Filmmaker gives common roots new stage

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Drawn by its well-developed short-drama industry, Chiang Kuo-ming has moved to the Chinese mainland to produce series inspired by the shared cultural heritage across the Taiwan Strait.

Born in Tainan, Taiwan, Chiang majored in news documentary and short-film production before embarking on a career producing stories about local communities to promote grassroots innovation and development.

In 2024, Chiang decided to pursue opportunities on the mainland as vertical-format short dramas surged in popularity across the Taiwan Strait.

After visiting several short-drama production hubs on the mainland, he was impressed by the industry's efficiency.

"I was amazed to learn that an entire series could be filmed in as little as two weeks," Chiang said after he visited Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang province.

He found that the mainland had developed a highly streamlined production system for short dramas, enabling efficient production at relatively low cost.

In December that year, Chiang established Xiamen Dulushou Film and Television Culture Media Co in Xiamen, Fujian province. The company became the first Taiwan-founded company to obtain a mainland license for radio and television program production and operation.

According to Chiang, the license allows practitioners from Taiwan to register their own intellectual property without partnering with mainland companies, helping reduce operating costs. So far, 18 companies founded by Taiwan entrepreneurs have obtained the license in Fujian.

"It shows that the mainland is willing to support Taiwan practitioners in pursuing the work they aspire to do," he said. His company has produced six short dramas to date.

The mainland's rapid advances in artificial intelligence video generation tools have since opened up new opportunities for Chiang, marking another turning point in his career.

At the beginning of 2025, Chiang met his mainland business partner, Chen Duo, who introduced him to the use of AI in short-drama production. He said AI tools can assist with story development and scriptwriting, reducing a process that previously took two to three months to less than two weeks.

"AI also allows us to bring more of our creative ideas to life," Chiang said. However, he added that the increased convenience and efficiency have also intensified competition within the industry.

Chiang has incorporated traditional Chinese cultural elements shared across the Taiwan Strait into his works, including folk deities such as Mazu and the Third Prince Nezha, with the aim of fostering greater mutual understanding between the two sides.

The company's latest series, Coming Home, tells the story of a young woman from Taiwan who travels to the mainland in search of her family roots, where she also finds love.

"The concept of family genealogy has gradually faded among young people in Taiwan, and we hope this series will encourage more young people on the island to explore their family roots and visit their ancestral hometowns," said Chiang, whose ancestral home is in Zhangzhou, Fujian province.

As he built his business on the mainland, Chiang gradually came to realize that information barriers still separated the two sides, leaving many of the mainland's latest developments unknown to people in Taiwan. Drawing on his own experience, he encouraged practitioners from Taiwan to work with mainland counterparts to reduce the costs associated with trial and error.

In April, the mainland introduced a package of 10 policy measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. Under the measures, practitioners from Taiwan are allowed to participate in the production of short dramas on the mainland through various channels.

Chiang said the policies provide clear guidance for people from Taiwan seeking careers in the industry, helping reduce the uncertainty they may face before relocating to the mainland. He added that Xiamen has also introduced preferential policies to support Taiwan residents.

"The relevant authorities in Xiamen also seek our input when formulating these policies, creating a two-way dialogue," he said.

Having lived on the mainland for more than a year, 45-year-old Chiang now sees his mother in Taiwan only once or twice a year. His mother fully supported his decision to pursue opportunities on the mainland, and he frequently shares updates about his life and work on social media to reassure her.

Chiang said life in Xiamen is very similar to life in Taiwan.

"It doesn't feel like I've left home at all. This place feels just like home," he said.

Lu Yan contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn