Since early 2024, artificial intelligence has reshaped micro-dramas—episodic videos of one to five minutes—across the Chinese mainland. Heavyweights like China Central Video and Douyin joined forces to launch "The Monkey King," the first AI-produced New Year micro-drama, while Douyin’s 9527 Theatre unveiled "Unnamed Commando Unit," an AI-generated animated series.
Newcomers such as Hongguo Short Drama APP and Fengmang have rolled out industrial-grade and paid AI micro-dramas, unlocking gains in efficiency, cost control and creative experimentation. According to the 2024 China Micro-Drama Industry Report by Shenzhen Radio and Television Group, the Communication University of China’s Audio-Visual Research Center and the China TV Production Industry Association, 576 million viewers—52.4% of all internet users—tuned into micro-dramas in 2024.
The market’s value hit 50.5 billion yuan this year and is projected to climb to 63.4 billion yuan in 2025 and 85.7 billion yuan by 2027, growing at a compound annual rate of 19.2%. AI accelerates every production phase: text-to-script models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek draft scripts in minutes, while text-to-image tools generate character designs and sets instantly. Studios including Bona Film Group now compress script-to-screen cycles from months to weeks, cutting per-minute costs by up to 70%.
However, challenges persist. Viewers may react to near-human character flaws—the "uncanny valley"—and AI can struggle with narrative continuity and emotional nuance. Intellectual property questions around AI-trained content also remain unresolved.
Looking ahead, experts point to breakthroughs in multimodal models, neural rendering and real-time generation. The future lies in human-AI collaboration: writers focus on storytelling, actors bring genuine emotion, and AI handles routine tasks. Personalized, interactive narratives could let audiences shape plotlines, redefining engagement. As the ecosystem matures, industry standards and cloud-based platforms will emerge to ensure quality and smooth workflows.
Ultimately, the AI revolution aims not to replace human creativity but to expand its horizons. The next generation of creators will thrive by blending technological mastery with artistic vision, crafting micro-dramas that resonate worldwide.
Reference(s):
xinhuanet.com
