China’s gig economy is an employment reservoir – but is the well drying up?

The air carried a chill in Hengdian, one of China’s best-known hubs for drama and film production.

Yu Shutian, a 30-year-old actress, was on her way to set at 3.30am, donned in a floral shirt and darkened make-up to play a rural villain.
Referred to as “China’s Hollywood”, Hengdian – located in the eastern province of Zhejiang – has become an activity centre for the country’s fast-growing micro-drama industry, which produces low-budget, vertically-shot series designed for smartphones.
With...