A man from Shanghai recently shared his dilemma online, revealing that although he doesn’t hold a traditional job, he earns up to 30,000 yuan (about RM17,000) a month as a professional game booster. Despite the impressive income, his mother refuses to acknowledge gaming as a legitimate career, leading to frequent arguments and leaving him torn between pursuing stability or continuing with his high-paying gig.
Posting anonymously via the Weibo account “神奇海螺,” he explained that he began working full-time as a game booster in March. His monthly earnings range between 10,000 and 30,000 yuan—far exceeding what he could earn at a regular office job, especially after deductions like insurance and housing funds, which would leave him with around 6,000 yuan (about RM3,500). In a high-cost city like Shanghai, that amount barely covers living expenses.
Despite his financial independence, his mother insists he should find a “real” job at a company. In a post sharing their heated conversations, he wrote: “I’ve argued with you about the same thing countless times. Is it really that hard to support my career? I never asked you for money to start a business—I’m just working hard to earn my own.”
He continued, “If there’s an interview, I’ll go. But right now, there aren’t any. So when you say you’ve never seen me attend one, it feels like you’re doubting me—blaming me unfairly. I’m really upset. In your eyes, will I never be good enough?”
The man admitted that gaming for a living depends on youthful energy, and he’s unsure whether he should listen to his mother and choose a more traditional, “stable” path.
His post sparked widespread discussion online. Many supported his decision: “Earning money is what matters most right now,” “Better than living off your parents,” and “One year of gaming could be worth two years of office work.” Others were more cautious: “You can’t do this until you’re 40,” “Plan ahead for your health and future,” and “Maybe turn boosting into a side hustle instead.”
