The price of fame is just as costly for online stars

Dong Yuhui and I have several similarities. We both majored in English, attended university at the same time and were born only one year apart.

But we are also very different. He has more than 20 million followers on Douyin, the name TikTok uses in China, and I only have two, and his salary, reportedly in the millions, is also much, much, much higher than mine.

We both like walking idly along the street to clear our mind after a day's work.

The difference is that he has to walk after midnight to avoid attention.

He has recently been the subject of criticism and an online buzz, after East Buy's editorial team sought joint credit for certain scripts that Dong's fans presumed were solely his work.

It is hard for me to imagine what it is like to have to handle the attention, criticism, love, and even hatred, from so many people online. His answer is to not look at his cellphone. But he also admits that some comments have gotten to him.

"I am also human," he said. "Only saints are not bothered by worldly happiness and sadness."

He said he can only sleep for one or two hours a day, and has to rely on sleeping pills.

So, I asked myself, what's the price one has to pay for being famous. Is it really worthwhile?

I have interviewed Dong twice. The first time was about two years ago, when I was doing a story on how teachers from tutoring institutions transition to other industries, after the government placed restrictions on tutoring courses for primary and middle school students.

Dong had worked as an English teacher at New Oriental for eight years. After his tutoring job ended due to the new government requirements, he stayed at New Oriental to become an online salesman because he believes in the company.

Back then, the e-commerce platform, now called East Buy, was not popular.

"In our worst times, there were only several people watching us on the platform and some of them are the family members of the hosts," Dong said.

He lived in an apartment near the company's offices and like many other young people who leave their hometown to realize their dreams in Beijing, struggled to pay his rent.

During this period, he had to learn how to deal with online criticism, personal attacks about his looks, and complaints from people who had bought company shares and lost money.

Two years later, he has more than 20 million fans and East Buy has more than 30 million followers.

However, this new-found fame has had a personal impact on him. He looks tired, and he said his New Year's resolution is to have a good night's sleep and a healthy appetite.

He's mystified as to why people like him so much.

There are many people online who are more good-looking, knowledgeable and eloquent than him, he said. He credits his popularity to pure luck and the blessings from generations of his family doing good deeds.

I would not count myself as a fan of Dong because I do not like to watch livestreaming selling. However, I am impressed by how insightful and humble he is.

Dong has been promoted to vice-president of New Oriental's cultural and tourism business, a management position.

I asked him how he feels being a company executive, and he said he does not feel like one. But judging by his demeanor and the way he interacts with his colleagues, I believe he has a "boss vibe".

I asked him what it would feel like if one day he is not an internet sensation. He said that would be OK and he has gotten much more than he had hoped for.