A total of 26 cameras, a high number for a live TV program, are on standby to capture the singers' facial and emotional expressions as well as those of their families and the judges, as they share their life stories.

Millions are probably attracted to the show by heart-wrenching profiles such as a blind street artist who touches them with her rendition of Teresa Teng's songs or, a cute little girl who sings in remembrance of her deceased father.

China's most popular micro-blogger Yao Chen's compliments of the show on micro blogs were echoed by thousands. She says it demonstrates the most valuable elements in life: enthusiasm, optimism, sincerity and bravery.

But the show was also besieged by negative publicity, with netizens posting evidence to suggest that some stories are false. One such posting claims that a poor countryside singer actually came from a rich family. The program responds immediately to such allegations with a public announcement that it has signed integrity pacts with contestants - those who lie will be fired.

In the midst of the dispute, the program is one of the few to win approval from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. In 2011, it launched a policy restricting the number of entertainment programs, including talent shows, to prevent TV screens from being vulgarized.