Chinese women spend top dollar on male model shoots, turning staged romance into viral trend

An emerging phenomenon in China sees young women paying for romantic photo shoots with male models in pursuit of a fleeting taste of love. These intimate sessions, often lasting an hour, showcase couple-like poses like hand-holding, embraces, and staged kisses, with some even including physical contact on the models' abdominal regions. The trend has surged on Chinese social media platforms, with customers spending up to 8,000 yuan (approximately US$1,200) for such experiences.

A notable example is Xue Dinge, a lifestyle blogger who spent 4,520 yuan for a 30-minute romantic shoot with two male models in a cozy studio. The photographer guided her and the models through various intimate poses, including forehead-to-forehead shots and a scene where the shirtless model embraced her in a bathtub. Xue later shared on social media: "Congratulations on entering the era of female-oriented services."

Another patron, Wenji from Chengdu, paid 3,000 yuan for a couple-style shoot where she staged a quarrel with her "boyfriend," only to find him waiting outside her door, tearful and heartbroken. Wenji explained, "The model is simply a tool for me to create beautiful images. Taking photos is like crafting a dream. I am paying for a scene that makes my heart flutter."

Many customers describe the experience as an opportunity to momentarily indulge in romance, fulfilling fantasies of an unattainable relationship. However, some question the appeal, arguing that paying for photos with a stranger is unsatisfying, as the subjects are neither friends nor celebrities. One critic noted, "Why would I spend money on photos that include a stranger? They are neither my friends nor celebrities."

Mu Zhao Studio, located in Nanjing, claims to be China's first photography studio offering couple-style shoots with male models. Their packages range from 7,200 yuan for nine edited photos to 28,000 yuan for a full-day experience with multiple outfits and 120 images. The models are typically commercial models or online influencers, and their fees are determined by factors such as appearance, height, follower count, and performance skills.

Mu Zhao, the studio's founder based in Nanjing, observed that some customers seek attractive couple portraits, while others desire the emotional experience of dating a handsome man or use the photos to cope with family pressure regarding marriage. Despite some clients developing feelings for the models, Mu Zhao emphasized that intimate poses are designed within appropriate social boundaries and that the studio avoids exchanging contact details between customers and models.

She believes that women should be bold enough to express their needs, whether related to appearance, intimate desires, or emotional fulfillment. "Women should be brave enough to articulate their own needs. Spending money to make themselves happy is enough," she stated.

This trend exemplifies a broader shift towards paid companionship services in China, where women can hire male companions for various activities ranging from outdoor adventures to immersive role-playing games.