China's Fake Boyfriends | Witness

Having recently turned 27, Li Chenxi has reached the age at which unmarried women in China are labelled 'sheng nu' or 'leftover women'.
It's a stigma that carries deep ramifications within her social life, workplace and especially among her family. But with a blossoming career in Beijing, Li Chenxi has no desire to get married.
As Chinese New Year looms she makes her annual journey home to face greater than ever expectations.
In search of a solution that staves off the marital pressures, Li Chenxi decides to commit the ultimate deception: She hires a handsome boyfriend in Beijing to take home to meet her family and friends.
What could possibly go wrong?
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#AljazeeraEnglish #China #FakeBoyfriends

[@Monkeyninjaghost]

I would have thought bringing a cameraman would be more suspicious than a boyfriend.

[@renzotata7501]

nailed! xD

[@like7oranges]

yeah, they must have said they were making a doc about chinese new year or something to make it seem less suspicious but still i think cameras always make people say things that they might not usually say

[@mebeasensei]

When the mother says, 'Both of you will get tired of doing this' isn't she just saying openly, this is all BS...as if the TV crew wouldn't have alerted her anyway?

[@SeanPannella]

"Mom I want to introduce you to my boyfriend, he has a TV show they are recording now. He wanted to make episode of him meeting my family."

[@theBbOoSSss]

they just acting out the situation. how else you gonna do it?

[@stuka80]

they had absolutely no chemistry, her mom saw right through it.

[@AisuKuma]

Asian parents , lol.

[@sbtopjosh]

And the dad was like "errrr i want no part in this"

[@lizlovesafrobeats]

stuka80

[@snowwhite7677]

You don't need chemistry when you have Parental Nagging!

[@amandaliu7439]

Plus there's a camera crew in their house lol

[@kingmaya222]

it must of been so awkward for him to sit there and laugh while the parents picked him apart lol

[@lizlovesafrobeats]

ikr...they criticized the heck out of him :(

[@mysticalsimmer6311]

Ⓥ s a m ! LMAO TRUE

[@annelieselong7448]

its normal grow balls get use to it

[@annelieselong7448]

it's not hostile. It's normal I mean have you ever had your parents call you out on your bluff?

[@annelieselong7448]

Just because I'm speaking a different approach doesn't mean its hostile there are way harsher words that could be said on the internet.

[@1murkeybadmayn]

wow the mum figured that out so quick, she didn't buy it for a sec lol

[@freddykrueger5503]

Now what if she brought a br0tha home. I wonder what reaction that would result in..

[@leban8155]

She would not be pleased with it but who cares? You just gotta move on.

[@VIsTheMusic]

That's right people, you can NOT fake Chemistry, if there is no Chemistry, everyone around you will feel scammed... Hahahahaha!!! Don't scam your loved ones OMGOSH !!!

[@rothvinbosley1335]

That is our American approach but not in such a family oriented society. You do not do what you want. We have a lot of freedoms here in the USA others never have or even think they should have. Many societies do not believe that the sexes are equal and should equal rights even the concept of such a think.

[@MoejiiOsmanTV]

exactly vi - a mother can always tell

[@angryreader8857]

Im always glad when Al Jazeera releases a documentary about topics as niche as this. They do it really well.

[@MEGIDIOT]

+Handsomely Masked Sweet Mask Agreed. It's been a while since I have clicked on an Al Jazeera documentary. The quality may have gone down since 4 years ago, but maybe it's just an impression...

[@baddpeachez]

you would think her family would be happy for her because she is independent and successful, but they focus on the only flaw they can find. its so sad, I hope her family and other families value success other than marriage.

[@silvervixen007]

I agree 😕

[@Hewwo333]

I agree too.

[@WeiYinChan]

+Jasmin W That's just sad, a woman's life is worthless unless she is a wife and a mother? It doesn't matter if she had won the noble price or cure cancer or lead a country, if she isn't a wife and a mother she is not successful? Great values.

[@jasminflower3814]

@108999492415701035649 Most Women are ment to be mothers. Not money hungry ladder climbers. Once the children have grown up they can pursue the nobel peace prize.

[@WeiYinChan]

+Jasmin W and really? Contributing to humanity is "hungry ladder climbing"? Then don't use technologies, don't enjoy anything modern because they are all created by "hungry ladder climbers".

[@user-lf9en5nr7l]

The mom knows what's up because of the camera crew.

[@JordanCTerrell]

+Brngo Mosam Thanks for watching!

[@oldmanstalkerdudette]

TRUE

[@Andiotic]

I would think that made things pretty obvious... LoL

[@martinez3690]

j90530934597 im so stupid that when I read your comment I screamed, "OHHH!" Because I completely forgot that there was a camera involved in this masterpiece

[@r.d3227]

That’s it. This was a pretty lame set up

[@megabigblur]

The odd thing about Chinese culture (and not just in China but in many Chinese diaspora communities) is that when you're a child and in early adulthood, girls are pushed to study and get a good job just as hard as boys are. These is little gender bias when it comes to education, and relationships are somewhat frowned upon as distractions. But then once you hit your mid-to-late twenties the patriarchal traditional "You need a husband and I want grandkids" thing kicks in. Hence these weird situations.

