Variety show gives future stars a chance to shine

Hashtags about the event have earned 220 million views on the popular micro-blogging platform Sina Weibo, with many fans hailing their favorite contestants.

The online variety show, We Are Young, that was released on the streaming site Youku on June 26, has gathered 84 young candidates-Chinese or with Chinese origins-from over 3,000 contestants in nine countries, including South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and Russia.

All candidates had been trained intensively in singing and dancing for two months in a Changsha hotel with professional musicians, says Yu Han, the show's executive producer.

"We want the show to help the youngsters to realize their dreams, no matter where they are from or if they have been educated in music schools," says Yu, a veteran in the showbiz industry.

Aside from Guo, the show has also invited other "mentors", including singer Hu Yanbin, Cheng Xiao from South Korean-Chinese pop group Cosmic Girls and veteran street dancer Han Yu. Also joining the show are singer Zhang Yixing as a producer, award-winning actor Yiyang Qianxi and Hong Kong singer Jackson Wang as guest mentors.

Yu says these selection shows have developed rapidly as a popular genre, propelled by phenomenal hits ranging from Produce 101 to Idol Producer, and the viewers love to vote for their favorite contestants. "The audience experiences all the joys and sorrows of their favorite contestants throughout the stressful selection process," says Yu.