Love it or hate it, anyone who lives in China knows that U.S. sitcom The Big Bang Theory is a major hit with Chinese viewers. This points to the fact that celebrities who may have a certain type of fan base in their home country could have a much bigger one in China composed of different demographics, and it’s important for brands considering endorsement deals to keep a close eye on which stars are popular with which Chinese viewers.
This week’s Thoughtful China interviews Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki on his experience with stardom in China, as well as Adam Roseman, founder and CEO of FansTang, a Chinese news and celebrity content company. In the segment, host Trevor Lai discusses with them why The Big Bang Theory is so popular in China, how to build up a social media fan base, and why certain foreign stars gain so much attention.