Microdrama

Not to be confused with Duanju.
See also: Duanju

A microdrama is a form of serialized short-form online video entertainment that originated in China, where it is known as duanju (simplified Chinese: 短剧; traditional Chinese: 短劇; pinyin: duǎnjù). The term microdrama is the predominant English-language name used in the United States and other Western markets for the format. Microdramas are characterized by their vertical filming format optimized for smartphone viewing, short episode lengths typically ranging from one to three minutes, and highly serialized narratives with frequent cliffhangers.

The format emerged on Chinese short-video platforms around 2018 and was formally recognized as a genre by China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) in 2020. By 2024, the microdrama industry in China had grown into a market worth over 50 billion yuan (approximately US$7 billion), surpassing the country's theatrical box office revenue for the first time. The format has since expanded rapidly into international markets, with dedicated apps such as ReelShort, DramaBox, and GoodShort driving adoption in the United States and globally.

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