Why Jet Li has “no roles lately” — short-form dramas shake up the market, strong scripts are scarce, and big investors are limited

On January 31, a surprising piece of news surfaced in Chongqing: veteran media figure Du Enhu revealed that martial arts legend Jet Li would be appearing in a short-form drama.

Jet Li attended the launch ceremony of Source Power Jianghu, looking healthy and composed—far removed from the recent online rumors about his health. Not long ago, he had even posted a swimming video to personally refute claims of undergoing a heart transplant.

Still, the announcement sparked disbelief online:
“How did Huang Feihong end up in short dramas?”

After all, Jet Li has dominated martial arts cinema for over four decades, delivering iconic performances in Shaolin Temple and Fist of Legend. His absence from major kung fu films over the past decade was less a personal choice than a market reality.

Industry insiders interviewed by Du Enhu were blunt: the issue isn’t a lack of actors—it’s the disappearance of the kung fu film market itself. With over 600 million viewers consuming short-form video content, and short dramas surpassing traditional box office revenue within just five years, investors have little appetite for high-risk martial arts productions.

Jet Li’s response was pragmatic and humble. At the launch, he called experienced short-drama creators his “seniors” and newcomers his “classmates,” emphasizing gratitude, responsibility, and sharing. Rather than starring, he chose to support younger performers, hoping to pass on the spirit of martial arts.

Whether this move represents compromise or reinvention remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Jet Li’s appearance in short dramas is not a fall from grace—it is a reflection of kung fu cinema colliding with a new era.