After a flood of AI-generated dramas, China's short-video apps want more real people - Jiemian.com
Chinese short-video platforms are pushing back against AI-generated dramas, which use stolen faces and awkward fake actors, and are incentivizing live-action productions.
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Target
- Hanfu stylist and influencer
AI-generated short dramas have flooded Chinese platforms, leading to criticism and prompting platforms to favor live-action content. One platform, Hongguo, is offering incentives for live-action productions, including funding and higher revenue-sharing payouts. This shift reflects mounting pressure across China's AI-content ecosystem, where cheap generative tools have enabled the mass production of dramas.
What happened
In one incident, a Hanfu stylist and influencer accused an AI-generated costume drama, The Peach Blossom Hairpin, of using her photos without permission. The AI drama portrayed the character created from her likeness as overweight and vulgar. The platform removed the series and suspended the studio behind it for 15 days after the influencer's allegations gained traction on social media. The platform has since reviewed thousands of AI-related productions and taken action against those violating platform rules.