Maybe it’s just a me thing, but my RedNote feed is flooded with Luigi Mangione thirst traps.
Mangione, the primary suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is undeniably, unquestionably, and unequivocally hot. His mugshot, which features Mangione’s beautifully shaped eyebrows and chiseled jaw, had the internet swooning since it was first released in early December 2024. The photo of Mangione smiling, sweaty and shirtless atop a Hawaiian mountain made the rounds on socials, pleasantly distracting us from the federal murder charges against him. Mangione has been the subject of many Archive of Our Own fanfics, complete with storylines of high-speed police chases and steamy rendezvous.
While the internet’s thirst for Mangione has seemingly died down on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the love for him is still strong on the China-based TikTok rival RedNote, or Xiaohongshu. The topic #Luigi has over 90 million views and over 400,000 posts dedicated to the suspected shooter. Thirst trap videos of Mangione abound, featuring the young University of Pennsylvania graduate in orange prison jumpsuit attire with Ariana Grande’s “The Boy Is Mine” playing in the background. Other Mangione-centric posts include pictures lifted directly from Mangione’s Instagram, showing him smiling wide at frat parties and graduation ceremonies.
But RedNote’s obsession with Mangione doesn’t merely stop at thirst traps. The topic #luigi穿搭 (or “Luigi outfit” in English) shows RedNote users sporting maroon sweaters, white collars, and grey slacks, inspired by Mangione’s preppy, college-core outfits. For the more budget-conscious Mangione fan, one user models several Uniqlo pieces — a white polo button-down, long-sleeved sweater, and brown loafers — are all you need to achieve that Mangione look.
Other Mangione-inspired posts belong in a subcategory of their own. One user took to RedNote to show her lovingly handmade scrapbook dedicated to Mangione. Another created anime-style fan art of a rugged Mangione being taken away by the police. An entire anime short film about Mangione’s life story and his rise to infamy is also on the app.
It’s obvious that Mangione has captured the attention of RedNote and its Chinese audience, but it’s not just his looks (though they definitely play a part). Their fascination with Mangione is rooted in how he has transformed into a vigilante hero for the modern age. Just as how the American side of the internet turned Mangione into a symbol of resistance against what some perceive as a rigged healthcare system, Chinese netizens have rallied against the Robin Hood-esque narrative that Mangione seems to represent. Even though China has a much more equitable healthcare system compared to America’s, Chinese RedNote users still commiserate with the struggles of their American counterparts. “When people are at their most vulnerable, they need to feel safe and cared for… that’s a basic human need,” says one user in a video explaining RedNote’s obsession with Mangione. “That’s something that the insurance companies should take responsibility for.”
Others argue that, while a man was murdered, Mangione’s story could potentially put pressure on American authorities to reevaluate the problems of their national healthcare system. “就是类似于杀鸡儆猴吧,” says one user. (“It’s like killing a chicken to warn monkeys.” This idiom, in English, roughly translates to punishing or making an example out of someone to warn others).
Only time will tell if Mangione will maintain his internet stardom among RedNote users, especially after his scheduled appearance in state court on February 21. But in the meantime, let’s enjoy the wild ride that is Mangione’s RedNote fame, complete with shirtless pics galore.
