Fun fact: Shanghai not only has the largest printing industry in China, but it is also the origin of the Chinese words for "poster", or Hai Bao (海报). Since its birth, Hai Bao has captured the gaze of many with its sophisticated and artistic hand-painted designs. Interestingly enough, the first posters focused on Western characters and cultural customs. As beautiful and exotic as they were, they failed to create a big buzz among the local customers. Things took an unexpected turn after its content was gradually replaced with characters, myths, and historical stories related to Chinese culture. The smartest move they made was to invite popular movie stars to pose for different types of posters. The most famous one belongs to an iconic movie star of that era, Ruan Ling-yu (阮玲玉), who appeared on a Coca-Cola poster in 1927. She was considered “China's Marilyn Monroe” for challenging the cinema industry, inspiring women, and her striking beauty. Back in the 1930s women were fearlessly and proudly showcasing their modern, classic, sex appeal. Posing with cigarettes and beer, dressing seductively elegant! They represented a new era for women, the “New Women”, (the term came from the same title of a movie with a groundbreaking role starring Ruan Ling-yu) who were independent and courageous. At its core, these women just wanted to have a little fun in life! What a cool-ass attitude, right? In present day Shanghai, movie stars continue to be the main stars for animated posters adorning the city. Shiquan Lu Bus Stop is where all the magic begins.