Natural phenomenon of love

Author: Ren Er Xiong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: The name Ren Er Xiong may be unfamiliar to some readers, but those who frequently browse the internet are quite familiar with him. His works such as The East District Men's Apartment and Good TV Nation, which were transformed into flash animations, became hilarious classics that spread widely online. The newly launched four-panel comic The Natural Phenomenon of Love by Yangtze Literature and Art Press is a quintessential example of his quirky and hilarious style. Following the success of Zhu Decong's comics like The Bitter Girls and Double Boom, adult comics that mock the romantic lives of urban men and women have gradually become the favorite among white-collar workers in Chengdu. Ren Er Xiong has also become one of Taiwan's leading creators of such comics after Zhu Decong.
Self-proclaimed as someone who "has been in a few relationships, dated several girls, and hurt the hearts of a few women," Ren Er Xiong uses his usual sharp and cynical tone to dismantle conventional perceptions of love, revealing its true nature. His work is both incredibly realistic and utterly addictive, leaving readers unable to put it down. His comics have consistently ranked on the Jin Shih Tang bestseller list for dozens of weeks.
Whether it's Zhu Decong or Ren Er Xiong, they both seem to embody the spirit of feminist cartoonists. Zhu Decong categorizes women into four types: the tomboy, the marriage maniac, the innocent girl, and the charming beauty, all of whom effortlessly manipulate men. In Ren Er Xiong's cartoons, the "cheapness" of men in love is laid bare. Men's infidelity, stinginess, and selfishness have become ingrained instincts. "There are no good men in the world! If the man by your side doesn't get tempted by any woman, congratulations—you've found a miracle, not a man."
All cartoonists seem to retain a childlike mentality, and Ren Er Xiong is no exception. When faced with such whimsical humor, the only response is laughter. Similar scenarios are rampant in Ren Er Xiong's comics. However, beneath the facade of humor and wit, Ren Er Xiong holds a deeply pessimistic view of love, mirroring Zhu Decong's bleak perspective on "marriage." It is precisely this almost compassionate pessimism that gives Ren Er Xiong's comics their unique flavor and depth.
"Believing that happiness can never be held forever" is a trait that makes him struggle immensely in love. Because constantly expecting the worst can extinguish many romantic and sincere emotions. Yet in reality, Ren Er Xiong's pessimism is often proven correct. "After all these years, I've realized that I'm neither a genius nor an superhero. Even if I had six-pack abs, a single utility knife could kill me. Give me freedom and beautiful women in the world, and I'd still return home at the right time—and love only one. At thirty, seeing my own limits—is that a blessing or a tragedy?"
Faced with the helplessness and uncertainty of adulthood, responsibility, and emotions, Ren Er Xiong uses his comics to help us all confront our inner selves: "Are you still young? I advise you to cry loudly, laugh heartily, and embrace those you love fiercely, because time passes, and you'll have to compromise on some things." This includes the various vulnerabilities of a grown man: "When you're lonely, time seems to slow down. Do you see my solitude? Alright... let's count this as my 1/205th vulnerability."
Beyond his role as a cartoonist, Ren Er Xiong, whose real name is Zhan Ren Xiong, is also a well-known producer of Taiwanese TV shows such as I Guess I Guess I Guess and Very Men and Women.