Entertainment

[Video] China made it to the World Cup, just not on the pitch

China’s men’s football team is once again absent from the World Cup, but China is visible almost everywhere else around the tournament. ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming looks at how China made it into the World Cup economy, even as its team remains off the pitch.

Lu Lingming

17 Jul 2026

Human stories without humans: Has AI degraded China’s micro-dramas?

As AI slashes the cost and time needed to produce micro-dramas, China’s hottest entertainment trend is raising difficult questions about creativity, labour and who really profits. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lim Zhan Ting speaks to industry insiders.

Lim Zhan Ting

10 Jul 2026

Cheap, fast and everywhere: Why China leads AI adoption

The tech race is not just about building the smartest AI — it is about who uses it first. China’s mature ecosystems and practical demands are driving hyper-rapid adoption, beating the US and other markets, says academic Huijuan Peng.

Huijuan Peng

09 Jul 2026

[Big read] Too ‘cool’ to resist: China’s soft power captivates Taiwan’s youth

From TikTok trends to Chinese apps and pop culture, Beijing’s soft power is gaining traction among young Taiwanese, raising fresh questions over identity, influence and cross-strait competition. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lai Oi Lai and journalist Zhang Guanghui find out more.

Lai Oi Lai, Zhang Guanghui

01 Jul 2026

The truth behind Dear You, from a first-generation Nanyang migrant

The movie Dear You has struck a chord with audiences, but how closely does it reflect reality? Rongzi, a first-generation Nanyang migrant, weighs in with memories of the world the film seeks to recreate.

Rongzi

25 Jun 2026

[Big read] Inside China’s arts exam shadow market

Behind China’s arts entrance exams lies a costly world of influence and opaque deals, where talent alone rarely secures a place. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Qi Lu speaks to those who have lived through such experiences, and to academics who explain how the system works.

Qi Lu

23 Jun 2026

[Video] Dear You: How grassroots authenticity wins over Chinese filmgoers

A small Chaoshan dialect film, made on a tight budget with no celebrities and minimal marketing, went on to gross over 1.6 billion RMB at the box office, outperforming a wave of expensive, star-studded blockbusters. Chinese audiences shared positive word-of-mouth on social media, describing it as a “slow-cooked” film that offers a sincere and understated portrayal of ordinary lives. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina explores the factors behind Dear You’s strong resonance with viewers.

Yi Jina

17 Jun 2026

Is ‘Dear You’ China’s perfect propaganda film?

Stripping away the tears, Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei examines how a 1.69 billion RMB blockbuster subtly targets the global Chinese diaspora, reflecting on the complex tug-of-war between ancestry and allegiance. 

Sim Tze Wei

15 Jun 2026

What will movies be like without human actors?

iQIYI’s announcement of its AI talent pool has opened up new possibilities of using all-AI actors in film and TV. Yet how authentic are such productions without human emotion and expression? Academic Zhang Tiankan explores the issue.

Zhang Tiankan

05 Jun 2026

China’s tech titans tussle in AI video gold rush

AI agents were all the rage in March, but by April, the spotlight had shifted to AI-generated video. The pace of launches has accelerated, but so has the regulatory scrutiny and backlash due to copyrighted IP.

Caixin Global

27 Apr 2026

The Buddha’s lesson for robots: Who’s real, who’s not?

The recent showcase of the ability and appearance of humanoid robots during China’s Spring Festival Gala has set off a storm of discussion on whether robots that are indiscernible from humans are welcomed or not. Academic Zhang Tiankan notes that while robots can take over menial work, it must never hold a higher status than humans.

Zhang Tiankan

06 Mar 2026

[Photos] One city, one dynasty: China’s travel photography sells dynastic dreams

Across China’s tourist towns, travel photography turns visitors into “ancient beauties”. With costumes, stylists and lighting, cities sell curated dynastic fantasies in which tourists become part of the scenery. Writer Ng Kong Ling reflects on the purpose of travel and photography — to record the world, or express ourselves?

Ng Kong Ling

06 Mar 2026