Ancient History of Chinese Fan Culture Explored

The ancient and wild history of Chinese fan culture, including the practice of eating an idol's poems, is being explored. This deep dive into historical practices reveals the unique ways fans expressed devotion in China.

25 May, 22:35 — 26 May, 06:00

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Why this matters

This story delves into the deep historical roots of Chinese fandom, revealing that practices akin to modern celebrity worship existed thousands of years ago. Understanding this ancient culture provides a unique perspective on the evolution of fame, influence, and cultural expression in China.

Key entitiesChina

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SCMPMostly Factual2d ago

Eating idol’s poems: inside the wild, ancient history of Chinese fan culture

China’s fandom culture predates today’s pop idols and live-streaming celebrities by millennia. In ancient times, fame was cultivated in the streets, restaurants, and poetry circles, where beauty and talent transformed poets and performers into objects of public fascination. One of China’s earliest heartthrobs was Pan Yue, a writer from the Western Jin dynasty (266–316), better known by his nickname, Pan An. Celebrated in the book, A New Account of the Tales of the World, for his striking good...

By Zoey Zhang

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china-dailyLow2d ago