Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

New Media Environment and the Emotional Communication of AI-Generated Short Dramas

Wenjin ZhangWuhan Sports University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

In 2024, the global short drama market exceeded 50 billion RMB, surpassing box office revenue for the first time. Notably, AI-generated short dramas have emerged as a transformative factor, signaling a significant shift in content production and consumption patterns. This study explores the emotional communication mechanisms of AI short dramas in the new media environment via a multi-case analysis of three globally viral works: Paper Phone, Fruit Love Island, and Huo Qubing. Informed by McLuhan's media theory and emotional contagion theory, it identifies three central features of emotional communication: broad resonance, algorithmic arousal, and immersive spectacle. The results reveal that new media platforms have transformed emotional communication, fostering a "global emotional village," while AI technology amplifies human creativity, thus enabling the production of unprecedented cinematic visuals. However, persistent issues include emotional uniformity, cultural misreadings, algorithmic bias, and the uncanny valley. This study offers theoretical insights on AI-driven emotional communication and practical guidance for cross-cultural content.

Keywords: AI-Generated Short Dramas; Emotional Communication; New Media; McLuhan's Media Theory; Cross-Cultural Communication
Published: July 14, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.HT35203
Volume: CHR Vol.113
pp. 110-115
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