The use of the VR simulation headgear helped to create a 'real' experience for Bryan in celebrating Chinese New Year with his family in a different space - his hometown.  

The appeal of the VR headset for Bryan lies in the fact that it satisfies Bryan's longing to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family and fulfills his need to escape from the reality of being stuck at work and not being with his family during Chinese New Year.

 For Bryan, the VR technology in the form of the VR headgear is the representation of the possibility for him to be at a desired space - celebrating CNY with his family, and VR makes celebrating CNY with his family appear ever more realistic by creating his sense of “presence” in his hometown. 

Bryan's sadness comes from the fact that VR is shown to be less effective in providing him with a 'meaningful' Chinese New Year celebration as it is just a simulation of reality.