Moral Of The Story: "Truth About Uncle In Speed’s China Tour & How A TV Network Was Cancelled Because Of Him"

Host: Stephanie Soo
Episode Date: September 27, 2025

Episode Theme & Purpose

In this captivating episode, Stephanie Soo humorously relates to her husband the wild, viral saga of iShowSpeed’s China live-streaming tour and the central role played by an unexpected hero—“Unk,” aka Uncle Goose. The episode dives into viral culture clashes, unfiltered fan interactions, the evolution of Unk from a comedic bit to a beloved international icon, and how a mismanaged TV appearance sparked massive backlash. With anecdotes, insider commentary, and notable internet moments, Stephanie unpacks the chaotic series of events and the surprising impact one ordinary man had on national pride, internet fandoms, and a major Chinese TV network.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who is iShowSpeed and What Happened in China?

• [01:51] Stephanie and co-hosts admit they didn’t know much about iShowSpeed until his China tour—which quickly became a viral phenomenon among Chinese and American audiences.
• Early parts of the tour are described as “wholesome”—Speed eating new foods, high EQ handling, massive crowds, and positive reception.
• By Part 2: “Everybody’s getting their ass canceled in China. In America, like, everywhere, everybody starts getting cancelled.” – Main Commentator [03:03]

2. The Emergence and Myth of “Unk” (Uncle Goose)

• [04:58] Unk’s first memorable entrance: a middle-aged Chinese man energetically gifting Speed a full braised goose in a plastic bag, repping his hometown, Rongchang.
  • “Try my chicken—it’s a go[ose]! Please just give it a try, bro. Please.” – On-site Reporter [06:57]
  • This cultural enthusiasm—and eventual Chinese pride—becomes a running thread.
• [07:46] Internet reactions: surprisingly, Chinese netizens are unbothered by Speed’s spicy food mishaps, while American netizens get more offended.

3. Viral City Culture and the Intensifying Tour

• [08:52 – 13:10] The tour jumps between China’s megacities, notably “cyberpunk” Chongqing and wild taxi rides: stories of open-all-night hotpot, upside-down city layouts, and cultural translation gags (fake Ronaldo, Messi, and even a Chinese Elon Musk impersonator).

4. Streamer Superstars and the Translator “Trifecta”

• [18:13] Speed’s new Chongqing translator:
  • “He hit the trifecta… Kim Jong Un body, Elon Musk face, and a Trump voice.” – Main Commentator [20:30]
  • Translator’s uncanny Trump impression—“Tremendous combination”—surprises all, becoming a viral bit.

5. Meeting Internet Celebrities: Tony from LED Signs

• Tony (famous/notorious for LED sign business and Trump impressions) joins the stream, feeds into the meme energy and social media crossovers.

6. Unk’s Growing Role—From Meme to Mascot

• [26:30+] Unk keeps reappearing across several cities—Chengdu, Chongqing, Hong Kong—becoming ever more beloved.
• He brings food from his hometown each time (goose, then roasted pig, then chicken), never promoting himself, but always the pride of Rongchang.
  • “He’s not a clout-chaser… he never promotes anything but his hometown.” – Main Commentator [29:36]
• Some light backlash when Unk offers pork (Speed doesn’t eat it), leading Unk to apologize. His humility wins over more fans.

7. Behind the Scenes: The Relationship Evolves

• By Hong Kong and Shenzhen: Unk is no longer an odd follower, but part of Speed’s crew. Speed and chat “ship” their wholesome connection.
• The dynamic: “The bodyguards are looking for him in crowds… Speed gets more excited every time he spots Unk.” [27:15]
• Unk starts taking on a caretaker role—offering tissues, buying ice cream, paying for others even when he can't afford it.
  • “He just, people are saying, there’s just no way for Unk to even fake this type of care.” – Main Commentator [50:37]
• Notable Quote: “To everyone around the world, no one saw him as a clout chaser anymore.” – Main Commentator [51:02]

8. Making Hometown Pride Go Viral

• [32:34+] After repeated food gifts, enthusiastic catchphrases, and gentle persistence, Unk inspires viewers to order products from Rongchang, dramatically boosting its local economy.
• His only “promotion” is: “This is my city. This is our pride food of our city.” – Unk [29:30]

9. The Mango TV Incident—When Legacy Media Fails

• [52:00+] Mango TV’s attempt to co-opt the tour for mainstream TV backfires:
  • Overly staged, stiff, and PR-controlled, celebrities refuse to sing a key song chorus, neutering the intended spirit.
    • “Every single celebrity does not sing the chorus… they made it weird because it actually is a Chinese word.” – Main Commentator [54:40, 55:02]
  • Chat and fans revolt over the departure from the spontaneous, internet-native vibe.
• Mango TV also excludes Unk from the celebrity van, leaving him behind and having him chase after the van on foot.
  • “Celebrities are sitting in an air conditioned van, giggling and laughing… and Unk is just running after the car and they don’t care.” – Main Commentator [60:18]
  • Online outrage explodes, especially among Chinese netizens—Mango TV is “cancelled.”

