PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIP: AN ANALYSIS OF LI ZIQI AND HER AUDIENCES

Abstract

Li Ziqi, as a successful Chinese influencer, already obtained 9.66 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 69 million fans in China by April 11, 2020. This thesis explored why Li Ziqi is popular around the world. Using textual analysis, the construction of three of her videos and selected comments (1332 in total) on YouTube were analyzed. This thesis argued that the audiences had positive attitudes and affective connections with the life and the lifestyle portrayed in her videos, as well as with the Li Ziqi as a character in the films and the Li Ziqi as a real person in reality. Furthermore, they helped the audiences build a parasocial relationship with Li Ziqi’s world and Li Ziqi herself through legalizing the authenticity of them. This kind of long-term relationship contributed to the popularity of Li Ziqi.