This viral anthem of frustration is taking over Asia— 沒出息 (Useless) — the brainwashing hit

The first time I heard 《沒出息》 (Useless) was in an Uber. The radio host played it on loop for half an hour, talking about how the public found deep resonance (共鳴, gòngmíng) in its lyrics. I laughed, I sighed, I felt seen. This song is everywhere—and if you haven’t heard it yet, you’re about to.

🎧 Must-listen video:   Watch the viral hit here on YouTube.

Warning: it’s addictive.

🎤 What Is “沒出息” and Why Is It So Popular?

Originally a remix of a fiery 2017 city council speech by Taiwanese politician Wang Shijian（王世堅）, the song was reimagined by Chinese musician Wang Bo（王搏） into a punchy, meme-worthy anthem. It exploded on Douyin（抖音, Dǒuyīn）, Threads, and Instagram, becoming one of the most viral tracks of 2025.

It’s not just popular in Chinese-speaking regions—Japanese and Korean versions have also surfaced, proving that the emotions behind the lyrics are universal. Whether you’re stuck in a chaotic job, dealing with life’s messiness, or just feeling overwhelmed, this song hits home.

🔥 The Hookline Everyone’s Quoting

本来应该　从从容容　游刃有余   Běnlái yīnggāi cóngcóngróngróng yóurènyǒuyú  

现在是　匆匆忙忙　连滚带爬 Xiànzài shì cōngcōngmángmáng liángǔndàipá

Translation:   We were supposed to be calm and in control— Now we’re rushing, scrambling, barely holding it together.

This line is everywhere. It’s quoted in memes, used in social media captions, and even printed on T-shirts. You’ll see it in:

• Workplace rants

• Student group chats during finals

• Satirical news posts

• Political commentary

• Comedy skits and TikTok remixes

It’s become a shorthand for modern burnout—funny, sad, and painfully relatable.

🎧 English version is also available here (rhythm less brainwashing)!

💬 Why You Should Pay Attention

This song is a goldmine for learning emotional vocabulary（情绪词汇, qíngxù cíhuì）, idiomatic expressions（成语表达, chéngyǔ biǎodá）, and rhythmic phrasing（节奏语感, jiézòu yǔgǎn）. Plus, it’s a great example of how language and culture collide in viral media.

So next time you hear someone say “匆匆忙忙 连滚带爬” (cōngcōngmángmáng liángǔndàipá), you’ll know they’re not just stressed—they’re quoting a hit song that’s become a cultural phenomenon.