Chinese short dramas have gained popularity in recent years. The episodes are short and fast-paced, and the stories are often bolder with their crazy plots that seem less restricted by Chinese censors. With so much interest, it’s no surprise that there’s now a new acting reality show (开播短剧季) about short dramas. And it definitely tackles the typical tropes, with celebrity participants acting out scenes where the male lead strangles the heroine, forces a kiss, and then she stabs him?!
These short-length dramas have carved out a niche, with familiar faces dominating the field, such as Li Muchen and Dai Gaozheng, both of whom are also showcasing their acting skills on the reality show.
Li Muchen Willingly Shifted to Short Dramas
Even before Li Muchen drew attention as a short drama actress with the success of Provoke and Fortune Writer, she already landed supporting roles in “bigger” dramas such as The King’s Avatar, The Oath of Love and more recently, A Dream of Splendor.
While many actors try to shift to “longer” dramas, she shares that she willingly made the shift to “short dramas.” Talking about her decision, she said, “I shifted to duanju (short dramas) about two years ago. At that time, the market was in a slump, with the majority of actors unemployed. For mid- to low-tier actors like me, there were fewer and fewer opportunities. If I competed for a role in a long drama, first, it might not be a good fit for me. Then, my time on set would probably take four months, and I definitely wouldn’t be the female lead, plus the pay wouldn’t be that great, to be honest. Considering my age now, I was very worried.”
She explains that spending several months on a longer drama that doesn’t end up doing well, won’t add much to her career. The 31-year-old actress sees her age as a factor, and for her, short dramas was something she tried. Given the positive reception Li Muchen’s short dramas have received and the much shorter filming time, it looks like it was definitely the right move for her.
Dai Gaozheng Known for His Kissing Scenes
Dai Gaozheng is certainly among the most sought-after leading men in the short drama sphere, alongside actors like Zhao Yiqin and Richard Li. He’s already starred in numerous dramas—after all, who can forget his role as Fang Tianyi in the 2022 Maid’s Revenge? He also has many upcoming dramas lined up.
The 28-year-old actor was professionally trained at the prestigious Central Academy of Drama, and his teacher, Su Ke, ended up being a mentor on the reality show. The show inevitably touched upon Dai Gaozheng’s reputation for sizzling kiss scenes—because, let’s face it, have you seen the guy? When Dai Gaozheng joked that he learned it from Su Ke, his teacher replied that while he might have taught him how to act in school, when it comes to kiss scenes, Dai Gaozheng is the one to learn from. Su Ke also mentioned that many of his students have gone on to film short dramas, and it’s a new field worth exploring.
avarachika
Love short Cdramas!
Coralie
Any recos?