A Chinese influencer became the second to die in a month after live-streaming a drinking challenge online.

Zhong Yuan Huang Ge, 27, also known as Brother Huang, died of excessive alcohol consumption on June 2.

His death was confirmed by his wife to Chinese media outlet Jimu News on Tuesday, who said he was trying to earn money to pay off his debts.

It is the second incident in a month after live streamer Brother Three Thousand, 34, was found dead shortly after he was seen consuming excessive amounts of alcohol on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

The Three Thousand brother, whose surname was revealed to be Wang, had drunk at least seven bottles of baijiu liquor during a live broadcast and was found dead 12 hours after the broadcast on May 16, Chinese media reported.

Zhong Yuan Huang Ge, 27, has become the second Chinese influencer to die from an online drinking challenge in a month.

Videos posted online for his 176,000 followers showed dozens of bottles stacked up.

In a video for his 176,000 followers, Huang also filmed himself drinking baijiu and lighting alcohol-soaked tissue paper, while another clip showed a stack of dozens of bottles.

His wife, known as Ms. Li, said she would work for the rest of her life to pay off her husband’s eight-year debts, according to the Straits Times.

The couple share a son, who is preparing to start kindergarten this year, and Huang had built a new house this year.

According to local news outlet Southern Metropolis Daily, the two influencers knew each other and Huang even attended Wang’s funeral, where he allegedly vowed to consume less alcohol.

Baijiu contains up to 60 percent alcohol. Huang and Wang were known to drink the Chinese liquor during their broadcasts.

Some influencers believe that posting daring stunts online increases your chances of receiving money from your followers.

A video on social media, which went viral, showed Wang drinking several bottles of baijiu liquor and pouring some to set the table on fire.

His death was widely discussed online in China and has prompted calls for stricter regulations for the nation’s thriving live streaming industry.

It comes after Brother Three Thousand (pictured), 34, consumed at least seven bottles of baijiu spirits during a live broadcast on May 16.

Huang also filmed himself drinking baijiu and lighting alcohol-soaked tissue paper.

On May 16, Wang participated in four one-on-one battles with influencers with the goal of getting the most gifts from fans in a short span of time.

He lost three rounds and then consumed baijiu as punishment, totaling at least seven bottles that night, according to viewers.

Wang ended his live broadcast after midnight. His friend told a Chinese media outlet that he was discovered dead the following afternoon.

‘When his family found him, he was already gone. He didn’t even get a chance to get emergency treatment,” a man named Zhao told Shangyou News.

Drinking during live broadcasts is prohibited by Douyin. Penalties include warnings, restricting users from live streaming competitions, and displaying users on the app.

Wang had previously been banned from using the app for drinking, but he circumvented it by opening new accounts, Chinese media reported.

His most recent account had amassed more than 44,000 followers.

A report by authorities last year found that more than 1 billion internet users were active on short video platforms like Douyin and the industry is worth around 199bn yuan (£22bn).

On May 16, Wang participated in four one-on-one battles with influencers with the goal of getting the most gifts from fans in a short span of time.

Pictured: The live streamer, whose last name was revealed as Wang by local media, during a broadcast in which he looked dejected and set fire to some of the liquid on the table.

Wang had previously been banned from the app for drinking, but he avoided it by opening new accounts, Chinese media reported.

Wang’s death has led to a further push for the safety and regulation of such apps.

The opinion section of the People’s Daily newspaper posted a message on Weibo condemning “deviant live streaming behaviors.”

There are a number of Chinese live streamers whose deaths have been linked to their online work.

In 2021, Yu Hailong, who became popular for eating large amounts of food in Douyin, died after “long hours of high-intensity work,” his agent said.

In 2018, live streamer Dafei, known for drinking alcohol and cooking oil in front of an audience, also died shortly after an online broadcast.

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Source: tit.edu.vn