But they’re based in it. Especially dramas or soap operas which work because people relate to the characters or at least realize that what they’re going through can happen in the world. A silly example: a Cuban wouldn’t make Breaking Bad because why would the protagonist need to find cash for his treatment or kids, when healthcare and education are free?
So while we can’t tell how widespread the issues in those dramas are, it’s valid to say that they do appear in China (or appeared when they were created).
Because of the low rent and easy access to housing in New York City, maybe I should move there with my $40,000/year self-employed job.
In the Chinese shows mentioned, high rent is explicitly mentioned in the series, while in your example it is implied that they make ends meet with their low-income jobs. It’s not the focus of the series.
Luckily there is an easy way to find out if the situation is getting better or worse.
