In China, men are charging as much as 600 yuan (S$126) a day as boyfriends-for-hire for Chinese New Year.

Chinese forum Baidu Tieba has a special section for male users to advertise themselves.

There are more than 6,000 posts, most of which belong to young men renting themselves out. Others belong to women looking for a man to take home for the Chinese New Year holidays.

One post screams: "So irritating! I want to rent a boyfriend and bring him home to ward off my parents!"

This user, who goes by the name "fqc122", had only one requirement - her "boyfriend" must be tall.

She claimed she wants to rent a boyfriend so that she could "enjoy the festive season".

Her post has garnered more than 50 replies from interested "boyfriends".

Hers is not a rare case - there are many other female users who have replied to listings, or set up a thread looking for the man of their dreams - one they can take home to keep nosy parents at bay.

Most of these young men are in their 20s and early 30s.

One user, who goes by the name "cao6286478", describes himself as 28 years old and 173cm tall.

"I am humorous, mature and dependable," one wrote. He charges 600 yuan a day.

"People looking to rent a boyfriend, I have what you need," another title read.

This user said he has a healthy body and is selling his time for cash. He is willing to do just about anything - like going shopping or watching a movie.

Another more enthusiastic user offers not only to be a boyfriend-for-hire, but also a groom for a sham marriage.

Another man, who said he is 41 years old, offered his services to other "middle-aged women who need help".

NOT FOR MONEY

But there are a handful who say they are not in it for the money.

"I am an honest man... I am not doing this to earn money," a user by the name of "y9079214" wrote.

He wanted to cover only the costs of transport and lodging.

Another user hoped to find his soulmate on the job.

"I hope to find someone I can connect with, someone I will offer my time to during the festive season... I will fulfil your dream of having a boyfriend."

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