A short Chinese drama has sparked widespread outrage after its release on Douyin, with viewers condemning its plot centered on the forced marriage of a seven-year-old girl. The series, entitled Force the “Lucky Carp” to marry the “Living King of Hell”, leaving the Prime Minister’s residence completely bereft of luckhas quickly become one of the most controversial short films currently circulating online in China.
The 80-episode drama follows a young, low-class girl who lives in a powerful, believed to be, family “lucky carp” blessed with extraordinary luck. Instead of protecting her, the family exploits her supposed fortune and forces her to marry in place of another woman to a notorious general known for his cruelty and cold demeanor, ominously nicknamed the “Living King of Hell”.
What initially appears to be a marital sentence that leads to death gradually changes as the girl’s presence begins to change everything. The general’s bad luck mysteriously fades, the female protagonist’s true identity and abilities are slowly revealed, and those who once oppressed and drained his fortune face retribution, with their family collapsing and their fortune running out.
The core of the public reaction lies in the age of the female protagonist. The character is explicitly represented as She’s only seven years old, but the drama includes romantic elements and even kissing scenes with her male co-star. In real life, actress Liu Xingchen, who plays the lead role, is only ten years old and stars alongside Jin Wang, who is reportedly 18 years her senior.
Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism, with many users accusing the series of promotion Disturbing, inappropriate and morally distorted content. Calls to boycott the drama and calls for its removal from streaming platforms have grown louder, with viewers urging authorities to intervene. Despite the intense backlash, the series remains available on multiple platforms and continues to accumulate high viewership numbers.
In recent years, short-form dramas have become increasingly popular across China due to their easy accessibility, fast pace, and wide distribution on platforms like Douyin. However, the low production threshold is often marked by rushed scripts, weak acting and careless post-production has led to a wave of controversial and low-quality content. This case has become a clear example of how the unchecked growth of short-form dramas can cross ethical boundaries, reigniting debates about regulation, child protection and liability in China’s digital entertainment sector.
Sources: Znews
