Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Street photo of China couple goes viral, exposes extramarital affair and leads to soaring sales of 'mistress dress'



The 'mistress dress' that moved inventories at Taobao and spawned an anime-themed meme.
PHOTO: The “mistress dress” that moved inventories at Taobao and spawned an anime-themed meme.
Photos from Douyin/Xiaomi223
Picture posted by Raul Dancel, Asiaone on 10 June 2023 at 09:53 am
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https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main_image/public/original_images/Jun2023/10062023_mistress%20dress_douyin.jpg?itok=t7H3VS9m
https://www.asiaone.com/china/street-photo-china-couple-goes-viral-exposes-extramarital-affair-and-leads-soaring-sales


Their affair had set tongues wagging in China, but it was the "mistress dress" that stole the show.

A top executive at state-run firm China National Petroleum (CNPC) lost his job on Wednesday (June 7) after a video of him holding hands with a much younger woman while out shopping in downtown Chengdu went viral.

The woman was not his wife - a fact that led to the executive's downfall. But it was what the woman was wearing - a body-hugging, summer dress with floral prints of pink, yellow and blue - that drew "oohs" and "aahs", and sent online sales of the frock soaring.


 The woman was not his wife - a fact that led to the executive's downfall.
PHOTO: The woman was not his wife - a fact that led to the executive's downfall. But it was what the woman was wearing - a body-hugging, summer dress with floral prints of pink, yellow and blue - that drew "oohs" and "aahs", and sent online sales of the frock soaring.
Photos from Douyin/Xiaomi223
Picture posted by Raul Dancel, Correspondent, The New Paper on 10 June 2023 at 02:59 am - The “mistress dress” that moved inventories at Taobao and spawned an anime-themed meme.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQE5DKjps2m9bfTNc6ne9om6rk8qJDD7FXotecpwCvLpMq4lv029jL2KgS_3CKGxnMKEaUmA-Ge3FzqAGDLz216nTPTJkYqRLUFH4dchniWxVxw-lN0Z13k0ZKsTfKAwqLKEhLddfU6E_FmoSWnBwi-Rk3KnM9jgZy8LoucjZGhW1PrzTwP3tMg41/s780/rddress09_1.png
https://tnp.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/rl780/public/rddress09_1.png?itok=KVhRJMWp
https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/world/top-exec-china-sacked-after-exposed-affair-mistress-dress-talk-town


Chinese netizens have taken to calling it the "mistress" or "dismissal" dress.

Mr Hu Jiyong, the erstwhile general manager of CNPC subsidiary Beijing Huanqiu Construction, and Ms Dong Sijin, a co-worker of his, were spotted this week at a popular shopping district in Chengdu by a street photographer.

A short clip of Mr Hu - who was dressed in a matching pink polo T-shirt - and Ms Dong walking hand-in-hand was posted on Douyin, TikTok's Chinese sibling, on Wednesday, and quickly drew millions of views.


 ‘Dismissal dress’: silky pink frock worn by woman holding hands with sacked Chinese oil company executive in ‘mistress’ scandal sells out online
PHOTO: ‘Dismissal dress’: silky pink frock worn by woman holding hands with sacked Chinese oil company executive in ‘mistress’ scandal sells out online
A pink, silky dress at the centre of a “mistress” scandal involving a sacked oil company executive in China has sold out online as a result of its exposure.
Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo
Picture posted by Fran Lu in Beijing, South China Morning Post on 10 June 2023 at 09:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFXjAEOlxfVCG8CbFbxrBm04DD1NCDxwDox78b_WPP9yHlyGkdQMr1mUu88UwQEeKm3tO3m6nqXXxv0YGrSiZx12ScEwAOF2nedUpAPGMNLNBkrZ3HMwU_RCYWdd7w8xE3kvPkIxR8zpqwyvg5QXbzt5xLvqVxBjbpsYjZh_dkUNUDfvlJhvbvgLE/s929/999adaa7-0dc4-4bfc-958f-84dcebc37058_49de7f2a.png
https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1098,format=auto/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/canvas/2023/06/09/999adaa7-0dc4-4bfc-958f-84dcebc37058_49de7f2a.jpg?itok=Y8yGX1KO&v=1686311457
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3223516/dismissal-dress-silky-pink-frock-worn-woman-holding-hands-sacked-chinese-oil-company-executive


Within hours from the time the video appeared, CNPC released a statement saying Mr Hu had been sacked. Ms Dong, too, was let go.

But that didn't stop the online tongue-wagging.

Some said Ms Dong's father was himself a senior executive at CNPC, and that Ms Dong was known for posts on social media that showcased her taste for expensive designer bags and luxurious vacations. Netizens noted that she was carrying a Lady Dior handbag that retails for around $8,000 in the video.

