`爱豆 (àidòu)` is more than just a word; it's a cultural phenomenon. Its rise in popularity mirrors the explosion of idol culture (爱豆文化) in China since the 2010s, heavily influenced by the “Hallyu Wave” of South Korean K-pop and Japanese J-pop. A key cultural distinction is between a Western “pop star” and a Chinese `爱豆`. While both are performers, the `爱豆` is a product of a more rigorous and all-encompassing system. They are often scouted as teenagers, go through intense training in singing, dancing, and media interaction, and are expected to maintain a pristine, almost manufactured, public image. The relationship between an `爱豆` and their fans (`粉丝 fěnsī`) is often a deeply felt parasocial relationship. Fans are not just passive consumers; they are active participants in their idol's career. They organize themselves into “fan circles” (`饭圈 fànquān`) to perform activities like `打榜 (dǎbǎng)`—mass-voting to get their idol to the top of music charts—and `应援 (yìngyuán)`—funding public support projects like subway ads or birthday billboards. Because of this, an `爱豆`'s personal life, especially their relationship status, is under intense scrutiny. A dating scandal can lead to `塌房 (tāfáng)`, or “the house collapsing,” where a fan's idealized image of their idol is shattered, often causing them to lose a significant portion of their fanbase.
`爱豆` is an informal and extremely common term, especially among young people and on the internet.