Top Chinese influencer sells pricey courses after government live-streaming ban

A top social media agency in mainland China, suspended from business operations two years ago for selling fake Hong Kong brand mooncakes, is back in the spotlight for selling live-streaming courses.Three Sheep Network, based in eastern Anhui province, boasts top influencers Zhang Qingyan and Zhang Kaiyang, who are twin brothers.The former, better known as Crazy Younger Brother Yang, has 95 million followers, a big drop from his more than 100 million followers before the network was punished.The latter, going by the handle @Crazy Older Brother Yang, has 10 million followers.The network, established by the Zhang brothers and a partner in 2021, owns several popular social media accounts and signs hundreds of live-streamers.Before the mooncake controversy, the “Crazy Yang” twins, front and middle, reigned as top-tier Chinese influencers, regularly smashing 100 million yuan in sales per live-stream. Photo: DouyinThe company came under fire in September 2024 for selling mooncakes they claimed were a Hong Kong brand and made in Hong Kong. However, an investigation by regulators in Hefei, Anhui province, found they were produced in southern Guangdong province and had never been sold in Hong Kong.Three Sheep Network was fined nearly 70 million yuan (US$10.3 million) for false advertising, and all social media accounts under its umbrella were suspended from live-streaming.Most of the company’s live-streamers resumed their work in the past year, except for the Zhangs.In late June, a leading account operated by the company, @Three Sheep Group Class, released videos promoting offline e-commerce classes, stating that Zhang Kaiyang, the older brother, would be the instructor, the Red Star News reported.Zhang will demonstrate content such as how to boost online traffic and how to select a specific theme for video creation, according to the course .An online promoting Crazy Older Brother Yang’s training course. Photo: DouyinThese classes target people with “zero basis” who want to make money through live-streaming.Further ReadingA three-day course costs 1,980 yuan (US$290), while another set lasting 28 days is priced at 19,980 yuan, aiming to “train a complete beginner comprehensive skills”.The news soon drew significant attention due to the Zhang brothers’ influence.But days later, their company deleted the course promotion videos and removed the purchase links.It is unclear why the company withdrew the courses.The Zhang brothers rose to fame in 2018 for humorous short videos about their family members’ daily interactions.Prior to the mooncake scandal, they were the top-tier key opinion leaders in China, with sales revenue usually exceeding 100 million yuan (US$15 million) for each live-streaming session.After setting up offices in Hong Kong, their company began its overseas expansion in Southeast Asian countries in 2023.A training session in progress. A basic three-day workshop costs 1,980 yuan (US$290), while a premium four-week programme is priced at 19,980 yuan (US$2,945), aiming to equip absolute beginners with comprehensive industry skills. Photo: DouyinIts business has dipped significantly in the past two years. In January, the company held a live-streaming session hosted by some little-known bloggers, which only generated 250,000 yuan (US$37,000) in sales income.The news surrounding Crazy Older Brother Yang’s new course has caused a buzz on social media.“The class sold at less than 2,000 yuan is not expensive. Before they got into trouble, it could fetch a 100 times higher price,” commented an internet user.“They have been out of the public spotlight for a long time. I think they miss their followers’ wallets now,” joked another.