In China, innovative online tutors are raking in big bucks.

Take the case of Liu Jie, a high school physics teacher who earns almost $50,000 a month, thanks to the online videos he makes where he is seen discussing his lessons, reports Bangkok Post.

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Liu is just one of the many educators who took to the internet their earning potentials while addressing the country's limitless needs for educational materials.

These online teachers have become more and more in demand thanks to the skyrocketing number of Internet users in China added by the mind wreaking university entrance exam, also known as gaokao, which has become a national obsession in the country. In events like this, students turn to online tutors to learn their previous and to boost their stock knowledge.

"Because the gaokao is such a huge deal in China... that's where the main demand is," Liu explained, just after recording a lecture on static electricity.

With his popularity as an online tutor, Liu now enjoys the following of his loyal students.

"Students will often pursue a teacher like they pursue celebrities," he said.

The figure for online teachers earning millions every year is increasing, Xiong Bingqi, vice president of independent think tank 21st Century Education in Shanghai, said.

"Teachers earning more than other online celebrities shows their abilities and the choices of consumers," he said.

Cao Wei, an online math teacher conducts live classes online every 11:00 pm to thousands of students. For his efforts, he earns around 80,000 yuan each month from students who are drawn to his straightforward approach.

But it is not only China where online tutors are popular. In South Korea, online cram school tutors can get as much as $8 million a year!

In Hong Kong, there are also TV celebrity "tutor kings" and "queens" who also earn mega sums.

The popularity of online tutors, though, are getting authorities worried that school teachers may soon retire from classroom and jump to online.

Liu, meanwhile, protects his credibility and image by keeping his materials fresh. That way, he maintains his following and ensures that he won't be victims of piracy.

"Online pressure is very big," he admitted.

"If you're not active for a couple of weeks, people will quickly forget you."

Just like a celebrity, indeed. 

Tagsonline tutors, online chinese tutors, Gaokao, Liu Jie