How an 8-year-old Boy Became a Viral Icon in China?

The American 8-year-old boy Gavin Thomas has become the unlikeliest of internet sensations across the Pacific Ocean, where his face has been shared more than a billion times. That’s because Gavin – known as “fake smile boy” – became the go-to meme for Chinese social media users.

If you’ve never heard of eight-year-old Gavin Thomas, you clearly aren’t one of the millions of people around the world who have fallen in love with the young internet sensation.

The fake smile boy

While many Chinese people can’t identify him by name, his meme-turned-gifs have been circulated widely across social media, primarily on WeChat, the country’s predominant messaging app with 1 billion users.

How an 8-year-old Boy Became a Viral Icon in China?

Gavin’s nickname in China is “the fake smile boy,” a reference to the 8-year-old’s uneasy but polite smile which struck a chord with millions of Chinese internet users.

How an 8-year-old Boy Became a Viral Icon in China?

“If someone says something embarrassing, but you don’t want to shoot it down directly, the fake smile gif can convey your embarrassment while leaving a way out.”

Million dollar baby

American memes have gained temporary fame in China before, but unlike his viral predecessors, Gavin’s team has made the decision to embrace his popularity overseas.

Soon after he opened his Weibo account, Gavin made a sponsored trip to Beijing to meet his fans in person, generating even more memes of Gavin posing in front of Chinese landmarks in traditional Chinese dress.

How an 8-year-old Boy Became a Viral Icon in China?

At the same time, his store on Taobao, the hugely popular online Chinese online shopping site, has quietly opened and has started to sell merchandise such as phone cases with Gavin’s smiling face on the back.

Grow up eventually

As far as Gavin himself is concerned, he told CNN he is enjoying his fame in China.

How an 8-year-old Boy Became a Viral Icon in China?

“They love watching my pictures and videos, and they tell me I’m cute. Sometimes, they tell me they love me,” he told CNN over email.

There is no doubt that everyone will grow up eventually, that is, everyone will become maturer.

By that time, will you still love his fake smile?