Chinese micro dramas going global to Latin America: a study on the innovative mechanism of digital narrative from the perspective of fusion theory

Abstract

In recent years, Chinese micro dramas have rapidly entered the Latin American market through digital platforms such as ReelShort, especially attracting widespread attention in Mexico. This study starts from Stuart Hall’s theory of coherence and comprehensively uses literature analysis, case analysis, and in-depth interview methods to systematically examine the localization strategies and dissemination effects of Chinese micro dramas going abroad to Latin America. Research has found that, firstly, at the cultural level, micro dramas precisely connect the profound “Telenovela” television tradition in Latin America with the fragmented entertainment needs of the digital age, filling the market gap between traditional long dramas and international streaming content; Secondly, at the level of content production, a dual layered mechanism of “localized replacement of surface symbols” and “preservation of deep emotional logic” has been formed, which not only resolves cultural barriers but also preserves high-intensity emotional stimulation; Thirdly, at the user psychological level, a closed-loop psychological model of “low decision threshold high narrative stickiness low risk payment” has been constructed, reshaping viewing behavior into an efficient “light entertainment” consumption paradigm. Research has shown that the success of Chinese micro dramas in Latin America reflects a transnational narrative innovation model based on digital platforms, integrating local culture and universal emotions, providing a new theoretical perspective and empirical basis for understanding the flow of cultural products and local adaptation in the global context.