Karl Lam Weighs New Path as AI Hits Short Dramas
SingTao · 1 SOURCES1 day ago4 MIN
Summary
Karl Lam Ching-fung (林正峰) said his once-busy run in mainland China’s short-drama market has slowed sharply as AI-generated short dramas eat into demand for live-action productions. After appearing in eight or nine mainland short dramas in about a year, mostly as the male lead, he now says many actors face the same pressure and that AI films could emerge next. Lam said he is trying to adapt by making two- to three-minute short videos while continuing a multi-job routine across Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. He also said he is interested in joining a mainland dating reality show and hopes it could help him find a girlfriend.
Key Points
- Lam’s popularity rose after the drama The Queen of News, and he later expanded his career in mainland China’s short-drama sector.
- From late last year, he filmed eight or nine mainland short dramas within a year, all as male lead roles.
- The report said average pay per short drama was in the five-figure range, but AI short dramas have since eroded the live-action market.
- Lam said many mainland actors face the same disruption, and he believes AI films may appear in future, making acting careers harder.
- In a work-log video, he showed a day starting at 7am, moving between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou before returning to Hong Kong at 7pm for social-work duties.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong performers looking north for growth, Lam’s experience points to how quickly AI can reshape a once-lucrative niche. It also shows why artists are diversifying into short videos, cross-border work and reality television as traditional acting opportunities become less predictable.