Building profitable cultural bridge

Content creator, business consultant, fintech firm partner... one job-title does not adequately describe Thomas Derksen and his thriving business in China.

But to Chinese audiences, the 29-year-old is best known as the German comedian who entertains millions of internet users across the country with his hilarious video blogs and an auspicious Chinese name: Afu (meaning fortune or luck).

As a foreigner-turned-internet celebrity in China, Derksen looks at Chinese stereotypes, speaking the local dialect fluently in his self-made video episodes. In a year's time he has garnered over 5 million followers across major video content platforms from QQ to Meipai.