A video clip has recently gone viral on Hong Kong social media, showing a muscular man accompanying a woman and standing guard outside a residential building.
The clip, posted initially on Xiaohongshu, featured subtitles indicating that bodyguards are being hired by victims of domestic violence, bullying, or stalking to offer protection and deter their abusers.
The men refer to the operation as a "rescue event" and identify themselves as "biaogemen", a slang term meaning "cousins," used here to symbolize protective male figures.
Personal Bodyguard Services Trending Online
Searching keywords like "bodyguard," "domestic violence," and "protection" on Xiaohongshu reveals multiple accounts promoting similar services.
One of the most prominent has amassed over 200,000 followers, regularly posting videos and testimonials from women claiming they were successfully escorted or protected.
These service providers typically identify as former military personnel or private security consultants, and their offerings vary from low-key accompaniment to full protective escort.
Many are hired to assist during divorce proceedings, stalking incidents, harassment, or cases of emotional abuse.
Some packages are surprisingly affordable: for example, one service listed its basic "accompaniment-only" option at 600 yuan for 3 hours, targeting clients who need a visible but non-violent deterrent presence.
Additional services may include surveillance, legal consultation, or emergency coordination.
In one viral clip, a team arrives at a woman's residence, where captions describe her boyfriend as "toxic" and controlling, refusing to let her leave.
The bodyguards help her safely exit the home, providing both emotional and physical protection.
Many service providers avoid using the term "security," instead categorizing themselves as "short-term personal protectors" or offering "emergency coordination" services.
Their posts often emphasize that the role of the so-called "biaogemen" is to deter, not confront, typically by showing up, standing nearby, or silently observing from a distance.
“Biaogemen” in action. Images from Xiaohongshu videos.
“People Who Use Violence Often Back Off”
In an interview with mainland media, one of the self-described "brothers" emphasized that their actions are legal and meant only to deter violence.
"People who rely on violence usually back off when they're faced with someone stronger," he said.
His remarks reflect a psychological approach rooted in deterrence rather than confrontation, a tactic that appears to resonate with women seeking immediate, visible protection outside the formal legal system.
From Viral Clip to Public Concern in Hong Kong
The viral clip has sparked heated discussions on Instagram and Threads in Hong Kong. While some netizens questioned whether the scene might be manipulated or scripted, others expressed genuine concern and support.
A netizen notes that even if dramatized, it reflects the very real fears many women experience when trying to escape abusive relationships.
Some also raised legal and ethical concerns, pointing out that if similar bodyguard services were to emerge in Hong Kong, they could face regulatory hurdles under the city's strict laws on private security and personal protection services.
