‘He smacked himself’: squeaky-clean China influencer with 3 million followers loses 600,000 fans in week over ‘money-making’ comments

In the bustling world of Chinese social media, a university student named Yu Wenliang became an overnight sensation. His platform of choice was Douyin, where he posted brief, 10-second clips capturing his daily life. From mundane activities like eating and cycling to attending classes, Yu's authenticity resonated with viewers. His follower count skyrocketed from a modest few thousand to an impressive 3. 8 million in just a month, and his videos amassed 60 million likes.

However, Yu's image took a hit when he made some controversial remarks during a live-stream. He agreed with another host who suggested that live-streaming was essentially a way to make money by deceiving people. This admission was at odds with Yu's previous stance, where he had consistently denied any interest in monetizing his online presence. The backlash was swift, and Yu's follower count dropped by 600,000 as a result of his comments.

Attempting to control the damage, Yu issued a statement claiming his remarks were made in jest and cited family reasons for his need to earn money online. Despite this, he chose not to provide further explanation. Yu's experience is not unique; other Chinese influencers have faced similar backlashes for their comments. For instance, Austin Li Jiaqi, known for his prowess in selling cosmetics, had to apologize after offending the public with his remarks about their work ethic. The incidents serve as a reminder of the delicate balance influencers must maintain between authenticity and the commercial aspects of their online personas.