25/09/2025 (Thursday) 13:00-14:00 E21-G002
Streaming platforms as cultural intermediaries: Netflix and its representation of Chinese culture
Abstract:
With a particular focus on Netflix, this talk investigates streaming platforms as cultural intermediaries. Specifically, it centers on the platform’s curation of Chinese television dramas, exploring how they represent Chinese culture. I first elaborate on Netflix’s dual role in mediating non-Western cultures – both promoting them and framing them through the lenses of platform imperialism and cultural imperialism that contain stereotypes and bias. This is followed by an analysis of a selection of Chinese television dramas,such as Love Between Fairy and Devil (2022), that are streamed on Netflix, focusing on two prominent genres– costume dramas and contemporary romantic dramas. My analysis considers two key dimensions: visual spectacle and the portrayal of female characters. The research finds that Netflix’s curation of Chinese television dramas not only amplifies the exotic dimensions of Chinese culture but also perpetuates a biased representation of gender roles
Bio:
Dr. Xiao Yang is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Macau. Her research focuses on Chinese film and media industries and the globalization of Chinese and Asian culture. Her recent research has been published in Asian Studies Review, Asian Cinema, and Television and New Media.