[@curtisgregory517]

all mothers are this way,,, US/Chinese ,,, all. ,,, IF the child allows the mother, she will make decisions for you til you die. When mother's try to do this ,, they must be told ,, I am an adult and I am the only one to make such decisions.... 3,,,, three times this happen to me with Asians. Mothers are the root of this problem, but others will join in, brothers/sisters almost all will join together to sabotage the relationship. There is only one solution to this problem ,,,, (if possible, in a polite/respectful way) you must tell the mother/family, Now I am an adult, you must trust my judgment and support my decision of: WHO/WHEN and IF I will marry... I am the only one with a choice in this matter..... In my case, all 3 relationships were damaged and eventually destroyed by the mothers + the help of others. None of this would have been possible if my 3 partners would have,,,, stood firm on their decision. Most Asians can not do that, at age 20/30/40, til they die,,. They are still only a child in eyes of their mother; Because they allow her to have this power over their life.

[@larramelissa7114]

Because we were raised like that. Even in your 30s or 40s even 50s, God forbid you talk back to your mother. It's difficult to do and you feel bad doing so. Just thinking about it feels like a crime.

[@curtisgregory517]

+Lei Lrm, yeh, "my way or the highway" ,,, I would take the highway, lol. the only crime here is the mom not feeling her adult children are capable of making decisions of who/when/if they marry and being supportive of their choice.

[@eev14]

It's not that different in other countries. I'm 23 now and when i told my mom i was bisexual she was upset because she was afraid i wouldn't give her grandchildren, she didn't care about me liking women.. It's just that she seems to expect that from her 3 children (i have 2 brothers) i should be the one to produce grandchildren.

[@elenakk9125]

Eva Verheij thank god my mom isn't like that, but my grandmother is, to the point that every time i pick up something heavy or my little brother, she tells me to stop because my "uterus will fall and i won't be able to have kids." she's been saying this all my life, probably since my early childhood years, and mind you, i'm 16 so marriage is out of the question for at least the next 15 years for me, let alone childbirth for me

[@mdlg1983]

That poor guy, she treated him so badly she is obviously not mature enough for a real boyfriend.

[@FoodforThought12345678dsds]

exactly, she's an immature fool

[@valarie22]

hence why shes still single

[@nonchalant5315]

I noticed that too, nevertheless he was still polite to her. Maybe she thinks just because she paid for him she can treat him anyway she wants. I don't think she's mature enough to be in a relationship

[@aricr6782]

I think she was just keeping things just like business, it's not like they are in a real relationship and I think she acted very mature (sorry for bad English)

[@maddiethekiller]

nahh she's just to uncomfortable around him because he's so handsome and doesn't know how to act around him (my guess). but I also feel bad for him. He was kinda left out at the ice skating place.

[@froufroudeluxe]

This felt really awkward

[@LAtttiful]

Some people are like "wow he's rude" or "wow she's rude" They were both being shady/rude. Its an awkward situation and they were kind of going blow for blow in a sense. He's like wow what a waste of time, she's already came to conclusion about him prob because he's mixed, he was being insensitive with the fire thing, she was making some snarky comments, he was over it, she was over it. This wasn't the 1st dumb idea to ever happen, and it wont be the last. lol

[@NellieKAdaba]

Yes, I agree

[@yootuubinatwerk]

lol they were both being sarcastic to each other

[@edenlewis2538]

Pretty much

[@theotryhard8651]

He is being paid he is obligated to be nice

[@elizabethbennet4791]

theo tryhard This.

[@TrueDeathless]

It started off alright.. but man they were so disrespectful at the end

[@cesarperezargota]

チャンブリー Ikr. I was shipping them at first but then I got to the end...

[@jesscast5122]

LOL Yeah, at the end she says "You're busy typing all that" and he says " you're right. I'm busy talking to other People" That's a mean Jab!! LOL I guess it's payback for the "enjoy your loneliness" bit...... Maybe she was angry that he didn't try enough. and they got Outed very quickly as fake................

[@Merserissugoi]

you're a boyfriend, harry

[@RibbonVintageGirl]

OH MY GOD! I THOUGHT HE WAS DANIEL RADCLIFFE TOO!!!

[@OttoGrainer27]

I'm A *WHAT!?*

[@rc4443]

I too thought he looked like a discount Daniel Radcliffe

[@onura2710]

Before looking to the commentary, I thought I was the only one thinking that.

[@Tiffany24117]

Harry Potter😄

[@SermonsSubtitled]

She was pretty mean to him when she left him all by himself ! And later she's whining because he keeps typing on the phone! I would refuse to talk to her too, if I were him!

[@FoodforThought12345678dsds]

i think her selfish horrible personality is the reason she is on her own still

[@Matdogg2k]

Talk to me

[@carolvazquez3756]

He is really cute I would date him

[@Zopdoz]

China is just different, they may come off as snobbish but it's just how most of them are, direct & to the point with their feelings. You could say she got that from her mum lol. She interrogated her fake boyfriend & was really blunt with her feelings.

[@SermonsSubtitled]

Yusuf Omar I wasn't refering to her being blunt about her feelings, when I said she was mean. As you can see I refered to her BEHAVIOR of letting him stand there alone the whole time which must have felt very uncomfortable and embarassing for him. She can say what she wants but that doesn't excuse her from not treating him with respect just because she doesn't need him any longer.That was very selfish and childish

[@Mariana-nf6vy]

Based on the video, Sean seemed SO annoyed ALL the time... dude you're getting paid! that's not how you treat a client.

