Sister Furong 芙蓉姐姐 is back: From her Body to her Blog
Virtual China has reposted photos of her latest performance from QQ BBS's weekly photos.
Sister Furong 芙蓉姐姐, translated as Sister Hibicus/Lotus, is know for garnering the award of China's most disgusting female blogger of 2005. She gained popularity when she posted pictures of herself on her blog in clandestinely sexual poses with self-given personal accolades of herself--which is interpreted as narcisstic. Her popularity was cemented when the Communist government banned a TV station from airing a program about her.
In Virtual China's post, the writer sarcastically asked if she was welcomed at the 2006 Blogger Conference - the answer being "Um, no." From my perspective of the Chinese blogsosphere, Virtual China's tongue and cheek question point to the various splits within the blogger community in China. Blogs in China have been seen as a tool and opportunity for the individual to express thoughts about various facets of social life - there is a tendency for bloggers with a political or social bent to look down upon bloggers like Sister Furong 芙蓉姐姐 - who have a different interpretation of what parts of daily life to express. What drives people to be continually fascinated with her uninhibited public performances and unapologetic self-expression? Part of the reaction in comments left on her blog about her are directed at her physical appearance. Comments reveal that people are appalled by her shameless blog posts because she is so "disgustingly ugly," fat, vain and stupid. It would be safe to assume that people would be less upset if she did that same actions - posting provocative pictures of herself --IF she were considered beautiful by traditional Chinese standards.
Although she may seem obnoxious, I think her overwhelming online popularity point to some of the personal feelings and questions that the Chinese are unable to articulate or unwilling to admit. Everything about Sister Furong, from her body to her blog, spits at the current boundaries of Chinese femininity and the appropriateness of online conduct, and in process questions notions of beauty, sexuality and self-expression--she puts all of herself out there. No wonder why she is so popular.
Translated quote from Tianya on ESWN:
"Thanks to Furong Jiejie, we found out the power of the Internet. We need not say more, but every Chinese netizen knows who she is. It only took several brief months from the several photographs on the SMTH BBS to the coverage on foreign television programs. Compared to the tens of millions in money spent on the publicity for the movie The Promise, Sister only needed to stage a few poses and click on the mouse a few times."
Quotes by Sister Furong:
"My friends all said the government should be encouraging a positive, helpful girl like me."
"To men, I am the sweetest flower. They love to drink my nectar."
"I have a pair of beautiful hands which go harmoniously with my outstandingly slim body."
"My skin is as smooth as a that of baby."
Technorati Tags: blog, blogger, body, female, online, woman, sexuality, sister furong