Produce 101 (File photos)

Produce 101, an online reality show with 101 young women competing for the top 11 slots to become music idols mentored by Chinese stars, has become a hit.

According to media reports, on June 23, the final episode was viewed by 460 million people, and a total of 4.44 billion since it was first aired on April 21.

Interest in reality shows dates back to the second season of Super Girl in 2005, which brought the likes of Li Yuchun and Zhang Liangying into the spotlight.

A contestant in the show 

This time two young women in Produce 101 caught the public's attention. One contestant is darker skinned and stouter than the other girls. In a reality show where appearance matters, she is at a disadvantage, and was roundly criticized on her Sina account, China’s equivalent of Twitter when she first appeared on stage.

A contestant in the show

Another eye-catching young women is from a rural village. Many of the contestants are from wealthier families. Compared to them, she lacks family support.

Nevertheless, as the show progressed, more people approved of the two. There are two reasons. First, young audiences are tired of "perfection" on TV and the two’s imperfectness can invoke a kind of reality and a sense of closeness among audience, thus gaining more affection.

The deeper reason is the young generation believes in changing their lives through hard work. Both the two contestants are from the grassroots and have showed their desire to excel through their own efforts, which has struck a chord among young audiences.

Most young people in China are striving to realize their dreams. Compared to other contestants on the show, the two are not perfect. Nevertheless, their struggle to enter the top 11 has made many young people recall their efforts to realize their own dreams.

They represent many Chinese young people.