China’s entertainment industry has plunged into an “entertainment winter” with a drop in new productions and frequent news of actors losing their jobs. Recently, it's been reported that many celebrities’ resources are being downgraded, while many directors and crew members have also become unemployed due to reduced work opportunities. Actors’ fees have dropped from 8 million RMB (around 4.67 million MYR) to 3 million RMB (around 1.75 million MYR), and many small to medium-sized film and television companies are going bankrupt due to funding difficulties.
According to insiders, the current market environment in China’s entertainment industry is fiercely competitive, and being able to successfully join a new project is seen as a big achievement. Data shows that in 2024, the number of Chinese dramas produced dropped sharply to 115, a 26% decrease compared to 2023, resulting in many projects being cancelled. Numerous directors, actors, and behind-the-scenes staff have lost their jobs, and some artists have even switched to working in drama parks or doing livestream sales.
At the same time, actors’ fees have been drastically reduced. Platforms have lowered actor pay from 8 million RMB to 3 million RMB, and the stratification among celebrities has become more pronounced. While top-tier celebrities still have a certain market, they’re also facing significantly reduced opportunities. For example, Dilraba Dilmurat’s co-stars have dropped from all-star lineups to lower-popularity actors, while resources for William Chan and Wu Xuanyi have also declined sharply. Only artists with solid backing can survive in such a harsh environment.
Source: ETtoday Star Cloud