10. Green Goblin Gets Cancelled

• In a restaurant, the owner (dubbed “Green Goblin” by Chinese netizens) demands Unk vacate his seat next to Speed, then threatens him in front of a global live stream.
  • “If you don’t get up, I’m gonna go to your city and I’m gonna find you.” – Green Goblin [67:56]
• Chat and the internet mobilize: review bombing, social media posts, and calls for boycott ensue. Green Goblin is ousted from his company.
• Unk reacts peacefully, declines to attack his detractor, and focuses on promoting his hometown.

11. The Epilogue: Unk’s True Character and Legacy

• After extensive “digging,” internet sleuths find Unk’s real story: he regularly does charity, helps the elderly, saves children, raises money for disaster relief, and works tirelessly despite dire poverty.
  • “He works as an influencer, where he literally just promotes businesses… Even if their businesses aren’t doing well, he will promote them through videos, but he will also go and physically help them with labor.” – Main Commentator [73:40]
• Local government rewards Unk: he is designated “chief promoter” of Rongchang roasted goose, given $13,700 and a $140,000 startup credit.
• Speed promises: “I gotta bring you to America. You come USA.” – iShowSpeed to Unk [71:01]
• Relationship cemented: Unk’s photo is the only thing Speed carries when leaving China, and he constantly professes: “Chat, Unk is a goat… I promise, y’all, I’m gonna bring Unk to America. I don’t break promises.” – iShowSpeed [72:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Part two is not that at all. Part two is everybody’s getting their ass canceled in China.”
  — Main Commentator [03:03]
• “He looks at Speed, and he’s coming up to him and he’s like, oh, no, I can’t have this. Now you’re taunting me. Because my favorite person in the world is Ronaldo. Like, this is disgusting.”
  — Main Commentator, describing soccer fan interaction [13:10]
• “He hit the trifecta… Kim Jong Un body, Elon Musk face, and a Trump voice. They said it’s actually crazy. It’s kind of valid.”
  — Main Commentator [20:30]
• “He just wants to spread the flavor of his hometown chicken.”
  — Secondary Commentator [32:34]
• “To everyone around the world, no one saw him as a clout chaser anymore. In fact, if anyone said anything negative about Ankh, the comments are going after them.”
  — Main Commentator [51:02]
• “Celebrities are sitting in an air conditioned van, giggling and laughing, acting all high and mighty, and Unk is just running after the car and they don’t care.”
  — Main Commentator [60:18]
• “This was straight up, like, this is a horrendous person. And he got canceled online for it. And Unk later said he doesn’t really want an apology… he was just saying it was a weird, tense moment, and he just wanted to get up so not to cause any problems.”
  — Main Commentator [70:17]
• “He works as an influencer, where he literally just promotes businesses… Even if their businesses aren’t doing well, he will promote them through videos, but he will also go and physically help them with labor.”
  — Main Commentator [73:40]
• “The only thing he’s carrying in his hand is like a framed photo from Unk of the two of them.”
  — Main Commentator [71:25]
• “Chat, Unk is a goat. And chat, I’m primary. I’m gonna bring unto America, y’all. I don’t break promises.”
  — iShowSpeed [72:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:51] – Overview of iShowSpeed’s China livestream tour
• [04:58] – Introduction of Unk, first gifts, and viral reactions
• [13:10] – Fake viral soccer teams, Ronaldo/Messi gags
• [18:13] – Translator with the “trifecta” (Trump, Elon Musk, Kim Jong Un)
• [26:30+] – Unk’s recurring appearances and the evolution of his fandom
• [29:36] – Discussion: Is Unk a clout chaser?
• [32:34+] – The moment Unk’s pride inspires fans to order from his hometown
• [52:00+] – Mango TV incident and Unk’s exclusion from the celebrity van
• [67:20] – Green Goblin restaurant incident and subsequent cancellation
• [73:40] – Unk’s charitable background and the aftermath
• [75:46] – Unk named chief promoter; his lasting legacy

Episode Tone & Style

Stephanie’s delivery is witty, conversational, and packed with meme-aware commentary. She balances deep dives into internet phenomena with playful, incredulous asides and genuine warmth toward Unk’s character and Speed’s open-hearted connection with fans.

Conclusion

This episode unpacks not only the entertaining chaos of a viral internet moment but also reveals deeper themes: cultural pride, the pitfalls of mainstream media co-opting internet energy, and how unassuming characters can become the true heart of a global phenomenon. At its core, the saga of iShowSpeed and Unk is a story about connection, generosity, and how authenticity wins in the eyes of millions.