Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the release of the long-awaited drama "Zhe Yao" as a response to the current challenges in the drama market, including a lack of blockbuster content and the rise of short dramas [1][7][9] - The drama "Zhe Yao," produced by Tencent Video and adapted from a popular web novel, has generated significant anticipation, with over 250,000 reservations on Tencent's platform prior to its release [1][6][16] - The release of "Zhe Yao" and other backlog dramas is seen as a proactive measure to mitigate losses caused by regulatory scrutiny and the impact of negative publicity surrounding certain actors [2][18][21] Group 2 - The drama market is currently experiencing a "project drought," with a notable decrease in the number of new long dramas being produced, leading to a situation described as an "ice age" for the industry [8][9][10] - Data indicates that the number of dramas receiving distribution licenses has sharply declined from 429 in 2014 to only 156 in 2023, with projections suggesting further reductions in 2024 [8][9] - The audience's demand for quality content, particularly in the ancient romance genre, is evident, as "Zhe Yao" is viewed as a potential savior for the long video platforms [14][15][11] Group 3 - The article discusses the broader implications of the backlog of dramas, which have been delayed due to various factors, including sensitive topics and controversies surrounding actors, creating significant financial risks for production companies [2][20][22] - The industry is exploring various strategies to address these challenges, including the use of AI technology for character replacement in dramas featuring controversial actors [25][26] - There is a growing sentiment that the release of backlog dramas could signal a turning point for the long drama market, potentially leading to a recovery phase [30]