【Interview with Berlingske】
Broadcasting from an Adult Version of Disneyland: Joanna Wei and Neinei Go Live
SWAG CEO Sam
In Taiwan, people enjoy greater personal freedoms than in many neighboring countries — a reality reflected in various aspects of society. Danish newspaper Berlingske recently visited adult entertainment platform giant SWAG, which continues to attract massive popularity despite operating within a traditionally conservative cultural environment.
One expert observed, “Many young men are afraid to talk to women.”
Inside the 13-story Farglory Building, Danish diplomats in shirts and ties were preparing for their next official mission. Yet just a few floors below, on the sixth floor, a very different scene unfolded: a lightly dressed woman sat behind a glass partition, holding her chest as a camera filmed her live broadcast.
On the other side of the glass wall, two technical staff members monitor the live broadcast through cameras, while hundreds of viewers focus their attention on the creator’s movements. The reasons behind each viewer’s choice to watch remain unknown to the outside world.
According to Professor Chen Mei-hua** from the Department of Sociology at National Sun Yat-sen University, many viewers may belong to the “otaku” subculture. She explained that Taiwan’s strong emphasis on technology and education has created a space where introverted men feel comfortable.
“Many young men are afraid to approach women. They are not as forward as men in your culture,” she noted.
SWAG: One of Asia’s Largest Adult Platforms
Berlingske visited SWAG, a company operating a video platform focused on adult content, with approximately 2.5 million monthly active users and annual revenue of around 219 million Danish kroner.
On LinkedIn, SWAG describes itself as one of Asia’s largest dating and creator-content platforms, with users across Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, and the United States.
One of the platform’s star creators, 22-year-old Joanna Wei, describes SWAG as “an adult version of Disneyland.”
“We sell fantasies,” she explained. “Whether users are single, in couples, or in same-sex relationships, we can fulfill their desires. They can send diamonds through the platform in exchange for the content they dream of.”
In just a few short years, SWAG has grown from an unknown startup into a company occupying an entire floor of one of Taiwan’s premier office buildings.
The Island of Freedom — A Haven for Otaku Culture
Internationally, Taiwan is best known for microchips and its tense relationship with China. Less widely recognized is its unique position in Asia as a hub of gender and sexual freedom.
In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Its relatively liberal views on sexuality have also contributed to the growth of the adult entertainment industry.
In contrast, neighboring regions such as Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines prohibit pornography. Even democratic South Korea bans adult films.
Japan, often considered Asia’s adult entertainment center, still enforces strict censorship. According to anthropologist Dixon Wong, Japanese adult films must blur intimate body parts, while in Taiwan only content involving animals or extreme violence is prohibited.
“If Japan ranks first as Asia’s adult entertainment hub, Taiwan would be second,” Wong remarked.
How SWAG Operates
Inside SWAG’s office, there is little explicit décor. The environment resembles a modern tech company more than an adult entertainment business. While many creators work remotely, SWAG maintains several on-site live-streaming studios.
SWAG’s CEO, Sam Liu, who graduated in computer engineering, explained:
“There are many women on Instagram showing their bodies for free without earning anything. Our platform gives them an opportunity to generate income.”
Currently, around 1,500 creators worldwide produce content on SWAG, ranging from explicit material to softer, sensual photos and videos. Some creators do not undress at all, instead offering emotional companionship for users who value connection over nudity.
Stories of Female Creators
Joanne Wei is one of SWAG’s most representative creators. She shared that she joined the platform over a year ago because she enjoyed nude photography and needed to cover her university tuition.
“If it were allowed, I would even walk naked down the street,” she said.
She initially sold nude photos and videos independently before later partnering with SWAG. Amy, SWAG’s Head of Creator Management, noted that explicit content remains the most popular on the platform. However, some creators focus primarily on interaction rather than nudity, as many users seek genuine connection and companionship.
Challenges Behind the Spotlight
Despite the high earning potential, the work comes with challenges. Creator Neinei shared that she previously served as a military officer before becoming a media sensation after a private video leak.
Rather than retreating, she turned the crisis into an opportunity and partnered with SWAG. Today, she earns approximately NTD 100,000 per week by streaming just two to three times.
She emphasized that her content remains within lingerie boundaries, without explicit nudity or sexual performances.
“For me, it’s more about real interaction than sexual focus,” she explained.
Market Characteristics
CEO Sam Liu pointed out that male and female users in Asia display different consumption behaviors.
“Men seek stimulation, while women are drawn to romance and storytelling,” he said.
As a result, SWAG’s primary market remains male users who are willing to pay for interaction and real-time responses.
However, anthropologist Dixon Wong observed that the female consumer market is growing — particularly among married women who are dissatisfied with their marriages and sex lives, and who are increasingly becoming users of such platforms.
Article Source：Berlingske https://www.berlingske.dk/internationalt/maendene-har-det-svaert-med-kvinder-men-i-de-voksnes-disneyland-har
Text：Alexander Sjöberg
Photography：Alexander Sjöberg