Famous Chinese influencers are buying “elite images” with money, foreign media reported.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 27th (local time), some influencers in China spend $2,500 to rent a UN conference room and $49,999 to attend Trump’s inauguration to form an “elite image.”
Shirley Lin, a 22-year-old Chinese student at New York University, is a famous influencer with 7.2 million followers on Douyin, a Chinese social networking service (SNS).
He also made headlines for his experience of dining with Bill Gates.
On April 2, Lin posted a video of herself speaking about “youth leadership” at the U.N., to which one netizen commented, “Lin is a true elite who speaks fluent English at an international organization. What an envious life.”
However, another netizen questioned Lin’s speech, saying that speeches and photoshoots at the U.N. can be purchased with money.
In fact, the U.N.’s official website says it offers an hour-long guided tour of the U.N. headquarters in New York and an opportunity to tour the conference room and learn about the U.N.’s work process for $26 per person.
You can also attend in-house briefings covering peacekeeping, human rights, sustainable development, and more for $165 per session.
If you pay $2,500 a day, which is the rent for the conference room at the UN headquarters, you can also hold a group event.
One netizen pointed out that he was fascinated by the elite persona, saying, “Lynn considers things like ‘Dine with Bill Gates’ and ‘United Nations Speech’ as symbols of success and stimulates public curiosity and desire for achievement.”
An industry source said that attending events such as a meal with Bill Gates is mainly due to money and connections.
At the moment, Lynn has not responded to these people’s criticisms.
Meanwhile, as forming an “elite persona” has become the latest trend in China, many people are said to want to attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington in January next year.
The $499999 product, which includes the front seat and a personal photographer, also became a hot topic on Chinese social media.
SOPHIA KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
