China has banned CEO romance short dramas because they are bad for society

Thekabarnews.com—The Chinese government has officially outlawed the making of short plays about romantic relationships between rich CEOs and poor ladies. This type of show has been very popular on digital platforms lately. Although China has banned CEO romance short dramas now, their popularity persists among audiences.

Authorities say that stories like these, which exalt romantic relationships based on class, wealth, and power differences, promote negative social ideals, even though they are quite popular with audiences. Regulators say that these narratives could confuse viewers, especially young ones, by making materialism and the idea of rapid achievement seem natural.

Last year’s advice, now formalized through rules, forms the basis of this restriction. Global Times says that the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) created new guidelines in 2024 that were just for CEO-themed romance short plays.

The new rules tell content creators not to make marriage seem like a good thing for rich families or high-class social groups. They also cannot make content that is inflammatory and shows off too much riches, power, or luxury as main story attractions. A shift has occurred as China has banned CEO romance short dramas to curb such narratives.

Focus on telling stories that are real and responsible

Chinese officials have made it even more clear how important it is to be realistic when showing entrepreneurial groups. Fictional stories are not permissible under the guise of artistic freedom if they are unrealistic or overblown.

The WeChat account Guangdianshijie, which is part of China Press and Publishing Media Group Co. Ltd., gave similar warnings. The account urged artists to consider the societal impact of packaging untrue stories as popular entertainment.

A move toward content that is based on society

As China has banned CEO romance short dramas, the new regulation encourages creators to tell real-life stories of Chinese entrepreneurs that show hard work, determination, and social responsibility. Regulators want fewer short dramas, but they want the ones made to be better.

Sensational titles like “The Dominant CEO” are banned, and short dramas must avoid promoting consumerism, hedonism, rapid success, or fortune earned without hard labor.

The Chinese government wants to create a healthier digital content ecosystem that is more in line with the country’s larger social and cultural goals through these steps.