FROM epic fantasy dramas featuring gods and immortals to intimate stories of urban professionals navigating careers and relationships, what appears on Chinese screens is increasingly drawing from one prolific creative well: online literature. In an industry hungry for proven hits, adaptations of serialized web novels have become a significant force in programming. According to industry data, more than a third of the series set for release or under production in 2025 by China’s three major streaming platforms — iQiyi, Tencent Video, and Youku — are based on such digital originals. This trend underscores a major shift in how China’s entertainment industry capitalizes on the country’s vibrant, crowd-sourced online fiction. For producers, the appeal is clear. These novels, often written in serial installments and honed by real-time reader feedback, arrive with a built-in audience and a pre-tested story. “The ‘co-creation’ model is the unique advantage,” said Jia Wenting, IP content director at Fanqie Novel, adding that a story that survives the rigorous verdict of online readers has essentially already passed a market test. He Liang, an associate professor at the Beijing Film Academy, described the process of adaptation as a “structural remake.” “You are transforming a sprawling, text-based narrative, often with internal monologues and complex subplots, into a visual and emotionally immediate experience,” he said. “The rhythm changes, the focus sharpens. The goal is to capture the essence while making it work as television.” The adaptations span a wide spectrum. Heartfelt realist dramas like “Like a Flowing River,” which chronicles the lives of ordinary people amid China’s economic reforms, share the spotlight with lavish fantasy series like “Lost You Forever,” which features high-quality visual effects that build immersive mythical worlds. A significant and profitable segment focuses on modern women’s lives, with shows like “Nothing But Thirty” exploring themes of career, family, and self-worth, resonating deeply with female viewers. Now, Chinese screen adaptations are traveling far beyond China’s borders. A research report from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences highlighted a fruitful year in 2024 for the global reach of these adaptations. “Joy of Life 2,” a historical suspense series, was released overseas on Disney+ and became the platform’s most-watched drama from the Chinese mainland. Other series, including “The Double,” topped viewing charts in countries like Thailand and the Republic of Korea. “Content is the key,” said Zhu Xinmei, director of the international communication institute of the development research center under the National Radio and Television Administration. “The growing international influence of Chinese screen series has boosted the confidence of overseas platforms in acquiring them.” The industry is also turning to technology to refine its hits. Artificial intelligence is being used to analyze plot logic, assist in casting and set design, and even predict audience preferences, making the high-stakes process of adaptation more data-informed. As He Hong, head of the China Writers Association’s online literature center, noted, the next step is to further streamline the pipeline “from online creation to film and television production,” aiming to deepen the synergy between writers and film and TV producers and enhance the appeal and reach of China’s cultural stories. (Xinhua) | 