Summary of Key Points
Recently, the trend of adapting short dramas into films has become a new development in the entertainment industry. "What a Good Girl" is the first project to successfully transition from a short drama to a TV series and then to a feature film. This move reflects the efforts of short drama copyright holders to extend the lifespan of their popular IPs, as the industry faces challenges due to declining interest in short dramas and the competition from AI-generated content. In addition to revenue-sharing models for short dramas, they are seeking new ways to generate income. However, there are significant hurdles in the adaptation process, such as choosing the right IP, ensuring that screenwriters can transform the fast-paced and straightforward narrative of a short drama into a more emotionally engaging film, and convincing audiences to pay to watch the movie in theaters.
Why Adapt Short Dramas into Films? The Business Logic Behind It Is Practical
The short drama industry is currently highly competitive: on one hand, AI-generated short dramas are low-cost to produce (they can be created by just a few people) and are produced at an rapid pace, threatening the livelihood of traditional short dramas; on the other hand, the overall film and television industry is struggling for revenue. As a result, copyright holders are looking for new sources of income.
Traditional short drama copyright holders primarily earn money through platform-based revenue-sharing models (such as sharing profits based on viewership). However, popular short dramas tend to gain and lose popularity quickly. Now, they want to make their IPs more sustainable by creating multiple products from the same IP. For example, "What a Good Girl" was first developed as a vertical-screen short drama, then adapted into a 24-episode TV series, and now it is being turned into a feature film. They have also sold the rights for a Korean remake, essentially selling the same IP in various formats to maximize profits. The potential for films is even greater, as they can generate additional revenue from related products, merchandise, and offline events.
Which Short Dramas Are Suitable for Film Adaptations? Being Popular Is Just the Starting Point
Not all short dramas are suitable for film adaptations; several criteria must be met:
1. The drama must be popular: For instance, "What a Good Girl" has garnered 4 billion views and a completion rate of 68%, indicating that a large audience finished watching it. The male lead, Ke Chun, also gained millions of followers overnight, providing a solid fan base.
2. The drama should have a core theme that resonates with a wider audience: Themes like female self-help and revenge resonate with many viewers, while stories about family reconciliation or underdog success attract both male and female audiences.
3. The story should have room for expansion: Short dramas are typically fast-paced (each episode lasting only a few minutes), but films need to be more than 90 minutes long, so there must be enough narrative depth. For example, the film version of "What a Good Girl" changed the plot to involve a fake relationship between the characters, adding more complexity to the story.
The First Challenge in Adaptation: Can Screenwriters Transform the Short Drama's Plot into a Film?
The narrative structures of short dramas and films are vastly different:
- Short dramas need to capture attention immediately: Conflicts must be introduced within the first few minutes (for example, "What a Good Girl" includes a one-night stand and intense dialogue in the first few episodes; otherwise, viewers will leave).
- Films require careful character development and emotional buildup: They cannot rely solely on dramatic twists and turns to engage the audience.
Screenwriters face the difficult task of adapting the exaggerated or melodramatic elements of short dramas into something suitable for a broader audience while preserving the characters and storyline that fans love. Fans may criticize poor adaptations, accusing them of ruining the original work.
Traffic Does Not Equal Box Office Success: Audience Reaction Is Key
Although short dramas attract a large audience, viewers are not necessarily willing to pay to see the films:
1. Different consumption habits: Short dramas can be watched for free at any time, while films cost several dozen dollars and require a longer commitment.
2. Aesthetic fatigue: Fans may become tired of seeing the same IP adapted into multiple formats (short drama → TV series → film).
3. Actor compatibility: If the lead actor from the drama is too popular, it can be challenging to find a new actor who can match their popularity, which may lead to fan resistance.
4. Past experiences: The TV version of "Unexpected" was very successful, but the film version failed due to its scattered narrative. This shows that simply transferring the content to film is not enough; the story needs to be restructured to create a unique cinematic experience.
In summary, whether a short drama adaptation is successful depends on whether the film develops an independent value that goes beyond the original work. If the film fails to convey the story more deeply and emotionally, it will likely fail with audiences. On the other hand, if it succeeds in doing so, it could open up new markets for the copyright holder.