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| Weibo Relay Red Packets Go Viral with Top Stars Giving Away Huge Cash Sums. (Photo: Weibo) |
Chinese celebrities turned Weibo into a full-blown money rain ahead of Lunar New Year’s Eve, as a star-studded relay red packet campaign saw more than 450,000 yuan (over USD 63,000) handed out in just one day. From early morning until late at night, famous names took turns sending digital cash gifts to users, instantly pushing the event onto the platform’s hot search list.
The campaign followed a relay format, with celebrities scheduled in time slots to distribute red packets one after another. The idea was simple but effective: keep the excitement rolling all day long. Every time a new star logged in to drop their red packets, traffic spiked, comments flooded in, and screenshots started circulating within minutes.
Among the most talked-about participants was Bai Lu. She distributed 100,000 yuan, which converts to roughly USD 14,000.
Her giveaway was widely praised for being straightforward and generous, with many fans calling it “clean and classy” in the comments.
Zhang Linghe also joined the relay, handing out red packets seven times throughout the day. However, his giveaways were limited to fans only, which sparked minor debate online.
Some netizens felt the restriction reduced the festive spirit, while others defended it, saying it is natural for artists to prioritise supporters. The total amount he distributed was not publicly revealed, adding more curiosity to the discussion.
Kiku Ju Jingyi, meanwhile, did not officially join Weibo’s relay but created her own spotlight moment. She independently sent out four red packets worth 49,999.99 yuan each, totalling close to 200,000 yuan (around USD 28,000).
Her move quickly sent her name soaring up the hot search rankings. Like several others, her red packets were restricted to fans, which once again triggered mixed reactions online.
Then there is Chen Zheyuan, often nicknamed the “God of Fortune of the Internet” thanks to his consistent large-scale giveaways in previous years.
This year, he is expected to distribute 150,000 yuan, equivalent to approximately USD 21,000. Even before his official drop, anticipation alone was enough to keep his name trending.
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| Lunar New Year Buzz as Chinese Celebrities Hand Out Over 450,000 Yuan Online |
Based on publicly disclosed figures — 100,000 yuan from Bai Lu, nearly 200,000 yuan from Ju Jingyi, and 150,000 yuan from Chen Zheyuan — the confirmed total already stands at around 450,000 yuan, or over USD 63,000. And that is likely a conservative number, since some participants chose not to reveal their exact amounts.
What makes this trend so powerful is not just the money, but the timing and format. Lunar New Year red packets are rooted in tradition, symbolising good fortune and blessings.
By combining that cultural element with celebrity influence and real-time digital interaction, Weibo effectively turned it into a high-traffic online spectacle.
The genre here blends festive culture, fandom engagement, and platform marketing — a formula that guarantees viral momentum every single year.
Fans’ reactions were split into several camps. Loyal supporters were thrilled, treating the red packets as both lucky money and a sign of appreciation from their idols. Some proudly shared screenshots of their winnings, thanking their favourite stars publicly.
Others who missed out joked about their “slow internet hands,” while a more critical group questioned fan-only restrictions and whether such campaigns lean more towards publicity than pure celebration.
Netizens also compared generosity levels, turning the giveaways into friendly competition charts across comment sections. Who gave the most? Who trended the longest? Who felt the most sincere? These comparisons only fuelled more engagement and kept the topic alive throughout the day.
So what do you think — festive fun, smart marketing, or a bit of both? If your favourite star joined the red packet wave, did they live up to expectations? Drop your thoughts and let the debate roll.