Sanqiange, also known by his pseudonym Brother Three Thousand, was a prominent figure on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok with his livestream video viral
With a following of 44,000, he was known for engaging content and charismatic presence. However, on May 16th, the 34-year-old social media star tragically lost his life while participating in a dangerous drinking challenge, throwing a harsh spotlight on the issue of hazardous trends that plague social media platforms.
Influencer Sanqiange dies after taking part in Baijiu drinking challenge in viral TikTok livestream video
Another Influencer dies, this time after binge drinking on livestream. He drank at least 7 bottles LIVE as a challenge🤦🏽♀️
“The 34-year-old influencer, who goes by “Sanqiange,” was found dead 12 hours after the May 16 livestream on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok,”according to…
— Christine Barnum (@christinebarnum) May 28, 2023
The influencer “Sanqiange” (or “Brother Three Thousand”) was found dead just hours after broadcasting himself taking part in a competition with a fellow influencer drinking Baijiu, a Chinese spirit with a typical alcohol content of between 30% to 60%, #rvanewznculture pic.twitter.com/vy3IgUC3cC
— RVAUNCUT (@rvanewznculture) May 27, 2023
🔴 HONGKONG | A local #Influencer by the name of "#Sanqiange", died, a few hours after a live broadcast on the #Chinese version of #TikTok where we see him gulping down several bottles of strong alcohol. The death revives in society, the debate on a regulation of the field. pic.twitter.com/theOrfQZ84
— Nanana365 (@nananamedia365) May 27, 2023
Hailing from a village named Qidaogou in Guanyun County, Jiangsu Province, Sanqiange lived his life balancing between being a beloved influencer and a private individual. The public is not widely aware of the details regarding his life outside of social media. However, it is known that the deadly challenge occurred at a private residence in close proximity to his home.
On May 16, around 1 am local time, Sanqiange initiated a livestream that showed him participating in a PK challenge – a showdown between two content creators. In this particular challenge, the contenders were competing to see who could drink the most baijiu – a clear distilled liquor, akin to vodka, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) content between 35% and 60%.
The fatal drinking game by Sanqiange
During the livestream, as explained by popular streamer Grandpa Ming, Sanqiange participated in four rounds of the drinking game. Consuming a mixture of baijiu and Red Bull energy drinks, he ultimately drank seven shots of the potent liquor and three cans of Red Bull. This binge drinking proved fatal, leading to his death just 12 hours later.
This devastating incident aligns with the rise of TikTok’s ‘borg challenge’, another perilous drinking trend gaining momentum. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the dangerous consequences that can arise from participating in such risky social media challenges.
Despite the explicit ban on drinking during livestreams on Douyin, Sanqiange chose to participate in this dangerous stunt. According to a friend known as Mr Zhao, Sanqiange had previously received penalties for sharing videos of himself drinking and had tried to abstain from alcohol in recent months. However, this lethal challenge marked a tragic end to his sobriety efforts.
The aftermath of Sanqiange’s death
The online community is reeling from the shockwaves caused by Sanqiange’s untimely death. Social media promptly removed the livestream and Sanqiange’s platforms. This tragedy highlights the necessity for stricter regulations and improved awareness to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents.
His unfortunate demise acts as a somber reminder of the perils associated with engaging in dangerous online trends. The problem of harmful social media challenges continues to persist, compelling influencers and viewers to prioritize safety over seeking popularity.
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