Many of China’s single-child generation are growing up in a radically different country to their parents - one that's more affluent, and globalized. Watching Japanese cartoons, listening to the newest Western music and leading a social life on smartphones, they’re born to be culturally different. But what do they get up to, and what's on their minds? We’ll bring you a series of reports on the Sub-cultures of China’s Youth over the coming weekends.
A team of beautiful young girls, and hundreds of excited boys shouting and waving to express their adulation. This fiery little concert is not a rare occurrence. It has been repeated on Friday and Saturday every week for the past two years. And at every event, loyal fans will faithfully record the performance.
"I love this girl so I’ll only film her dancing. Then I’ll edit the footage to present her in the best light. I spend most of my spare time on these girls," said Ya Yin, college student.
Ya Yin is now a college student, and he’s rarely missed a concert. He has spent thousands of yuan collecting these cards. The girl band he’s chasing is called 1931, consisting of 28 girls, whose average age is under 20.
"I like those girls because I can watch them becoming stronger and stronger. I can grow with them. And there is no distance between us. We’re like family," she said,
This afternoon is themed on the so-called Maid Café. Some girls will dress like housemaids to serve their fans. The event will be broadcast live online to fans watching on their phones and computers.
1931 was launched in Guangzhou, China’s third largest city, two years ago. It followed the example of the Japanese super band AKB48, which also includes dozens of young girls.
Unlike traditional polished entertainers, the girls are recruited untrained. They have to accumulate their fans and reputation, through performances in small theatres and in TV show appearances.
So, fan support means everything to them.
Hardworking, lovely or humorous... those girls may not be professional dancers or singers, but their different characters help them attract fans.
"The girls all have different characteristics. Watching and following them relaxes me after high-pressured work," said Da Tou, IT developer.
To support their girls, the fans are willing to do almost everything. Tonight, some fans are throwing a party to celebrate a member’s birthday.
You can see some scenes you would never see at a normal pop star’s birthday party.
But the closeness of the fans and the girls has raised eyebrows from some corners of society….especially the parents of those involved.
"My parents don’t understand why I’m so obsessed with these girls. They want me to work in a bank after graduation, but I want to work for 1931, so I can help them grow," Ya said.
For Ya Yin, just watching and helping the girls to shine on stage is already enough. Other things in life, really don’t matter to him.
