Meaning:

“饭” is a transliteration for “fans,” and “圈”means “a circle or a community.” “饭圈” refers to “粉丝圈子,” literally meaning “circle of fans.” Specifically, “饭圈” is a group of enthusiastic fans or followers of a singer, a star, a band or a celebrity.

Originating from South Korea, the culture of “circle of fans” is not just a form of popular entertainment, it is becoming commercial. Being in a group, fans ususally gather together to show their love and support for their idols through a variety of activities, such as buying CDs, renting advertising boards for their idols, seeing off and picking up idols at airports as well as postings online in favor of idols, etc.

Example:

A: 小红最近怎么总请假？

Xiáohóng zuìjìn zěnme zǒng qǐngjià？

Why has Xiaohong been asking days off from work lately?

B: 她最近刚入饭圈，经常去参加活动，为她的爱豆应援。

Tā zuìjìn gāng rù fànquān, jīngcháng qù cānjiā huódòng, wèi tā de àidòu yìngyuán。

She has just recently joined a circle of fans, so she needs to show up at activities to support her idol.