AI shakes up China’s entertainment landscape

AI is changing China’s entertainment industry, and changing one of its most popular genres: microdrama. Microdramas are short, serialized shows created for phones that use rapid plot development to keep viewers engaged. Addictive bite-sized videos have become increasingly popular, creating a $14 billion industry in China. Powerful new AI tools are making it faster and cheaper to create episodes. But as AI-generated dramas advance, some people feel they are being left behind. The actress and director shared videos of her experiences in the changing industry with The New York Times. Xing Anran has been a microdrama actress since 2023, playing supporting roles and often playing seductress. He said every day was busy, but rewarding. Wang Yushun started his career as an independent filmmaker. But he struggled to find an audience for his work. So Wang decided to direct his first microdrama. A month after shooting, their episodes were online and people were paying to watch them. Since then, Wang has made over 50 microdramas and established his own production company with approximately 100 employees. But things quickly changed for Wang and Jing in February, when a new AI-video model called Cedance made it possible to create cinematic videos featuring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in multi-camera fight scenes. At the same time, microdrama streaming platforms began to demand higher quality. So Wang tested what he could do with the Sedans. Wang says that AI has helped him cut production time and costs on special effects. It also opened up his creativity, allowing him to design complex sci-fi characters. But this has come at the cost of his staff. Wang said they laid off about 50 people, including field crew and producers. Even actors like Jing are not safe. Xing said she used to work about 20 days a month, but these days, she spends a lot of time at home. All of this has left him wondering what’s next for his career.