Why Kris Jenner has become unlikely good luck charm in China

Keeping Up With The Kardashians star Kris Jenner has gained a whole new wave of popularity in China.

The renowned 'momager' of Kim, Kylie, Kendall and co has bizarrely become the face of good luck in the country, and she is being associated with wealth, luck and prosperity.

It comes weeks after Tom Felton's Harry Potter character, Draco Malfoy, was the symbol of the Lunar New Year, thanks to the transliteration of his name sounding similar to 'horse' and 'fortune', or 'blessing'.

These unexpected icons have found their faces plastered everywhere in China, with Felton appearing on giant banners hung in shopping malls, while Jenner is being plastered all over social media platforms such as RedNote, Business Insider reports.

They quoted one user as sharing a pic of Jenner, along with the caption: "Everyone, stay wealthy! Everyone, keep that 9-figure bank balance!"

The hashtag #krisjenner has been viewed more than 52.9 million times on the platform, with users also changing their profile pic to one of the businesswoman.

A Chinese influencer by the name of Marcelo Wang shared an explainer video on TikTok on Friday, explaining to baffled Americans why the Kardashian's star is seen as a good omen.

He said it has become popular because 'because Kris Jenner is one of the hardest-working businesswomen in the US, and Chinese people really respect hard work.'

Wang added: “Cosplaying Kris Jenner is like a Gen Z funny way to manifest success."

Jenner has had an iconic response to all of the attention, replying to Wang with her famous catchphrase: “You’re ALL doing amazing, sweetie!!!!”

It's not just on social media though, according to Wang: “Chinese Gen Z are not just using Kris Jenner as a profile picture, but she is on all of our iPhone, iPad wallpapers, laptops … literally everywhere,” he noted.

She has become a figurehead for manifesting success, passing exams and being accepted into college.

They're also using AI to style Jenner eating ramen, drinking tea, and wearing a graduation cap and gown.

Wang added: “She’s everywhere to help Chinese Gen Z manifest good luck,”

Jenner is reported to be worth between $170 million to around $200 million, according to Page Six.

In 2022, Forbes reported how the momager takes a 10% commission from the gross revenue of her children's business projects.

“I said to my kids, ‘Look, I’m going to put my heart and soul into this—I'm going to work hard. And I’ll take 10%, because that'll make it worth my while,’” Jenner told the outlet, saying it was actually a better deal than what any other manager would charge.