Overview

• Sessions cost between 20 and 50 yuan (Rs250 to Rs600) for a five-minute hug and are booked through chat apps.
• The phrase 'man mum' originally described muscular gym-goers but now refers to men combining physical strength with gentleness and patience.
• Most meetings take place in public spaces such as subway stations, malls or underground platforms to ensure a comfortable and transparent setting.
• Clients report that the brief, paid embraces ease anxiety, foster a sense of safety and allow them to vent frustrations.
• Men who offer the service say charging a fee helps maintain professional boundaries and gives them a sense of purpose and self-worth.