Unveiling the Hidden Lives of Shanghai Socialites: Lies and Luxury

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Joining the Shanghai Socialite WeChat Group
• The Luxurious Life of Shanghai Socialites
• Uncovering the Secrets of the Group
• Shanghai Socialites: Appearances over Reality
• Sharing Resources and Splitting Costs
• The Controversy Surrounding the Shanghai Socialite Group
• The Training Camp Saga
• The Rise of Internet Celebrities in China
• The Popularity of the Internet Celebrity Industry in China
• The Attraction of Being an Internet Celebrity in China
• The Disparity Between the Rich and the Poor in China
• Becoming an Internet Celebrity: A Path to Social Mobility
• Success Stories of Grassroots Individuals Turned Internet Celebrities
• The Competition and Extremes in the Influencer Market
• Mukbang: The Chinese Trend of Overeating Videos
• The Dark Side of Being an Internet Celebrity
• Distorted Values and the Consequences of Online Fame
• Conclusion

Joining the Shanghai Socialite WeChat Group

In the quest to become part of Shanghai's super-rich social class, some individuals believe that joining a WeChat group is the gateway to this exclusive world. There exists a group of female socialites in China who lead seemingly luxurious lives—donning different designer clothes every day, residing in opulent five-star hotels, and indulging in lavish afternoon teas. Recently, a blogger uncovered the secrets of this mysterious group after gaining covert entry. The article, titled "I Lurked in Shanghai Socialites Group for Half a Month and Became a Socialite Observer," went viral on Chinese social media. The blogger, Li Zhong Er, documents his observations while undercover in this community of socialites in Shanghai.

The Luxurious Life of Shanghai Socialites

Joining the Shanghai socialite group may appear to offer an extravagant lifestyle, but Li Zhong Er discovered that, instead of being a platform for affluent girls to discuss their latest luxury products, the group primarily revolves around creating an image of wealth. Membership comes with the responsibilities of resource sharing and cost-splitting for renting luxury items. Astonishingly, the group even engages in the sharing of intimate possessions, such as secondhand Gucci pantyhose. To exemplify the extent of their cost-splitting endeavors, group members would divide the price of a two-person room at the Bulgari Hotel in Shanghai among up to 40 people. It becomes evident that being part of the group is more about perception and maintaining appearances than true wealth.

Uncovering the Secrets of the Group

Li Zhong Er's article sparked further exploration into the Shanghai socialite group and its connection to an issue known as the "Training Camp Saga." It all began with the marriage of Taiwanese singer Wilbur Pan to Chinese air stewardess Luna Schwann. Chinese billionaire Wang Shikhan cryptically revealed that the marriages of Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok and Wilbur Pan were linked by a woman named Amy. It is discovered that the wives of these celebrities had both participated in a pickup artist training camp known for teaching women how to attract and marry famous individuals. The camp follows a four-step process, involving plastic surgery to achieve an influencer face, group photoshoots in designated locations, following mentors to nightclubs or parties, and eventually orchestrating public relationships with the target celebrities. Thus, the cultivation of a superstar wife status becomes the ultimate goal for these trainees.

Shanghai Socialites: Appearances over Reality

China boasts the largest population of internet celebrities in the world, reaching a staggering 433 million social media influencers as of June 2019. This phenomenon can be attributed to the "webcasting era" that emerged in 2016. Numerous live streaming platforms, such as Red Tick Tock and Quay, provide fans with the ability to follow their favorite internet celebrities' every move and even aspire to become internet celebrities themselves. Chinese Generation Z, in particular, favors flexible working systems and holidays over traditional workplaces with rigid structures and limited wages. Being an internet celebrity presents a dream job for young people, as it offers easy money and millions of adoring fans.

The Disparity Between the Rich and the Poor in China

China's enormous population of 1.4 billion people experiences a significant wealth disparity. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, reached an alarming 0.73 in 2012, indicating that 30% of the country's wealth is concentrated in the hands of just 1% of households. Premier Li Keqiang highlighted during a congress that the annual per capita income in China is around $4,468. However, roughly 600 million people earn just $149 per month, emphasizing the stark contrast between luxurious lifestyles enjoyed by the rich and the dire circumstances faced by the grassroots population.

Becoming an Internet Celebrity: A Path to Social Mobility

The rise of social media has provided the Chinese population with a lucrative opportunity to become internet celebrities. This career path does not require higher education or specific skills but relies on selling one's online influence to brands. Young individuals can swiftly elevate their social standing from grassroots to middle class by becoming successful internet celebrities. Zhang Da-yi, China's top internet influencer, serves as an inspirational example of someone who transformed her life from grassroots origins to having over 10 million followers and an online store generating nearly 200 million monthly sales. However, some internet celebrities have faced allegations, such as Zhang Da-yi being the mistress of the CEO of Tmall and Feng Timo gaining fame through a secret affair.

The Competition and Extremes in the Influencer Market

With hundreds of aspiring internet celebrities vying for attention, only a select few manage to stand out from the crowd. The majority of internet celebrities find themselves concentrated in the middle or lower tiers of the influencer market. To compete and secure more lucrative brand deals, some internet celebrities push trends to the extreme. For instance, the trend of mukbang, originating from Korea and centered around live-streaming the process of eating, took on a different form in China. Chinese mukbangers showcase their ability to overeat, attracting fans and securing advertising investments. However, this extreme pursuit of popularity has led to severe cases of anorexia and even death among some mukbangers.

The Dark Side of Being an Internet Celebrity

Chinese sociologists have raised concerns about the negative impact of internet celebrities on society. They argue that the distorted values promoted by these influencers, such as materialism and utilitarianism, can have adverse effects on young people. Many individuals are lured by the prospect of getting rich quickly and, instead of pursuing traditional career paths, aspire to become internet celebrities. However, this focus on fame and wealth can overshadow the importance of hard work and skill development. Moreover, internet celebrities often present unrealistic standards of beauty, fostering body image issues and societal pressures.

Conclusion

The allure of joining the Shanghai socialite group and becoming an internet celebrity highlights the desire for social mobility in China. While these paths offer opportunities for financial success and increased social standing, they also come with significant drawbacks and potential consequences. The combination of the rich-poor disparity, the influence of social media, and the pursuit of fame has created a complex cultural landscape in China. As society explores the impact of internet celebrities, it must also address the underlying issues of inequality and distorted values that have emerged.