So far 2026 has been dubbed “The Winter of Hendian Studios” in that the noticeable decease in C-dramas being greenlit for filming has directly led to the once bustling filming city set to go quiet. Pundits are saying Hendian filming is down a whopping 80% of work and that studio employs so many people who are now either left or sitting around waiting to be an extra or get behind the camera. The studio has now pivoted to a new source of revenue by courting tourists and offering up filming packages for what are essentially short AI slop mini dramas for the tourists to star in. There are about a dozen storyline packages and filming is produced with hair and makeup and outfits along with folks acting as extras. The most popular storylines are ones with female lead revenge travel back in time or palace intrigue storyline a lot of betrayal, berating, and some royal slapping another. LOL. I do hope the faucet is turned back on soon in C-drama productions for the sake of the industry and selfishly as a viewer I do want to keep having C-dramas to watch.