China's short drama industry has developed rapidly in recent years, but has also frequently sparked controversy. Recently, short drama actress Xing Yun posted on social media, revealing that the crew actually demanded a baby to film for a long time in the middle of the night under an artificial “heavy rain” created by water trucks, which enraged her. Xing Yun pointed out that the child in that scene was paid only 800 RMB (about 466 MYR), yet had to endure an intensity of shooting beyond what adults experience, shocking netizens.
Xing Yun angrily denounced on social media, “Short dramas are always tormenting women and children!!!”, and revealed that she had accidentally come across some behind-the-scenes footage taken by her assistant. She said that it was a cold night during filming, and the plot required her to see a mother and child soaked in rain, then give them an umbrella and money. The actress opposite her had to carry the baby and perform the rain scene. She said: “I'm angry not because we got wet, but because the child was soaked for so long, crying heartbreakingly, truly helpless and powerless.” She stated bluntly that she can accept the hardships of being “professional”, but cannot accept forcing a baby to withstand the same treatment. The ideal approach would have been to use a prop baby instead, but to save shooting time, the crew refused the suggestion, appearing careless and only seeking convenience.
Xing Yun also recalled that while filming a snow-after-rain scene in Xi'an, a baby was actually placed inside a real garbage truck to achieve a realistic effect for the plot. It was already close to midnight at the time, and the child’s father smilingly said, “After this, our child still has to go to the next shoot!” The child’s mother looked upset but did not dare speak up. Xing Yun lamented that many children endure similar pressures in short dramas, and called on crews to use fewer child actors, letting children return to school and their childhoods.
News source: China Times News Network