LayarHijau – The controversy surrounding the short drama Hidden Love for You has caught the attention of the Chinese drama community and fans alike. This short drama was adapted from the popular novel Hidden Love by Zhu Yi, which had already been adapted into a manhua and a long-form drama titled Hidden Love (2023), starring Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan. However, the short drama was suddenly pulled from streaming platforms after it was confirmed that the production team did not secure proper authorization from the original author and copyright holders. This was later resolved through a peaceful settlement between the production and the rights holders. The case provides important lessons for how the Chinese entertainment industry should handle the adaptation of well-loved intellectual properties (IPs).
Too Soon, Poorly Planned
In other entertainment industries such as Hollywood, Japan, and South Korea, reboots or spin-offs of popular IPs typically happen after a significant period has passed. This allows the original version to be remembered fondly, while giving creative teams time to offer fresh interpretations. In the case of Hidden Love for You, the short drama was released just one year after the highly successful long drama, while the audience’s emotional attachment to the previous version remained strong. As a result, many fans felt that the short drama was rushed and appeared to chase trends instead of offering a genuinely new creative vision.
However, it is also possible that this short drama attempted to present new elements that the public could not fully assess, given the limited time it was available for viewing. Therefore, this analysis focuses more on the production context and public reaction so far, rather than making a definitive judgment on the content of the drama itself.
Not Every Story Suits the Short Drama Format
Short dramas are currently booming in China due to their lower production costs and faster turnaround times. However, not every story fits this format. Hidden Love is a coming-of-age tale that requires gradual character development and emotional buildup. Compressing this story into a short drama risks removing the depth that originally endeared it to audiences.
Ignoring Emotional Attachment and Fan Expectations
Fans consider Zhao Lusi and Chen Zheyuan’s portrayal of the lead roles “iconic” and difficult to replace. In Chinese fandom culture, the first successful adaptation often becomes the benchmark for how characters should be portrayed. A remake without careful consideration can be seen as damaging the legacy of the original. The backlash from fans highlights that adapting an IP isn’t just about profit; it’s also about respecting the emotional connections already built with audiences.
Lessons from Global Entertainment Industries
In Japan, Korea, and Hollywood, IP expansion isn’t limited to retelling the main story. Instead, they broaden the universe through character spin-offs, animation, side novels, stage plays, and even variety shows featuring the cast in new formats. For instance, Harry Potter expanded into the stage play The Cursed Child and theme parks, while The Avengers evolved through spin-off series like WandaVision and Loki. In Japan, the Rurouni Kenshin series was reimagined through live-action films, new anime adaptations, and extensive merchandise.
Industry Expert Opinions and Their Relevance to Hidden Love for You
Several Chinese entertainment practitioners and analysts emphasize the importance of maintaining high quality when adapting IPs. Li Jing and Li Fangfang from Streaming Media and 36Kr noted that short dramas are entering a phase where quality upgrades are necessary, and rushed productions without a strong vision will not survive. In the context of Hidden Love for You, the concern is that the production appeared rushed and lacked innovation, though there could be new elements that have yet to be fully appreciated.
Industry insiders Sun Wei and Guan Guan stressed the importance of genre and format differentiation to prevent IP adaptations from simply copying what already exists. The challenge for Hidden Love for You is proving that its approach offers a fresh perspective rather than merely condensing a well-known story.
Producer Cai Yinong and writer Zhang Jialu emphasized that IP adaptations are not simple translations of the original text but require creative polish and reinterpretation. So far, Hidden Love for You has faced criticism for failing to deliver a meaningful new take. Veteran director Zheng Xiaolong also warned that a bad adaptation remains bad, regardless of the popularity of the original IP, unless significant quality improvements are made.
Rao Shuguang, Chairman of the China Film Critics Association, argued that a successful adaptation must be loyal in two ways: faithful to the novel’s essence and to the drama medium itself. Furthermore, an adaptation should build strong emotional ties with existing fans while reaching out to new audiences. In the case of Hidden Love for You, the drama has struggled to forge a new emotional connection without undermining the legacy of the previous version.
Healthier Alternatives for IP Adaptation
Rather than compressing the main storyline into a short drama, healthier alternatives could include:
Animation (donghua) that introduces a new visual style.
Audio dramas, which are becoming popular in China.
Character spin-offs, such as exploring Duan Jiaxu’s past, since Sang Yan’s story has already been adapted into the recently concluded drama The First Frost.
Webtoons or manhua alternate universe (AU) adaptations that offer different storylines.
Variety shows featuring the main cast in a relaxed, behind-the-scenes concept.
Stage plays or musicals, as commonly seen with popular Japanese IPs.
Conclusion
The Hidden Love for You case highlights that maximizing an IP’s potential requires careful planning and respect for both the fans’ emotional attachment and the author’s intellectual property rights. Rushed adaptations can damage a work’s long-term reputation unless they clearly demonstrate new creative approaches with meaningful value. The Chinese entertainment industry can learn from Japan, Korea, and Hollywood in building a sustainable, creative, and diversified IP ecosystem. Chinese industry experts also affirm that successful adaptations should prioritize artistic quality and emotional resonance, not merely market trends.
Hidden Love for You is a real-world example of how disregarding these principles leads to adaptation controversies, even though there may be unexplored creative elements that the public has yet to fully evaluate.
