China KOL with 5.8 million fans criticised for costume-makeup transformation video that ‘reinforces Asian stereotypes’
- Video was leveraging on ‘Asoka makeup’ trend, and was popular on TikTok
- When she posted it on Xiaohongshu, clip received significant backlash
A US-based Chinese TikTok influencer is under fire in mainland China for “reinforcing Asian stereotypes” after she posted a video of her changing costumes while using body movements that incorporated traditional cultural dress and makeup.
Lucia Liu initially posted the video on TikTok on May 4, and it has since received 16.3 million views and 2.2 million likes.
It features multiple costume changes that include a large variety of Chinese cultural outfits ranging from a cheongsam, an armoured chained dress, Peking opera makeup and even an outfit that is clearly inspired by Chun-Li, a female character from the Japanese Street Fighter video games. She often uses an Asian foldable hand fan to facilitate the transitions.
The video was an adaption of the “Asoka makeup” trend on TikTok, in which influencers created looks inspired by traditional Indian weddings and danced to a tune from the 2001 Bollywood film Asoka.
TikTok users marvelled at Liu’s creativity.
“The Asoka trend but with different cultures. Love to see it!” commented one online observer who received more than 21,400 likes.