[@annie7743]

I would be annoyed too if I was treated like that, come on! Give respect if you want respect, i know it's his job but dude's not allowed to be treated like a normal human being because he's paid for it??? Miss Mariana S, let's think a bit before be speak.

[@Sidestepleft]

sadly some women can only respond to negativity

[@sophiecat2161]

It's incredibly rude to neglect your guest so you can laugh about him with a friend. I feel bad for Sean, no manners or consideration for his feelings. He's still a human being and paying him as a service shouldn't negate that.

[@turtlemellow]

"thats rude" "oh it doesnt matter".... -__- wow

[@ironpirites]

She's an adorable young woman, but she is a little immature, emotionally - "enjoy your loneliness". That's not a nice thing to say, even to the hired help. Maybe she will meet someone through her work who is suited to her. Nice film, though. It gives an interesting glimpse of ordinary Chinese life.

[@sehamsaleh3634]

naaa she was just joking....

[@Xxamxum]

I felt the same way. That was not nice for her to say at all. She came off as being pretty rude all-around to the guy she hired after her parents rejected him. She didn't have to behave that way.

[@eighthgradegca]

She is clearly joking, although it's kind of sad that it may be more true for her than him ...... I mean, he's practically a foreigner, Chinese girls in clubs would pounce at him ...... She, on the other hand, is not exactly a catch in Chinese society; Chinese men want attractive docile house-maids, only very ugly or impoverished men would not care about looks......

[@silvervixen007]

+The Geometric Swordfish She looks fine to me. Cute aswell

[@senau4351]

Tbh I think she was only acting that way because the guy seemed like he was being cold to her

[@naturallybornthisway]

Wow meanwhile in western culture, 30s is the new twenties.

[@chancedamon4016]

so true

[@ameyas7726]

They do love their MILFs

[@Kelly101Girl]

Not really, once u hit ur 30s and u never been married it gets a bit strange, especially once ur actually in ur mid to early 40s unmarried and no kids. By that time ppl view u as seeming weird. Ur personality and mentally are DEFINITELY questioned once u get in that age bracket

[@paulinesian3857]

In Asia, 30 is considered old lol.. everyone will start to call you uncle or aunty 😂

[@ooSLEEPWALKERoo]

true, one could have thought she was 17 and not 27

[@chewycactus]

i thought they agreed to say he was 27?

[@NellieKAdaba]

I thought the same

[@CheySenpie]

Doesn't matter

[@alickak8346]

he will not be paid full for not behaving well to his client.. he lucks experience in his job

[@the-chipette]

I feel halfway bad for Sean. He seemed ostracized because maybe he wasn't seen as "Chinese enough", yet came off as arrogant and distant from his Chinese heritage.

[@Sjitninja13]

+chipette While I am ethnically half Chinese, I was raised in the West and I don't feel culturally that connected with China, to be honest.

[@weldon29]

+Sean Baker so why even move to china.

[@_Solace]

+Sean Baker Where in the west did you grow up?

[@Sjitninja13]

In Europe!

[@fernandomuslera753]

dude get an real job

[@nthnprice]

Mom knew he was a hipster homosexual as soon as she met him.

[@Yuchub33]

Oml

[@terriesmith1981]

Lmao😂😂😂

[@rananitasha]

LOL

[@tl11rj7x]

omg true! lol

[@rothvinbosley1335]

How could you tell he was gay by just his dress and body type?? Anyway, he might be the best BF for her. She did not want to get married at that time. Maybe never! And she could have a rent-a-nite husband or BF. She had a good job and he spoke English without much accent. Was he an escort? Who knows but the parents were sure quick to criticize his looks and to say he was too handsome to be reliable was so amazing vs our culture. I think race paid quite a part there. Her family members were all very over weight. He does not look a lot different than many in our entertainment field while most of us are 30 to 50 lbs over weight and the Hispanics on TV look very littl like the short very round and often overweight folks I see here everyday in Las Vegas. Different customs for different societies. Time to say home now and get ready to die!

[@jht3fougifh393]

I actually genuinely felt bad for the fake boyfriend guy. Jeez.

[@Aisha-vh6nc]

On a serious note tho, did she seriously think if a camera crew went in with a mysteriously and good looking so called 'boyfriend' that just popped out from no where, she'd not get found out? I mean put two and two together and there you have it😅👏🏼

[@otto.x5328]

Maybe not bringing a camera crew with you might've helped in fooling your mom, just a thought...

[@weldon29]

They can stay single forever if they are expecting a guy to act like those characters in Korean dramas

[@angryreader8857]

Yeah, though I dont think its particular to them. The same problem afflicts the type of girls who devote huge amounts of time worshipping boy bands and male pop stars such as Justin Beiber.

[@angryreader8857]

Also, i just wanted to point out that the reason shes renting a boyfriend in this documentary is because she is afraid of the intense societal pressure put on her to marry or pair up as soon as possible. She rented so her parents wouldnt lose their minds that she was single.

[@weldon29]

Handsomely Masked Sweet Mask My comment was really more about the girls with extremely unrealistic standards than the girl in the video

[@idiotdetector8506]

+Jyunkai Boy you people are so stupid. This is 100% FAKE. There was no hidden cam. They had a film crew at the parents home. Lol. Stupid people!

