¡®He took off his shirt on livestream¡¯: All about China¡¯s wild dating craze where singles compete for love on camera

Steve Chen had never dated before. But last spring, everything changed. He met his first girlfriend not through an app or arranged meeting¡ªbut in a livestreamed video chatroom.

Fed up with the pressure of traditional dating, 25-year-old Chen turned to a new option that¡¯s getting popular among young singles in China, AP reported. These online video chatrooms are hosted by ¡°cyber matchmakers,¡± and thousands of people watch and comment live as participants try to find love.

A country full of singles

In 2023, China had about 240 million single people above the age of 15. That¡¯s the highest number ever recorded, according to official data.

Worried about a falling birth rate and an aging population, the Chinese government has been urging young people to get married and have children. Last year, the State Council asked local governments to build more platforms for dating.

President Xi Jinping said in a speech that China should ¡°actively foster a new type of marriage and childbearing culture.¡±

From "mutai solo" to taken

Chen, who used to call himself ¡°mutai solo¡± (slang for someone who¡¯s been single since birth), is a shy and introverted medical student. With little free time due to his hospital training, he found it tough to meet new people.

These online video chatrooms are hosted by ¡°cyber matchmakers¡± | Credit: Freepik

But things changed when he entered a video chatroom hosted by Tian Xin on Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote¡ªa Chinese social media app.

Meet the cyber matchmaker

Tian Xin works at a tech company during the day. But at night, she hosts livestreams where strangers come together to look for love. Her livestreams have been running for over a year and her account now has over 130,000 followers.

During the livestreams, Tian moderates group chats, makes jokes, asks questions, and even gives advice. She believes empathy is the most important part of her work.

The video chat experience

Tian¡¯s livestreams often begin late at night. One weekday at 11 p.m., more than 800 people were watching her show. Eight participants were visible on screen in a grid, while others waited in a digital queue.

She started with a fixed set of questions: age, weight, height, job, income, location, zodiac sign, hobbies, and what they were looking for in a partner.

¡°Do you have a talent to show us?¡± she asked one man, a physical education teacher.

He took off his shirt and flexed his muscles. People clapped. Someone commented: ¡°Lol. Is dating so competitive these days?¡±

Dating from the bedroom

After introductions, the chatroom felt more casual. Participants washed off makeup, ate dinner, or talked about their day¡ªall while on camera.

Chen said his study and work schedule left him no time for social life. A 2025 survey by iiMedia Research said over 30% of single young Chinese say work pressure is why they stay single. Many Chinese jobs demand 12-hour days, six days a week.

Some young people now embrace ¡°lying flat¡±¡ªdoing minimal work and avoiding the stress of dating or marriage.

More fun than apps

Christine Zhang said these livestreams were more interactive than dating apps. ¡°You can see how someone speaks and acts,¡± she explained.

She became a regular viewer of Tian¡¯s livestream¡ªand noticed Chen, who would sometimes sing or dance during the shows.

Chinese dating culture | Credit: Freepik

One day, Zhang publicly said on the livestream that she liked him. Many viewers were impressed by her confidence. Tian then introduced them, and they began talking privately. A few months later, they met in person.

Now, nearly a year later, they are in a committed relationship.

Love needs courage

¡°Finding love is hard,¡± Zhang said. ¡°I had to muster the courage to share my feelings in front of the camera. I think only those who are brave find love.¡±