entertainment

Sound of Silence: Musicians Postpone Concerts Due to Gaokao Clash

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

Several musicians have been forced to postpone shows after parents complained about potential disruptions ahead of the nation’s most important exam.

Chen Yiru

Casting Call: How Actors are Faking Livestreaming Drama

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Amid intense competition, many social media hosts are relying on scripted interactions with hired actors to boost traffic and market products.

Zhong Chudi

Niu  Linfeng

Can Overseas Expansion Save China’s Ultrashort Industry?

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

China can produce an estimated 40,000 ultrashorts a year. Now, fierce competition at home is pressuring companies to look abroad.

Lo La

Golden Oldies: Aging Fans Fuel Pop Singer’s Comeback

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

After a decade away from the spotlight, musician Dao Lang has struck a chord with middle-aged and elderly fans for his grassroots style.

Jiang Xinyi

China’s Ultrashort Dramas Must Now Clear Official Review

Regulators have introduced a tiered review system for the booming industry, requiring platforms to enforce stricter content oversight before dramas can be released.

Fan Yiying

First Cafés, Then Bars — Now, Young Chinese Study, Work at Disneyland

With pricey annual passes in hand, students and office workers are squeezing productivity into theme park trips, making the most of every visit.

Li Xin

Li Miaoran

How China’s ‘Academic Bars’ Mix Alcohol and Academia

The latest attempt by Chinese to localize the pub is attracting audiences, but for how long?

Huang Yanhua

China Tells Drama Creators: No More Evil Grandmothers

Chinese regulators have urged the booming micro drama industry to phase out a string of trashy character tropes — from “tyrannical CEOs” to “evil mothers-in-law.”

China’s Film Industry Looks to an Unlikely Savior: Harry Potter

All eight Harry Potter movies are returning to the big screen in China, but can they lift the curse on the country’s ailing box office?

Dominic  Morgan

In China’s New Stand-up Comedy Shows, Women Have All the Best Lines

Stand-up comedy has returned to China’s TV screens after a yearlong absence, with a new generation of outspoken female performers at the fore.

Lin Liuhan

Ye Performs in China for First Time in 16 Years

The rapper’s appearance has stunned music fans across China — and sparked calls for authorities to clear more gigs by international stars.

‘Black Myth’ and the Hunt for China’s Kojima

Can the wildly popular title win more space for auteurs in China’s gaming industry?

Deng Jian

In Black Myth: Wukong, China Sees a Game That Could Change Everything

Rooted in the classic novel “Journey to the West,” China’s first big-budget AAA video game has stunned the global gaming industry, drawing a record 2.2 million concurrent players on Steam at launch.

Li  Yanshu

China’s Movie of the Summer Is a Dark Satire on Tiger Parents

Comedy ‘Successor’ has touched a nerve in China with its tale of ambitious, controlling parents that turn their son’s life into a version of ‘The Truman Show.’

He Qitong

Bilibili Bets Big on Booming Ultrashort Drama Market

The Chinese streaming platform has announced plans to release 20 “premium” ultrashort dramas this year, as the genre continues to move into the mainstream.

Ye Zhanhang

For 2024 Film Festival, Shanghai Puts the Spotlight on Itself

This year’s edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival is being billed as a celebration of the city’s own culture and revolutionary history.

Ding Rui

Why China’s Hottest New Drama Is Dividing Female Viewers

Many in China are hailing “The Tale of Rose” as a step forward for female representation on screen. Others are dismissing it as out of touch.

China’s TV Hit of the Year Is a Drama About Kazakh Nomads

Set in China’s remote northwest, the mini-series “To the Wonder” is a smash hit with domestic viewers — and a rare example of a Chinese drama winning international recognition.

The New Talent Show Striking Fear Into China’s Biggest Pop Stars

“Singer 2024” promises to shine a harsh spotlight on China’s stars by forcing them to perform live without autotune. During the first episode, the tension was palpable.

Art of Adaptation: How Yue Opera Is Winning Over Young Chinese

Traditionally favored by older generations, Yue opera has seen a resurgence among young Chinese after the viral success of one theater’s adaptation of a classic ’90s action movie. Efforts are now underway to ensure its popularity is more than a passing trend.