| Sumario: | This article examines the emergence of Women Dating Younger Men (WDYM) as a subgenre of Chinese web romance, contextualizing it against the socio-political backdrop of the Chinese Dream. The study analyzes two representative WDYM novels, Mr. Little by Yao Chunbing and Blazing Tracks by Twentine, to illuminate the genre's formulaic narratives and its alignment with state-sanctioned gender ideologies. The rise of WDYM is linked to technological advancements, market dynamics, and increasing political directives and media regulation, resulting in a complex blend of individualistic desires with nationalistic aspirations. This research reveals a shift from earlier web romances' focus on reader engagement to a more pronounced adherence to official gender norms. Within the cultural-moral governance of the Chinese Dream, WDYM narratives distinctly delineate gender roles in private, public, and national realms. Despite incorporating soft masculinities and women's relational dominance in the private sphere, these novels ultimately re-traditionalize gender roles, celebrating men's professional strength alongside women's supportive roles. This marks a departure from previous web romances that advocated for greater female autonomy. By examining WDYM through the lens of romantic nationalism and the semiotics of sacrifice, this study offers insights into the intricate relationship between popular internet literature, gender representation, and state ideology in contemporary China.
|
|---|