Donnie Fan, a writer and comedian, discusses living in Beijing, online dating misadventures, the expat community, cultural differences between New York and Beijing, and future plans. They also touch on comedy, connection with the audience, exploring abuse dynamics, and building a supportive community. Find Donnie on social media and through his website.
Living in Beijing: Surprising modern infrastructure, convenience of shared bikes and scooters, and influence of Chinese culture on the speaker's work.
Freedom of expression: Being able to do comedy without constantly defending views and focusing on vulnerability and personal experiences.
Expectations vs reality: Beijing as a developed city with modern amenities, differences in car culture, and cultural values compared to the speaker's hometown in America.
Challenges and future plans: Difficulty in finding suitable job opportunities in America, appreciation for the supportive comedy scene in Beijing, and desire to continue exploring American-Chinese storytelling fusion in the speaker's work.
Deep dives
Experience of an Expat in Beijing
The speaker, an American expat, shares his experience of living in Beijing. He initially had the perception that China would be a more rural, bicycle-centric country, but was surprised to find developed cities, nice cars, and modern infrastructure. He highlights the convenience of shared bikes and scooters and the widespread use of technology. He also discusses his interest in Chinese culture and cinema and how it influenced his work as a writer and musician.
Freedom of Living in Beijing
The speaker finds more freedom in Beijing compared to the pressure he felt in America. He appreciates the opportunity to do comedy without constantly having to defend or fight for his views. He values being true to himself as a vulnerable and personal comedian without feeling the need to tear down the world. He believes in focusing on his own experiences and deep understanding of characters rather than conforming to outside pressures.
Culture Shock and Expectations
The speaker had some expectations of living in Beijing based on his research and exposure to Chinese films and culture. He expected a more rural and bike-friendly environment but was surprised to find a developed city with modern amenities. He discusses the shift in car culture, the convenience of shared bikes, and his interest in Chinese films and music. The speaker also talks about the differences in mindset and cultural values between Beijing and his hometown in America.
Future Plans and Challenges
The speaker reflects on his long-term future in Beijing and the challenges he may face if he were to return to America. He discusses the difficulty of finding suitable job opportunities that align with his experience and goals. The speaker also mentions his appreciation for the supportive comedy scene in Beijing and his desire to continue exploring the fusion of American and Chinese storytelling in his work.
Exploring Culture Shock and Communication Issues in China
The podcast episode discusses the experiences of a Chinese person who went abroad for 10 years and then returned to Beijing. The episode focuses on the challenges of cultural shock and communication issues the person faces upon their return. It highlights the clash between traditional Chinese culture and foreign influences in Beijing, such as organic markets run by foreigners. The episode also delves into the importance of understanding and identity in navigating cultural differences.
Interpreting and Reimagining Medea
The podcast episode explores the interpretation and reimagining of the Greek tragedy Medea in a modern context. The conversation centers around the motivations and dynamics of Medea, a strong feminist character who takes control of her own life. The episode discusses how the play uses communication breakdown and the challenges of a deteriorating relationship to delve into the tragic consequences. It also touches on the emotional impact of the performance on the audience, particularly those who have experienced similar situations in their own lives.
Upcoming Project: Musical Comedy in Beijing
The podcast episode concludes with a discussion about the comedian's upcoming project, a musical comedy set in Beijing. The project aims to parody the foreign influences and cultural clashes in the city, featuring a Chinese protagonist who has returned after years studying abroad. The comedian expresses the desire to uplift and support the artistic community around him, as well as explore themes of identity and coming of age through his work.
This Episode, recorded on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, sees me sit down with writer and comedian Donnie Fan. A self-described “mixed blood of Chinese descent” hailing from New York, Donnie has found a new home here in Beijing China. Fresh off of the production of his first tragedy, Medea, based on the play by Euripides, Donnie is now focusing his efforts of developing his own hour-long stand up routine which he plans to take across the country. Here we talk about what it’s like to live in Beijing and China, how long we’ve each been here (very similar!), what keeps us here and what Donnie wants to work on going forward. This is a funny one as Donnie has plenty of stories to share about his life here in China!
You can find Donnie on several Chinese social media outlets including Weibo and WeChat in addition to the usual Western social media outlets, including Instagram and Facebook. Or get in touch with Donnie through his website, donniefan.com.
