Micro-dramas conquer smartphones as ultra-short series gain popularity

Microdramas, a new form of ultra-short fiction series tailored for smartphone viewing, are rapidly gaining traction worldwide. These series, found on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and specialized apps such as ReelShort and DramaBox, consist of dozens to hundreds of episodes, each lasting only one to a few minutes. This format allows for non-linear consumption, with viewers engaging with the story in short bursts.

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Cliffhangers are the motor behind the microdrama. The viewer must crave the next episode at the end of each installment. Without that moment of suspense, the entire format falls apart.

Media researcher Axelle Asmar highlights cliffhangers as the driving force behind microdramas. "The viewer must crave the next episode at the end of each installment," she explains. "Without that moment of suspense, the entire format falls apart." Asmar notes that each episode is brief enough for viewing on the go but long enough to convey a distinct emotional event. Conflicts and dramatic revelations unfold within seconds, often revolving around familiar soap opera themes like romance, family disputes, betrayal, and power struggles, but at a significantly faster pace than traditional fiction.

This trend aligns with how younger generations consume media today, integrating viewing into daily routines such as commutes or short breaks. The phenomenon, originating in China, has seen explosive growth, with nearly 700 million people in China watching micro-soaps, according to China expert Veerle De Vos. "Chinese people do everything with their phones, even more than us," De Vos states. "Every small moment is used to watch micro-dramas. You can watch five of these mini-episodes during just two subway stops."

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Each episode is short enough to watch in between, but long enough to show one clear emotional event. Within seconds, there is already a conflict or a dramatic revelation. The stories often have recognizable soap opera themes: romance, family conflicts, betrayal, and power games. The pace is just much higher than in classic fiction.

Despite their popularity, critics point out that some microdramas may perpetuate traditional gender stereotypes, often portraying women in dependent or subservient roles to dominant male characters, a concern also raised regarding AI-generated videos on TikTok. Belgium's VRT MAX and TikTok are set to feature the first Flemish microdrama, 'Red flag,' in 2025, indicating the format's expanding reach.

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Chinese people do everything with their phones, even more than us. Every small moment is used to watch micro-dramas. You can watch five of these mini-episodes during just two subway stops.