한한(韓寒), 문화영웅인가공공지식인인가

More than 30 years have elapsed since China initiated its economic reform policies. Han Han, a critic of Chinese economic reform policy, and the Balinghou’s (people born Post- 1980’s, 八零后) leading author, was born in a post-Socialist China. Han Han is also a race car driver, a power blogger, a movie film director, and a creative writer. So this begs the questions, why are nearly 6 million Chinese, mostly Balinghou’s, born after1980’s and 90’s, so wildly excited about Han Han? What traces does his literature leave? What is it about Han Han’s socially critical blogs that attracts so many young readers? What about his first film? What meaning and influence does each these leave? The purpose of this research is to examine the transformation of Han Han’s literary work and blog from its role as a post-Socialist producer to becoming a leading agent in its cultural industry. Utilizing Critical Cultural Studies, this research will probe the following topics through the lens of literature and cultural production mechanism: How does cultural policy of Socialist Chinese Administration affect the writer’s work? How does a publishing company’s success affect the book’s publication longevity? How does the readers and writers relationship result in such a major fan following? Han Han brought forth the “Han Han phenomenon” in post-Socialist China, and he now is called a “cultural hero”. Also, through societal criticisms discussed in his blog, he’s also considered a master of social commentary for many young, working professionals. Han Han’s literature works and blog show a very clear understanding of both the literary and cultural mechanisms for the Balinghou in post-Socialist China. Han Han is able to use his extensive knowledge of these Chinese ideologies to probe the country’s culture, political leanings, and the position of the Balinghou in this rapidly changing nation.