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| 300+ Japanese-Style Idol Groups in China: The Underground Music Trend Taking Off |
From Beijing to Tokyo Dome? China's Underground J-Idol Boom Is Building Bridges With Japan
With over 300 active idol groups singing in Japanese and dreaming of Tokyo Dome, China’s “J-style” underground idol scene is booming — and it’s more than just cosplay.
Move over AKB48 and Hello! Project — the next wave of Japanese idol culture might just be coming out of... Wuhan? That’s right.
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While Japan continues to host a whopping 2,600+ idol groups, China’s own underground idol boom is kicking off in full force, with over 300 groups now active across major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and even Wuhan.
And what makes it more interesting? These groups aren’t just inspired by Japan’s idol culture — they’re performing fully in Japanese, down to the lyrics, aesthetics, and fan interaction style.
IdolREALM: “We’re not copying. We’re paying homage.”
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| Remi |
Leading the charge is IDOLREALM, one of the key production houses nurturing this niche but fast-growing trend. According to Remi, the company’s president, the mission isn’t to imitate but to preserve the soul of Japanese idol culture — from the cheerful tunes and call-and-response fan chants to the Japanese-language covers and original tracks.
“If you want to truly recreate the spirit of the original, you have to start with the language. We’re not just doing J-pop covers; some of our groups are writing brand-new Japanese songs,” Remi shared.
Some groups have even adopted Japanese-style stage names — like “Hanaka,” “Riko,” or “Gyoza-san” — and many hope to one day perform live in Japan. It’s not just a career goal — it’s a symbol of respect.
Fans are fuelling it — and putting serious money behind it
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Behind every successful idol is a legion of passionate fans, and China’s underground idol scene is no different.
At a recent event in Wuhan, local group EAUX drew hundreds of fans, mostly young men, queueing hours before showtime. As the music kicked off, chants echoed, glowsticks lit up, and synchronised head-bobbing began.
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After the show? It was time for the real currency of idol culture: fan meet-and-greets. One photo with your fave? That’ll be around ¥1200 (about 2,500 yen). Want more? Some fans shelled out for dozens of tickets in one night, spending thousands of yuan just for those precious few minutes of facetime.
“I bought over ten tickets today,” one fan in Wuhan said. “There are so many idols I want to talk to. I’ve probably spent tens of thousands of yuan this year. It’s not just fun — it gives me purpose. They give their all on stage, so I want to give back.”
The spirit of “supporting your idol to grow” — a cornerstone of Japan’s underground idol culture — is being fully embraced.
"Our dream? Singing at Tokyo Dome."
Despite political tensions between China and Japan at the diplomatic level, this next-gen wave of cross-cultural admiration is quietly building bridges — one idol handshake at a time.
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Wuhan-based group Sweet2Poison has even loftier dreams.
“We want to sing at Tokyo Dome,” says Haruka, the group’s bubbly centre. “It’s the dream. It’s what we work for every day.”
Their fellow idol, Gyoza-san from group Kinkyuu Shugo (緊急集合), echoed that sentiment.
“Japan is the birthplace of idol culture. We respect it so much. We love the music, the energy — everything. Performing there would be an honour.”
From cosplay to cultural connection?
This idol boom began with just 40 groups back in 2023, mostly in Beijing and Shanghai. But two years on, there are now over 300 active underground idol units across China.
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The movement’s even being dubbed the “Warring Idols Era” (地下アイドルの戦国時代) — a playful nod to the Sengoku period of Japanese history, but with glowsticks instead of swords.
And this isn't just a quirky subculture. It’s tapping into something deeper. Despite ongoing tension in government relations, it’s clear that on the ground — especially among young people — admiration and connection are taking root.
TL;DR: China’s Underground J-Idol Scene Is Real, Respectful, and Rapidly Growing
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Over 300 (initially 40) Chinese idol groups are now active, mimicking Japanese underground idol style — singing, names, costumes, language and all.
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These groups are mostly based in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan, but spreading fast.
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Fans — primarily young men — are spending thousands annually on meet-and-greet sessions, photos, and merch.
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Idol groups hope to one day perform in Japan, and some are already writing original songs in Japanese.
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Industry insiders say it’s all about authenticity and respect, not copy-pasting.
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Despite rocky politics, this cultural movement is building quiet bridges between the two countries.