Rising Stars: China's art schools see surge in applicants

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02:22

Many across China are still in the midst of celebrating Spring Festival. But one group of students are already gearing up for the "Yi Kao" - a series of entrance exams taking place in major art academies in China after the New Year. The prospect of becoming famous and starring on the silver screen has driven many of them to rush for art colleges.

Each year, tens of thousands of aspiring young candidates in China undergo rounds of art school enrolment exams - the first step in becoming involved in the arts.

In Beijing, the Central Academy of Drama has seen a record number of candidates– over 67-thousand, which is 16-thousand more than last year.

Acting, Film & TV Art and Drama & Film Performance are still among the most popular choices. While a new major - Theatre Management has also received more than 24-hundred applicants.

CHEN JIAHUI CANDIDATE "I began to learn how to act in high school. My parents and other relatives have always supported me. I'm here today to take the entrance exam for one of the best art schools in China."

LI YUE CANDIDATE "I am a bit worried about today's exam, I began learning acting and drama when I was a little girl and went through a hard time. So I am eager to be admitted to the Central Academy of Drama."

The chances are quite slim for art school applicants. One in a hundred could be admitted to these academies.

And for a shot at this coveted opportunity, many have traveled a long way to the capital city.

"We come from Wuhan. My daughter first took an art school exam in Hangzhou, then late last night we flew to Beijing."

"We come from Shanxi Province. I respect my daughter's choice, as parents we will do everything to support her, this is why we travelled such a long way to Beijing."

Art exam fever can also be seen in other top art schools in China such as the Beijing Film Academy and the Shanghai Theater Academy. The two colleges also saw thousands more applicants than last year.

The Beijing Film Academy received a record-high of around 60-thousand applicants this year, while over 34-thousand students applied for the 484 spots at the Shanghai Theater Academy, surpassing last year's record of 31-thousand people registering for the school's enrolment exam.