Yu Zeyu, 13, is a member of Boy Story. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A turning point for the Chinese pop industry came in 2005 when some young musicians rose to become big stars on the reality TV singing competition Super Girl aired by Hunan Satellite TV.

Audiences voted for their idols, propelling Li Yuchun, who was studying at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, to national fame.

In 2007, Si joined E.E Media, a big name in China's entertainment industry - which produced the Super Girl competition - and launched a Chinese male group, Top Combine.

He said: "The need for and creation of pop groups has never stopped in China. Compared with young people who wanted to become pop stars about 15 years ago, the younger generation is taking more initiative.

"They know what they want and they work hard to achieve their goals. It's just like teenagers who train to become athletes. They start from a young age, have their own athletics idols and work hard to win."

One of the biggest stars in Si's company is Duan Aojuan, a 17-year-old singer from Sichuan province, who is a member of the group Rocket Girls 101.

As one of 11 young women selected from the reality show Produce 101, released on Tencent's video platform this summer, Duan has more than 3 million followers on her Sina Weibo account.

Idol Producer, a male counterpart of Produce 101 launched by the online streaming service iQiyi in January, also led to the birth of the nine-member boy group Nine Percent. The show highlighted the intensive training the competitors went through and their individual talent.

Fans interact with their idols and vote for them via social media.

On Nov 12, Nine Percent gave a live performance at M Space, a popular venue in Beijing, to about 500 screaming fans. The show was also streamed live through online platforms by Tencent Music Entertainment Group, netting more than 15 million views.

Qi Qi, a 20-year-old woman from Beijing, who went to Nine Percent fans' meetings and other public events, said: "I became a big fan of theirs after I watched the show. They worked so hard and they are so talented. Their songs deliver positive messages of individuality, ambition and hope. Their performances onstage are so cool.

"It's like witnessing our mutual dream coming true together, which make the fans feel connected."

Strict training

Zhang Pengfei, general manager of Future Star Creator Culture Media, a Beijing agency that also trains young talent, said: "It's true that these reality shows, which give birth to young idols, are attracting more and more young Chinese to become lianxisheng. This brings hope to those who want to become stars.

"For the Chinese market, these young idols have to be versatile. Their fans want them to sing, dance and act. So they have to work hard." Zhang's company has recruited 20 trainees, selected from more than 1,000 candidates since March. The trainees, who are 17 to 22 years old, receive strict training based on their talent.

Besides training for 12 to 14 hours every day, they also attend a psychological counseling program every two weeks.

"Confidence is important for them because years of training can be boring. We want them to have a healthy mindset about fame," Zhang said.

Guo Xinbo, vice-president of JC Universe Entertainment, a Beijing company that manages young pop idols, said companies on the Chinese mainland hire teachers from Hong Kong, South Korea and the United States to train the youngsters. It often takes at least two years before a trainee is ready to perform in public.

Guo Ying, better known by her stage name Yamy, who is also one of the members of Rocket Girls 101, is one of those managed by JC Universe Entertainment.

Guo Xinbo said the young idols rely on the "fan economy", which refers to the value and revenue generated by the interaction between fans and idols.

"We want to recruit young people who not only dance, sing and act but also have their own skills, such as songwriting. The ability to write and produce songs on their own would be a great advantage to confront criticism about pop idols from large entertainment agencies. These multi-talented artists can make themselves unique."

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn