Hong Kong comedy king Stephen Chow (Xing Ye), known as “Star Uncle,” released his first micro-drama “Golden Pig and Jade Leaf” on Douyin on the 2nd, with the first episode surpassing tens of millions of views on the first day. The drama subtly parodies events such as Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge, American shooting incidents, and online scams, eliciting mixed reactions from fans. While the new drama received positive feedback for its quality, some criticized it for lacking the typical “Star Uncle” humor.
Earlier this year, Stephen Chow announced his collaboration with the Douyin platform to develop and operate the “9527 Theater,” releasing the first micro-drama “Golden Pig and Jade Leaf,” consisting of 24 episodes in the first season. Due to new regulations related to approval numbers by the China National Radio and Television Administration, the premiere was postponed from May to June 2nd.
The drama tells the story of Yeh Xiaolai, an intern at a law firm in Taiwan, who decides to travel to mainland China to find the suspect Zhu Hao after her twin sister falls victim to an online romance scam. However, she discovers that Zhu Hao’s identity has also been stolen, leading to a comedic journey as they uncover the true culprit.
Directed by Mainland directors Yi Xiaoxing and Ma Shi, with screenwriter Xu Han, leading actors include Shi Yuanting and Xia Ruoyan. Stephen Chow serves as the producer, actively participating in script discussions, character development, plot progression, post-production editing, and comedic elements.
Unlike traditional micro-drama formats, “Golden Pig and Jade Leaf” adopts a widescreen format. Producer Yi Xiaoxing previously mentioned that the drama was shot following the pace of a movie.
Although “Golden Pig and Jade Leaf” is popular, the incorporation of elements like the Northeastern Chinese dialect and stand-up comedy has divided opinions among viewers. Some praise the production quality, saying that it elevates the standard for micro-dramas and maintains a sense of absurd humor.
However, some fans have given negative reviews, criticizing the drama for being too direct in its satire and lacking subtlety in humor. Some have even accused it of false advertising, stating that despite Stephen Chow’s involvement as a producer, the drama lacks his distinctive touch and connection. Some viewers feel that the pacing and editing style of the drama, with a “joke every minute,” do not align with the expectations of a short-form series.
Reports suggest that the first six-minute episode lacks the characteristic “Star Uncle” humor, leaving fans disappointed. The question arises of when Stephen Chow’s signature nonsensical comedy style will make a return, and whether the micro-drama platform is suitable for established filmmakers like him has become a hot topic of discussion.