img src="https://i3.hoopchina.com.cn/blogfile/201705/15/BbsImg149485426784993_922x1344.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_600/format,webp/quality,Q_60" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" />

I think Hupu users are rational and have values in line with mine,” he says. “People are genuine when sharing their experiences and opinions.” A Hub for Straight Men img src="https://i2.hoopchina.com.cn/blogfile/201809/17/BbsImg_221016603672131_1537151025_s_57551_o_w_673_h_188_53739.png?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_600/format,webp/quality,Q_60" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> He added, “The former reflects traditional masculinity, while the latter explains the new changes in Chinese masculinity over the years.” img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=10" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> Basketball and soccer are Hupu’s core pillars and the reason for its decades-long popularity. However, the forum has also become a community for straight males to discuss issues beyond sports, such as relationships, gossip, and lifestyle-themed topics. Basketball Blog Turned Sports Forum

CBA比赛

But Hupu users aren’t always about flexing their muscles; some also share their vulnerable sides, especially after being cheated on by their partners. As much as Fan dislikes the topic, it makes for one of Hupu’s most popular. For Yang, Hupu is one of several apps he spends the most time on every day, and he identifies as a JR. img src="http://i3.hoopchina.com.cn/blogfile/201510/10/BbsImg144448311379460_550*426.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_600/format,webp/quality,Q_60" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> I was so touched to see so many longtime fans of Kobe share stories and pictures of their sports gear collections.”

img src="https://i1.hoopchina.com.cn/blogfile/201707/08/BbsImg149945097023095_125563375260957_4000x2502.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_600/format,webp/quality,Q_60" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" />

Fan tells RADII that he thinks most Hupu users are sports enthusiasts, and that shared identity naturally bonds them together.

img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=16" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=17" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> Since 2016, Hupu has hosted an annual goddess competition where users vote for the most popular and prettiest female celebrity, who is crowned the ‘goddess.’ The past six champions include Disney’s Mulan Liu Yifei and retired Hong Kong actress Chingmy Yau.In 2007, Cheng founded Hupu as most know it today, expanding its business scope to cover other types of sports, conduct gaming cooperation, operate sports gear ecommerce, and host offline events. It’s now China’s biggest sports forum, with more than 70 million registered users as of April 2020. img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=13" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> Digital Existence is a series where we explore how technology and the internet impact everyday people’s lives in China and beyond. This month we’re exploring China’s most popular sports forum, Hupu, and its community culture. Many might not know that Hupu started as a basketball blog. A diehard fan of the Chicago Bulls, founder Cheng Hang, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanics in Chicago at the time, created hoopCHINA to share NBA news with other Chinese basketball fans in the U.S.

According to Qianfan Analysys , 94% of Hupu users identify as male, and 67% are under the age of 29. Additionally, Hupu had the most active users among all Chinese sports apps as of November 2020. img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=18" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=15" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=4" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" /> Maybe all straight men have a competitive streak in their bones. They like to compare and express their aesthetics and tastes,” said Shen Ruien, former head of Hupu’s community user growth, in a 2021 article . “You can think of Hupu as a barbecue stall or a college dorm where guys hang out after watching football.”We chose the male market for the simple reason that we don’t know much about women. I don’t even understand the female relatives in my own family,” Cheng said in another interview. “But we know exactly what men like.” img src="http://b1.hoopchina.com.cn/games/images/day.png?l=5" class="article-deposit-pic lazy css_inner_pic" />