But it was the infamous dress that stood out.


 The pair were filmed stepping out together, hand in hand, in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
PHOTO: The pair were filmed stepping out together, hand in hand, in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
Photo from Weibo
Picture posted by Fran Lu in Beijing, South China Morning Post on 10 June 2023 at 09:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-Gud1EFbsA-cff31osPSpvdigXnFuKzgVZ8VV3zR1SEecNhJ8hAsH5VODLwhfURwJCEuKjCsn33uiXxa9YqE9hagSUTUHc8hYRoYTIWNxkZAWct_ibWPVfoLjFNeGPUAf2gsRoyzAdGlaq-X7FZJ3y5QNiU-0Ba1ZhiNHMHs87R30PQ0NY8P-x3v/s1830/581ec1dd-4d05-40d0-b201-1f604ee44069_b485144b.png
https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/06/09/581ec1dd-4d05-40d0-b201-1f604ee44069_b485144b.jpg
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3223516/dismissal-dress-silky-pink-frock-worn-woman-holding-hands-sacked-chinese-oil-company-executive


Online sleuths quickly learnt that the dress was being sold by a vendor on the online shopping platform Taobao for 618 yuan (S＄116).

On the same day Mr Hu's and Ms Dong's video was posted, some 1,000 units of the dress were sold, lifting the item to the top of Taobao's hot items list.

By Thursday, 4,000 units were sold. Overwhelmed by the sudden interest, the Taobao vendor told its customers to "shop rationally".


 The sleek, silky number has been checked out by 12 million people online.
PHOTO: The sleek, silky number has been checked out by 12 million people online.
Photo from Taobao/@sibleu
Picture posted by Fran Lu in Beijing, South China Morning Post on 10 June 2023 at 09:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPUtg6O_yTtsRUNcNDH89aDbBCXaxv6bGdMkVSUYognJ4pXFGAx1pRiWdF3i89fgg818epy14IA06GDQm-BIzL9yVmJSeC2_4wex8HYDFhHZSCLnQ1NYLw9PvLWVOVahEiuS6vox3cNyOPMSTyqdkKFLWW7zs4nXxVSUiE0I5GoiMUg6jYOAZn5__/s2105/658b26be-54e6-49c0-8e2e-0fd3d4a3b0ad_cd61722d_1.png
https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/06/09/658b26be-54e6-49c0-8e2e-0fd3d4a3b0ad_cd61722d.jpg
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3223516/dismissal-dress-silky-pink-frock-worn-woman-holding-hands-sacked-chinese-oil-company-executive


But the "mistress dress" also sparked fierce online debate.

"Why would someone want to dress in the style of a mistress? The craze over this really reflects a moral decline in our society," a Weibo user lamented.

Another person thought the dress was "kinda tacky".


 PetroChina executive’s affair produces an unexpected fashion hit
PHOTO: PetroChina executive’s affair produces an unexpected fashion hit
Society & Culture
A scandalous dress has become such a fashion sensation that state-run media had to urge avid gossip consumers not to be distracted.
Illustration for The China Project by Chelsea Feng
Picture posted by Zhao Yuanyuan, The China Project on 09 June 2023
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpR3OKm1SrhnvXrJzmEMAXxw1KC-CG9KDPOYbE0RvEbg-TGDn0brL1KEBZwrhYkLT3ewuZlj-lTPAO9Ag8KTC04TdnpEhWBHJqXkSjkrBzMH-qiM8vL2hV7hMY_UDtlRD-5yuHCbykCClUIKg4Ug_VjlRQKZMdhsnGut-EFT0UH1lEmv_7Hew8br1/s1800/Mistress-dress-post-1800-%C3%97-1200-px.png
https://thechinaproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mistress-dress-post-1800-%C3%97-1200-px.png
https://thechinaproject.com/2023/06/09/petrochina-executives-affair-produces-an-unexpected-fashion-hit/


One fan, though, wrote: "Every dress is probably worn by a mistress at one point. The dress is innocent!"

Others took to using AI imaging tools to render screenshots of Mr Hu and Ms Dong as manga and anime characters.


