LayarHijau – On July 5, 2025, shocking rumors about a fatal accident during the filming of a short drama in Hengdian went viral on Chinese social media. Several Weibo users claimed that the lead actress died on the spot, while the lead actor fell into a coma after the incident.
However, no official confirmation has been made so far. According to Chinese media outlet Cover News (via Sohu), the Hengdian police stated that they had not received any reports of such an accident on a filming set. Cover News also tried to contact the blogger “Suibianzhuichui,” who first spread the rumor, as well as Xiaohongshu users “Shanxindeliang” and “Xinkouhu Ms. Zhou,” but no responses were received.
A short drama director told Cover News that he saw the rumor circulating in WeChat Moments but admitted that the source could not be verified. A male actor living in Hengdian gave a similar response, saying, “I don’t know whether this is true or not.”
Despite the uncertainty of the rumor, the incident sparked widespread criticism of the harsh working environment in China’s booming short drama industry. Over the past few years, short dramas have grown rapidly due to their fast production cycles and monetization through live-streaming sales by the actors themselves.
However, this rapid production pace comes at a cost. Actors and crew members endure extreme working hours, lack of sleep, and harsh filming conditions. One Weibo user posted a video showing a costumed actor collapsing from suspected heat stroke and being helped by the crew with water and ventilation.
Many netizens questioned the industry’s work culture, asking, “Do they really have to shoot costume dramas in the summer when temperatures exceed 40°C?”
Other netizens shared harsh criticisms of the short drama industry:
“Actors barely sleep, filming until early morning and then live streaming to sell products.”
“Many people carry heart medication on set in case they collapse.”
“Even if the death rumor is false, this working style will eventually lead to real tragedy.”
Aside from the harsh working conditions, the incident also highlights how rumors can spread rapidly on social media before any official clarification is available. Although the authorities denied receiving any accident reports, the lack of transparency in the entertainment industry allows rumors to thrive unchecked.
