Together, C位 combines a borrowed English concept with a native Chinese character to create a modern, hybrid term that literally means “Center Position.”
The concept of C位 exploded in popularity with the rise of reality TV idol competitions in China, such as “Produce 101” (创造101). In these shows, trainees compete for a spot in a new pop group, and the ultimate prize is to debut in the C位. This position guarantees the most screen time, the best lines in songs, and the central spot in all promotional materials and choreography. The fight for the C位 reveals a lot about the importance of hierarchy and visual status in modern East Asian culture. It's a public and undeniable declaration of one's importance and popularity. Discussions and even arguments among fan groups often revolve around whether their favorite idol deserves the C位, making it a constant topic of conversation on social media like Weibo.
C位 is an informal, trendy term used frequently in conversation and online.