In Oshi-katsu, a simple table becomes a stage for creativity, friendships bloom over shared passions, and every gathering weaves cherished memories of connection and growth.
Tucked away on a quiet street near Sihui Station on Beijing's Line 1, a Korean-inspired neighborhood cafe features walls lined with vintage cameras and records. Sunlight filters through the glass facade, creating colorful reflections on scattered bouquets and seashells.
Zhou Tao, having just returned with yellow-themed decorations, is rearranging the layout of goods and desserts on the table. A rose-flavored cupcake has already been moved four times in a few minutes.
In an Oshi-katsu, the layout design of the scene and post-processing of the photos are undoubtedly the most time-consuming parts, requiring Zhou Tao to spend an extended period in front of the table. During this time, other customers occasionally glance over, their eyes filled with impatience and envy. However, Zhou Tao does not let this rush her. Feeling their gazes, she looks up, smiles, and says to her friend sitting across the table:
"Luckily you're here."
Pattern Coffee interior [Photo: Dong Yating]
Oshi-katsu, derived from the Japanese term "推し活," refers to activities that fans engage in to support their favorite stars or interests. Initially, this concept was popular only among stargazers. However, following the release of the Japanese manga Oshi no Ko in 2023, the term gained broader recognition within secondary fan communities. Recently, with the rising popularity of the Japanese IP Chiikawa, "Oshi-katsu"has transcended the boundaries of idol and anime fandoms, gradually embedding itself into mainstream pop culture.
In Chinese secondary culture, Oshi-katsu is closely tied to the guzi economy and often involves taking beloved merchandise to stores for themed photo shoots. Similar to the way we carefully select outfits and settings to create visually appealing personal photos, matching store interiors and aesthetically pleasing desserts with merchandise significantly elevates their perceived value. As a result, an increasing number of people in secondary culture communities are visiting cafes and dessert shops, spending hours perfecting a "portrait session" for their cherished goods.
"It's not what I expected!"
Before the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, Zhou Tao, a newly minted freshman, came across a dessert shop on Xiaohongshu (a platform similar to Instagram). The photos posted by the blogger showcased a perfect match between the shop's décor, its desserts, and the aesthetic of the goods Zhou owned. Wanting to treat both her dessert-loving self and her favorite anime character, she decided to visit the shop for an Oshi-katsu on the eve of the festival.
This wasn't Zhou's first time engaging in Oshi-katsu. Back in high school, she had visited anime-themed restaurants, such as the Conan and Time Agents collaborations hosted by Beijing's Chongwenmen New Times Department Store during their annual Tide Play Planet events from November to February. On those occasions, she had carefully arranged her goods to take themed photos. Having already experienced similar activities, she approached the upcoming Oshi-katsu trip with little of the excitement or nervousness of a first-timer.
Meanwhile, 1,262 kilometers away in Shanghai, Weiyu was rummaging through boxes, carefully selecting goods for her own Oshi-katsu experience. As a complete newcomer, she hesitated to bring too much. "These are my spiritual support while preparing for IELTS," she explained, "and I truly hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow."
After a 40-minute ride, Zhou arrived at the dessert shop, only to be greeted by an unexpected reality. The shabby interiors, greasy tabletops, and harsh yellow lighting starkly contrasted with the polished images shared by the blogger. To make matters worse, the much-anticipated desserts that had inspired her visit were Mid-Autumn Festival exclusives and unavailable that day.
Months later, Zhou's frustration still lingers as she recalls the experience. "I completely fell for that shop-hunting blogger!" she says, her emotions still stirred by the memory.
Things weren't much better for Weiyu at first. From the moment she was seated, the small children at the next table were yelling and screaming, inevitably dampening her mood. Fortunately, the clerk eventually intervened and persuaded the children to leave, restoring tranquility to the small dessert shop.
Despite this initial hiccup, Weiyu's Oshi-katsu experience turned out to be a resounding success. The enthusiastic staff, visually appealing and delicious food, and the stunning photos she captured made her feel the trip was well worth it. What surprised her even more was the response she received after uploading her Oshi-katsu photos to Xiaohongshu. With the casual mindset of "I might as well share this to commemorate the experience," she posted the photos—and they quickly garnered over 200 likes.
Soon after, private messages began pouring in. Some users requested her recommendations for other spots, while others reached out to connect over shared interests. Through these interactions, she not only expanded her friend list but also discovered "kindred spirits" who shared her enthusiasm for Oshi-katsu. This marked her transition from a "stand-alone" participant to someone with a growing community of like-minded friends.
