LayarHijau – AI (artificial intelligence)-generated short dramas are rapidly emerging as a new force in China’s digital content industry. Over the past few months, the genre has seen a dramatic surge in popularity and is now considered one of the fastest-growing segments in the short drama market.
One of the standout titles is Doomsday Cold Wave: I Have a Mobile Fortress (末日寒潮我有移动堡垒我怕谁). This AI-generated realistic short drama recorded an increase of 230 million views and topped related ranking charts. Another hit, Immortal Execution Platform AI Live Action (斩仙台AI真人版), climbed to the top of trending charts within just two days of release and surpassed 100 million views in only six days.
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The trend has prompted major tech companies such as ByteDance and Tencent to accelerate their expansion into AI-powered short drama production. AI short dramas—especially those featuring hyper-realistic virtual human characters—are now seen as a powerful new traffic driver.
Explosive Growth Throughout 2025
Market data shows that in 2025, the number of fully AI-generated short dramas grew at an explosive rate. In January, only four AI-generated titles made ranking lists. By November, that number had surged to 217.
This rapid expansion is largely driven by AI’s ability to significantly cut production costs.
Unlike traditional short dramas that require actors, on-site crews, filming locations, makeup, costumes, and accommodation, AI short dramas do not rely on real performers. Creators simply input keywords describing character appearance, visual style, and story background into AI systems. Within a short time, the system generates virtual actors adaptable to genres ranging from historical costume dramas to modern thrillers and fantasy stories.
Actor salaries, location rentals, and logistical expenses are virtually eliminated.
Production Costs Can Drop to Around $275–$290
Dialogue can be produced using AI voice tools that allow flexible adjustments of tone and pacing without repeated recording sessions. Sets and props are digitally generated, removing the need to build physical sets or rent expensive equipment. Even basic scriptwriting can be assisted by AI.
This is what has led to claims that “a few thousand yuan can create a viral hit with hundreds of millions of views.”
For example, the production cost of a 90-minute AI project is estimated to be as low as 2,000 yuan. With an exchange rate of roughly 1 USD ≈ 7.2–7.3 yuan, that equals approximately $275–$290. Previously, a similar project could cost over 10,000 yuan, or around $1,400.
Another case is The King of Feng Shui (风水之王), an AI realistic short drama that reportedly achieved 370 million total views after release. Its cumulative revenue was said to reach 1.7 million yuan, equivalent to approximately $235,000.
The production structure is also extremely lean. A high-quality AI short drama project can reportedly be handled by a team of just four to five people. The main expenses typically include AI tool subscriptions, script development, and post-production editing.
Technology such as Seedance 2.0 is claimed to have increased the usable output rate for 15-second videos to around 90 percent—far higher than the previous industry average of about 20 percent. This significantly speeds up production and reduces revision cycles.
Big Opportunities, Real Challenges
AI has undeniably lowered the entry barrier for small creators to enter the short drama industry. Production cycles are faster, and capital requirements are significantly reduced.
However, challenges remain. Many AI short dramas are criticized for repetitive storytelling patterns. The emotional depth of virtual characters and narrative quality are still under scrutiny. Issues related to originality and copyright also raise concerns amid the rapid development of generative AI technologies.
If the industry relies solely on low costs and formula-driven storytelling, the current boom risks becoming a temporary traffic bubble. To truly reshape the short drama landscape, creators will still need strong storytelling, creative visuals, and sustainable innovation.
Editor’s Note: The short drama titles mentioned above are not official titles, but rather rough or literal English translations.
