Wang Jingyan, 24, a Beijinger, is one of the expanding group of Chinese youngsters who are now playing their talents through live internet broadcasting. [Photo provided to China Daily]

These agencies sign contracts with broadcasters, from several to dozens or even more, and match them with different platforms, depending on their talents and their platforms' needs. Some agencies do extra work for the broadcasters such as promoting them on the home page, or advising them on how to attract viewers.

Wang says her agency originally suggested that she pretend to be Japanese and do as much cosplay as possible, which she rejected even though the agency tried repeatedly to get her to change her mind.

"They wanted me to just be a shabaitian (a naive, fair-skinned, sweet girl). I don't want that. There are plenty of shabaitian fish in the sea. I want to be a broadcaster with something unique, with quality."

Wang soon left Laifeng for Huya.com, a platform established in 2014 based on the gaming community YY.com, which is more than 12 years old. Wang says the first platform was too small for her. She suspects that most of the time she only got two dozen real viewers, though the platform would display a three-digit number.

"I think some are definitely robots. They never talk or send gifts, or do anything."