On September 28, Chinese outlet 163 reported that Li Kaiwen collapsed and died on set in Hengdian, one of China’s largest filming hubs. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), he had previously directed several art films that were screened at the FIRST Youth Film Festival in China.
The news gained traction online, with some actors at Hengdian admitting they had reshared the unverified post before realizing its dubious origin. Reporters from Jimu News reached out to local authorities, but both town officials and representatives from Hengdian Studios stated they had no knowledge of such an incident.
Later that evening, around 9 p.m., local police clarified the matter, confirming that the reports were fabricated. They revealed that the director himself appeared at the police station to file a report against the false rumor. Authorities announced they would conduct a full investigation into the incident.
Although the news of his “death” turned out to be fake, many observers noted that the rumor still underscores a deeper concern—grueling work conditions in the Chinese film and television industry. The intense pressure, long hours, and lack of rest have long raised alarms about the health and well-being of those working behind the scenes.
The short drama market in China has grown rapidly, reaching a total value of 50.44 billion yuan (about USD 6.91 billion). To cut costs and maximize profits, production crews often push through extreme schedules—producing 60 to 100 episodes (about 5 minutes each) in just seven days. Workers are required to put in up to 20 hours a day, often taking on multiple roles without proper rest or health safeguards.
According to Deng, Chinese producers release 5,000–8,000 short dramas annually—ten times more than the rest of the world combined. Backed by advertising revenue and user spending, the short drama industry has now overtaken China’s domestic box office revenue, with over 500 million internet users consuming such content, and more than one-third watching daily.
Sources: kenh14, nqs
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