The German Thomas Derksen is revered in China because of its video clips as a Buddha. Through his stories, he has become the Mediator of the cultures.
Steffen root, ARD Studio in Shanghai
one of the best-known Germans in China, Thomas Derksen in addition to Angela Merkel, Oliver Kahn and Miro Klose. Born in the Gummersbach in Germany is almost unknown in China, the 30-Year-old with his Video clip a well-paid Online-Star. However, he was not with his German name, but in “Afu”, which is his Chinese nickname.
view in the Chinese kitchen
The approximately 10-minute Video-stories of the “Afu” is the story of his life in Shanghai, from living with his Chinese wife, his parents-in-law and a lot of it comes to food.
“food is incredibly important in China, whether in the family, data, or business Meeting – the food plays an important role here. And I also love the Chinese cuisine. That’s why it’s in our Videos often. The people to watch the very happy,” says Derksen.
Seven million Followers online, the Videos of Thomas Derksen, where it’s always about the food track.
no Matter if “Afu” is in the North of China on the road, and sharp Fischuppe tried, or whether he goes in his home town of Gummersbach, East of Cologne in a normal German supermarket shopping: He and his wife make witty Videos, and his Fans in China love this insight into the German way of life, in the mindset of the Germans.
In Facebook, and YouTube has “Afu” around 400,000 Followers. On Chinese Video sites, there are again, almost 20 Times as many. “In China, there are so many platforms. We have I think 20 platforms in total. We have seven million Followers. Sounds like a lot, but only as a means for Chinese conditions.”
a Mediator between the cultures
In recent years, Thomas Derksen alias “Afu has not become” just one of the best-known Germans in China – he is now probably the most influential Intermediaries between the countries and the cultures. Overcome prejudices, learn from each other, with short Videos about real Everyday, he manages to do with his Clips.
“I am interested in Germany, but was never there,” says the 30-year-old Gong Chen, from the Chinese city of Hohhot in the province of Inner Mongolia, “for me, it is interesting that through him and his Videos a glimpse into the German soul and in the mind-set of the Germans. I am learning so very much about the country.”
Laugh about his nooner
Thomas Derksen wants to do now with books.
To Afus recipes for success that he can laugh about himself. For example, on his – as he himself says – “buddha-like” figure, on his white skin, to the Chinese. And also about how it feels when the strictly traditional and future Chinese father-in-law caught him in flagrante with the daughter.
“that was when we just moved in together. We could afford no apartment of your own. This little tryst is especially expected good! This is really my favorite story, because it shows quite well the ‘Clash of cultures’, ” said Derksen.
greeting from the “tiger father”
This and many other scenes from his life in China Afu has “” in his book, “And daily in the tiger greets a father: As a German son in China, son-in-law“,. The now commercially very successful Video Blogger Derksen tells the story of his life.
Superstar “Afu”: insights into the German soul
Steffen root, ARD Shanghai
08.04.2019 09:05 PM
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