Metan; What I Learned from Chinese Reality TV.

Hey all; this is an article from Metan by Gordon Chu; it covers Gordon’s experience and insights with China reality TV. Give it a read if you’ve got the time.

On one of my frequent extended stints in China, I had a quiet evening to kick up my feet and to peruse the hundreds of channels Chinese television has to offer (for pure market research purposes of course). Admittedly, I have a short attention span already as-is, so you can imagine the flurry of remote clicking that occurred if the myriads of soap operas and variety shows did not catch my eye.

Then, “it” hit me… “It” is like a bad automobile accident you see by the roadside – you know you shouldn’t turn your head to see, but out of pure curiosity for the wicked, you simply cannot help yourself. “It” is, at the rawest and most basic form, a great sociological study on everything that is wrong with fame, relationships, and greed… in other words, “it” is great TV.

I’m talking about the hit phenomenon program, “If You Are the One” that is taking water cooler chatter by storm in China. To give context to anyone who has not heard about this program, it’s a match-making reality show where singles meet singles in front of millions of people each show (talk about pressure). And the hook for the whole show? The often questionable money-driven (aka “Gold-Digging” antics) requirements that this now very relevant generation of singles are looking for in their soul mates.

The show has taken notice even of the Chinese government prompting them to immediately shut down production and exhibition of the show due to the often sexual innuendos and references to a very anti-traditional moral basis where money is the main driver for many of the singles. Watching this show, it’s not that difficult to understand why the government would be concerned with the way the program portrays this new up and coming generation of singles.

Girls’ Perspective

On the show, girls are depicted as ‘gold-digging’ animals – only attracted by the number of RMBs that are attached to the suitor’s name. A stable job is no longer the litmus for ‘enough’ for girls, but is the entry point for girls to consider. Don’t have a car? Get in the back of the line. Have a house? Hello Mr. Right…

Best put, a contestant on “If You are the One” said to a potential suitor offering her a ride on his bike, “I’d rather be crying in a BMW than to be laughing on a bike”.

Largely, the attitude of girls can be largely accredited to the cultural upbringing of this generation of single children. Often labeled as a generation of “little emperors and little empresses”, the first generation is now at the age for marriage and is a depiction of just how strong the level of entitlement is. Surrounded by new-earned money and incredible growth, money is what drives the lives of this new generation and is very apparent in the marriage process.

Guys’ Perspective

On the flip side, the attitude of girls can also be largely accredited to how guys operate and think about marriage in the Chinese culture.

Equally on the show, guys are depicted as spineless creatures – more of the prey than the predator between the sexes. No longer are the traditional equal roles of man and woman taken into consideration, but the guys cower behind what appears to be very over-dominating female figures on the program. They accept the new status quo and adapt their lifestyles to the new norm.

So, the question begs to where did this shift happen in the fragile balance between men and women.

Ask any guy in China about marriage and I would venture to say that much of the pressure is done by themselves and their families. Especially with single boys in the family expected to carry on the family name, it’s not uncommon for the guys to feel the pinch and pressure by their parents to settle down, get married, and start popping out babies sooner than later.

Thus this interesting supply-and-demand relationship between guys and girls in China. Guys feel the familial pressures to find a mate and the demand for girls go up. Girls understand their shrinking supply and drive standards to an all-time high. While this may be an over-simplication of the actual matter at-hand, it’s hard to argue against the fact that culturally, the dynamic between guys and girls are changing.

Generations Divided

To further complicate the matter, the show not only caused stir between genders, it also created a chasm between generations. Comparing even to the previous generation, the ideals, philosophy, and moral basis has been almost completely eradicated with no trace of evidence.

Economically, the previous generation spent much of their lives paving the foundation for their children and successors. They painfully went through the turmoil of growing the country to the powerhouse that it is today. This was a result of savings, family unity, and an unselfish attitude that the country was towards a single goal – all vastly different that is evident to today’s generation in China.

What Does this all Mean?

Success is often a double-edged sword and is particularly the case when the growth of success is as fast as China had experienced over the last 30 years.

Entitlement will be a definite issue to consider. No longer will the powerhouse labor force that paved the foundation for success is able to keep the pace as it has and the baton will soon have to be passed to the responsibilities of this new generation. How will this new generation react to the call for the continual growth of the economy? How will this generation of “little emperors and empresses” contend with the rude awakening that the doting lifestyle they’ve experienced for their entire lives will someday be their own responsibilities to endure?

Opportunity will also play a crucial role in China’s future growth. The previous generation has already built the foundation for growth – it is now this generation’s work to build upon growth. Previously, the aspiration to get schooling abroad and to build roots in the United States was every Chinese dream. It was thought of as the epitome of success and to build upon a better life. Today, it’s not uncommon for college graduates to want to stay after graduation and build a base in China – a far different cry than it was even just 10 years ago.

Control will ultimately be the biggest force in defining China’s future growth for this new generation. Largely controlled by how much the government intervention will let the free market reign, it will ultimately impact opportunities, innovation, and growth for China. Opportunities will become more abundant as more cross-border business will continue to foster China’s economy. Innovation will flourish and be encouraged as resources (both human and monetary) will continue to flood China’s doors. And growth for China will continue as it defines itself to be a leader in the world market.

Conclusion

Who would have thought I would have this new-found epiphany of China’s growth based on a reality dating show that emphasizes money over matter. It wasn’t the actual act that was appalling to watch, it was what the acts meant that surprised me to see how fast and how far China has evolved in its thinking.

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Tagged as: Asia, China, Chinese government, Culture of China, Economy of the People's Republic of China, Relationships, Social Sciences, Supply and demand, United States