News of Chinese Drama Director Li Kaiwen's Death on Set Turns Out to Be Hoax, Shocking the Industry

Kapanlagi.com - A while ago, a rumor shook the Chinese film industry. Media 163 reported that the 28-year-old young director, Li Kaiwen, fainted and died on the set in Hengdian. For those who may not know, Hengdian is known as one of the largest film production centers in China.

Reportedly, Li Kaiwen is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and previously worked directing art films that were screened at the FIRST Youth Film Festival.

1. Viral News, But No Evidence

The news of his death spread quickly. Several actors in Hengdian even shared it, before realizing that the source was questionable. A reporter from Jimu News then tried to clarify with local officials and Hengdian Studios, but they confirmed that they were unaware of such an incident.

That night, around 9 PM, local police provided an official clarification that the report was false. Li Kaiwen himself went to the police station to report the hoax that was spreading. The police then announced that they would conduct a full investigation into the dissemination of the news.

2. Although It's a Hoax, the Essence Cannot Be Ignored

illustration of short Chinese drama workers who fainted on set

Even though the news of his death turned out to be false, the public and observers still highlighted one major issue. This refers to the long-standing anxiety in the Chinese film and drama industry regarding extreme working conditions, long hours, high pressure, and the often-overlooked health of creative workers.

The short drama industry in China is growing very rapidly. Its market value has even reached 50.44 billion yuan (about 6.91 billion USD).

To cut costs while pursuing profits, production teams often impose very tight schedules. It is reported that they can produce 60–100 episodes lasting about 5 minutes in just seven days.

Workers sometimes work up to 20 hours a day, often handling multiple tasks at once without breaks or adequate health protections.

3. Virality and Humanity

Chinese short dramas indeed offer quick and light entertainment, but the industry behind them seems unprepared to balance creativity and humanity. The race for airtime and pressure to go viral have created a tiring ecosystem, and this could potentially end tragically. That possibility remains.

It is time for the public and digital platforms to start demanding quality that is not only measured by the number of views but also by how the behind-the-scenes process values the hardworking individuals who create it. Because in essence, the entertainment industry should inspire spirit, not sacrifice lives.

(kpl/chn)