Shanghai turned SpongeBob’s background fish into the city’s most relatable summer attraction

If you thought SpongeBob and Patrick would be the biggest stars of a SpongeBob exhibition, Shanghai has other ideas.

This summer, Shanghai's Kerry Centre malls have launched "Bikini Bottom: Summer Slacking Town," a two-location pop-up running from June 18 to August 31. But instead of putting the spotlight on the show's famous characters, the exhibition celebrates one of the internet's favorite underdogs: Bikini Bottom's background fish.

The main venue at Jing'an Kerry Centre is built entirely around the idea of "摸鱼" (mō yú), a Chinese slang term that literally means "touching fish" but actually means slacking off at work. More than 50 background fish statues are scattered throughout the mall, each looking like they've completely given up on office life. The biggest attraction is a 17-meter-long exhausted fish sprawled across a skybridge, while others are shown waiting for buses, shopping after work, or simply staring into the distance. Chinese social media users have been joking that the exhibition is "too accurate" because every fish looks like someone they work with—or themselves.

Meanwhile, Pudong Kerry Parkside offers a more family-friendly beach version with giant SpongeBob and Patrick sandcastles, interactive play areas, and a seaside vacation vibe.

Both venues also feature a Bikini Bottom Department Store pop-up selling more than 200 exclusive items, including China's first large-scale collection dedicated to the show's beloved background fish.

It's a clever reminder that sometimes the most relatable characters aren't the heroes—they're the random NPCs quietly trying to survive another workday.