The rapid advancement of AI-generated content, particularly in AI translation, is revolutionizing how China’s online novels are reaching a global audience. This significant development was a key focus of the 2023 China Online Literature Exporting Overseas Trend Report, unveiled at the 2nd Shanghai International Online Literature Week.
China’s online literature is not only bringing Chinese culture to the global stage but also shaping the development of the online novel industry worldwide. Hou Xiaonan, president of China Literature, emphasized the role of online literature in global cultural exchange. The industry has evolved beyond simple publishing and translation models. It’s now entering a new phase of global IP co-creation, where writers from various countries collaborate to develop and expand online literature IPs. This collaborative approach marks a new wave in the globalization of online literature.
As of October 2023, WebNovel, an international platform owned by China Literature, has made impressive strides in this field. It has published around 3,600 translated Chinese online novels and over 610,000 original works from international writers. The platform boasts over 220 million users, with an average daily reading time exceeding 1.5 hours. This interaction extends beyond reading, with users actively engaging in discussions about the works, as well as the cities, food, and cultures represented in them.
The efficiency of AI translation has been a game-changer, increasing the translation speed of online novels by nearly 100 times while reducing costs by over 90 percent. This efficiency has led to the success of AI-translated works like “Behemoth Rising: Evolution in the Age of Legends” and “The Duke’s Masked Wife,” which have become bestsellers on WebNovel.
Yang Chen, editor-in-chief of China Literature, announced that WebNovel plans to launch a multilingual development plan. This initiative will introduce AI translations in languages such as English, Spanish, French, and Japanese, aiming to make Chinese and international stories more accessible to a broader audience.
Interestingly, nearly 80 percent of WebNovel’s users belong to Generation Z, highlighting online literature’s deep penetration among young people globally. In Thailand, for instance, wuxia, fantasy, and romance are the most popular genres among young readers. Polapat Udomphol from Ookbee, Thailand’s leading digital content ecosystem, noted that elements like god power, ironic protagonists, and game settings are particularly well-received.
In Southeast Asia, adaptations of online literature often focus on themes like ghosts, magic, suspense, romance, and social issues. These trends reflect the diverse cultural interests and preferences of readers in the region.
The export of Chinese online literature has been ongoing for over 20 years. It has contributed not only cultural works but also creative mechanisms and industrial models suited to the digital age. This global integration is now a significant trend in the development of online literature.
Sensui Takashi, the chief global officer of Japan’s Kadokawa Group, sees potential in the collaboration between Chinese and Japanese online literature. He believes that leveraging their respective strengths can promote diverse adaptations worldwide and further the development of content industries in both countries.
This global trend in online literature underscores the growing significance of digital storytelling and the vital role of AI in transcending cultural and linguistic barriers, fostering a more interconnected literary world.
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