Order Volume Surges by 9,000%...How Generation Z in China Finds Fulfillment With Just 20,000 KRW [China.zip]

Praised for Providing Comfort and Stability

Popularity Driven by Low Barrier to Entry and Minimal Cost

Editor's NoteThis is a serialized feature that unpacks only the most interesting stories by 'decompressing' the giant and complex facets of China’s economy, society, and culture for our readers.

Among China's Generation Z, a "healing hobby" is emerging: putting aside smartphones for a while to assemble colorful beads called "Perler beads" (also known as color beads). Such activities are gaining popularity for the comfort and sense of stability they bring, as people can immerse themselves in a cozy setting and escape from the complex pressures of daily life.

The Lanzing Daily in China reported on September 8 that "the growing popularity of Perler beads has triggered explosive growth in the related market." Perler beads is a craft activity in which small beads are arranged onto a template using tweezers, then fused together using a heated iron. Low barriers to entry and affordable costs have quickly made it a mainstream hobby among younger generations.

Perler Bead Content Explodes in Popularity on Chinese Social Networking Services (SNS)

AI-generated image.

The scale of this trend is also demonstrated by the numbers. According to 2026 Lunar New Year consumption data from Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), group purchases of Perler bead-related products by Generation Z surged by an astonishing 9,018% year-on-year. Related posts have accumulated more than 29.8 billion views. "Perler beads" ranked 2nd on Taobao’s list of "Top 10 Trending Products of 2025," after search volume jumped nearly 500% over the previous year. On Xiaohongshu, the hashtag "#PerlerBeadAddiction" has garnered over 11.7 billion views and 31 million discussions.

This craze is accelerated by marketing efforts online and offline. Xiaohongshu has held offline Perler bead competitions in six cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. Douyin has also hosted competitions and held a "2026 Perler Bead Academic Exchange" in Shanghai.

Templates inspired by films such as "Kill Bill," "Pulp Fiction," "Jaws," "La La Land," and "The Silence of the Lambs," as well as famous artworks and sculptures, have added to the trend’s broad appeal. The momentum has accelerated further as fans reinterpret popular intellectual property (IP) characters such as Pop Mart and Jellycat in Perler bead form, fueling secondary creative culture.

High Revisit Rate…Expansion of Offline Stores Nationwide

Works made with PearLovers. Xiaohongshu, China.

Word of mouth is now spreading Perler beads into offline retail as well. More than 2,500 dedicated Perler bead shops are now operating throughout China, with around 90% of these having opened in the past six months. The experience is expanding not only in stores but also in waiting areas at China’s largest hotpot chain Haidilao, hot spring resorts, and arcades.

Perler bead stores are particularly notable for their high rate of return customers. Ms. Chen Jing, who runs a store, said, "A significant number of our customers are regulars." Founders of Perler bead brands echoed this, stating, "Our stores have a repeat purchase rate of around 40%, and many regulars bring family or friends along."

Enthusiasts of Perler beads note, "When we're immersed, stray thoughts disappear, and our anxiety and distracted minds are calmed." Spending an entire day in a store making projects costs about 100 yuan (approximately 20,000 KRW), making it an affordable way to enjoy focus and a sense of accomplishment. These handmade creations are also considered high-value gifts thanks to their heartfelt craftsmanship and cost-effectiveness.

Liang, an office worker, shared, "Perler bead creations don't look childish, so they can be used as home decor. I like being able to reflect my personal tastes in patterns, designs, and colors."

More and more fans are embracing Perler beads as part of their "lifestyle," going beyond hobby status. One woman purchased 210 kg of beads, invested thousands of yuan in 3D printers and professional equipment to print custom tools, and transformed her entire home into a Perler bead-themed space, going viral on social media. Another enthusiast, Ms. Polly, confessed, "I bought a used iPad so I could enlarge patterns, and switched to a comfortable chair for longer sessions. At first, I only wanted to supplement a few lacking colors, but eventually I couldn't resist buying over 5,000 more beads." These devoted fans, who are not sparing in their bold investments, are propelling the market's growth far beyond one-off experiences.

Artwork made with PearlLovers. Xiaohongshu, China.

Experts point to the "solid sense of achievement amid uncertainty" as the driving force behind this trend. Chao Yixie, a researcher at the Institute of Applied Economics at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, commented, "With prolonged youth unemployment and economic stagnation increasing social uncertainty in China recently, young people are turning to Perler beads for a sense of stability."

However, with the rapid expansion of the market, safety concerns have surfaced. The State Administration for Market Regulation of China recently issued a special notice and warning regarding the quality and safety of Perler bead products. Some online sellers were found to have omitted age labels or sold irons to fuse beads that fail to meet the required standards for low-voltage special heating equipment.

The Jiangsu Consumer Protection Committee advised, "Ban use by children under the age of three and always choose products that have received safety certification. If a strong, pungent smell is noticeable upon opening the packaging, discontinue use immediately."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.