Karaoke stages a comeback among tech-savvy consumers, but with a twist

Thanks to the internet and other technologies, karaoke－which originated in Japan and literally means "empty orchestra" in Japanese－is no longer restricted to karaoke bars or booths. Music lovers can now sing to their heart's content anywhere and anytime by just using mobile karaoke apps.

Statistics from market consultancy iResearch showed that mobile karaoke apps are gaining traction among young tech-savvy Chinese millennials in first and second-tier cities, with the penetration rate of netizens using mobile karaoke apps rising from 13.6 percent in 2013 to 53.6 percent in 2019.

About 72 percent of users said they have some social interaction via karaoke apps, such as making comments, sending virtual gifts to their favorite singers, sharing music links with friends or social networking platforms as well as watching livestreamed concerts, the consultancy said.