文化观察：出海微短剧如何摆脱“低级感”？

Core Viewpoint - The micro-short drama industry is experiencing rapid growth and is becoming a significant cultural export for China, but it faces challenges related to content quality and cultural representation [2][4][6]. Group 1: Industry Growth and Characteristics - The micro-short drama market is projected to exceed 50 billion yuan in 2024, indicating explosive growth in recent years [2]. - Zhejiang province has emerged as a leader in the micro-short drama sector, with a complete production chain and a high number of production agencies and platforms [3]. - In the first seven months of this year, over 2,300 micro-short drama crews have been hosted in Hengdian, with an expected total of over 4,000 crews for the year [3]. Group 2: Challenges and Criticisms - The industry is facing criticism for a perceived "low-level" quality in content, attributed to three imbalances: commercial versus artistic focus, global versus local cultural elements, and technology versus content innovation [4]. - The reliance on proven "hit" formulas has led to a saturation of similar themes, such as revenge and family drama, which diminishes artistic diversity [4]. - Simplifying content to remove Chinese cultural elements has resulted in a loss of cultural identity, failing to resonate with international audiences [4]. Group 3: Recommendations for Improvement - Experts suggest that micro-short dramas should focus on enhancing quality, rooting in local culture, and expanding internationally while balancing local expression with global appeal [5][7]. - There is a call for deeper exploration of Chinese cultural essence in micro-short dramas, integrating local narratives that reflect real-life experiences [7]. - Establishing a collaborative mechanism between academia and industry is recommended to maintain artistic exploration while ensuring scalability and platform development for micro-short dramas [8].