Micro-dramas make big impact

Recalling the production process, she says that the drama was filmed on a sound-stage in Changsha, Hunan province. A life-size cable car prop was installed about a meter above the ground against a giant LED screen, which displayed the urban backdrop featured in the show, creating an immersive environment that helped the actresses and actors deliver more powerful performances.

Li from Dianzhong Tech echoes that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies will also enhance the productivity of the micro-drama industry, predicting that creativity and innovation will become the most crucial skills for content creators in the future.

However, he highlights a major challenge — the prevalence of similarities in storytelling and themes. Li says he hopes micro-drama creators can diversify beyond commonly seen themes like time-travel narratives to explore more unique stories.

Li also mentions that micro-dramas could serve as a new avenue to promote Chinese stories and cultures overseas, with North America currently being the largest foreign market for consuming such content. He adds that some micro-dramas were shot in the United States and Canada, with themes ranging from original fantasy tales featuring wolverines and vampires to realistic urban romances.