Narrative Strategies and Cultural Expression in Chinese and Global Micro-Dramas: A Comparative Textual Analysis

This study examines six representative micro-dramas from major Chinese and international platforms between 2025 and 2026, conducting a comparative textual analysis across three dimensions: narrative temporal structure, character relationship construction, and narrative driving mechanisms. Drawing on transcultural communication theory and Genette’s narrative discourse theory, the study analyzes how narrative strategies are shaped within different cultural contexts. The findings suggest that Chinese micro-dramas tend to incorporate social relations and ethical concerns into high-density narrative structures, characterized by temporal extension and emotional accumulation. In contrast, international micro-dramas rely on highly compressed plot progression and typified character relations, emphasizing immediate emotional stimulation and linear task-driven narratives. These differences reflect distinct trade-offs between emotional articulation and communicative efficiency across cultural contexts. The study offers a structured analytical framework for examining micro-dramas in cross-cultural contexts, contributing to ongoing discussions on short-form media and global content circulation.