‘Digital resurrection’: devoted father in China aims to make dead daughter ‘happy in heaven’ with online videos of her life

In the southeastern part of China, a father named Zhao has found a unique way to honor the memory of his daughter, Yuting, who tragically passed away last year. Zhao, who is 55 years old, has been posting videos of Yuting's life on the social media platform Douyin since her birthday in July. His goal is to create a digital legacy, keeping her spirit alive through these shared memories. Zhao began documenting Yuting's life when she was a young girl, investing in an expensive digital video recorder back in 2002. He has accumulated over a dozen hours of footage, showcasing milestones like birthdays and graduations, as well as simple moments of joy and laughter.

Zhao's dedication to preserving his daughter's memory comes from a belief that forgetting someone is the true end, not death itself—a sentiment inspired by the animated film Coco. Before her passing, Yuting enjoyed seeing that people liked her videos, and Zhao feels that continuing to post these videos will bring her joy in the afterlife. His Douyin account has attracted a following of 100,000 people, some of whom have come to view Yuting as a 'digital friend. ' Others who personally knew her continue to follow the account as a way to remember her, and they contribute their own photos and videos to offer Zhao different glimpses of his daughter's life.

The response to Zhao's efforts has been deeply emotional. One follower, who felt unloved by her own parents, finds comfort and love in Yuting's videos. Another remarks on the richness and love-filled life Yuting led, despite its brevity. A third follower suggests that as long as we speak of Yuting and watch her in the videos, she remains with us. Zhao's mission to digitally resurrect his daughter has created a virtual space where Yuting's memory continues to thrive, touching the hearts of many across the digital landscape.