What is vertical drama?

What is vertical drama?

Vertical drama — also called “micro-drama”, “short drama” or “duanju” in China — refers to scripted mini-series shot vertically (9:16), in very short episodes (1 to 2 minutes), made to watch on a phone. A series usually runs 40 to 100 episodes.

Where does it come from?

Born in China, the format exploded worldwide from 2023 on, driven by apps like ReelShort and DramaBox. It is now a multi-billion-dollar market.

How does it work?

The model is almost always the same: the first episodes are free, then you pay (subscription or “coins”) to unlock the rest. Stories rely on constant cliffhangers and recurring devices — the billionaire CEO, the wronged heroine who rises, the hidden identity…

Where to watch?

There are dozens of platforms worldwide. Vertical Clap Index gathers them in one place and sorts them by platform, country, genre and trope. Explore the index →

Vertical drama in numbers

Global market estimated at ~$11 billion in 2025, heading to ~$14 billion in 2026. A premium series budget: $100,000 to $300,000. (Sources: industry reports.)