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The "Big World" in the "Vertical Screen": A Study of the Types of Chinese Online Short Dramas

Author(s)

Fengju Li

Affiliation(s)

Budapest Metropolitan University, Budapest, Hungary

Abstract

With the ubiquity of smartphones and short-video platforms, “vertical” micro-dramas-serialized episodes under 15 minutes-have emerged as a novel narrative form between short clips and full-length web dramas. Drawing on textual analysis, this paper examines representative micro-dramas on platforms such as TikTok (Douyin), Kuaishou, and WeChat Channels. It first defines the concept and evolution of vertical micro-dramas, then identifies four main genres-urban romance, historical/fantasy romance, suspense/thriller, and workplace dramas-highlighting their narrative structures, visual aesthetics, and emotional appeal. The study also explores the production-consumption ecosystem shaped by platform algorithms, fragmented viewing habits, and hybrid monetization (subscription plus advertising). Finally, it addresses challenges of content homogenization and audience fatigue, proposing deeper thematic exploration, strengthened creative governance, and a shift toward high-quality production. The findings underscore how “vertical” micro-dramas, though brief, offer a “big world” of narrative potential, enriching contemporary media ecology and storytelling practice.

Keywords

Vertical Screen Short Drama; Genre Research; Narrative Strategy; Algorithm Recommendation; Content Homogeneit

References

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