In China's 'microdrama' boom, AI moviemakers chase 2 minutes of fame

A microdrama production staffer works on AI post production and overseas translation and distribution on July 21 in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, China. As demand for microdramas surges, producers say a well-made AI series can cost as little as 50,000 yuan ($7,380) to make, with outlay on actors, locations and film crews absent. © Getty ImagesBig in AsiaUltrashort episodic video business seen worth $18bn, with tech subbing for some live shootsLORRETTA CHEN, CISSY ZHOU and WATARU SUZUKIJuly 25, 2026 06:00 JST