Stepping into the spotlight

Signing sessions, variety show studios, concert backstages — these are the spaces where pop idols create countless photos, videos, and iconic moments that shape our imaginations of star life.

Now, ordinary people can recreate those same scenes with identical set designs.

In April last year, the world's first idol experience center opened in Shanghai. Spanning less than 200 square meters, it features six sets inspired by K-pop idol culture. Here, visitors can dress like their favorite idols, apply sparkling girl group makeup, strike signature K-pop poses, and record dance videos — essentially experiencing their own one-day debut.

Chen Rong, 30, from Guiyang, Guizhou province, is the owner of this center and the creator of the "idol experience store" concept. After spending eight years working as a model in Shanghai, she became familiar with studios and backstage areas. That was when she realized that while many people are curious about these spaces, they rarely get the chance to step inside.

"I wanted to bring the idol lifestyle to the public so that everyone can experience it," she said. "Here, girls can wear outfits they wouldn't normally choose and enjoy capturing glamorous, star-like moments."

Chen herself dreamed of becoming a star from a young age, aspiring to be a singer. She even applied to join the Chinese idol group SNH48 GROUP and was offered an interview. However, feeling unsure of herself at the time, she ultimately backed out, thinking the dream was out of reach.

Despite her deep passion for idol culture, Chen encourages a more balanced and rational approach to fandom.

"Supporting idols shouldn't be taken to extremes — it should bring positive influence and energy," she said.

Immersive experience

Hu Xinyue, a 16-year-old from Shanghai, has loved K-pop dance since childhood. She has been practicing for over seven years and runs a dance blog alongside her schoolwork.

When she discovered the idol experience center, she was thrilled and has since visited five times to film dance challenge videos, recreating the moves and songs of popular South Korean groups like Aespa, Blackpink, and Twice.

"I've been dancing since I was little, and I've always dreamed of performing on stage," she said. "Seeing myself in the same setting, shining like my favorite idols, fills me with pride."

Hu chose to film her videos against a backdrop inspired by the red wall of a K-pop music center, a place where idols often take selfies and create behind-the-scenes moments. This setting holds special meaning for her, as it reflects the life of idols offstage.

"Although idols shine on stage, most of their hard work happens behind the scenes. Recording videos here is my way of showcasing the true spirit of idol culture," she said.

Liu Wanyi, a 19-year-old university student from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, traveled to Shanghai last June to visit the idol center. There, she participated in a signing event to interact with her idol — Yuma from Japan's&TEAM — through a "reverse signing" format.

In this unique event, idols ask fans a question about themselves, and only those who answer correctly or meet certain criteria receive a signature.

Dressed in a glamorous performance outfit and sitting in front of the display, Liu felt as if she were the idol at the signing event, making the experience even more exciting.

Liu believes that her love for idols is her "motivation to explore the world", and she sees the idol center as an important part of that journey.

The allure of the center has even spread overseas. News about it garnered tens of thousands of likes on South Korean social media, with netizens expressing surprise that such a venue — which doesn't even exist in South Korea, the birthplace of idol culture — has been created in Shanghai.

So far, Chen's store has welcomed nearly 20 South Korean customers, who use translation devices to communicate with staff. Despite the language barrier, their eagerness to experience idol culture was undeterred. Visitors have also come from the United States, Russia, Japan, Thailand, and other countries and regions.