Joy Chen (Photo : Weibo)
A commercial on leftover Chinese women, released in early April by skin brand SK-II, was such a big hit that the cosmetic company made another commercial.
The video tackles the dilemma that many single women who are almost 30 years old, called shengnu, face amid society’s pressure for them to marry. Contributing to the confusion on pursuing marriage or not these females face are two best-selling books that present both sides of the argument – that is marrying or remaining single before hitting 30.
What’s on Weibo reported that for the second video, Joy Chen, a Chinese-American author, shares her insight on finding Mr. Right. It is part of SK-II’s Change Destiny campaign in which Chen tells women to first be Ms. Right before she looks for Mr. Right.
The video, a week after it was released on Weibo, had become viral with more than 2 million views and 2,000 shares. The documentary was made by Floyd Ross, a Brooklyn filmmaker, reported Good.Is.
Chen is the author of one of the best-selling book on marriage, titled “Do not Marry Before You’re 30,” published in 2012. Her advice goes against popular thinking that when a women is already 25 and still single, she is a shengnu.
A former deputy mayor of Los Angeles and holder of two graduate degrees, on top of a successful career, she pointed out that an entire generation of outstanding young Chinese women falter when they should be taking flight because of the stigma attached to being a leftover woman.
Success of women in life and love is hinged on gaining experience in her career and love life, which makes sense for her to postpone marrying until she reaches 30, or when she meets the right man and makes a relationship work.
Chen lived her talk. Although she first dated at 18, she married at 38 and had two children at 39 and 41.
