Live streaming agencies think their next star is a thief

Live streaming hits new heights during the Covid-19 pandemic

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Live streaming agencies think their next star is a thief

Published: 8:06pm, 27 Apr 2020

This article originally appeared on ABACUS

Zhou Liqi spent four years in prison for stealing electric bikes. When the 36-year-old was released this month, he found himself faced with a strange situation: He was offered up to 3 million yuan (US$423,519) to become a live streamer.

Zhou gained fame in 2016, when comments in an old local media interview went viral. In the 2012 video interview, he was seen detained at a local police station with one hand chained to a window, proudly stating that he would never work for anyone in his life -- and that he had enjoyed his previous jail time.

Internet users soon started to jokingly hail him as a “spiritual leader,” with viral posters portraying him as Che Guevara, the Cuban revolutionary leader. He was even given the nickname “Qie Guevara” -- Qie means “steal” in Chinese and is pronounced the same as “Che.”

It helps that Zhou and Che Guevara have (sorta) similar hairstyles. (Picture: Weibo)

The year Zhou became famous also saw the explosive growth of live streaming in China. And now that Zhou is free, the market has only reached new heights thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. With so many people being confined to their homes, millions started watching live streams not just for entertainment, but for other reasons too -- like shopping. The lucrative market has drawn everyone from technology company executives to state media news anchors to sell products during live streams.

According to local media, people from live streaming talent agencies waited outside the prison gate for Zhou’s release, trying to sign him with generous offers. Zhou’s brother reportedly said that more than 30 companies have approached Zhou’s family, with some offering up to 3 million yuan (US$423,519).