Economy
Chinese Investor Accused of Harassment on Short Drama Set
A wealthy Chinese investor is facing allegations of professional misconduct after reportedly forcing excessive romantic scenes into a 50-episode drama series she funded.
According to a report by Khaosod Online, a 23-year-old actor named Zhong Yufei has publicly accused a wealthy Chinese investor of harassment during the production of a 50-episode short drama series. The investor, who served as the project's sole financier, allegedly mandated that she be cast as the lead actress and retained final authority over the script.
Zhong reported that the investor insisted on including over 60 kissing scenes, disregarding concerns from the director and production crew regarding the narrative flow. The actor described an uncomfortable experience during the first romantic scene, alleging that the investor kissed him aggressively and physically restrained him when he attempted to pull away. The investor reportedly dismissed professional feedback by claiming superior knowledge of the short-drama genre.
For residents and travelers interested in the regional entertainment industry, this incident highlights the complexities and potential ethical challenges within the rapidly growing short-form content market. While the story has gained significant traction on Chinese social media, it remains to be confirmed whether any formal legal complaints have been filed against the investor or if the production will face official scrutiny. As of now, the situation serves as a cautionary account of power dynamics in independent media production.