The rising popularity of Croatia after the World Cup success is getting widely noticeable in PR China, and has been once more confirmed after the popular Shanghai-based girl group chose Croatia as the filming location for its newest music video. Looking at the fan base of the group in China, Korea and Japan (several dozens of millions), it is sure that the beautiful filming locations in central Croatia will appeal to young fans of the group.

SNH48 (Shanghai 48) was created in 2012 based on the concept of "idols you can meet" by Yasushi Akimoto, Japanese creator of the original AKB48 (Akihabara 48) Japanese idol girl group from Tokyo.

AKB48 created a model of the group that gathers several hundreds of singers, dancers and performers, usually young girls aging 15-25. Group is divided into teams which can rotate and perform simultaneously at several events in different cities. Daily performances allow fans to always see them live, and even meet them personally at the “handshake events”. The concept resulted in fast growing popularity of the group, and sister groups were established in PR China, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan (China) and the Philippines.

SNH48 is Chinese-based sister group, that became independent in 2016. Currently, the group has 200 members with now its own sister groups in Beijing (BEJ48), Guangzhou (GNZ48), Shenyang (SHY48), Chongqing (CKG48) and Chengdu (CND48).

Fans, besides meeting with their idols during “handshake events”, where they can touch their idols, have a strong vote on deciding the popularity of each of the members of the group during “general elections” that can decide the destiny of a certain member of the group (being promoted or getting cut off the group).

Each member of SNH48 builds its own fan base on social media to gain popularity, and through SNH48 social media platform that is connected live (via live streaming) and available to fans 24/7. Fans can soak in the endless live streams of the day to day activities of their favourite idols and are offered the direct message option with their idol.

Different and innovative approach, and direct contact to the fans brings lot of attention to every place where this popular group appears (and sends hundreds of hours of live streams), and it is certain that the music video filmed in Zagreb, will bring more attention to Croatia from the young Chinese audience.