The Du Lala Phenomenon: Chick-lit in Postsocialist China
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2012-09-07
Author(s)
Abstract
The book series A Story of Lala’s Promotion (杜拉拉升职记, The Promotion of Du Lala, hereafter Du Lala), first published in 2007 and followed by three sequels in 2008, 2010 and 2011, was an instant bestseller written by Li Ke (李 可, birth date and real name unknown), known as the Chinese J.K. Rowling. The novel was adapted as a feature film (English title Go Lala Go!, directed by Xu Jinglei who also took on the lead role) and a television drama series in 2010. The novel narrates the story of Du Lala, a post-1970s university graduate with no family background, who ‘strives for success through individual efforts’ (preface) and ends up a top executive in a fictional Fortune 500 company. A new consumer culture arrived in Reform-era China alongside the re-emergence of the discourse of individual agency. Du Lala is the story of a generation of ‘white-collar misses’ in urban China- professional women who can make full use of their youth and gain jobs in the corporate world. Lala therefore exemplifies the postsocialist Chinese dream- a young generation of apolitical, diligent workers who strive for economic success. The phenomenon can be seen through the lens of the ‘chick lit’/post-feminist fiction which supports a new gender regime and offers displacement of the feminist challenges to patriarchy through the rhetoric of individual choice. Both television and film adaptations of the book emphasise the commercial value of this Chinese chick lit phenomenon through focusing on fashion, consumption and the romantic sub-plot, while skating over the objectification of women in the office environment. Both media use copious amount of product placement. The Du Lala phenomenon individualises the gender discourse in postsocialist China, portraying a world of aspirational middle class and globally influenced values in a depoliticised world. This paper argues that the media representations of the young professional woman conform to the Hollywood romantic comedy genre and neglect the struggles over gender and sexuality that continue to exist for many young women in urban China.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Event Title
19th European Association for Chinese Studies conference
Event Location
Paris
Event Date
4-8 September 2012
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
256263