[@obsidianstatue]

NO WAY, how dare you. it's obviously the entire society's fault that these left over women cant find a husband.

[@TheBabo15]

This is what happens when you screw up at Hogwarts, you'll end up being a fake boyfriend.

[@Unknown-hj7uc]

Haha

[@ronzac55]

I think i'm gonna travel to China to do this during Chinese New Year. Renting myself out. I look short and round, so yeah i got that going on with me hahah.

[@freddykrueger5503]

You gonna make millions man. You gonna make millions.

[@oldmanstalkerdudette]

lol funny

[@politicaltroll8920]

You sound really reliable.

[@oldmanstalkerdudette]

Political troll lol! I know when I was watching the video I was like.... he looks "unreliable"?!? lol what in the world? funny comment though, gave me a laugh :)

[@elememelon9175]

There was actually a mis translation (my Chinese friend pointed out) they want him to be tall and fat not short XD

[@medicjack8943]

And I'm here struggling to be not forever alone......

[@rothvinbosley1335]

Yes, try not to be alone. Find a girl like the one here who has a good job and just relax! ha You never have to marry anyway. people in the USA are waiting until over age 30 to marry and if married at 20 are on their third one by then with kids to pay for until they reach 18! Amazing that such an handsome think fellow should be considered "unreliable". Fat tall ones can also find love outside the marriage or partnership as well. I think there was a racial problem there that Chinese might have here too.

[@iceasianamericano]

It makes sense that she wouldn't know how to date because her parents dictate everything. It's lucky that she found a job she loves.

[@F-J.]

And away from them.

[@angelahamon6730]

@@F-J. Sad but true. They are just doing what they were taught and so were their parents. Her rebellion might be her only escape from that life. Do you think her sister is really happy? or just happy not to be the outcast?

[@Nicki17321]

He looks like Harry Potter with the glasses on.

[@Pari-uq5vd]

ikr

[@tl11rj7x]

lol

[@blessingkaios4205]

T Allen ur right

[@gone_with_the_wind_again]

Harry Potter wore glasses. Did he not? 🤔

[@F-J.]

And Michael Jackson without 🙃

[@renderz8435]

When relatives ask why u got no bf/gf. Say 'I don't wanna enter into a relationship like yours'

[@kemalasaridina1898]

😂😂😂

[@AnakaStar]

i,feel bad for Sean. he seemed want to hangout with her and she pushed him away.

[@XxCorrinnexX]

He had abit of bad attitude. Like come on, don't rent yourself out if you really don't want to do it.

[@simeonismyname2982]

TRUE!!!

[@svendays]

Clearly they had a falling out. There must have been something that happened off camera which led to them being indifferent towards one another. The tone seemed to change after his rejection by the woman's parents. Maybe she felt like he didn't act well enough?

[@miasakura1933]

What did they tell the parents why there is a camera team?🤔

[@aquamina766]

I was wondering the same thing!

[@mrhamtaro54]

Mia Sakura I think this documentary is not real.

[@penny1152]

Mia Sakura m

[@mrknarf4438]

When they do this kind of things they usually tell them a different story, such as they're making a documentary about people going back home to celebrate new year or about rites, or about presenting a future husband to the family in Chinese culture.

[@Ash-oq2ek]

I like this kinda documentary. Because you get to learn about other cultures and traditions. Well done, AJ!! ✌👏

[@8w3m]

16:28 that girl somehow gotten a boyfriend and her parents say he is malnourished?lol

[@charlotteKILLS]

I'm glad he's not her real boyfriend because her parents (esp mom) were very rude to him. I mean, even if they saw through the ruse and knew it wasn't her boyfriend, they didn't need to point out every perceived flaw they could think of which somehow included being too handsome. He's still a person. I know in a lot of east Asian cultures, people can be a bit blunt and it can come off as rude to westerners, but I think this is one of those times where that was rude no matter where you're from.

[@FrenchPonens]

Breaking news : chinese are super rude. The older they are, the ruder they get..

[@annieb2567]

older generations starved a lot, so they try to make sure younger people are eating enough, especially if they can afford to. I'm told all the time but older people I'm so thin...

[@angelafei5716]

It might come off as rude to you guys because you guys are from the western culture, but Chinese humor is like that. A little rude/blunt. They don't like to sugarcoat things. That's why you notice that when her dad said that, the girl's family was laughing in the background. They weren't laughing at the fake boyfriend, but at the joke her dad made.

[@rothvinbosley1335]

You woman have so much pressure in that society. Before you stayed home and the men worked and now many women work so hard and get a good career going with lots of education and then they are "the left over women by age 27" My Niece is nearly 35 I guess she would be a real old maid. I never married and never had any pressure to produce children either and my bro the same. This couple was very well educated and she had good jobs. Anyone who could speak English as well as they were not the offspring of farmers in the field.

[@scottmerritt3532]

what a brat! Telling someone who gave up his Holiday and travel to a place more desolate and colder than Siberia, "Enjoy your loneliness." t is no wonder she is not married.

[@FoodforThought12345678dsds]

agreed

[@helsiclife]

Scott Merritt she has a shity personality

[@lilacosmanthus]

More desolate than Siberia? Lollllz.

