INTERNATIONAL:​ A modern-day “Mulan” has apologised to her Chinese fans after she lied about her gender in an attempt to join a boy band. 13-year-old Fu Jiayuan says she lied about her gender to a popular management company because she was "young and ignorant".

Although she was only part of YGN Youth Club's boot camp and not an official band member, people were able to watch her rehearsing via social media. Fu was forced to admit the deception after an internet user pointed out that she is, in fact, a girl. YGN Youth Club only recruit boys, mostly aged 11 to 13, for their popstar training program.

Many have compared the girl to the Chinese folk heroine Mulan who disguised herself as a man to fight for her family and country, who later inspired an eponymous Disney film. A popular comment on Chinese social media site Weibo said: 'The look of idol groups is so androgynous these days, so it's hard to tell. Just let her join.' Fu says she will not try and join the entertainment industry again.