The brand new Netflix present Bling Empire sells itself as being a real-life Loopy Wealthy Asians, and at first, it seems to be one other a type of actuality exhibits that chronicles the lives of the idle wealthy. However the place it actually will get fascinating over the course of its eight episodes is when it seems to be an exploration of identification for just a few of the primary solid members.
The present might appear to be a Bravo castoff or a companion to Promoting Sundown, Netflix’s vapid and claws-out sequence about blonde realtors in L.A., however you will quickly discover extra underneath the layers of its Asian solid at lavish events, happening spending sprees, and draped in designer garments and sneakers. Bling Empire makes use of the grotesque opulence to hook viewers, however in a refreshing twist, that is not all there may be.
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The sequence places good-looking mannequin/actor Kevin Kreider on the heart, and as he is new-ish to Los Angeles, he is shortly befriended by a gaggle of very sparkly, prosperous buddies. His major buddy is Kane Lim, the son of a Singapore billionaire, who works for his father’s enterprise. Kane is Kevin’s social navigator and introduces him to Kim Lee, who’s a well-known DJ in East Asia and is tremendous near her mom and stepfather. Kim desires to seek out her organic father and a few the later episodes commit time to discovering him, with Kevin and Kane lending their assist to the matter.
Within the function of “Most Doubtless To Land on a Bravo Actual Housewives Present” is Christine Chiu, the spouse of a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and the mom to one-year-old “Child G,” because the child is referred to. Chiu is a couture vogue hunter-gatherer who tries so arduous to be the queen bee of the social group, however alas, she’s not fairly as much as the duty.
Stunning and candy Kelly Mi Li is a part of the group however her storyline appears to be largely as a possible romantic accomplice for Kevin, however sadly, she’s nonetheless hung up on her on-again, off-again temperamental boyfriend Andrew Grey, whose greatest credit score is that he as soon as portrayed a Energy Ranger. Insert chef’s kiss gif right here.
Kim Lee and Christine Chiu, Bling Empire
Fashionista and influencer Jaime Xie is the daughter of one other insanely wealthy mother or father, and whereas she’s good at spending her household’s fortune on couture, she additionally makes some huge cash in her personal proper. You could be inclined to shrug her off, however when she talks about making $40,000-$60,000 for an Instagram post, you begin to take her extra significantly.
Probably the most compelling character of the present comes out of left discipline. Not like the opposite solid members, Anna Shay is at the very least 60 years outdated if she’s a day. A Beverly Hills socialite who performs the queen bee function very nicely, Shay is the daughter of the late billionaire entrepreneur Edward Shay and his Japanese-American spouse Ai-San. Her father based Pacific Architects and Engineers (PAE), a contractor of protection providers that specialised, at the very least partially, in top-secret work for the United Nations and U.S. authorities. In 2006, Anna and her youthful brother Allen bought PAE to Lockheed Martin in an all-cash, $1.2 billion deal. She lives a life many people dream of: flying to Paris on a non-public jet on a whim, dropping a great deal of dough on garments, jewellery, and different trinkets wherever she could also be on the earth, and throwing events at her mansion the place the group convenes to speak about one another and gossip about Anna’s non-public life. The actually great factor about Anna is how little she cares about impressing anybody and the way expert she is at studying individuals and realizing their motives. Pay additional shut consideration to when Anna and Christine work together. No spoilers right here nevertheless it’s so well worth the watch only for these scenes.
Fortunately, Bling Empire seems to be greater than a Bravo wannabe. Here is hoping Netflix orders extra episodes as a result of these tales of creating your manner in a brand new metropolis, and one as socially and culturally complicated as Los Angeles, and discovering buddies you may bond with, are common and should be advised.
TV Information score: 4/5
Bling Empire premieres Friday, Jan. 15 on Netflix.