Kapanlagi.com - The short drama industry in China suddenly became a hot topic after the issue of actor salary disparity was widely discussed on Weibo. This discussion arose alongside various reports about the extreme income inequality behind the rapid development of the genre.
The public was shocked by the stark income differences between top actors and supporting actors. Not only concerning wages, the harsh working conditions, extreme shooting hours, and cases involving child actors also fueled the outrage of netizens.
Discussions on this issue continue to expand on social media and online forums. Public attention then turned to the short drama industry system, which is considered to lack adequate protections for its workers.
Find more news related to Chinese actors at Liputan6.com.
1. The Beginning of the Short Drama Salary Issue Becomes a Topic of Discussion

Chinese short drama actors' salaries show a striking disparity (credit:weibo)
The discussion regarding the salaries of short drama actors began from an internal industry report that circulated widely on social media. This issue highlights labor exploitation and income inequality that is increasingly difficult to ignore.
As the information spread, the discussion evolved into an open critique of the working system in the short drama industry. Many began to question the sustainability of a production model that excessively pressures human resources.
2. The Salary Gap of Chinese Short Drama Actors

The salaries of Chinese short drama actors show a striking disparity (credit:weibo)
According to circulating information, top actors can earn between 30,000 to 80,000 yuan per day. In a short drama consisting of about 80 episodes completed in seven days, their earnings can reach hundreds of thousands of yuan.
In contrast, background actors and child actors only receive payment of 80 to 800 yuan per day. There are even reports that new actors are asked to work without pay or only receive a portion of the promised wages.
3. Extreme Workload Behind Rapid Production

The salaries of Chinese short drama actors show a striking disparity (credit:weibo)
Behind the high income of a handful of actors, working conditions in this industry are said to be very harsh. The fast production pattern forces actors to work up to 16-18 hours a day with very limited break time.
In addition to long working hours, the risks of the shooting environment are also a concern. Some reports mention that shooting takes place in rainy night conditions or extreme heat without adequate protection.
4. Controversy Over Distribution and Weak Protection of Rights

The salaries of Chinese short drama actors show a striking disparity (credit:weibo)
Public criticism is also directed at the unequal distribution of profits. It is noted that a small number of top actors dominate the majority of the industry's profits, while other participants have to work with minimal budgets.
On the other hand, many projects rely only on verbal agreements without written contracts. Heavy penalty clauses and high legal costs make it difficult for smaller actors to claim their rights.
5. Public and Practitioner Push for System Improvement

The salaries of Chinese short drama actors show a striking disparity (credit:weibo)
As attention increases, demands arise for the short drama industry to implement systemic improvements. Protection for child actors, restrictions on working hours, and the use of stunt doubles in risky scenes have become major points of concern.
Additionally, the public is urging the establishment of a payment guarantee mechanism and third-party oversight. Many also call for the industry to emphasize story quality over merely chasing popularity.
6. Popular Q&A About Chinese Celebrities
Q: Why are the salaries of short drama actors so different
A: Because of the uneven industry system and the dominance of top actors in profit-sharing.
Q: How much do background actors in short dramas earn
A: Background actors reportedly receive only around 80 to 800 yuan per day.
Q: Why is this issue trending on Weibo
A: Because the public believes that the salary disparity and working conditions have exceeded reasonable limits.
Let's read more articles about Chinese actresses on Kapanlagi.com. If not now, when, KapanLagi?
(kpl/vna)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.