'Thunder people' shock passengers on subway

All the world's a stage and the subway has become a popular platform for struggling models, actors and exhibitionists to show what they've got. It's better than busking because no one's holding out a hat at the end.

The subway has a lot of advantages for these itinerant players. First, there's a large captive audience. Second, it's warm and dry. Third, there's always the possibility they'll be filmed for posterity and their underground performance will become a nationwide hit. There's even a term for it: "Thunder people videos" (雷人视频).

Take Shanghai's "Leopard Print Man", for example, a cross-dresser who worships a Korean model and carries a homemade bag around with her picture on it. Leopard print dresses, or leggings, are his other trademark fashion statements, along with a pair of sunglasses. If there's space in the carriage he will do a kind of muted pole dance.