Jagged0
🇺🇦 سيف الإسلام
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China is taking aim at a wildly popular entertainment genre that has captivated millions of young women across the country: micro dramas featuring romance between ordinary women and ultra-wealthy CEOs.
According to sources, authorities have announced plans to regulate these short-form video dramas, which typically run just a few minutes per episode and are consumed primarily on mobile devices. The concern centers on content that regulators believe promotes materialism and encourages unrealistic fantasies about wealth and romance among female viewers.
The genre has exploded in popularity over recent years, with countless series depicting Cinderella-style narratives where working-class heroines unexpectedly fall in love with impossibly rich business tycoons. These stories often feature lavish displays of luxury goods, expensive cars, and opulent lifestyles that critics argue distort young women’s expectations about relationships and success.
Government regulators worry that the constant exposure to these billionaire fantasy narratives may be shaping how young Chinese women view their own lives and opportunities. The dramas typically present wealth accumulation and marriage to a rich man as the ultimate aspiration, rather than encouraging professional ambition or financial independence.
The regulatory move reflects concerns within Chinese society about the values being transmitted through digital entertainment. Officials have increasingly scrutinized online content that they believe promotes what they consider unhealthy social attitudes, particularly around money and status.
These micro dramas have become a significant industry, with production companies churning out hundreds of episodes across multiple platforms. The format’s brevity makes it perfect for smartphone viewing, and many young women report spending hours scrolling through episode after episode of these romantic fantasies.
Industry observers note that the genre’s appeal lies partly in its escapism, offering viewers a brief respite from daily pressures. However, regulators appear convinced that the cumulative effect of consuming this content is problematic, potentially fostering materialistic values and unrealistic relationship expectations.
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