A white-collar worker with a penchant for music has found his rhythm spinning discs in Beijing's nightlife scene, demonstrating the richness of life in the Chinese capital.
By day, Gao Yifeng spends his hours in the office, but on weekends, he transforms into Funkie, a DJ who brings energy and passion to the dance floor.
"These two roles may seem quite different, but they're both an integral part of who I am," he said.
While behind the mixer, he prides himself on finding new twists in the way music is presented, creating exciting experiences for audiences.
"DJing is like storytelling. Just like different storytellers tell the same story in their own way, each DJ brings their own style to a playlist. The transitions, song order, mixing, and effects all create a unique experience," said the turntablist.
Before becoming a DJ, Gao worked in the music media industry and acquired a deep knowledge of China's music scene covering the past decades
"I listened to loads of music and records every day—probably tens of thousands of albums by now. After collecting so much, I just wanted a way to share it. So, I became a DJ," he said.
In 2020, he launched a podcast exploring Cantonese pop music and culture. His DJ sets are a mix of Cantonese pop and beyond, often featuring 80s and 90s hits.
"I've hosted Cantonese dance parties with 80s and 90s music. The crowd is diverse, including millennials and younger. When I play Alan Tam, a young guy might tell me his dad loves it and plays it at home," said the music curator.
Although his office job and DJ life may seem worlds apart, Gao finds that his passion for music brings a spark to everything he does.
Beijing office worker hits new notes as DJ energizing city's nightlife
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
