Core Insights - The "Hachimi" meme has become a significant cultural phenomenon in the Chinese internet, leading to various commercial opportunities for brands like Joyoung [2][17][30] - Joyoung's "Hachimi North-South Green Bean Milk" has seen explosive sales, with over 200,000 orders on Douyin, indicating a successful capitalizing on internet culture [2][17] - The commercialization of the "Hachimi" meme has sparked a trend among other brands to create related products, showcasing the power of meme-driven marketing [4][6][17] Group 1: Meme and Cultural Impact - The "Hachimi" meme originated from a Japanese term meaning "honey water" and evolved through user-generated content, becoming a staple in cat videos [12][14] - A viral video featuring a stray orange cat contributed to the meme's resurgence, leading to the creation of various related content and merchandise [14][17] - The meme's commercialization reflects a broader trend in attention economy, where brands leverage viral content to engage younger consumers [19][20] Group 2: Brand Strategies and Market Response - Joyoung's success is attributed to its strategic use of the "Hachimi" meme, which resonated with consumers and created a sense of community and emotional value [21][30] - Other brands, including snack and personal care companies, have also jumped on the "Hachimi" bandwagon, indicating a competitive market response to viral trends [6][10][34] - The rapid commercialization of memes can lead to a decline in their cultural relevance, as seen in the lifecycle of internet trends [27][29] Group 3: Risks and Future Considerations - The commercialization of memes poses risks, as overexposure can lead to a loss of interest among core audiences, pushing them to seek new cultural symbols [27][30] - Brands must balance meme marketing with maintaining a strong product identity to avoid diluting their brand image [34] - The success of Joyoung may encourage other companies to explore meme-driven marketing, but the sustainability of such strategies remains uncertain [34][35]