2020 was called the "Year One of Online Short Dramas" for a reason.
This was the year the Administration added an "Online Short Drama Module," allowing short dramas to be registered, reviewed, and listed for sale just like regular TV series and films. It wasn't until the 2021 White Paper was released that the paid model for short dramas was systematically promoted.
Before this, these kinds of videos couldn't be listed for sale. It was against the Administration's regulations. If you tried to do it privately and the Administration came after you, you'd end up in jail. (So, to all the wise guys out there, don't flame me for knowing about short dramas but not getting into them sooner. That would be like talking about e-commerce before bike-sharing even existed, and it's just as absurd as people throwing the hundred-billion valuation of Three Sheep in my face. Just protecting myself here!)
