Job scams targeting the elderly have recently surfaced within China’s ultrashort drama industry, with some crews reportedly offering up to 5,000 yuan ($700) for older actors to play fathers, among other in-demand roles.

On Thursday, state-run outlet Legal Daily reported that the scams genuinely seek to recruit older actors but lure them via promises of high salaries only to demand thousands in training or service fees prior to their start dates. Long hours and poor labor protection are also common.

Ultrashort dramas — whose series encapsulate dozens of sub-15-minute episodes formatted for phones — are a booming industry in China, reaching 50.5 billion yuan in 2024, surpassing the country’s annual box office revenue for the first time. As of July, the number of short drama viewers was 696 million — about 60% of all Chinese internet users, according to state broadcaster CCTV. 

A mix of fantastical and drama-laden subgenres such as time-travel and family ethics dramas has created a growing demand for actors of diverse ages, including those who can act in parental roles.

But as the industry has grown, so too has the number of scams targeting middle-aged and older people hoping to earn extra income. On social media, posts boasting “5,000 yuan per day,” “no experience needed,” and “work with celebrities up close” vie for the attention of newcomers thinking of giving acting a go.

One applicant told domestic media that after an interview, he was asked to pay 3,980 yuan for a five-day training course or 6,980 yuan for seven days. Others were reportedly charged several hundred yuan in “service fees,” supposedly to cover basic training, costumes, and props — with promises of full refunds once they appeared in 30 scenes within six months.

But according to Legal Daily, companies employ such provisions to deliberately make it difficult for actors to complete the agreed number of performances. The actual pay is often far less than newcomers expect. 

Wu Yingxiao, head of special casting at the Hengdian World Studios Actors Guild, told domestic media the daily pay for regular extras is around 200 yuan, while featured actors capable of portraying snappily dressed “CEO fathers” can earn between 400 and 800 yuan per day.

One veteran producer stated, “Standout female leads in short dramas earn around 8,000 yuan a day. Five thousand for a ‘dad’? It’s either a gimmick or part of a marketing scheme tied to overpriced training programs. The goal is clear — to drain retirees’ savings.”

He urged older adults to be cautious and protect their hard-earned retirement funds, warning, “Don’t let the illusion of an acting dream empty your pockets.”

Editor: Marianne Gunnarsson.

(Header image: VCG)