Weiyu's Oshi-kstsu results [Photo/Provided by the interviewee]
"The event turned out to be completely beyond my expectations. I initially just wanted to take photos of my favorite goods, but I ended up meeting kindred spirits who shared remarkably similar interests. The popularity of my post even led to the formation of my first fellowship group, and we organized a night out together. It was not only incredibly fun but also a great honor. In every sense, this outcome was far beyond anything I had imagined."
"Helping each other is the essence of the secondary culture!"
After her less-than-satisfactory first Oshi-katsu experience, Zhou Tao made it her mission to become a Xiaohongshu Oshi-katsu and cafe review blogger. On the one hand, this allowed her to bring attention to her favorite, lesser-known pairings (CPs), and on the other, it helped fellow enthusiasts quickly identify shops that met their needs for Oshi-katsu sessions.
To cater to the diverse preferences of her followers, Zhou evaluates each shop she visits based on three criteria: price, aesthetic appeal of the food, and overall environment. As her reviews are completely independent and free from promotional content, Zhou objectively highlights which shops are overpriced, which desserts look better than they taste, and provides her most sincere recommendations. Each review is accompanied by Oshi-katsu photos she personally took at the shop, offering valuable references for her readers.
As of January 11, 2025, Zhou has visited 13 dessert shops across Beijing, including Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Dongcheng, and Changping districts. Among them, her favorite and most recommended spot is Pattern Coffee, a Korean-style cafe tucked away on a street near Beijing's Sihui Station. With an average price of around 30 yuan, its minimalist yet thoughtfully designed decor and the staff's respectful attitude toward customers' activities create a highly comfortable Oshi-katsu experience for most enthusiasts.
Oshi-katsu Map (Two stores have gone out of business) [Map/Dong Yating]
"After all, people in the secondary culture are generally good-hearted," Zhou said with a smile. "Since I'm already visiting these places, it makes me happy to know I can help others along the way."
As an experienced Oshi-katsu enthusiast, Zhou has gradually turned Oshi-katsu into a simple, quick, and highly satisfying low-cost entertainment activity. When asked how to carry out an Oshi-katsu session, she shares her expertise step by step, starting from choosing the right shop. Her advice includes selecting the best seat, creatively utilizing existing decorations in the shop, arranging goods for display, and matching and coordinating goods with the shop's aesthetic. Zhou spares no detail, generously passing on all the tips and tricks she has discovered to help elevate the quality of Oshi-katsu.
When the environment falls short, technology steps in. Facing common issues in Oshi-katsu raw photos—melted ice cream affecting the look, dim lighting, mismatched tones in small decorations, or tilted compositions—Zhou relies on Meitu Xiuxiu (a simplified version of Photoshop). Her advanced photo-editing skills allow her to tackle these problems one by one. After three months of practice, she can now "touch up" a raw photo in just 47 seconds.
Oshi-katsu Flowchart [Chart/Dong Yating]
Before-and-after comparison of photo editing [Photo/Provided by the interviewee]
"Oshi-katsu is best enjoyed with a friend. With two people, you can order a greater variety of desserts, exchange ideas for displaying goods, and have a legitimate reason to stay in the shop longer. That way, you don't need to worry about taking up a large table all by yourself and drawing unwanted attention."
"I may not love EXO as much, but I cherish the friends I've met through offline events"
It was during an offline gathering organized by Xinzi that a carefully planned surprise began to unfold.
At night, in a cozy homestay, the terrace was filled with people dancing, the living room hosted lively conversations, and the dining table seated a student diligently working on her laptop. Though everyone seemed scattered, there was a sense that they were all waiting for something big to happen.
Suddenly, a long-haired girl appeared on the makeshift stage, and her voice, amplified through a microphone, filled the room.
The crowd started moving toward the dining table. One by one, more and more people gathered around the girl engrossed in her work.
"Pop!" The lights went out.
The girl looked up, puzzled.
"Happy Birthday to you~"
Everyone clapped their hands and sang the birthday song for the busy girl.
There was no cake, nor were there candles. The birthday celebration seemed to lack a sense of ceremony. Then, someone in the crowd lit a lighter.
"Make a wish!"
This was the surprise birthday Xinzi had been secretly planning since that morning.
In China's fandom culture, the term "Oshi-katsu" hasn't gained widespread popularity yet; fans still prefer to call such events "offline gatherings." As the largest Chinese fan club for EXO, the EXO Bar (referred to as "Da Ba") regularly hosts offline activities like live-stream viewing parties, birthday celebrations, and New Year's parties, providing fans with opportunities to connect and interact.
To enhance fans' immersive experience, each large-scale event organized by Da Ba is themed, with carefully curated decorations. Xinzi still vividly remembers the day she met a group of wonderful girls in a "Secret Garden"-themed event. Together, they danced to EXO's The First Snow in front of the stage."It was so beautiful," Xinzi said with a smile. "It felt just like a wedding."
