The Complex Allure and Cost of Influencer Culture in Contemporary Beijing

Claire Jia’s debut novel, "Wanting," delves deeply into the burdens of wealth—its pursuit, preservation, and ostentatious display. While these themes heavily shape the lives of the story’s protagonists, they may weigh more heavily on the reader, prompting reflection on the true cost of materialism. Through the intertwined lives of two friends, Ye Lian and Luo Wenyu, Jia skillfully examines the enduring tensions between love and money, alongside the clash between romantic aspirations and material greed.

Growing up together amid the affluent neighborhoods of 1990s Beijing, Ye Lian and Luo Wenyu shared dreams shaped by old Hollywood films and reruns of ‘Friends,’ fueling their fantasies of life in America. Their paths diverged when Wenyu relocated to California a decade ago. Now, she returns transformed—not the rebellious schoolgirl with a penchant for shoplifting, but a renowned and wealthy YouTube influencer known as 'Vivian,' sporting bleached blond hair and engaged to a conventional finance professional named Thomas.

Meanwhile, Lian has remained in Beijing, leading a conventional and stable life. She holds a lucrative position at a tutoring firm dedicated to preparing the children of China’s elite for admission to American universities. Her boyfriend, a physicist from a slightly wealthier family, joins her on weekend excursions touring upscale condominiums and playing badminton. Yet beneath this seemingly comfortable existence lies a sense of stagnation. Lian’s life feels too predictable—like rain softly falling into a pond—and she admits to being too afraid to pursue greater ambitions, settling instead for what is easily within reach.

Wenyu’s return shatters this quiet equilibrium. When Lian learns of Wenyu’s secret romantic involvement, her initial shock quickly transforms into envy. The dynamic between them echoes the literary tension familiar to readers of Elena Ferrante: Wenyu embodies the daring, ambitious, and sometimes self-destructive figure, while Lian represents the cautious, diligent, and more conventional counterpart. Yet, it is not Wenyu’s romance that provokes Lian’s deepest jealousy, but rather her status as a social media influencer. Jia presents this lifestyle—financially lucrative yet spiritually hollow—with an intriguing ambivalence. As Lian trails Wenyu through their old Beijing haunts, helping to generate “Chinese content,” the narrative invites readers to question whether a life built on self-promotion and brand endorsements truly deserves admiration.