Parents of those who attend a TV talent show in Beijing gather at the Star Park studio located in Beijing's suburban Daxing district to demand an explanation, Aug 10, 2015. (Photo/Beijing Evening News)
(ECNS) -- Hundreds of children feel they have been cheated by a TV talent show after paying as much as 4,000 yuan ($635) but not getting a chance to appear on stage, Beijing Evening News reported.
Chenchen from East China's Shandong province passed two rounds of primary selections and was given the chance to enter the final in Beijing. Although her parents paid 4,000 yuan, she lost in an audition held at an office in the capital.
Many other children had similar experiences. Their parents paid 2,000 yuan plus extra money to cover various fees, including accommodation. The children were promised the chance to perform on entertainment programs for China Central Television (CCTV), the county's largest TV network and obviously a springboard for career success.
Many parents gathered in the Star Park studio located in Beijing's suburban Daxing district and demanded an explanation on Monday afternoon.
They said the final was not professional, for example, the hip-hop dance contest was held in a blanket-covered office room, which affected the contestants' range of movement. The singing competition took place without music, and some parents felt the whole organization was "a mess."
Phone calls to the director of the program went dead.
Some parents said this was a serious blow to their children, who have worked so hard and traveled all the way to the city only to have their dreams defeated without even seeing a stage.