[@leeknowknowsme]

give up his holiday?? it is his job to be a fake boyfriend she paid him for that and he did an awful job

[@ClipOriss]

It was a joke, be more annoyed about his "I know, I don't care!" comment instead, when she told him not to o that because it was rude. And the reason he was there wasn't because he was a good Samaritan , but because he got paid to do a job and from the footage we got he did an awful job. It would have been more joyful to rent a dog and visit instead.

[@btslaundry8750]

I'm wondering what she told her family about the camera team, why they are there, filming them

[@lovecats3715]

bts laundry That’s true, I never thought of that🧐

[@njayflightreportsandtravel6193]

It was stupid that the camera team went in side with them, the parent’s place

[@unsicheresgangbild]

I almost cried. I feel so sorry for those young ladies. As if being married is the most important thing in the world. She has a job, an apartment and she's healthy!

[@roychowdhury4348]

Thank you for bringing this social issue. I felt bad for the young man who came all the way to give her company and then she abandons him on the ice ring when she finds her friend. On top of that she tells him to enjoy his loneliness. That was plain rude. Then when they were waiting at the train station she is trying to get his attention complaining that he is typing away. She is no needy and selfish. No wonder she is alone.

[@angelahamon6730]

She is alone because of the social tide and population issue. She isn't that nice but most people aren't, under pressure. She was rude to him but he's NOT even her friend. he is HIRED HELP. Lots of people are short with the help and we overlook it. I am not defending her, just saying she didn't ditch a boyfriend. She might have wanted a break from the social pressure. Perhaps she should have stayed in the city where she works and not gone home at all. I WONDER: Would the parents have liked the work excuse better?

[@daggerloss]

@@angelahamon6730 Only when we are under pressure and in tough situations do our true natures surface. I do understand that her situation is tough and can empathize with that, but her feelings do not trump his simply because she is paying him. He doesn’t need to be her friend for her to treat him with respect - everyone is deserving of respect. You claim you are not defending her, but you seem to be excusing her actions nonetheless.

[@angelahamon6730]

@@daggerloss That's food for thought. Some employers, even volunteer supervisors, exclude the temp workers when playingwith their friends (ice skating sequence). I've seen worse. If you're suggesting she (or we) should be nicer to people in general, then I'd agree with you.

[@-Unfiltered-CoconuT-]

the guy who keeps hitting them on the ice bumper cars is a possible candidate..😑

[@larkatmic]

Easy. Bring a girlfriend home, and call it a day. Done.

[@steshka1015]

I'm glad my mom don't push me to marry even I'm 30 yrs old now. My answer to relatives annoyingly pressure that issue is Not all life cycle ends in marrying and having family. The generation now is very different. 30 is young. I'm not achieving yet the success I wish.

[@RanSantiago]

Awesome documentary, as always! I don't like the girl here very much, though. I think Sean was absolutely nice to her (even though yes, maybe they sort of don't match that well) but she was a little bit self-centered, I think? Even in the latter part where she was sort of complaining to him how she's not doing anything while he's typing. I mean, just in the scene before that, she was having fun with her friend while he was just standing! Oh well. Some people can be too picky without considering the other party, I guess.

[@bonbadilmoi9325]

this women is weird to say the truth, she already forgot he was paid to ACT as a boyfriend not to be a real boyfriend, if i where him, when the parents are not around i would go my way, this women is rude with very special standard, the type of women you don't want to hangout with.

[@Inlieuofsue]

What happened in the scene prior though? She had to correct his behavior. He obviously is lacking and she lost any regard she had for him. He said he knew about what those people were doing with the fire and he said "it didn't matter" just because he wanted a pic. They were paying respects to those who have passed away.

[@user-uc2li5hh9s]

Sue +1 completely agree!! plus she sounded like she was joking about him not paying attention anyway.

[@ethanlinton1159]

I felt this way in most Chinese women. in NY i think is a kind of culture;lack of sympathy,reciprocity,kindness,open to man,get fun just because he or she is human(i am man) but I found lovely women in Korean south women even Japaneses to the capacity to be happy around my(or with my jokes) this thing(the weird Chinese women)just like to keep away from me, Chinese women and besides the pretty and beautiful i found is a Korean and second Japaneses not at all but in my personal live.Of course sometimes there are hot chinese but about to intimacy,closeness they turn very cold.

[@ooSLEEPWALKERoo]

thank you, exactly what i thought. she is just all about herself and not even thinking for a sec what she is doing to other people. she is acting like a little child

[@bluesilverandwhite]

As a Chinese myself, it really hurts to watch this. Men are required to be very rich while women are required to look certain way. I wish I can choose someone based on them not what they have or how they look.

[@simeonismyname2982]

Both she and he really were jerks. Did anybody else think he looked like Harry Potter though? He was definitely a Slytherin.

[@justme7246]

but i think he's more of aaa ravincalw maybe

[@SepherStar]

There's no such thing as a "left over" Chinese woman, as men significantly outnumber women in China. There are only left over Chinese men, and they are left over due to patriarchal mentalities that have come back to bite men. In China, traditionally women were expected to marry up, and men were expected to marry down, such that the man would be higher status than his wife. But the more educated and affluent a woman is, the less there are who are more educated and more affluent, and the men who are left are ones who are not as educated or affluent. So for every single Chinese woman, no matter her age, there are many single Chinese men. And then a lot of these women don't want to marry.

