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American Lifestyle in a Pandemic: Bling Empire

I can't say that I was particular a huge fan of Bling Empire.  For me, reality shows are hard to like, mostly because I know that a large portion if not all of it is staged.  While watching Bling Empire, I couldn't help but compare it t other first film we watched for the term which was Crazy Rich Asians.  Both films have to do with quite wealth individuals who live luxurious lives.  The difference I found to be between the two was how they lived their lifestyle.  Crazy Rich Asians seem much more traditional in the sense that it focused much more on family and traditions.  As we learned in the previous documentaries for the class, family history had a big emphasis.  Bling Empire on the other hand, seemed like a much more American lifestyle.  This people who didn't really work for their money just bought and did whatever they wanted.  There is weird drama that happens at the same time.  Bling Empire seems like a very American approach to this wealthy Asian lifestyle.  This must have been so the show could cater to a certain audience or as big of one as possible.  

On a side note that doesn't have much to do with the content of the show, I feel like the timing of the show is just off.  Personally while watching I I just couldn't help but be slightly upset that we can't live like they are.  Not the wealth part, but they are living normal lives and in a time of no pandemic.  The show being released during a pandemic might attract those who miss life without the pandemic.  I feel like me being in a pandemic greatly influenced my opinion of the show.  I am curious to see how the reception of the show would have been if it were released in 2019 or in a few years or something.


Promotional Image for Bling Empire


Promotional Image for Crazy Rich Asians







Comments

  1. AmyMarch 22, 2021 at 2:03 AM

    That's a really interesting observation that you made about viewing the series during a pandemic. I kind of agree that it seems in particularly poor taste to view a carefree and luxury filled life style of the characters in this series. I'm curious if you agreed with the reading that the series is subversive because it adheres so closely to genre conventions though it has an entirely al Asian American cast.

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