When it comes to reality talent shows, the fever pitch generated by fans of Produce 101 demonstrates the power of inclusion. [Photo by Xu Haoyu/China Daily]

Smarter fans

Li serves as the leader of Wang's biggest fan club, where each of its six groups performs its own functions-such as design work, voting, writing and photography.

Li says they have students from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in the club, who have designed products like bags, phone covers and T-shirts.

"We sell them for money to support Wang instead of always asking her followers to raise funds, which is a more sustainable way to develop the club."

Like Li, Feng is also a decision-maker in Guo's fan club. She says the methods of running an organized fan club are fairly similar around China.

"We try and dominate social media with positive comments about the idol, and attempt to persuade others to vote for her," Feng explains.

"We track hot topics online and then write advertisements with related words to promote the star, and we also encourage fans to give their idols clothes, gifts and letters."

Seven years ago, when Feng was a follower of South Korean girl band Girls' Generation, fans simply supported their idols by buying their albums or tickets for their concerts.

"These days fans are much more aware about how to help their idols develop their careers," she says.

Guo's fans love her fashion sense, and often buy her fancy outfits to wear in public, in the hope that one day Guo will be lionized by the fashion industry.

Xu Miaomiao, a research associate from the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences says fans these days are better educated and have more disposable cash-which has fueled their "upgrading power".

Zhang Yuxuan, 24, offers her understanding of the phenomenon: "Social media allows fans to join forces and spread their opinions more effectively. This gives them a better understanding of how the industry works and helps them raise the profile of their idols."