Chinese phones offer 'virtual girlfriends'

By Jeong Ji-su

Vendors on China’s largest e-commerce platform Taobao have launched services offering virtual girlfriends and boyfriends via mobile phones to boost sales, the Want China Times reports.

For men, the girlfriend service involves hired employees who send messages and call customers day and night. This includes a wake-up call and wishing the client goodnight for around 5,000 won a day.

The employees come in various options, such as “doll-like girls,” “mature women,” and “the girl next door.”

Similar services are offered to women. They can choose from “men in uniform,” “comforting men,” “handsome men,” and “CEO.”

A female vendor owner, Xiaomi, reported that she saw an exponential rise in her sales after she started offering this service to customers. The number of transactions per day has grown from 7-8 per day to 500.

Zhang Xiaoli, head of the China Association of Mental Health, said the majority of customers lack social skills and are just curious about the service.