At 22, Xinzi has just completed her exams for transferring to a four-year university. This marks her 12th year as an EXO fan. Outgoing, lively, and energetic, she became deeply enamored with offline gatherings after that grand and joyous group dance, participating in them more and more frequently.
A group of girls who love the same idols, holding EXO-L light sticks while taking photos in front of hand-drawn banners, lighting up a night sky after viewing parties, or screaming with excitement at EXO videos on massive outdoor screens—these are memories filled with happiness.
Da Ba hosts offline Christmas-themed event [Photo/Provided by EXO-L]
"For me, whenever I feel stressed or unhappy, I want to go to offline events and meet these friends. I truly enjoy spending time with them. Maybe I don't love EXO as much anymore, but every time I join an event, I think to myself, 'These people are so wonderful—I can keep loving them (EXO) for a little longer.'"
Xinzi's passion for seeing these friends eventually pushed her to become more than just a participant—she began taking on the challenge of hosting events herself. From booking venues and coordinating with designers to creating promotional materials, preparing supplies, drafting contingency plans, and managing on-site logistics, Xinzi quickly realized that organizing events required much more than she had imagined.
Not a fan of traditional fan-made items like photocards, which she felt lacked meaning, Xinzi started experimenting with baking cookies featuring EXO's logo and creating teolaegi zipduri-style backpacks.
"That bag was ridiculously hard to make," Xinzi admitted. "I never thought I'd actually pull it off."
Despite the hardships, the smiles captured on camera, the compliments about her cookies being delicious, and the girls asking to take photos with her because of the backpacks all made the effort worthwhile.
"Being an event organizer has helped me so much. It pushed me to coordinate everything, plan every detail, and understand every aspect of the event. I had to communicate carefully and delegate responsibilities, which improved my communication skills and emotional intelligence. I can honestly say that being a fan has made me a better version of myself."
"Hobbies may change, but friendships last forever"
After participating in numerous offline events, Xinzi became close friends with some of the girls she met.
Large-scale offline events don't happen every day, but there are always moments in life worth sharing with people who love the same things as you. So, they started finding small yet meaningful occasions to spend time together. Whether it was visiting themed cafes with their favorite photocards, customizing beautiful cakes for a picnic in Chaoyang Park, having a tall girl wear a Byun Baekhyun mask while making noodles at Haidilao (a popular Chinese hot pot chain famous for its entertaining services), or decorating their photocards together, everything they did brought them genuine joy and happiness simply because they were with each other.
Over time, their gatherings no longer needed Oshi-katsu as an excuse. A simple "Want to hang out?" or "I'm feeling down, can you keep me company?" was enough to bring everyone together. These friendships evolved from shared interests into connections woven into their daily lives, filling Xinzi with an unparalleled sense of happiness. They began dining out, shopping, and chatting together more frequently, with their conversations expanding beyond EXO to embrace a broader range of shared interests.
A trip among friends [Photo/Provided by the interviewee]
Last December, Xinzi and a close friend attended a bar party hosted by Dungeon Beijing, a new shared interest they had just discovered beyond their love for EXO.
"I really feel lucky as a fan," Xinzi said. "I know there are bad people in fandoms, but I've only ever met the best ones—friends I deeply cherish. I'm so grateful that offline events brought them into my life."
Last November, Weiyu, who was used to enjoying her fandom alone, attended Bailian Mall with an online friend for the first time. That day, they took exclusive Ensemble Stars! Polaroid photos, introduced their favorite characters to each other, and discussed moments in the story that moved or amused them. They had been strangers, yet they clicked as though they had known each other for years. Bonded by their love for the same characters and shared emotions about the plot, their conversation gradually narrowed the distance between them.
In Weiyu's mind, a true friendship goes beyond just fandom connections. If there is something else tying her and her online friend together, they could become real friends—ones who don't need Oshi-katsu as an excuse to hang out.
"Right now, our chats are still focused on shared fandom interests," Weiyu admitted. "But I hope one day, we can start sharing the little joys of our everyday lives."
Perhaps meeting important people through Oshi-katsu takes a bit of luck. Yet, whether as an Oshi-katsu cafe blogger or an offline event organizer, these opportunities allow young people to not only enjoy their hobbies but also improve their skills.
For Zhou, the journey of discovering new Oshi-katsu spots will continue. But she hopes to expand her circle beyond her friends from high school.
"Maybe," Zhou said, "it's time for me to try meeting new people."
Reporter | Dong Yating
The reporter is from Beijing Foreign Studies University.
