A talent for scouting

But the show was also besieged by negative publicity, with netizens posting evidence to suggest that some stories are false. One such posting claims that a poor countryside singer actually came from a rich family. The program responds immediately to such allegations with a public announcement that it has signed integrity pacts with contestants - those who lie will be fired.

In the midst of the dispute, the program is one of the few to win approval from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. In 2011, it launched a policy restricting the number of entertainment programs, including talent shows, to prevent TV screens from being vulgarized.

Speaking at a forum hosted by Zhejiang Satellite TV, Gao Changli, an official from the administration, endorsed the show as a role model for incorporating the stories of common people.

But stories are only a tool to attract viewers. Culture critic Tan Fei says ultimately, talent shows' main aim should be to help the aspirants develop a singing career.

In recent years, there have been a growing number of talent competitions in China, after Super Girls produced a few star singers. But none of the other shows has attained equal success. When the bustle is over, many young dreamers are again left in the cold.

"But after all, TV stations are not part of the music industry. They are incapable of taking follow-up action such as packaging and promotion," Tan says.

But Lu Wei says this year, they plan to follow in the footsteps of their foreign counterparts where contestants' live songs are recorded into albums and sold via app stores. Lu says they will produce their young hopefuls' live performances into paid ringtone music via China Mobile.

Some songs are expected to be downloaded millions of times. Those proven to be popular on the mobile platform, Lu says, will receive help to produce their own original music albums. "Hopefully, some super stars will emerge from our show," he says.

That same ideal used to comfort Liu Yue every time her confidence was shattered by failure. But her passion is running thin. Moreover, as a concert planner for years, she has seen people coming in and out of the revolving door of the music industry.

Liu knows that the road to success is steep - these days, album sales are so difficult that singers celebrate when they are able to sell 50,000 copies.

"It's definitely a luxury to have your own album," she says. "But I've learned to be practical. As long as more people hear my voice, that's good enough."

Contact the writer at hanbingbin@chinadaily.com.cn.