China's first all-girl pop band challenges femininity - The letter 'A' in the band's n- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

1/13

The letter 'A' in the band's name Acrush is a reference to the god Adonis - the archetype of youthful male beauty in Greek mythology.

In This Pic : FFC-Acrush

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

2/13

Besides Acrush making headlines even before dropping any music, and attracting hundreds of thousands of fans on Weibo. The pop band's first single 'Action' released on April 28, 2017.

In This Pic : FFC-Acrush

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

3/13

Last year, Zhejiang Huati Culture Communication, an entertainment startup backed by Tencent Holdings, was looking to create a girl band when the idea of an androgynous act came about.

In This Pic : FFC-Acrush

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

4/13

"It was rather a coincidence. We happened to see many 'handsome girls' during the auditions, and people thought they looked quite all right. Then it hit me that now is the time," Zhejiang Huati's chief executive Wang Tianhai told Reuters.

In This Pic : FFC-Acrush

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright

5/13

It's not the first time Chinese music agents have had the idea of forming a gender-neutral act. In 2005, a boyish-looking Li Yuchun briefly won fans with her style. She also sparked debate about how women should dress in a conservative society. Held back by worry about a social backlash, the music industry had stayed away from marketing 'handsome girl' acts until 2016.

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright