An opinion piece published in Hong Kong media under the byline "Zhi Bi" discusses why audiences are becoming addicted to AI-generated short dramas from the perspective of visual culture. The author argues that AI short dramas combine algorithmically polished characters, fantasy settings, and high-density gratification templates to provide a more intense and easily consumable entertainment experience.
The article suggests that while live-action productions are constrained by actors' appearances, filming budgets, and physical limitations, AI short dramas can rapidly generate "flawless" characters, exquisite fantasy scenes, and exaggerated plots. These are then fitted into tropes such as awakening in wealthy families, switched identities, and revenge comebacks, delivering concentrated visual stimulation and emotional compensation in a short amount of time.
Citing cultural theory concepts such as "representation," "simulacra," and "hyperreality," the author proposes that these perfect characters and spaces, which lack real-world prototypes, may create sensory experiences more intense than reality itself. When real life becomes exhausting, the low-barrier experience of binge-watching short dramas can serve as a "hyperreal sanctuary," causing viewers to gradually care less about whether the imagery originates from reality.
The article also juxtaposes the pressures Netflix faces regarding its user base, stock price, and layoffs with the growth of platforms centered on AI short dramas or micro-dramas, viewing this as a symbol of shifting entertainment preferences. The aforementioned content represents the author's personal views and does not constitute an independent investigation into Netflix's operational status or the market size of AI short dramas.