AI Actors Sign with Production Company and Spark Debate in China's Microdrama Industry

Yaoke Media, based in Shanghai, unveiled AI actors Qin Lingyue and Lin Xiyan on March 18, 2025, for their fantasy short drama 'Qinling', with the intention of establishing them as standalone intellectual properties. This announcement reignited discussions about the potential for AI actors to supplant human performers, a conversation that started in 2023 with the character Erzhuang from 'I Am Nobody'. The following year, 'China Mythology' marked a milestone as the first fully AI-generated short drama in China, soon followed by Hong Kong's 'In My Heart, You Are One of a Kind' in 2025. The rise of AI microdramas was notable, with Gangganghao Film and Television producing 229 in 2025, achieving over 513 million views. Concerns regarding likeness rights have surfaced, as fans call for safeguards, while industry experts caution about a decreasing need for human actors, which could impact their wages and job stability.