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…

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: Douyin
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: Douyin

The 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.