Chapter 47.1 – Rich second generation

Chapter 47.1 <— click on the link to read

What is a “rich second generation” kid?

If you read Chinese novels, one of the most common characters, especially in a modern setting is the “rich second generation” person. They are Fuerdai (富二代) and “rich second generation” is the literal translation of that term.

However, this is a concept that goes way beyond the literal. I mean, check out this title: “Children of the Yuan Percent: Everyone Hates China’s Rich Kids.”

Fuerdai are those people who are the children of the nouveau riche of the early years of China’s economic reforms from the 1970s onwards. From a socialist society, China has emerged as the country with the most number of billionaires in the world.

One of the social problems China and many other countries face now is social inequality. Fuerdai are loathed because they are seen as arrogant and privileged. As the article I linked to above says, “fuerdai are to China what Paris Hilton was to the U.S. a decade ago, only less tasteful.” Note: Paris Hilton is actually an “old money” heiress but she acts more like the nouveau riche.

But do not call every rich character a fuerdai!

People from wealthy clans, families, or sects are not fuerdai. Those whose parents are nouveau riche are fuerdai.

Authors will normally call a character fuerdai only if they have the stereotypical fuerdai traits – arrogance, stupidity, uselessness, loudness, and a penchant for vulgar displays of wealth.

A “rich second generation” character is the opposite of a refined, wealthy gentleman. That crude, boorish, gaudily-dressed annoying brat whose parent is a rich merchant? That’s a fuerdai.

Apparently the fuerdai like to study abroad. There is a reality TV show about them on Youtube: HBICtv: Ultra Rich Asian Girls. I do not recommended watching it.

Thank you for reading this. I hope this explanation was fun.