Short-Form Dramas: Professionalization, Quality & Evolution

As AI systems move beyond text, the consumption of visual content continues to surge, with short-form dramas increasingly captivating audiences. Observations indicate a significant evolution in this format, moving beyond its early iterations. Contemporary short dramas are demonstrating enhanced narrative logic in suspense genres, meticulous attention to period details in historical productions, and sophisticated cinematography in urban narratives. The thematic scope has also broadened, incorporating elements of depth previously uncommon in the format.

For instance, the science fiction short drama "I'm a Contractor on the Moon" explores lunar infrastructure development. "Journey Home" depicts patriotic sentiments among overseas Chinese. Even romantic dramas like "Northeast Love Story: Flash Marriage Rose" integrate broader historical contexts, such as the economic and social development of Northeast China in the 1990s. More recently, "Maoxing Langya," adapted from Dongzhou Gongzi Nan's novel, has gained popularity. This historical drama, set in the Southern Qi dynasty, features a protagonist who navigates the era using knowledge from the Book of Songs and the Rites of Zhou, earning acclaim from both audiences and scholars. Similarly, "Undercurrents," a Republican-era spy thriller, has been likened to a short-form version of "Lurk," accumulating over 500 million views on Hongguo within a week of its release.

Notable Details

A recent Hongguo Creator Conference provided insights into the driving forces behind this transformation. The event featured academics from institutions such as the Central Academy of Drama, Communication University of China, and Beijing Normal University, alongside veteran screenwriters, directors, and producers. Discussions at the conference centered on "vertical screen aesthetics," "cinematic language," and "content quality," rather than solely on return on investment (ROI) or traffic acquisition.

Directors, for example, are reportedly dedicating significant time to refining individual shots, even for brief on-screen moments. Some production teams are spending up to a month on a single short drama, a marked departure from the previous industry norm of rapid production cycles.

Under the Hood

This commitment to quality extends to production investments. For "Pawnshop No. 7," film and television company Datang Zhixing acquired two large crystal chandeliers, each costing 8,000 yuan, to fulfill a director's creative vision, despite the limited screen time for the props. Yu Yizhou, a director from Honglvdeng Film and Television, recounted traveling to Harbin to source Czech wolfdogs (50% wolf) for a short drama, with the crew even constructing an air-conditioned resting area for these animals. These examples underscore a growing trend towards professionalization in short-form drama production.

Why It Matters

This shift is not merely an organic development but is significantly influenced by policy regulation and evolving business models. The "China Micro-Short Drama Industry Development White Paper (2025)" indicates that free micro-short dramas now constitute two-thirds of the overall market. In this model, users access content without charge, platforms generate revenue through advertising, and production companies rely on revenue sharing with platforms. This structure compels producers to prioritize content quality, as user retention is paramount in a free-access environment.

Furthermore, the free model has fostered a unique dynamic within the industry. Luo Guter, founder of Baichuan Chinese, noted a transition from "the drama finds the person" to "the person finds the drama." Platforms like the Hongguo Short Drama App, which offers free content, have cultivated a stable user base. This allows niche content to find its audience, freeing creators from the imperative to produce formulaic narratives. In practice, this enables a focus on diverse genres, including suspense, family dramas, sci-fi, and even socially relevant topics, shifting the industry from a "traffic business" back to a "content business."

Next Steps

Hongguo has actively supported this transition through initiatives like the Guoran Plan, launched last year. This plan provides funding and promotional resources for quality content, with creators retaining all earnings. Since its inception, the Guoran Plan has invested in over 90 short dramas, with more than 50 already released. For example, "Northeast Love Story: Flash Marriage Rose" achieved over 280 million views within three days of its launch. Hongguo's editor-in-chief, Le Li, emphasized the platform's full-cycle promotional capabilities, from pre-broadcast reservations to post-broadcast discussions, ensuring visibility for compelling content.

Additionally, Hongguo established the Hongguo Short Drama Creation Service Platform. Yang Jie, head of creator operations at Hongguo, stated that this platform addresses inefficiencies in matching screenwriters with producers, actors with scripts, and directors with projects. Ningbo Mochu Film and Television, an actor agency utilizing the platform, highlighted two key benefits: the platform screens scripts and teams, ensuring actors engage with high-quality projects, and it enables creators to benefit from the long-tail value of popular works, potentially earning more from one meticulously produced drama than from several rushed projects.

From a structural standpoint, Hongguo is positioned not just as a playback platform but as a partner connecting creators and serving the broader short-form drama industry. This support system, encompassing funding, technology, and operational mechanisms, aims to accelerate the industry's evolution from rapid growth to meticulous cultivation. This environment allows creators to focus on their craft, knowing that their work, even if niche, can find an appreciative audience.

This stage also serves to highlight diverse cultural elements. "Maoxing Langya" popularizes traditional Chinese studies, while "Sister's Three Hairpins" promotes intangible cultural heritage such as Qinqiang opera and Xi'an drum music. "Inside and Outside the Home" showcases the cultural characteristics of the Sichuan-Chongqing region. These examples illustrate how short dramas are becoming a new medium for connecting with various industries and cultural expressions, moving beyond singular themes to delve into specific life scenarios. Looking ahead, this trajectory suggests a future with an increasing volume of high-quality short dramas, potentially marking the beginning of a golden age for the format.