There wasn’t much to look forward to in 2020, with the pandemic wrecking havoc across the world. This was a time when infection rates were surging, and people plunged into despair. But an unsuspecting joy came by way of an octogenarian Taiwanese couple on social media. Chang Wan-Ji and Hsu Sho-Er lived the usual common-man life, quietly ran a laundromat in Houli, Taichung. But an extremely creative idea of their grandson made them a viral sensation within a month of their Instagram debut. Their grandson, Reef Chang, suggested photographing them in these forgotten belongings. And since then, the couple has found a newfound energy in life.
How a pair of 80-somethings became a sensation on social media
Wan-Ji has been running the laundromat since he was 14 years old, and tells the BBC that with time, people have moved away, died, or suffered through some drastic life events. As a result, their clothes at the laundromat are left behind with the couple to be dealt with. A lot of them has been given away to charities, but are still left with some hundreds of clothes.
Chang styled Wan-Ji and Sho-Er into mismatched blouses, skirts, and trousers, and shared their photos on Instagram. Thanks to the Gen-Z styling and the natural confidence of the couple, they caught the attention of a lot of people on the platform, and became a surprise hit. They don colors and prints that which the average elder steers clear of, which is exactly what makes their content so unique.
Wan-Ji and Sho-Er defy age norms in a heartwarming way
But the inspiration for the page was fueled by Chang’s desire to lift his grandparents out of the slump in their life. The widespread notion in society is that old age is plain and boring. The pandemic affected Wansho’s business, and Taiwan had harsh policies to curb the spread of COVID-19. Chang would find his grandparents dozing off while in the shop. He then thought of this novel idea, of clicking editorial-esque images of them in clothes forgotten by their owners. He also tells BBC that this would not only connect them back to their owners, but also “remind” his grandparents that “life can still be great [,] even in old age.”
Since then, the couple has been spreading joy with their adorable pictures, and it is hard to find flaws in them. A series of pictures shows the two dressed in pleasantly co-ordinated outfits of red and green: Wan-Ji sports a dapper checkered blazer, and Sho-Er dons a striking pair of red sunglasses and an army jacket over her shoulders. Their humble laundromat serves as the background for most of their pictures. The two stand against the machines, or outside the doors, and pose in other areas of the shop . The couple creates a striking element against the plain-looking laundromat.
Unfortunately, Sho-Er passed away in 2023. The account has been sporadically active since her death, with the most recent post showing Chang and Wan-Ji against an illustration in honor of the couple. Wan-Ji and Sho-Er had been married for more than 60 years, and worked at the laundromat relentlessly until the end. It is understandable if Wan-Ji wants to discontinue the work they have been putting out for the world to see. But nevertheless, the couple is proof that having fun should does not have a fixed age. Not only did the two bring joy into their own lives with their photoshoots – they gave a new life to those forgotten clothes, and put a smile on the faces of scores of people
