Foreign influencers arrive to turn focus on culture, creativity

Immersive trip

Recognizing his huge popularity in China, Shanghai-headquartered ShootsWorks announced Lame's upcoming trip to the country, which was met with great excitement.

In mid-September, he will visit Changsha, Hunan province, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

The company has set goals for Lame's trip, such as making 100 friends, tasting street food and engaging with his fans — all designed to solidify his presence in the rapidly growing Chinese digital landscape.

"We plan to take him to experience Chinese culture in several profound and immersive ways," said Yuan Yiqing, ShootsWorks' overseas IP content director.

The international, relaxed atmosphere of Shanghai will introduce Lame to the more cosmopolitan side of Chinese culture, the promoters said. The "spicy culture and fiery spirit" of Chongqing will expose him to China's more traditional, vibrant, and lively side, and likely trigger humorous content.

In Changsha, Lame will witness China's role in addressing global collaboration. In June, the city held the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The interaction of Chinese and African people will give Lame a glimpse into how travel, exploration, and cross-cultural exchanges foster business innovation. He will visit the Yuelu Academy, one of the four most prestigious academies in the country, which has nurtured generations of intellectuals since its founding in the early Song Dynasty (960-1279).

"During this journey, he will also learn about Chinese humor, and develop new gestures, movements, expressions, and viral internet memes. He will deepen his understanding of Chinese culture, lifestyle, and the business environment," said Yuan. "In China, just like him, grassroots heroes are everywhere. The spirit of entertainment and humor is ingrained in the daily lives of ordinary people."

Chinese people use humor as a tool for connection, social commentary, and entertainment — something Lame can relate to and learn from, Yuan noted.

ShootsWorks said they approached the influencer early this year, and after three to four months of discussions he confirmed his commitment to the trip.

"He and his team showed great interest in this China trip," said Zhu Liping, ShootsWorks' head of IP monetization for the Chinese market. "China's dynamic market, growing digital presence, and the increasing influence of Chinese social media platforms have all created a thriving environment for global influencers."

Yuan said many of Lame's ideas surprised them.

"He has watched a lot of Hong Kong movies and is a big fan of Bruce Lee. This year, he watched Nezha 2 and wants to create his own adaptations of Chinese movie scenes in his unique style," Yuan said. "He is also very interested in exploring the high-tech development of Chinese cities and delving into real-life cultural stories."