Feichengwurao contestants on stage. [GLobal Times]

According to well-known gossip blogger Wumeishi, at least four people from Feichengwurao have come from the same institute - BCMA, indicating a "special" relationship between BCMA and Jiangsu Satellite channel.

Other rumors on the Internet include contestant No. 11, 24-year-old Na Di, who is said to be a married woman in her 40s. Contestants Wu Xiao, Wei Duoliya and Xue Lu, all who claimed on the show to have various professional occupations, are rumored to be models, their faces coincidentally appearing on several advertising campaigns.

The most recent auditions for Feichengwurao took place in four Chinese cities Saturday. Attending the event in Beijing, everything appeared to be above board, with over 300 hopefuls trying their luck in front of the camera, how many actually make it to the next round, still remains to be seen.

Feichengwurao is not the only Chinese reality show to come under question for being real. Hunan Satellite's Womenyuehuiba (Let's Date) had its contestant Zhang Zhongyuan rumored to be an intern at the channel.

"She is an intern and also a contestant, but there is no conflict," producer Liu Lei was quoted by Nandu Weekly magazine as saying at the time.

Media analyst Li Xie told the Global Times that dating shows like Feichengwurao have to use dramatic conflict to attract viewers, they have to find or make controversial characters; it is just like a fictional drama, only with "unprofessional" actors, Li said.

While many viewers have been left disheartened and upset by the scandals and controversy, most, like 20-year-old Beijing viewer Wu Tian, see Feichengwurao as entertainment that the public should not be "too serious and critical about."