narrative, character arcs, and public reception work together to challenge patriarchal beauty norms, disrupt hypermasculine representations, and cultivate gender awareness among Chinese audiences. The paper situates Yolo within the broader context of celebrity feminism and demonstrates how popular culture can operate as a vehicle for implicit education in societies where feminist discourse is constrained. Findings suggest that Yolo provides a culturally safe yet powerful space for women to negotiate identity, body autonomy, and social agency. Recommendations are offered for integrating media literacy and gender equity discussions into educational policy and classroom practice.

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