Our stars, which art in heaven

Stars have a "super topic" named after them individually. Using a name followed by a hashtag is a simple way of bringing fans together. Each fan has his or her own title, with different levels. For example, level one denotes a junior fan and level eight denotes someone who is very loyal. Xueke has reached level 10 in the super topic rankings.

Each level also reflects the amount of engagement a fan has had with the super topic section. To accumulate these points you need to insist on doing tasks every day that will promote the idol. For example, level 12 requires 6,000 points, and to reach level 13 you need 10,000 points.

Any time anyone signs into the super topic section they are awarded four points. Signing in for between two and 29 consecutive days delivers six points for each of those days, and signing in for more than 30 days continuously delivers eight points for each day.

Xueke has signed into Wang's super topic every day for more than 10 months, delivering her 24,000 points. The highest level, 18, requires 300,000 points, which once acquired bestows on the holder the title of Spiritual Leader. Among millions of fans this reflects the absolute pinnacle of loyalty to their idol, which is why it is so coveted.

Xueke says those uninitiated to the star clan culture tend to look down on its adherents as stupid and obsessive, something she dismisses as mere prejudice.