Real estate companies and actors face shifts due to rising AI short dramas

The rapid rise of AI-generated short dramas is reshaping both the entertainment industry and real estate marketing. In the acting sector, Hong Kong actor Lam Ching-fung, who previously found success as a leading man in mainland Chinese short dramas, reports that AI technology is increasingly replacing human performers. To adapt, he is transitioning toward short-form video creation and exploring new roles in variety shows.

Simultaneously, Chinese real estate developers are adopting short dramas as a low-cost marketing strategy to reach younger demographics. Companies such as Hangzhou Xingyao Property, Poly Shanghai, and Jinmao Shanghai are producing or utilizing AI-driven micro-dramas to showcase residential lifestyles. These productions often use property amenities like clubhouses and swimming pools as backdrops, effectively turning short series into immersive advertisements. While production costs are relatively low—with some 18-episode series costing under 200,000 yuan—the industry remains focused on whether high viewership translates into actual property sales and lead conversion.