Abstract
This article investigates the emergence of "erotic entrepreneurs" in China, a new category of male influencers who engage in erotic activities and target followers of all genders on platforms such as TikTok/Douyin and Bilibili. Through ethnographic research, we examine how these young individuals strategically marketize their private and intimate experiences as a form of aspiration and commerce. We use Foucault’s concept, "docile bodies," to interrogate how these erotic entrepreneurs navigate the power and knowledge systems of the creative economy. We argue that the paradoxical position of these docile male, queer bodies helps to increase their visibility on one hand, whilst renders them vulnerable to exploitation, censorship, and commodification on the other. The findings suggest that this paradox disrupts traditional gender stereotypes and the underlying power structures, but also reinforces the neoliberal and patriarchal order specific to postreform China.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 491 |
Journal | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2023 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Arts and Humanities
- General Economics,Econometrics and Finance
- General Business,Management and Accounting
- General Social Sciences
- General Psychology