Industry Overview - The current state of the drama market is challenging, with only a few shows like "In the Name of the Law" performing reasonably well, while others from major production companies have not made a significant impact [1][9] - The first phase of the summer season has concluded with disappointing results for major players, as many anticipated dramas failed to resonate with audiences [9] Key Productions and Performances - Tencent Video and iQIYI launched "Lychee of Chang'an" and "Lingjiang Xian" respectively, but both shows faced content controversies that hindered their success despite strong production teams [1][3] - Notable dramas such as "The Age of Forging" and "Huan Yu" also struggled, failing to meet audience expectations due to weak storytelling and character development [3][6] - The summer drama landscape is expected to become more competitive as new productions are set to debut, including "Justifiable Defense," which focuses on self-defense cases and features a strong cast [10][12] Upcoming Projects - Several new dramas are scheduled for release, including "Justifiable Defense" on July 9, which is anticipated to be a standout due to its unique theme and high-profile cast [10][12] - New productions from established companies like New Classics Media and Zhengwu Media are also on the horizon, with a variety of genres being explored [14][18] - The upcoming dramas from Noon Sunshine and Lingmeng are expected to contribute to the summer lineup, with "Cherry Amber" and "Midnight Return" respectively [14][16] Market Trends - Compared to the same period last year, the overall quality of summer dramas has declined, with no standout series capturing a wide audience [20] - The industry is looking for high-quality productions to emerge in the coming months to reverse the current downward trend [20]

Group 1 - The long drama market is regaining vitality with the release of "Cang Hai Chuan" and "Zhe Yao," both achieving rapid viewership milestones, indicating a prelude to the upcoming summer season [1][2] - "Zhe Yao" has shown impressive performance, breaking 20,000 in viewership within 10 minutes of its release on Tencent Video, and reaching a peak of 26,712 on its first day, setting a record for the fastest to break 26,000 in 2025 [2][3] - "Cang Hai Chuan" also performed well, achieving over 8000 in viewership within 5 hours and surpassing 10,000 in 38 hours, setting a new record for the highest premiere ratings in 2024 on Youku [5][6] Group 2 - Both dramas have attracted significant advertising interest, with "Zhe Yao" increasing its ad count from 2 to 7, while "Cang Hai Chuan" also saw a rise in ad numbers, reflecting their popularity [3][5] - The success of both series can be attributed to their strong male leads, with Liu Yuning from "Zhe Yao" and Xiao Zhan from "Cang Hai Chuan" drawing large audiences, particularly among female viewers [5][6] - The current market environment and the quality of the content in both dramas are crucial factors for their success, as they meet the audience's demand for high-quality productions [8][9] Group 3 - Despite the success of "Zhe Yao" and "Cang Hai Chuan," the overall drama market is still struggling compared to the previous year, with fewer standout titles available for the summer season [11][13] - Other dramas airing concurrently are unlikely to significantly impact the market, indicating that the upcoming months are critical for revitalizing the long drama sector [13][15] - The ability of "Zhe Yao" and "Cang Hai Chuan" to maintain their momentum will be essential for lifting the overall market performance ahead of the summer season [9][15]

Core Viewpoint - The recent controversies surrounding foreign artists in China, particularly the incidents involving Li Kaixin and Zheng Naixin, highlight the risks associated with their public statements and behaviors, prompting a call for stricter background checks during casting processes to avoid potential fallout for productions [1][10][17]. Group 1: Impact on Productions - The upcoming series "Journey to the Mountains and Seas" faces significant challenges due to the fallout from Li Kaixin's recorded statements, leading to her removal from promotional materials and potential delays or reshoots, resulting in substantial financial losses [1][10]. - Media criticism has emerged regarding the series' passive response to the controversy, suggesting that merely removing Li Kaixin's content without a clear stance is insufficient [3][10]. Group 2: Public Reaction and Cultural Sensitivity - Li Kaixin's derogatory remarks about Chinese people have sparked widespread outrage, with media and public discourse emphasizing the importance of respecting national dignity and the consequences of foreign artists' negative comments [7][10]. - The incidents have led to a broader discussion about the growing foreign artist community in China and the need for greater scrutiny of their public conduct, as the public's tolerance for "double-faced" behavior diminishes [3][10][16]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Future Implications - The influx of foreign artists into the Chinese entertainment industry has been driven by various factors, including popular talent shows and the demand for international collaboration in productions [11][13]. - As the industry evolves, there is an increasing expectation for foreign artists to demonstrate cultural respect and integrity, with a clear message that disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated [16][17].

Group 1 - The drama market in May is experiencing a slow start, similar to the weather in Beijing, with platforms releasing new series but overall market performance remaining subdued [1][2] - Recent dramas such as "淮水竹亭" and "落花时节又逢君" have failed to gain significant popularity despite being in the airing period, indicating a lack of breakout hits [2][11] - New series like "刑警的日子" and "亲爱的仇敌" have been launched, but their reception has been lukewarm, with the former's crime-solving plot being described as bland [4][6][11] Group 2 - Upcoming dramas in May include a variety of genres, with Tencent Video releasing a list of eight new series, including "陷入我们的热恋" and "华山论剑," which aim to attract different audience segments [12][14] - Notable anticipated series include "赴山海" and "藏海传," both of which have generated significant pre-release buzz, with "赴山海" achieving over 6 million reservations across platforms [18][19][21] - The industry is looking forward to the second half of May for potential market recovery, as several high-profile dramas are set to premiere [12][21]