Birthday Cafés bring Fan Culture to Kaohsiung

　When fans hear MRT station announcements, like “Welcome to Kaohsiung!” recorded by their favorite artists or see the Kaohsiung Music Center（高雄流行音樂中心）glowing in their official fan colors, it shows that fandom has expanded beyond just watching their favorite idols at concerts. It has spread into the streets, cafés, and nighttime skylines, bringing joy to various fan groups throughout the city.

　At the core of this trend is the rise of “birthday cafés,” a fan-driven celebration culture that started in South Korea and has steadily grown in popularity in Kaohsiung. These gatherings turn cafés into themed spaces that honor different idols, bringing fans together from around the region.

　Local spots like Un Bon Café and Naughty Girl Nitro Drinks（淘氣女孩氮氣飲品）have become popular venues for celebrations. On an idol's birthday, fans often rent out the whole café, decorating it with posters, photos, and life-sized cutouts of the artist, while playing the idol's music in the background. This creates a temporary space where fans can celebrate, connect, and share their excitement.

　Ms. M, who has been part of a fan group for over ten years, explains that these events are not just about decoration but also about engagement. Fans often display carefully collected merchandise, and visitors who meet a minimum purchase requirement receive small fan collectibles such as photo cards. A new addition to these activities involves incorporating idols' quotes into “fortune-drawing” activities, which gives fans the feeling that they are receiving a personal message from their favorite star.

　The culture of fan groups has evolved significantly, moving beyond simply meeting at cafés to celebrate idols' birthdays. Since 2025, Kaohsiung has hosted over 100 concerts, generating more than NT$4.2 billion in revenue. These large-scale events and various fan activities are collectively transforming the city's culture, establishing Kaohsiung as a vibrant hub for youth and fan-based tourism.

全城應援 從生日咖啡廳到城市燈光 高雄陪你點亮追星夢
文/蘇宇翎  攝影/Carter

「Welcome to Kaohsiung！」當高雄捷運響起藝人親錄的進站廣播，高雄流行音樂中心亮起官方應援色，追星的熱情不再只在演唱會現場沸騰，也逐漸滲入街道巷弄與城市燈火。高雄以熱情迎接每顆追星的心，而源自韓國的「生日咖啡廳」文化，也隨著這股青春熱潮在港都悄悄生根。

Un Bon cafe與淘氣女孩氮氣飲品，是粉絲間口耳相傳的「生咖熱點」。每逢偶像生日前後，粉絲便包下整間咖啡店，佈置照片、海報與人物立牌，搭配循環播放的歌曲，讓咖啡廳化身為專屬偶像的微型展場，也成為粉絲交流情感的空間。

擁有十年追星經驗的M小姐表示，應援活動除了展示珍藏周邊，也會配合低消發放小卡等應援小物。近年更加入互動巧思，例如將偶像語錄設計成「解籤體驗」，讓粉絲在領取應援的同時，也彷彿與偶像完成一場跨越距離的溫柔對話。

當喜愛走出咖啡館、點亮城市，粉絲匯聚的能量正形塑高雄的新風景。自114年以來，已逾百場演唱會在高雄舉辦，創造超過42億元產值，也讓整座城市點亮無數追星夢。