Chinese authorities have had enough of your secret billionaire husbands and forbidden romances - at least when they come with a side of soft porn or excessive violence. The National Radio and Television Administration has ordered provincial officials to inspect locally made micro dramas as part of a two-month campaign to foster a "clean and healthy" industry.

The campaign targets eight types of objectionable content, including soft pornography, "distorted views on marriage and relationships," and - in a move that will surprise exactly no one - "ostentatious displays of wealth." Because nothing says "clean and healthy" like telling filmmakers that their billionaire fantasies are a bit too on the nose.

Micro dramas, those serialized, made-for-mobile clips that have exploded in popularity globally, are known for their wild, fast-moving plots - secret billionaire husbands, forbidden romances, and the occasional violent revenge arc - all designed to keep viewers glued to their screens. But critics have noted that many shows also feature excessive violence or sexualized characters, which apparently doesn't align with the government's vision of a "healthy content ecosystem."

Local authorities will conduct spot checks on production firms, which must promptly fix any issues. The regulator itself will also carry out inspections and update regulations based on what it finds. Because nothing says "great significance for creating a healthy content ecosystem" like a surprise audit.

This isn't China's first rodeo with curating online vibes. In 2025, the government launched a separate two-month campaign against "pessimistic sentiments" - targeting narratives that suggested studying and hard work were "useless" or promoted "world-weariness." The Cyberspace Administration said the goal was to address negativity and "create a more civilised and rational online environment." It's almost as if economic challenges like unemployment and steep job competition have made some youths anxious, but hey, at least the micro dramas will be less materialistic.