LayarHijau.com—The online community in China is currently abuzz with discussions surrounding the tragic death of beautiful game streamer Kuxuan.
Initially, reports suggested that the 25-year-old livestreaming host died in an accident. However, rumors soon emerged claiming she was murdered. Gossip indicates that the killer was one of her top spenders who sought a romantic relationship with Kuxuan but was rejected.
"Top spender" refers to fans or viewers who give virtual gifts or prizes in substantial amounts.
According to reports from Sohu, the man spent 1.5 million yuan (approximately $220,000) over five years on gifts in Kuxuan's livestream. Allegedly, during Kuxuan's birthday, she held a raffle where lucky viewers could receive gifts sent directly from her. The murderer was one of the fortunate winners, which allowed him to obtain her address.
While rumors suggest that the murder stemmed from romantic issues, the Shanghai police have stated that the crime is currently suspected to be related to financial disputes between the two.
Regardless of the true motive behind the murder, this tragic case has ignited discussions online about the privacy and safety of streaming hosts, as well as the phenomenon of gift-giving on livestreaming applications.
The Addiction to Gifting
There appears to be a phenomenon where people can give large amounts of gifts to streamers as if money were as easily discarded as leaves. Some individuals even show signs of addiction, Sohu wrote.
For example, a man from Ningbo spent over 4 million yuan (approximately $590,000) in a livestream just to hear the host call him “brother.” When his family found out, they restricted his spending. However, he continued to seek attention, even resorting to stealing copper materials to sell for gifts.
Additionally, a 60-year-old retired man became addicted to livestreams, spending his entire retirement savings of 500,000 yuan (approximately $73,000) within a year just to give gifts to hosts. His family was extremely worried and tried to protect him, but many other elderly individuals in similar situations were willing to borrow money to give gifts.
Many users live in cramped rental homes and can only afford instant noodles, yet they still spend all their money on gifts for streamers.
Some even engage in embezzlement to fulfill this desire, merely to gain momentary emotional satisfaction. This phenomenon illustrates how many people become trapped in a cycle of giving gifts, driven by the desire for attention and recognition from the hosts. They often remain unaware of the negative impacts this behavior can produce.
This dependency creates serious problems, not only for the individuals involved but also for society at large.
The Streamer’s Dilemma: Needing Top Spenders
Kuxuan was rumored to come from a humble background in rural China, raised in a family facing economic difficulties.
This information comes from a netizen claiming to be Kuxuan’s neighbor, stating that they lived just a hundred meters apart and that Kuxuan was a kind-hearted girl despite her family’s misfortunes.
In her quest to change her fate and support her family, Kuxuan chose to become a livestream host, hoping that digital popularity would lead to a better life.
From the perspective of a host or streamer, receiving gifts from fans is a crucial aspect of their career. These gifts not only provide significant income but also create strong emotional bonds with viewers.
As a streamer, there is pressure to reciprocate this attention with positive interactions and gratitude, as fan satisfaction heavily relies on their responses.
However, when fans begin to spend large sums of money for attention, the situation can become complicated and risky. Streamers often feel trapped in a cycle where they must continually provide attention and support, leading to challenging moral and emotional dilemmas.
In the livestreaming industry, the expectations and demands of fans can create dangerous pressures, especially since these relationships are often based on financial transactions rather than genuine connections.
The murder of Kuxuan is not just a personal tragedy but also reflects broader issues within the livestreaming industry. The unchecked phenomenon of gifting raises important questions about consumer behavior, psychological impacts, and how we perceive the value of money in the context of digital entertainment.
Society needs to be aware of the dangers lurking behind these instant gratifications and the importance of valuing life and the safety of others.