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Zoey Zhang

Five K-pop inspired brothers from rural southwestern China have gained more than 2 million online fans in just a month thanks to their talent and humble charm.
The brothers are fans of the musical genre legends BigBang and formed a group called Bengshan Kalaka.
Guan Heng and his four younger brothers are from Zhaotong City in Yunnan province.
They recreate BigBang’s signature style, sequin outfits and sport similar hairstyles while performing hits like Fantastic Baby and If You during live streams.

Since debuting in 2006, BigBang has taken the global stage by storm with their unique fusion of hip-hop, electronic music and R&B, earning the title “Kings of K-pop”.
Today, only three of the original five members are still active in the group.
Guan told Jiupai News that he used to perform in bars and has been a BigBang fan for years, often covering their songs.

To support his family, he also worked as a barber and did manual labour on construction sites before returning home to form the BigBang-inspired boy band with his brothers.
Guan taught himself how to do make-up, musical arrangements and even perfected his Korean pronunciation.
With the best singing skills, he takes on the role of G-Dragon, while his second brother, who has a deeper voice, serves as the rapper. The other three brothers focus on dancing.

In their live-streams, the brothers create a rustic stage with chilli skewers and an electric tricycle, adding a smoky effect by burning corn stalks.
Occasionally, chickens, ducks and geese make surprise appearances and they often have to pause their performances to clean up livestock droppings.
Despite the humble set-up, their one-hour streams attract more than 300,000 viewers a day. When their time is up, they head off to help their mother with farm work.
They also adopted a dog called Huahua, who regularly joins their shows as a special guest.
One fan said: “Their Korean is almost flawless, and their stage presence and dancing are excellent. They have brought me so much joy.”
According to Hongxing News, the brothers’ father died in an accident five years ago, leaving their mother to raise them in tough financial conditions.
The brothers had to drop out of school to work and support their younger sister’s education.
Guan said: “If we had other options, we would not have thought of becoming internet celebrities. Only knowledge can change one’s fate. Do not be proud of becoming an internet celebrity.”
The brothers have 2.2 million followers on a major social media platform but have not signed with an entertainment agency.
Guan hopes to partner with the local cultural and tourism bureau to showcase their hometown’s beauty to their growing fan base.

They have already promoted local specialities like Yunnan potatoes and apples during their live streams.
Their down-to-earth personalities have won much praise.
One online observer said: “Their path to fame was not easy. Perseverance, talent and luck all played a part. Thumbs up for this sincere and hardworking family.”
“What touched me most is that the older brothers gave up their educational opportunities to support their only sister,” said another.
The brothers have also earned respect from BigBang fans and South Korean netizens.
One such person said: “Their dance and styling are so well-designed, this is amazing. I am happy to see BigBang ‘return’ in this way.”
While another wrote: “This boy band keeps BigBang’s vibe but adds a cool rural Chinese twist.”


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Talented China brothers gain 2 million fans by imitating boy band BigBang with humble charm

Five brothers in rural China have gained two million followers in a month by imitating the South Korean boy band BigBang. Photo: SCMP composite/X.com@YG JAPAN OFFICIAL/RedNote

Bengshan Kalaka perform in the street. The self-taught siblings have been an instant online hit. Photo: Baidu

We are family: The brothers pictured in their younger days with their mother and father. Photo: Baidu

Bengshan Kalaka poses with some friends. When they finish performing online, they head out to help their mother with her farm work. Photo: Baidu

Fans film the band as they perform in public. The fivesome have even attracted followers from Korea. Photo: Baidu

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Adopted dog joins hardworking, singing and dancing rural fivesome for stage shows that often involve chickens, ducks and geese


Adopted dog joins hardworking, singing and dancing rural fivesome for stage shows that often involve chickens, ducks and geese.


South Korea

Talented China brothers gain 2 million fans by imitating boy band BigBang with humble charm

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Adopted dog joins hardworking, singing and dancing rural fivesome for stage shows that often involve chickens, ducks and geese

Adopted dog joins hardworking, singing and dancing rural fivesome for stage shows that often involve chickens, ducks and geese