Back to basics
After the popularity of these shows, people were eager to try new ways of testing their handwriting know-how.
For instance, a mobile application, also developed by iqiyi.com, to go along with their program continues to be widely sought after even though the show has finished.
Rubbing copybooks for people to write based on the given shadows and strokes of Chinese characters are also back in style. Copybooks used to be a nightmare for students. They were often given for homework assignments.
Recently, more adults are buying copybooks to compensate for their time spent on keyboards. Publishers have followed the trend and started printing relatively new editions.
Entering any big bookstore in Beijing, patrons can find all kinds of copybooks for children, students and adults on a number of bookshelves.
English handwriting copybooks are also available.
Wang Hongcai, a professor at Xiamen University told the Global Times that the Chinese education system was built with the objective of being useful and practical.
In other words, skills learned at school need to be helpful in order to get the students into a good university and a perspective career path.
"It is time to find more artistic qualities and fun in education," said Wang, adding that practicing handwriting can be an example of an activity that may appear monotonous at the time, but has a long-term benefit to individuals.
A cultural problem
Having been a teacher for many years, Wang finds it is easy to see how handwriting is connected to a person's personality.
The writing process is akin to the process of developing aesthetics and discipline.
"Those who spent time learning the best writing have proven their will to cultivate themselves and become better people," said Wang.
Xiong Bingqi, deputy director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, holds a similar attitude. In an article published in the Guangzhou Daily, he argued that youngsters will fail to truly understand the culture behind each Chinese character unless the fast-food styled educational system that teaches students everything for one single purpose only - college admittance - is altered.
While almost all the experts see improving handwriting skills as an important issue for youngsters, they hold different attitudes toward the problem that adults have.
Wang doesn't see the decrease in handwriting as a problem for adults.
"It should be seen as an issue of responsibility to maintain the Chinese culture, not as a problem with an individual's handwriting skills," he said.
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