达康书记 — Secretary Da Kang
What Is 达康书记?
Li Dakang (李达康), a government official character from the 2017 anti-corruption drama 人民的名义 (In the Name of the People), became the unlikely meme face of the year. His various deadpan, stoic, and occasionally gleeful expressions — especially the '高兴到模糊' (so happy it's blurry) face — were screenshot-ed into expression packs that flooded Chinese social media.
Origin
人民的名义 aired in March 2017 to massive ratings, becoming the highest-rated Chinese TV drama in 16 years. The character Li Dakang, an integrity-obsessed GDP-focused official played by actor Wu Gang, resonated with audiences. Viewers began screenshotting his expressions and creating memes: 'Dakang Secretary, don't lower your head — GDP will drop!' and 'Dakang Secretary quietly looks at you.' The '高兴到模糊' expression (genuinely delighted beyond comprehension) was among the most widely shared.
Cultural Context
达康书记 memes were unusual because they came from a serious political drama — the kind of earnest state television content that normally doesn't produce meme culture. His popularity proved that authentic character work could transcend genre. People used his expressions to process real workplace emotions: quiet pride in small victories, stoic acceptance of bad news, and the barely concealed joy when things go right.
How It's Used
'高兴到模糊' face = barely containing excitement. His stoic stare = '我在看着你' (I see what you're doing). His resigned look = accepting an absurd situation professionally.