[@dothedeed]

The men are called "bare branches".

[@SepherStar]

Well the Chinese certainly have no qualms about calling people hurtful names do they?

[@dothedeed]

SepherStar nope

[@jasminflower3814]

That is very interesting. Thank you.

[@davidlee723]

Hypergamy i.e. marrying up is not a tradition that is confined or even unique to China. It is the default expectation in 99.9% of the globe, even in western and liberal countries. The vast majority of women want to marry a man who is at the very least equal or preferably more educated, wealthier, taller etc. than them. The "male superior" mentality is a product of evolutionary biology.

[@maddiethekiller]

I want to rent Sean. for a life time. he's so handsome.

[@rowanbeard506]

The guy is useless.. he can't even pretend to be a good boyfriend.

[@jotarojo0]

He seems so narcissistic, it's unattractive. I wouldn't waste time with that boy.

[@Aliciousification]

hes cute but probably gay hahahhaa and really bad at his job ! hahaha

[@EnteIexia]

He's really ugly... In my opinion.

[@makenzie8577]

too cute

[@itssnicoladsa]

gonna rent sean out for a bit.. d'you think the UK is a bit far to travel?

[@2law2be]

LMAO

[@F-J.]

As long as you pay for all the expenses 😄

[@flopimus]

He should have played Quidditch with her...

[@monaj33]

yes

[@munaqabamuttazawija9384]

I think most people missed the point. She was talking about how important her job is to her. She probably doesn't want a boyfriend and get married now cause she's really dedicated to her work.

[@crystalreed4052]

Sean is the Asian Harry Potter!!!!

[@cerealkilla8930]

"He's too good looking?!" Thanks, Mom...

[@spiral272]

As an American it seems like a lot of Asian countries are facing similar and equally ludicrous societal issues as America did in the 60's and 70's. Breaking with tradition and establishing a way of life that is not based entirely on doing exactly what your ancestors did.

[@lazyscorpion3889]

True ive seen the same. As an east african i find it common in west africa and many islamic states - i find this backward though!!

[@angelahamon6730]

@@lazyscorpion3889 Wow Christian fundamentalists, Islamic fundamentalists and Buddhist fundamentalists. Who'd have thought they have so much in common?

[@fashamamat9803]

sad.....i'm single women, 28 and this show hit me hard. I want to get married but no one love me.I want to keep searching and I hope society stop pushing me.It hard to search for someone right for myself😑

[@TNguWinter]

fasha mamat Heya. I'm Thomas from California. I'm 27 and single too. I'll be 28 next month.. Tell me about yourself..

[@fashamamat9803]

Thomas Nguyen from Malaysia, 28 this april.Malay.muslim😁

[@starlitemo97]

+Thomas Nguyen from America 16 will be 17 this year

[@fashamamat9803]

FirstName LastName haha.time to search more. We all know it not gonna work out😁

[@an.dr.16561]

im Andre im a woman im 23 🚺

[@lilu3743]

There is no way that y'all can't tell that man is Gay.

[@TheKBDestiny]

although there is nothing wrong with him being gay, but yeah i got that vibe from him....

[@lilu3743]

Detective John Kimble, No one asked you narrow minded biggot.

[@KeysCrystal]

His profile says hes lookin for a woman...so I dont think he is rofl

[@supanovagrlg3416]

Detective John Kimble Nobody cares. Homosexuality is so innocuous, go find something else to complain about.

[@ClipOriss]

Here is the thing, just because someone behaves and moves a certain way, in this case more feminine, doesn't really say if they are gay or not. There are a lot of men and women who fit your stereotype of gay but are totally straight

[@3forte]

Her mom saw right through that silliness. Thank goodness he is fake too. What kind of fool takes pictures of people burning offerings?

[@FoodforThought12345678dsds]

i do

[@tl11rj7x]

right that was so rude of him. She should have picked a Chinese fake bf at least lol

[@arashimae8310]

hes a half chinese though o.o

[@rothvinbosley1335]

You folks come from that culture and know all those customs. Most people here would think burning paper for smoke to honor the dead strange! Also the fruits and things one sees at grave sites. That is why I am going to stay in Las Vegas now at age 72 and I do not have to learn all these things again especially the language problem! I am sure when Chinese come here and many do to LV they also are shocked when we have knives and forks to eat food and we never bow to others. Men shake hands and only if the woman offiers you hers do you shake her hand. Naturally Chinese who have traveled all over would know about these things but many as in the USA have never left our country.

[@rothvinbosley1335]

I think that was the main problem. They are about as racially prejudiced as we are here and he is a half-breed but his English was nearly perfect.

[@operazx7745]

Lack of love is the primary problem in our modern society....

[@jsung90]

lol cute 30 year olds acting like 16.. haha

[@FoodforThought12345678dsds]

The girl has no mind of herself, she says to her friend exactly what her mother says, she is fool

[@MusicforMe123]

@ 24:28, looks like someone is interested and he is short and round.

[@FatmanQQ]

so true!

[@goognamgoognw6637]

haha, you're right ! and he is from her hometown.

[@yukiefromoz2573]

Lol!