 The cheating scandal was brought to light on Wednesday when a video of Hú Jìyǒng 胡继勇, the former executive director and general manager of Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Company
PHOTO: The cheating scandal was brought to light on Wednesday when a video of Hú Jìyǒng 胡继勇, the former executive director and general manager of Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Company, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), holding hands with a younger woman in public went viral.
Picture posted by Zhao Yuanyuan, The China Project on 09 June 2023
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGostQifUuGt3Xs8Ghzisi1YEDvua5QhZfxlIvTKDTwA0okCT18GFLtUUxt0i7z8cumgv4EPxCN78p3HL-jS31tR8LpfVKzgt6uZyTHpEFrAk6sT0TpS7lWOdCYMvefCQOL-NJL1EcpTGQGWv0SXIT6STfmUSlh0fY2V5A1CMIpO8z0PRKSywZ7w9/s866/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-GIF.gif
https://thechinaproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-GIF.gif
https://thechinaproject.com/2023/06/09/petrochina-executives-affair-produces-an-unexpected-fashion-hit/


The ruckus compelled The Beijing Daily, a state newspaper, to post an editorial to say that the dress was attracting attention for all the wrong reasons.

"Focusing too much on the dress and making up salacious stories will divert public attention from the real lesson here," it said.


 One other thing stood out: Dong’s dress, which has commonly been referred to as a “'mistress dress'
PHOTO: One other thing stood out: Dong’s dress, which has commonly been referred to as a “mistress dress” (小三裙 xiǎosān qún), or “dismissal dress” (免职裙 miǎnzhí qún) on social media. Using reverse image search, fans of the dress found the Taobao vendor selling the item and were surprised to find that it only costs 618 yuan (＄87), which is relatively cheap compared with what Dong paired it with in the viral video, a Lady Dior handbag sold at 44,000 yuan (＄6,186).
Picture posted by Zhao Yuanyuan, The China Project on 09 June 2023
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gw1V4lOOkTyZYIHS75I94CDNh8KtQK-KYz2jTuniDje4EMrpV5MKntCgjj8eKql_VKxXuBN8U4MwE9859c4Yy6D6iMp51HfZNH-00BlXjkK9wPDbPboXPzAp0ivuAx1wmyNqBsrWA-PX3w2ZpGgOIMdhlIGVkHyThzbsXtng-J07ULyz-8BRmBSy/s1814/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-hit.jpg
https://thechinaproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-hit.jpg
https://thechinaproject.com/2023/06/09/petrochina-executives-affair-produces-an-unexpected-fashion-hit/
 

 The collective fascination with Hu’s cheating scandal has also turned it into a meme.
PHOTO: The collective fascination with Hu’s cheating scandal has also turned it into a meme. Using AI-powered tools, some internet users transformed images of the now-infamous couple into something that looks like it’s been plucked straight from a graphic novel, whereas others created their own versions of the original video. “I’ve got the shirt and bought a train ticket to Chengdu. All I need is someone who can hold my hands,” a Douyin user wrote over a video showing him walking at home in a pink polo shirt.
Images from Weibo
Picture posted by Zhao Yuanyuan, The China Project on 09 June 2023
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https://thechinaproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-hit-2.jpg
https://thechinaproject.com/2023/06/09/petrochina-executives-affair-produces-an-unexpected-fashion-hit/
 

 According to agencies tracking ecommerce data, more than 1,000 copies of the dress were sold on Wednesday, which marked a significant jump in its sales and boosted it to the top of Taobao’s hot item list.
PHOTO: According to agencies tracking ecommerce data, more than 1,000 copies of the dress were sold on Wednesday, which marked a significant jump in its sales and boosted it to the top of Taobao’s hot item list. By the end of Thursday, the sales number increased to over 4,000 units. Overwhelmed by the attention, the Taobao store posted a message yesterday, telling customers to “shop rationally.”
Images from Weibo
Picture posted by Zhao Yuanyuan, The China Project on 09 June 2023
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13LeVIh_9looXPVBugy_uzmweapywAO7b3eXL1dLz1sbDkIEsfp5-Si4X-iXUv9lkWugHDsSMpP-tfM8NSwvS2Mc0vwrS0ecNiztQIaQXHaJkil0suGTiMfAv3QQSgRP3uBOYUxVR0MM8bQf91TlyMAwDONBP_3xP6H9peCQogtDDHER5jf-snzO7/s898/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-hit-2_1.jpg
 

 On Thursday, several media outlets condemned the meme-ification of the scandal and urged the public to treat the matter as a serious example of an official being disciplined for committing adultery.
PHOTO: On Thursday, several media outlets condemned the meme-ification of the scandal and urged the public to treat the matter as a serious example of an official being disciplined for committing adultery. A Beijing Daily editorial stated, “Focusing too much on the dress and making up salacious stories will divert public attention from the real lesson here.”
Images from Weibo
Picture posted by Zhao Yuanyuan, The China Project on 09 June 2023
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYuDhhNLGWVZsszTJdrxPvFpG2ILSxamrKTB69rLmx2dG0mcDhLi1xWf3blkfa65MleD3x8WlHXNkOwlLKYYuENfoFbCZ0lylH3vHKOL0H_UYkNsiJdrEiA_TJ31Da2xWHNVEAR7izS9PwFoyqvYI-97IwgGD3wy5hR99NjkRcML_lA7bE9d05JeE/s898/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-hit-2_2.jpg
 

