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| Gen Z Actors Redefine China’s Short Drama Scene (Sohu) |
It’s safe to say that China’s short drama market has found its new generation of stars — and they’re all Gen Z.
Since the start of 2025, fresh faces born in the 2000s have been taking over screens, racking up massive views and fanbases with their addictive storylines and modern charm.
From Ke Chun and Li Keyi to Chen Tianxiang and Zhang Chi, these young names are reshaping the industry and proving that short dramas are now serious business.
It all kicked off early in the year with What a Good Girl (好一个乖乖女), a short drama that exploded on Hongguo platforms and stayed trending on Weibo for weeks.
Lead actor Ke Chun, born in 2000, quickly became the internet’s sweetheart thanks to his “su-gan” CEO character and likeable real-life personality.
Many even compared his aura to Korean star Song Kang.
ICYMI: Yao Guanyu Overtakes Ke Chun.
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Dubbed one of the “F4 of Short Dramas”, Ke Chun hasn’t slowed down since.
His collab with Zhai Yiying in Zhi Zhi Returns Again (栀栀复栀栀) pulled in over 1 billion views, cementing his spot among the top short drama idols.
He’s now moving between short and long dramas while popping up in variety shows — a sign that his transition to mainstream stardom might just be a matter of time.
If Ke Chun’s the poster boy, Li Keyi is definitely the queen of short dramas. |
Li Keyi didn’t stop there. She went full “hard-working mode,” releasing a string of hits like 18-Year-Old Great-Grandma Arrives 2, She Thrives in Modern Times Through Cultivation (她靠修仙在现代风生水起), and Madam Specialises in Handling Defiance (夫人她专治不服) — each surpassing 1 billion views.
Her steady output has made her a role model for young actors chasing fast success.
Within the same circle, Wang Peiyan and Wu Tianhao also caught attention.
Both born in the early 2000s and managed by Tinghuadao Agency, the duo frequently co-starred with Li Keyi, forming fan-favourite pairings that transitioned smoothly from family to romance arcs across multiple series.
Beyond the front-runners, more Gen Z talents are catching the spotlight.
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Chen Tianxiang (born 2002) has been crowned the “Chosen Ancient Man” for his stunning costume-drama visuals and solid acting in The Double-Faced Minister Secretly Loves Me (双面权臣暗恋我).
His co-star Yue Yuting, another fast-rising actress from Full Moon Over West Pavilion (月满西楼), continues to dominate the costume genre too.
Fans are already hyped for their upcoming short drama adaptation of Chinese Paladin 3, where they’ll play Zi Xuan and Xu Changqing.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chi (’01) had his big moment this summer with Two-Way Desire Minister (双向欲臣) and Heal Without Medicine (无药而愈).
Known for his delicate acting and melancholic roles, he’s now set to lead iQiyi’s new short drama See You in Three Seconds (三秒预见你) alongside Lou Yixiao.
The youngest in the group, Yang Pengcheng (born 2006), has already shown versatility, switching between mature CEO roles and boyish younger-brother types in Ming Ming (鸣冥) and Taming the Wild (驯野).
His “dog-training” storyline opposite a strong female lead won plenty of fans for its playful yet emotional tone.
But behind all that glitz lies an intense game of survival.
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According to producer Awei, “Short dramas have reshaped the actor pool with crazy speed — the leads you see trending today could be replaced within months.”
The once-dominant “F4 of Short Dramas” quickly evolved into the so-called “Thirteen National Short Guards”, with new faces appearing almost every season.
This high turnover isn’t random.
Short dramas rely on low budgets, fast production cycles, and constant content refreshment.
It’s a “drama first, actor second” model, where producers prioritise storytelling over star power — which keeps the creativity flowing but also makes fame fleeting.
While short dramas are a brilliant launchpad, moving from short-form fame to mainstream acting isn’t easy.
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The few who’ve crossed over successfully, like Ke Chun and Ma Qiuyuan, are exceptions.
Most others struggle to land meaningful roles in long dramas, often limited to cameos or extras.
Still, Gen Z actors have one clear advantage: camera experience.
After hundreds of micro-dramas and lightning-fast shoots, they’ve developed instincts that even top film-school graduates take years to build.
As the saying goes in the industry now, “If you want to see tomorrow’s stars — watch today’s short dramas.”