Digital desires and defiant narratives: Real‑person fiction and the reshaping of LGBTQ+ identities in Chinese fandom

This chapter explores the intersection of real-person fiction (RPF) and LGBTQ representation within Chinese fandom, with a focus on an influential novel Beijing Story and its film adaptation Lan Yu. Despite official crackdowns on homosexual-themed discourse in China, Beijing Story, published online in 1998, emerged as a seminal work depicting a tragic romance between an affluent entrepreneur and an impoverished student. The novel’s candid portrayal of same-sex love, set against the backdrop of societal and political challenges, has inspired widespread acclaim and controversy. The 2001 film adaptation by a Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan further cemented its impact, despite being banned in mainland China. This chapter argues that RPF, particularly works like Yesterday of a Whole Life centered on the Lan Yu actors, provides a dynamic space for fan-driven sexual liberation. By blending elements of danmei literature, RPF enables fans to challenge societal norms and censorship, reimagining boundaries of sexuality and relationships. This phenomenon highlights the role of fanfiction in promoting social tolerance and reshaping LGBTQ representation in contemporary China, where conservative values dominate public discourse.