Independent Lens

People's Republic of Desire (20x12)

Air date: Feb 25, 2019

In China, a generation of young people have come of age on social media, where virtual relationships are replacing real-life connections. Both the wealthy and the poor gather in online showrooms, finding entertainment and a way to feel connected. Although these groups never cross paths in real life, in the digital universe they band together to worship online idols who earn as much as $130,000 a month singing karaoke or hosting talk shows to interactive audiences.