[@daniela123475]

hes not the right one for you becouse hes too good looking ...... ok...... ok.....XD

[@ethanlinton1159]

too good looking too chance to get laid often with other women, mom wise

[@seoulstice85]

Can't fool a mother's intuition.. She called it like it was with the quickness...

[@zzero9438]

come on, the mom's not that stupid to see his fabulousness~

[@KateLove21]

I found the woman extremely rude to her pretend date. Maybe it was because she was in front of cameras? or maybe she wished so deeply that he really WAS her boyfriend that she felt being rude to him was the only way to relieve her feelings? But I mean, she contacted him so ... If she's like that usually I can see why she's single. In a country so overpopulated by men I have to say I'm surprised by the topic of this documentary.

[@dmaster225]

If chinese men and women would lower their expectations, there would be less single people.

[@blythe8948]

Oh my god, she was so rude and immature to him

[@laurenche5239]

How Can I find that guy?

[@tharun960]

Mum and dad want her to find someone short and round like the dad was haha

[@Akakiba15]

Sean's kinda a introverted standoffish kind of guy it'd be hard for one to feel confortable around that even I was cringing

[@juan54321]

thannk you so much thid was so interesting

[@hui-lingchang287]

anyone think he looks a bit like a slightly oriental harry potter?

[@Sjitninja13]

+Hui-Ling Chang Hah. Heard that one a lot.

[@hui-lingchang287]

+Sean Baker woah hi Sean

[@Sjitninja13]

+Hui-Ling Chang Hello there, haha.

[@hui-lingchang287]

Sean Baker are u still doing this job? aka hiring yourself out haha

[@Sjitninja13]

Haha, no no.

[@EyewitnessHistoryChannel]

Ahh, Jazeera taking the Vice approach, I like it.

[@joyo17]

Actually Aljazeera has been doing these kinds of documentaries way before vice has.

[@EyewitnessHistoryChannel]

joyo17 Oh right

[@CyPsyGuy]

vice is a feminazi network now.

[@DFxAngelz]

+CyPsyShyGuy That and it's at Buzzfeed level - it's now a joke to call them documentaries with what they do.

[@EyewitnessHistoryChannel]

CyPsyShyGuy

[@MrShamsiyah]

That pretty boy needs to take some fake boyfriend classes or actually try dating a girl before commercializing his purported good looks.

[@THEVENGENCEGURU]

I feel bad for the dude !, like I hope he's getting paid for this.

[@weldon29]

+aridaman yadav he is. didn't you watch the vid, the girl hired her to be her fake bf

[@TheZacdes]

Do you not understand English, or did"nt you watch the vid?? Of course he gets paid, thats what the vids about...DUH:/

[@mattgaetz5548]

I lived and worked in South Korea in the early 80s. I met plenty of single girls my age back then (early 20s) and sometimes ones a little older - 25 to 30. The older ones openly mentioned being desperate to get married. Not to marry me but a Korean man. It was like a clock ticking and they were doomed if still single being over 30 years of age.

[@angelahamon6730]

What a thing to be judged for! and in the US, especially with the overturn of Roe V Wade, we have a lot of women pressured to have kids they do not want. It was a fascinating show. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@yadig8157]

If I rent a boyfriend I'll literally have my mom help me pick and all. I'd let my whole family know the dude is a rental I just want company lol

[@EustaquioSantimano]

Good documentary. Learnt something new today.

[@misslynda82]

Wow the Mum wasn't fooled for one second. Mother's intuition

[@elizcringle6505]

Wow, this didn't turn out at all like "The Wedding Date" or "My Fake Fiancé" or any of those other silly romance movies that Hollywood tries to force down women's throat. I wish romance writers would watch this before churning out another implausible movie that ends with a happy ending. Also, I thought China had a shortage of women, with the one child rule and most parent opting for a male child.

[@richardsun6435]

that might be true 20 years ago but now its really just western propanganda. more people want to have daughters now because its less financially exhausting compared to having sons

[@elizcringle6505]

Rooster Sun LOL!!! I love it!!! It's about time China started seeing the value of the female child. Although I hope there won't be an imbalance where the ratio of women outnumber the men.

[@richardsun6435]

that will most likely not happen just because of the weight that tradition holds in society. this new trend is more due to convenience. prc now allows a second child if both you and your spouse are single children yourselves. in addition, as stated before, men are expected to have a house and car in addition to education to be considered suitable to marry and often times, require great financial support from parents to achieve that.

[@elizcringle6505]

Rooster Sun In the long term the requirement for a man to have a house, car and great education before being considered is for marriage is going to backfire and there's going to end up being a lot of women, who'll never get married. The emphasis should be on "team work", fall in love (or be compatible) get married, work together and build something long lasting (a home,car, children, ect). Expecting a man to have a great education, a house and car before a woman will consider marrying him is the Western equivalent of a fairy-tail. Fairy tales create unrealistic expectations women should look for in men, which is keeping many Western women from finding love and getting married.

[@LAtttiful]

+Elizabeth Carey Chinese women* The requirement of a house, car, and a great education is not a requirement for western women before marriage.

[@mattnielsen6793]

She's pretty immature, lying to her parents and friend at the same time, and thinking that if you bring a camera crew the mom won't suspect anything. This life is so bleak. It disgusts me how people like her allow their lives and happiness to be limited by what other people think. You've got 50-60 years to live if you're lucky. Use it, fool.

