- Online content creator, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is offering a prize of US$25,000 to each of 10 random individuals who follow him on X
- US-based online personality – whose personal net worth is estimated to be US$500 million – is famous for his extravagant videos
American YouTuber MrBeast has made a bang as he enters Chinese social media. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube@MrBeast/X.comThe world’s richest YouTuber, MrBeast has arrived with a bang on Chinese social media. He generated a fresh round of hysteria by offering a cash giveaway of US$25,000 to each of 10 random individuals.
The US-based online personality – whose personal net worth is estimated to be US$500 million – is famous for his extravagant, luxurious and bold videos which cover everything from philanthropy to science experiments and survival challenges.
MrBeast – whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson – has attracted a vast audience, the Chinese portion of which has exploded since he officially launched on the mainland video platform Bilibili on January 22.
In an introductory video on the platform, the 25-year-old said: “Right now we’re doing around 200 million views a video. We have an audience basically all over the world except China, so I thought it would be cool to start getting the content over to China.
“I’m just super curious to see what everyone over here in China thinks of the videos I make. It’s going to be a fun ride!”
In a post immediately following his Bilibili launch, MrBeast pledged US$25,000 to each of 10 random individuals who reposted his giveaway post and followed him on X, formerly Twitter, the giveaway sum being derived from the earnings made from the video.
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“I’m gonna give 10 random people that repost this and follow me $25,000 for fun. I’ll pick the winners in 72 hours,” he said.
Despite Twitter being inaccessible in China – unless via third party routes – news of the cash giveaway spread rapidly on Weibo, with local influencers sharing the information and inviting their followers to participate in what they called a “free lottery”.
The giveaway post, applications for which close at 2.32am Hong Kong time (GMT+8) on January 26, quickly gained traction, amassing 3.5 million reposts and 2.1 million likes at the time of writing.
MrBeast is known for his fast-paced and high-production-value videos.
In November 2023, he recreated a scene from US film director Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill blockbuster by undertaking the challenge of surviving being buried alive for a week.
While describing the stunt, inside a transparent coffin with food and water provided, as “mental torture”, it attracted an astounding number of viewers to his channel.
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MrBeast has also demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy by producing a video in which he sponsored surgery for 1,000 people who suffer from cataracts.
His entry to the mainland market has been warmly welcomed.
One follower said: “I followed you from YouTube to Bilibili, I’m so moved. Welcome, MrBeast!”
Another said: “Wow, this is a milestone! On behalf of everyone, I want to ask, when are you visiting China?”