Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Tripartite Collusion: A CDA of the Commodification of Feminism in Weibo’s SFL Discourse

Yujie YanThe University of Nottingham Ningbo China*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

As 'Strong Female Lead’ (SFL) narratives gain mainstream popularity, related discussions have become a significant arena for gender studies. However, the underlying power dynamics shaping these conversations remain underexplored. Employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this study investigates the nature of the discourse surrounding SFL dramas on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, and systematically analyzes 100 popular posts related to 'SFL dramas’ on it. The findings reveal that this discursive field is not a bottom-up, grassroots feminist practice but is predominantly led by commercialized key opinion leaders. A tripartite collusion of algorithms, capital, and fan culture politics profoundly shapes the construction of this discourse. The ultimate effect of this collusion is the 're-disciplining’ and commodification of the potentially subversive issue of women’s empowerment into a controllable and marketable product. This study highlights the critical role of platform technology in shaping contemporary gender discourse and offers a critical reflection on the commodification of feminist narratives in the social media era.

Keywords: SFL Dramas; Weibo; CDA; Fandom Industry; Gendered Consumerism
Published: October 14, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.KM27685
Volume: CHR Vol.86
pp. 123-131
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