Homeless Chinese Man In DTLA Goes Viral With ‘American-Style Begging’  Videos, Branding Him Both a Hero and Villain Across the Pacific

“O~pen t~he d~oor!”

Every day, 2 million people on Chinese social media wake up to this catchphrase emanating from a tent in Downtown L.A.

The speaker, known as “Gold-medal lecturer of Fatman Ding Plaza (丁胖子金牌讲师)” or “Prof. Fatman Ding (丁胖子讲师)," is originally from Luzhou, Sichuan, China and has become an unexpected internet sensation.

His “American-style begging (美式要饭)” video journals, posted daily, have amassed nearly 100 million views, making him one of the most viral and controversial figures across the Pacific.

Earlier this year, Prof. Fatman Ding arrived in the U.S., aiming to start his new life at the Fatman Ding Plaza (丁胖子广场) in Monterey Park. Nicknamed after its developer, the plaza is a hub for Chinese newcomers to find resources and communities.