Cover image via Douyin
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A peculiar new trend is emerging across China's major cities, where unemployed young people are paying to 'work' at fake companies
These 'pretend work companies' offer a simulated office environment for those struggling to find a job, charging between 30 yuan and 50 yuan (about RM18 to RM30) a day.
According to South China Morning Post, for a fee, they get a desk space where they can spend their day, providing a sense of routine and a way to escape societal pressure or inquisitive parents.
To make the experience feel more authentic, some companies conduct 'pretend interviews' and establish office rules such as 'no office romances'
The motivations vary. One young woman reportedly used a company for just one day to take a selfie to send to her mother as proof that she had found a job.
For others, like 25-year-old Ryan, it is a longer-term arrangement. After being jobless for 18 months, he has 'worked' at a pretend firm for six months, sending photos to his parents and finding a sense of security in the daily 9-to-6 routine.
This phenomenon is set against the backdrop of China's high youth unemployment rate, which stood at 15.8% for those aged 16 to 24 in the first half of 2025
Many users see it as a refuge from a society that is intolerant of resting, while others find value in the free coffee, air conditioning, and camaraderie with others in the same situation.
"I found myself better at focusing in the fake office, but I hope one day I can stop pretending and find a real job," one person shared.
