Want to stop livestreaming? That’ll be $42,000

Chinese livestreamers who quit their contracts often face large penalties from talent agencies, according to a Rest of World investigation. Calligraphy teacher Liu Fengyang, 58, says a Dalian agency that promised him fame and income never provided equipment or training, and then sued him for 200,000 yuan ($28,104) for breach of contract. Songqin, who streamed on Huya, was ordered to pay 100,000 yuan ($14,051) after a prolonged lawsuit, and China Judgements Online recorded at least 23 livestreaming contract judgments in December 2023 alone.