Without anyone noticing, it seems that 'live-streaming' has become the hottest online trend in China. Millions of young people -- from rural to urban areas -- love to either watch the lives of strangers or broadcast their own. Who are they and how can we explain this phenomenon? Here's the second episode in a series on the sub-cultures of China's youth.
One mic, one webcam, and a well-decorated small room… Every time Webhost Xiaoma performs on his live-streaming site, tens of thousands of fans tune-in to his virtual concert.
Every flower and every lollypop means support from his fans. And all this support brings money. Xiaoma has been doing live shows for seven years and he is now one of the top online celebrities.
"Live-streaming helped me realize my dream of singing. In the meantime, it’s becoming a profitable business.Now I want to make enough money to buy a house in Guangzhou and support my parents back home," said Xiaoma web host.
From a third-tier city to Bejing and Guangzhou, Xiaoma said, at least for him, live-streaming makes something impossible a reality. He's now co-hosting a music show in his spare time. But not everyone can share the spotlight. 20-year-old Longlong has only a couple of hundred followers online and she is struggling to find more of a presence...
She now works in a small room provided by her agent company or so-called 'guild' in this sector.
"I used to be a kindergarten teacher but I decided to be a web host three months ago. Frankly speaking, I feel great pressure because of the fierce competition. It’s really not that easy. I can barely make ends meet now," said Longlong web host.
Apart from the professional players like Xiaoma and Longlong, the rise of mobile apps has brought millions more into the mix...
"It's hard to explain why so many young Chinese people love watching strangers' lives online .. and are even willing to share their own lives for a fee. Besides just being fun, and maybe making some money -- it may be because they are lonely and are seeking attention. At least that is what I was told," said Ge Yunfei Guangzhou.
"Over the past few decades, through China’s massive urbanization and one-child policies, hundred of millions of single children were born. They’re lonely, need friends and desire for a stage to present themselves. Live-streaming sites meet their demands, and it could be the start of a muilti-billion-dollar market," said Chen Zhou executive vice-president, YY.INC.
Shopping, learning, and walking… any place can be Olivia’s studio to broadcast her life and thoughts.
"Many people around me are using their phones for live-streaming so I followed. I can make many new friends and learn lots of interesting stuff from them. The most important is that it brings strangers together," said Olivia, college student mobile live-streaming APP user.
Olivia said if she is successful in attracting followers, the app will pay her 400 to 600 dollars per month. YY.com, China's first Nasdaq-listed live-streaming company, is already feeling this wireless trend.
"On live-streaming sites like YY.com, over two-thirds of the users and half of the income are from mobile devices. The PC is doomed to fail and the mobile is destined to prosper," said Chen Zhou executive vice-president, YY.INC.
But some erotic and unsavory players also want a piece of this booming market. That has already led to strict regulations. Chen said he welcomes more supervision because it’s the only way to make this fledging industry clean and secure.