[@allstardemon]

Great stuff al jazeera!

[@satsuandsayri6307]

I am a mother and I never pushed my daughters to get married young. All I wanted from my daughters was to achieve their dreams. That mother should me proud of her daughter not punishing her. My oldest daughter didn't get married until she was 31 year old. She enjoyed her single years and I am proud of her. So what if she wasn't married at younger age. She's happy with her life and that's all that matters.

[@brsta4605]

Did her mom not wonder why a camera crew came into her house? Lol it was probably what gave her the clue it was fake.

[@COOKiECRUNCHix3]

Already imagining a romance movie based on this where the fake couple actually fall in love in the end after pretending to be together for a while lol

[@michelacevedo318]

COOKiECRUNCHix3 Omg same!

[@jasminc6887]

There is actually a kdrama based off of that ~ I forget the name

[@iqbalrather4292]

Aljazeera makes the best documentaries. Keep it up!!!

[@tysloo81]

traditional value suck. do we have a choice not to get marry, what so important about getting marry anyway, we have right to live freely.

[@ibrahimkhan4240]

so right

[@xjohnnyxriverra]

see where it take you without value. But know right and wrong within the value.

[@jsmith9264]

Every woman that has bought the Jew's lies and doesn't have kids is going to be miserable when they're old and realize they have failed.

[@SepherStar]

Go take your medication.

[@barbatvs8959]

To live freely? So you want your woman to be free to go with other men? So she would want you to be free to go with other women?

[@Aycheksie]

If this weren't nonfiction it'd make a great lesbian romantic comedy.

[@amberwilson3736]

That fake boyfriend of hers seems like a jerk. If he talked to me like that...well let's just day I wouldn't be as polite as she was. LOL

[@lizlovesafrobeats]

😂😂😂

[@AisuKuma]

The subs aren't really accurate , rather in Chinese it sounds much more polite since there aren't really any words that exactly translates the full meaning of the meaning in Chinese.

[@GeraltBosMang]

handsome guys are like that. same goes with girls honestly.

[@ooSLEEPWALKERoo]

yeah right, and she was just being so nice using him as a tool for lying to her parents and bringing a camera team along to document. really, lovely girl, no wonder she has to get fake friends

[@heic1971]

Where do I sign up?

[@Etteot]

Very interesting and well made video, but how did they manage to bring the camera crew to meet the family? That kind of seems like a dead giveaway.

[@linlinluvzore]

there was a minor mistake :the harbin is -14 degree, not 40

[@Pari-uq5vd]

wow I was like... -40? is that even possible?

[@jebsmith323]

In North America, it can be -50 or lower. Fahrenheit.

[@Pari-uq5vd]

Jane EB Smith in Alberta is usually -50 Celsius

[@hominyboy]

Government in china used to provide free coal supplies to households in the winter in Harbin. They stopped doing that but now they heavily subsidize the cost of coal in those areas. Otherwise, nobody could afford to live in those places, and the chinese are not interested in having absolutely everybody live in the South. Too crowded already, not enough resources.

[@waniss7017]

To all women who being pressured by their soceity to get married, I know the feeling. I've been there. I'm very desperate to get married before reached 30 YO. But now I'm married, I feel like want to go back in time and tell myself in the past to think through and don't make quick decisions that make me regret in the future. Now I want to be single again. I want to know other people. I feel like I got married too fast before. I want to appreciate my freedom to do whatever I want.

[@lazyscorpion3889]

Omg 😳 thanks

[@monaj33]

God Bless...never too late

[@mytaebae8553]

Where can I get one.?!

[@javieraramirez4289]

There is about 35 million more men than women in China. How is it possible that there is such a concept as a "leftover woman" when that is the current situation! crazy

[@missshiro2801]

That's pretty much the exact reason. Theres already so little women yet many don't want to marry, so they pressure woman to marry for fertility and stuff.

[@eligirl100]

And men don't want to marry women who are in their 30s either which sucks

[@PHlophe]

Um. me thinks polygamy would have solved a few things. I don't get the hangup though. Then in China like everywhere else , too many blokes want their dopey docile servant. When I was in Peru , the men married one woman and had a harem of mistresses ( supplement , that's how they call it ).

[@ironclad7768]

The women choose this circumstance.

[@PHlophe]

Ironclad they are coerced into it by the Menz

[@danielleransom123]

-There the parents beg their daughters to bring home a boyfriend every day. -Meanwhile in America- Parents are threatening their daughters to never bring a boyfriend home or elsewhere everyday.

[@MusicforMe123]

Very interesting insight in Chinese culture. Wouldn't the parents ask "Whats with all the cameras". The mom is smart, right away she does not believe he is her daughter's boyfriend.

[@bonbadilmoi9325]

my thought too. A camera crew, a sudden bf....anyone would feel like it was staged somehow, old secluded peoples are not that dumb.

[@Fendy1]

She took a gamble by making some pretty brash comments about the boyfriend. That would ruin any potential possibility for those two - how tactless!

[@omrams5657]

The mom and daughter are the same. She bored when she was busy with her friend and the guy just standing there alone. No wonder she's still single.

[@FantasticBlueDragon]

does anyone know where that cafe they first met up is located?