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Zoey Zhang

A Japanese underground idol has stirred an online debate by offering fans the unusual perk of sniffing her armpits.
Hari Matsumoto, from Wakayama, Honshu island, has attracted over 400,000 followers on social media thanks to her bubbly personality and approachable charm.
In Japan, underground idols usually perform in intimate venues such as small theatre, livehouses or shopping centres and rarely appear on mainstream media.
Unlike top-tier idols featured on television, in magazines, and in advertisements, they build their following primarily through live performances and direct fan interactions.

Recently, Matsumoto replaced traditional handshakes and hugs with an armpit-sniffing service during post-show interactions.
In a viral clip, an older male fan is seen mimicking a puppy, raising his fists and sniffing both her armpits with her permission.
Afterwards, Matsumoto sat him down and held him in her arms, treating him with gentle touch.
One fan shared a photograph of Matsumoto online with the caption: “I really like your scent. The reason I was born was to meet Hari. I love you.”
Some fans have even gone so far as to offer “lifetime happiness contracts,” pledging all their earnings to her and avoiding relationships with other women as a show of loyalty.

Matsumoto has not explained why she introduced the armpit-sniffing perk, but observers suggest it is a way to stand out among the thousands of underground idols and strengthen her fan base.
The move has not been without critics.
One online user described the service as “disgusting,” adding: “It is better to think of it as low-priced adult entertainment rather than idols.”
While another said: “I feel sad for Matsumoto. The underground idol industry often deliberately or unconsciously tolerates types of behaviour that would be unacceptable in other professions, such as exposing private lives or selling body scents.”
The controversy underscores the brutal realities of the underground idol industry.
The documentary Youth of Japanese Underground Idols notes that nearly 80 per cent of idols in Japan operate in this “underground” sphere.
Their salaries are low. While the average Japanese office worker earns around 300,000 yen (US$1,900) per month, underground idols typically make just 120,000 yen or less.
Some agencies reportedly provide no base salary, delay payments at will, or dismiss idols for arbitrary reasons.

Years of intense competition, coupled with the demands of maintaining body standards, pleasing fans, and managing harassment, have taken a serious toll on the physical and mental health of many performers.
A survey by the Japanese company Tsugisute of 102 idols found that over half had experienced mental health issues during their careers.
Among respondents, 48 per cent reported workplace bullying and 12 per cent reported sexual harassment.
Also, underground idols are often expected to remain single because frequent fan interactions are considered a key part of their appeal.
As Japanese idol culture continues to expand and live-streaming economies grow, similar underground idol scenes have begun to emerge in China, particularly in Shanghai and Hong Kong.


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Viral stories

A Japanese underground idol has caused outrage by offering an armpit sniffing service for fans. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com

Two separate male fans of Matsumoto sniffing the online performer’s armpits.  Photo: QQ.com

A fan of Japanese underground idol Matsumoto discusses a “loyalty contract” with her. Photo: QQ.com

A group of underground idols in Japan, above. The industry is spreading to places like Shanghai and Hong Kong. Photo: QQ.com

China city dwellers adopt chickens as pets, treating them like babies, walking them in prams

Keeping pet chickens is a growing trend in urban China, leading to a re-examination of animal ethics and the bond between people and pets. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

Furry friend: It would be hard not to like this fluffy feathered fowl. Photo: QQ.com

A broody hen sits comfortably in its specially-made, blanketed bed. Photo: QQ.com

Ruling the roost: These two birds are right at home in their owner’s house. Photo: QQ.com

The above owner takes her chicken for a ride in the passenger seat of a car. Photo: QQ.com

This girl holding a newborn puppy and kitten has adopted a more traditional attitude to keeping pets. Photo: Shutterstock

Rumours of China Forbidden City using 600,000 tonnes of pig blood to ‘dispel evil’ debunked

The rumour that the Forbidden City used tonnes of pig blood to “dispel evil” has been debunked. It seems it was inspired by the mythology of “Journey to the West”, where Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) protects the monk Tang Sanzang from evil spirits. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu

Two workers, one using a steel trowel, right, work on a wall at the Forbidden City. Photo: www.ettoday.net

A girl in traditional Chinese clothing poses for a picture in front of a red wall outside the Forbidden City. Photo: Eugene Lee

The adhesive mixture of pig’s blood and plaster in a bucket, ready for use. Photo: www.ettoday.net

The Palace Museum viewed from Jingshan Park in Beijing. Photo: Eugene Lee

China influencer tricked into Cambodia cyber scam recounts ordeal but live-stream was cut short

Chinese influencer Umi who was tricked into telecom fraud while in Cambodia, recounted her ordeal in a recent live-stream that was cut short.  Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/RedNote

Umi, above, was found near a Cambodian hotel, looking gaunt and dirty, holding a CAT scan and suffering from a leg injury. Photo: RedNote

Gradually, Umi resumed her social media and live-streaming activities. She revealed she was forced into “keyboard work,” a term linked to telecom fraud, shortly after being lured to Cambodia. Photo: RedNote

Cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia have surged, with a UN report estimating about 300,000 people from 66 countries, including China, trafficked into fraud rings in the region. Photo: Reuters/Soveit Yarn

Plight of parentless China boy cared by grandpa attracts 46 million views, prompts government aid

A nine-year-old boy in China relies on his 73-year-old grandfather after his father died and his mother remarried. His teacher was so moved by his story that she offered to care for him if his grandfather dies. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

The boy’s grandfather said Zichen, above, often cries when he dreams about his late father. Photo: Weibo

Zichen being comforted by his grandfather, the only family member left to look after him. Photo: Weibo

Zichen gives his grandfather some food. The youngster worries that if his grandpa does not eat well he might die. Photo: Weibo

Zichen with the teacher who has pledged to look after him should anything happen to his grandfather. Photo: Weibo

China ‘Superdad’ uses salary, loans to build ‘marathon Dream Home’ for 300 deprived kids

China’s “Superdad” Bai Jian, a secondary school physical education teacher, used his salary and loans to build a “marathon dream home” and adopted more than 300 underprivileged children. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Bilibili

Bai Jian, dressed in white, with some of the children under his care. Photo: Sohu

Bail, in green, with some of the children in one of the dormitories at his “dream home”. Photo: Sohu

Thumbs up: Bai, in white, sought help from his mother and sisters to make the charitable project a success. Photo: Sohu

A number of Bai’s “children” have become champion athletes thanks to hard work and dedication. Photo: Sohu

Bai out running with some of the children he looks after. He believes sport can help them build character. Photo: Sohu

News

People & Culture

‘Bubbly, approachable’ online performer entices men to partake in strange practice; some fans pledge lifelong ‘loyalty’ to her


‘Bubbly, approachable’ online performer entices men to partake in strange practice; some fans pledge lifelong ‘loyalty’ to her.


Japan

Japan underground idol sparks outrage for offering armpit sniffing service for fans

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Bubbly, approachable’ online performer entices men to partake in strange practice; some fans pledge lifelong ‘loyalty’ to her

‘Bubbly, approachable’ online performer entices men to partake in strange practice; some fans pledge lifelong ‘loyalty’ to her