直面天命 (Face Your Destiny)
zhí miàn tiān mìng
What it means
The slogan of 'Black Myth: Wukong' became a universal excuse. 'I have to face my destiny' means 'I'm skipping work/school/plans to play the hottest game of the year.'
The deeper story
When the most anticipated Chinese video game in history finally launched, its tagline became a nationwide inside joke.
What happened
Black Myth: Wukong — the first Chinese AAA game — launched on August 20, 2024. Its promotional slogan was "直面天命" (face your destiny), referring to the game's protagonist, the "Destined One" (天命人).
The game was a massive cultural event. But the slogan took on a life of its own when Chinese netizens started using it as a creative excuse to take time off:
How it became a meme
The joke worked because:
Related slang
How to use it
Post "直面天命" on WeChat moments with a screenshot of the game to signal: "I won't be available for the next few hours/days." Your friends will know exactly what you mean.
Related words
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