Rural township cashes in on China's micro drama boom

NANCHANG, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- By day, Cai Zhigang is the mild-mannered head of a compound security team. At night, he transforms into a menacing crime boss in China's booming micro drama industry.

"Just lift your chin, tense your neck, and glare -- here comes an instant villain," the 35-year-old said with a grin, demonstrating his acting prowess.

Cai's unlikely second role unfolds in Zhongtong Township, east China's Jiangxi Province, where an abandoned eyewear market has been reborn as a bustling micro drama hub. With over 120 versatile indoor sets, this site now hosts hundreds of fast-paced productions annually, fueling a cultural and economic revival.

RISE OF "RURAL HOLLYWOOD"

Before 2022, the derelict complex had stood empty for over a decad