 The ruckus compelled The Beijing Daily, a state newspaper, to post an editorial to say that the dress was attracting attention for all the wrong reasons.
PHOTO: The ruckus compelled The Beijing Daily, a state newspaper, to post an editorial to say that the dress was attracting attention for all the wrong reasons.
"Focusing too much on the dress and making up salacious stories will divert public attention from the real lesson here," it said.
Images from Weibo
Picture posted by Zhao Yuanyuan, The China Project on 09 June 2023
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_nsYm414ccx0DFbTt-giqv0sNw3ZUfWZyxl9nf7A15pDvuYykvECTK242jD8RCS6Kdidjq8rpVfNn3S0gcll2bF82VcP72yK8iGT3dFI-ohcJjiWwJxG1b8PUEpZFt0nuGalkIUeTD4XJ5NRiVJViJquum2WPoMT_WV50ign93Yzm4F4GSOn7g1U/s898/PetroChina-executive-affair-fashion-hit-2_3.jpg
 

 Silent but very sweet thoughts, ordinary but warm greetings.
PHOTO: Silent but very sweet thoughts, ordinary but warm greetings. How nice, if everything is done righteously and legally.  But then, maybe no surge in sales of pink dresses. We can have the classical black and white, which the corporate world depends on.
Picture posted by 林子宜 Lín Zi Yí on Monday, 12 June 2023 at 02:27 pm
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https://scontent.fsin14-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/353775833_169642112754541_2508145474435646781_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=yXK4Gx9WZ4cAX-2yM1K&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-1.fna&oh=00_AfAUf4zuIltynFbnfmnglCvqjA4qu065VcFEAAl4Nlqdlg&oe=648DD6A8
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=169642116087874&set=gm.980951986427917&idorvanity=547090013147452
 

 Let's try to convey the truth with words and address the confusion of life reasonably.
PHOTO: Let's try to convey the truth with words and address the confusion of life reasonably. Let's have as many righteous, peaceful and harmonious coexistence without harsh extreme action. Big and Small alike,  human beings are not perfect. We need our Creator's constance guidance, help, and support. If our Creator can forgive our unrighteousness, may we also do likewise. May we, the unrighteous, change and repent successufully. Remember, all can make mistakes. So, be more forgiveing, more loving for righteousness.
Picture posted by 張益銘 Zhāng Yì Míng on Monday, 12 June 2023 at 01:36 pm
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https://scontent.fsin14-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/353050042_3398966597011534_6370992088274596001_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=lo6i8QWvI_8AX-9JApT&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-2.fna&oh=00_AfB3iaU7iSZy7IDzIL8ESdu-15rmDL56y7e-N0Z9G6c9jA&oe=648D6ACD
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=3398965417011652&set=pcb.980932059763243
 

 Unfortunately, evil can lurk behind a beautiful mask.
PHOTO: Unfortunately, evil can lurk behind a beautiful mask. Let's seek the best available protection, which can come from our Creator, who knows us best. In that way, we can stay safe and well for eternity.
Picture posted by 林榮建 Lín Róng Jiàn on Sunday, 11 June 2023 at 07:00 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4dMV18P-zkUxzyWzwxhLG8azqYTMjP8OdhqbWYCu7KbaGCX7Kmm_FFmy6r8ecBAqmwon8ED60kd52O5GdGLuuTRfm-TishId_uz4GvfHs2RpHykzn5mZRekDux3iKKBMLXQQKE7OL98Iyaj5f1vHM0ZjWkMlZ6nqtiaiaDsViL3uUCv3Gs_9SZgS/s1013/353444511_1263781567590284_4217156799906539051_n_1.png
https://scontent.fsin14-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/353444511_1263781567590284_4217156799906539051_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=3SnWUfHLt4kAX-Sxf-X&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-2.fna&oh=00_AfD-1uqBEhXcYbT4onJcK-4QOEdMGp3beaWJkLZtc6wlBw&oe=648C5D77
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1263781480923626&set=a.162240634411055

By Raul Dancel, Asiaone, 10 June 2023 at 09:53 am
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
Reference
[1] Raul Dancel, Asiaone, Street photo of China couple goes viral, exposes extramarital affair and leads to soaring sales of 'mistress dress', posted on 10 June 2023 at 09:53 am, https://www.asiaone.com/china/street-photo-china-couple-goes-viral-exposes-extramarital-affair-and-leads-soaring-sales




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