Artificial intelligence tools generated more than 90 per cent of the 430,000 microdramas launched online in China during the first eight months of the year, according to the National Radio and Television Administration.

The rapid surge has unlocked storytelling possibilities for web novel adaptations without expensive physical sets, according to Shenzhen-based producer Bai Jianyue, but it has also saturated digital feeds with low-cost automated content.

Microdramas typically run for just a few minutes per episode and rely on fast-paced twists, yet the flood of automated scripts is prompting video platforms and regulators to pivot toward higher-calibre productions.

The rush to automate production created a surge of lookalike shows with interchangeable plots. Viewers on platforms such as RedNote reported growing dissatisfaction with formulaic releases that simply altered character genders or historical periods across identical narrative arcs.

Technical constraints in video generation models also restrict long-form consistency. Studios struggle to maintain uniform facial expressions, character wardrobe, and scene continuity across series that stretch over dozens of episodes.

Robin Luo, founder of Synintell Pictures, pointed out the gap between single-scene generation and complete narrative production:

“Being able to generate video is not the same as reliably delivering an entire series”

As access to AI generation software widens, commercial success depends less on raw rendering speed and more on directing, scriptwriting, and viewer retention strategies.

Major streaming networks are responding by directing capital back toward human-led filming. Six major video platforms, including services operated by ByteDance and Kuaishou Technology, committed at least 6 billion yuan ($894 million) to fund live-action microdramas under a government-backed initiative.

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