 |
| Chinese Short Drama Taken Down After Casting Child Actress as Female Lead (Photo: ETToday) |
A new Chinese short drama has become the centre of intense online debate after viewers discovered that its female lead was only 11 years old at the time of filming. What initially slipped under the radar quickly turned into a storm of criticism, with many netizens saying the casting crossed a clear line and should never have been approved in the first place.
The short-form drama, Forced a Lucky Koi to Marry the Living Yanluo, the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s Luck Is Completely Destroyed, has since been removed from major platforms following mass reports. At the heart of the controversy is child actress Dora Liu Xingchen, who was cast as a “bride” opposite an adult male actor significantly older than her.
The age gap, combined with the story’s marital setup, immediately triggered widespread discomfort among viewers.
Many netizens pointed out that while the drama is set in a historical-inspired world, it is still a modern production made for today’s audience.
The original novel the series is based on features a storyline involving extremely early marriage and motherhood, elements that many feel should never be visually adapted, especially with an actual child in the lead role. Viewers said that even without explicit romance, the framing itself felt inappropriate and unnecessary.
 |
Some defenders of the drama argued that the early episodes avoided romantic content, describing the relationship as symbolic and restrained due to an imperial order within the plot.
However, this explanation did little to calm criticism. Scenes involving physical closeness, shared gazes, or protective gestures were still widely seen as uncomfortable, with netizens stressing that intention does not outweigh presentation.
“11岁女童演大尺度短剧，被全网下架”
— 李老师不是你老师 (@whyyoutouzhele) January 15, 2026
近日，《逼锦鲤替嫁活阎王，相府气运全断了》的微短剧因选用11岁女童出演“替嫁新娘”并与成年男演员亲密互动而引发批评，最终在多家平台上紧急下架。… pic.twitter.com/0kGbBzJKBA
As the drama progressed, further frustration emerged when viewers realised the story ultimately resolves with the characters becoming a proper couple.
Many felt this undermined earlier justifications and confirmed fears that the narrative relied on shock value rather than thoughtful storytelling.
Searches for the title on short-drama platforms now return blank results, indicating its complete removal.
 |
This incident has also reignited broader discussions about the current state of China’s micro-drama market. In recent years, increasingly extreme storylines have appeared, often designed to grab attention rather than deliver quality.
Critics argue that the rush for clicks and viral buzz has led some creators to ignore ethical boundaries and audience responsibility.
Fan and netizen reactions remain divided, though the overwhelming tone online has been critical. Some viewers believe the production team showed poor judgement and should have anticipated the backlash.
Others argue that public criticism escalated too quickly, saying the creative intent was misread, even if execution was flawed. What most seem to agree on, however, is that stronger oversight is clearly needed.
With the drama now gone, the debate hasn’t ended. Instead, it has opened up wider questions about platform responsibility, creative limits, and where audiences believe the line should be drawn. What do you think — was this simply careless casting, or a sign of deeper issues in short-form drama production?