LayarHijau— The Chinese short drama industry is currently facing a serious ethical crisis due to the uncontrolled proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Recently, actress Zhang Jingyi’s studio issued a stern statement regarding the unauthorized use of the actress’s facial image through AI face-swapping technology in various short dramas. This phenomenon surfaced when a drama titled Step by Step, which tells a story of romance and business intrigue, was found to have digitally replaced the original actor’s face with Zhang Jingyi’s facial features starting from the seventh episode. This illegal practice significantly harms the actress as the drama has reached a popularity of over 30 million views, spreading misleading content that damages her professional reputation.
This case is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend where top-tier stars are becoming easy targets. Besides Zhang Jingyi, big names like Yang Zi, Xiao Zhan, Dilraba Dilmurat, Deng Wei, and Jackson Yee have also fallen victim. These top stars find their faces digitally transplanted into characters in low-quality short dramas that often feature exaggerated or nonsensical melodramatic plots. Without official contracts or compensation, their profiles are used to attract clicks from deceived fans, creating an algorithmic recommendation cycle that continues to spread this pirated content to a wide audience.
Support Layar Hijau
Layar Hijau is an independent media outlet dedicated to sharing news and stories about the Asian dramas you love. If you enjoy our content, your support helps us keep going and bring more stories to fellow drama fans.
Every bit of support means a lot to us. Thank you for reading, following, and being part of Layar Hijau's journey.
For supporters in Indonesia
For international supporters
For more information, click here.
In their announcement, Zhang Jingyi’s studio strongly condemned the actions of platforms and creators who use this technology irresponsibly. They emphasized that using an artist’s facial features without consent is a serious violation of portrait rights. “The platform used AI technology to graft Zhang Jingyi’s facial features onto characters in the drama. This not only misleads the audience but also causes a significant negative impact on the artist’s public image,” the studio representative stated in their official announcement. They demanded the immediate removal of the relevant content and plan to take further legal steps to protect the actress’s rights.
The explosion of this phenomenon is driven by low technological barriers and high potential for financial gain. While AI face-swapping previously required complex techniques, AI-based tools now allow the creation of similar content with just one click and almost zero cost. Many small studios and individuals are chasing quick profits through ad revenue sharing from viral videos, completely ignoring intellectual property rights. On the other hand, platform moderation systems that still rely on keywords often fail to detect highly realistic AI content, causing legal actions to lag far behind the speed of illegal content production.
The impact of this AI abuse is highly detrimental to actors with a strong public image. Actresses like Yang Zi, known for her nationally popular dramas, or Zhang Jingyi with her literary girl persona, now have to bear reputational risks for roles they never took. The presence of this low-quality content blurs the line between reality and fiction, which can mislead general audiences in judging an artist’s integrity. Furthermore, the prevalence of this low-cost speculative content is beginning to erode the creative space for seriously produced short dramas, as the industry leans more toward traffic gimmicks than script and production quality.
While AI technology is inherently neutral, its unethical use has disrupted the order of the entertainment industry. The crisis experienced by stars like Xiao Zhan and Dilraba Dilmurat serves as an urgent reminder of the need for clearer and more uniform accountability mechanisms in the digital industry. Without strict regulation and more proactive platform oversight, the exploitation of celebrity public images will continue to be a tool for irresponsible parties to reap profits at the expense of artists’ moral integrity.
Chinese dramas products
Rosy Zhao Rosydoedian Authentic Dachshund Plush Doll Squeaky Soft Stuffed Decorative Throw Pillow Collectible Gift
Authenthic Dachshund plush doll from Zhao Lusi's Rosydoedian.
It's only available for shipping to certain countries.
Official Genuine Pursuit of Jade Drama Collectible Photocards Zhang Linghe Tian Xiwei Photo Trading Cards Holiday Gift
Official genuine collectible photocards These Pursuit of Jade Drama collectible photocards are officially licensed and authentic, featuring beloved characters Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei. Perfect for fans seeking genuine memorabilia from the popular drama.
New Drama Fangs Of Fortune Official Merch Collectible Cards Zhao Yuanzhou, Wen Xiao Characters HD Photocard Cosplay Gift
Official Merchandise from Fangs of Fortune This collectible card set is officially licensed Fangs of Fortune merchandise, featuring beloved characters Zhao Yuanzhou and Wen Xiao in high-definition detail for true fans.
