During the National Two Sessions, an interview was conducted with Feng Yuanzheng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Dean of the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Feng shared his insights on trending topics including the short video drama boom, the impact of AI technology on artistic creation, the cultivation of young actors, and the development of the drama market.

**On Full-Length Dramas: Still Valuable Spiritual Sustenance** When asked about the view that "full-length dramas are dead" in an era of fragmented attention, Feng expressed that such dramas will not disappear. He explained that short dramas are a product of fragmented lifestyles and work rhythms, offering a quick way to relax during brief breaks under high-pressure conditions. However, when people return home with ample leisure time, full-length dramas remain a worthwhile choice for spiritual nourishment. While younger audiences may show less interest, the necessity of full-length dramas lies in their ability to tell complete stories and depict richly developed character arcs. The demand for in-depth, plot-driven works ensures their continued relevance.

Regarding the challenges faced by full-length dramas in the short video era, Feng emphasized that content quality is paramount. He noted that recent popular long-form dramas have still sparked widespread discussion and viewer engagement, with actors' performances and plot developments becoming hot topics in daily life. This demonstrates that well-crafted, substantial content can still captivate audiences.

**On AI: Currently More About Novelty** Discussing AI's entry into scriptwriting and technical production, Feng acknowledged that AI offers conveniences from a technology-empowering-art perspective. For instance, AI can achieve visual effects difficult to capture in live-action filming and quickly generate complete story frameworks and scripts, efficiently highlighting dramatic conflicts. Having experimented with AI-generated content himself, Feng observed that while AI produces coherent narratives, it falls short in exploring deeper story connotations and creating vivid characters. AI-generated language tends to be neutral, lacking the personalized expression and emotional warmth unique to human creators, as well as writers' distinct perspectives on characters and stories.

When asked if AI-produced short dramas impose higher demands on full-length productions, Feng suggested that current purely AI-generated content (such as recent low-budget historical dramas created without human involvement) is primarily driven by novelty, similar to initial curiosity about new AI tools. He believes this trend is unsustainable. While some actors may temporarily face reduced opportunities, Feng advised focusing on skill refinement. He expressed confidence that audiences will eventually crave the warmth and vitality of live performances, creating more opportunities for actors as AI content fatigue sets in.

**On Actors: Young Performers Must Solidify Foundational Skills** Addressing his earlier comment that "young actors ultimately compete on cultural literacy," Feng clarified that this encompasses not just formal education but also extensive reading, script analysis, life experiences, and practical knowledge. He illustrated with examples: to portray a judge, one must understand legal knowledge and a judge's work life; to play a farmer, one needs hands-on agricultural experience. Even his own role as a steelworker required deep learning about steelmaking processes—all representing forms of cultural accumulation.

Since becoming head of the actor's team in 2016, Feng has prioritized young actor development through initiatives encouraging reading, expert lectures, and real-life immersion—such as recent visits by young artists to the Hongqiao Market to observe social changes. He stressed that honing basic performance skills, engaging deeply with life, and reading physical books are crucial for cultural grounding. This foundation aims to equip young actors with the capability to excel in roles and creations a decade from now.

**On Theatre: Authentic Interaction Remains Irreplaceable** Feng asserted that live drama cannot be replaced by short videos or AI productions, citing its unique charm. While AI may assist with crowd scenes, it cannot replicate the vividness and生命力 of live performances—AI-generated tears lack the physical and emotional authenticity of those from human actors. Theatre's essence lies in the shared live experience between performers and audience members, creating an irreplaceable atmosphere of genuine interaction and resonance.

Despite fast-paced, fragmented modern lifestyles, Feng noted that the theatre market remains stable. Many young people are drawn to this "slow art," finding solitude and emotional engagement during two-to-three-hour performances. The shared experience and unspoken connection among strangers in a theatre represent core reasons for the enduring appeal of live drama.

**On Audiences: Mainstream Theatregoers Are Now Post-90s and Post-00s** With younger generations becoming the primary theatre audience, Feng observed that contemporary young viewers prioritize show quality over star power. For example, last year's revival of "Rickshaw Boy" starring young actors achieved 95% ticket sales—exceeding expectations—with audiences praising both the fresh performances and the retention of the theatre's traditional essence. Feng views young audiences' selectivity as positive, driving higher quality standards and benefiting the entire industry's development.