Short-form dramas, also called microdramas or miniseries, have quickly become a major entertainment trend with significant revenue potential. With low production costs, fast lead times and short paths to profitability, these miniature narratives are particularly attractive to small and medium-sized manufacturers. They’re attracting huge audiences, generating big business, and becoming a staple of today’s digital entertainment landscape, but their success also comes with a downside.
The rise of short films is no longer just a niche experiment by young creators or film students. In recent years, microdramas have evolved into a self-contained content format with a dedicated audience and clear business models. Typically presented in 9:16 vertical format, these series often comprise around 100 episodes of 3–5 minutes each, although many reach platforms with even shorter episodes of 1.5–3 minutes. Unlike previous web dramas that offered independent stories per horizontal frame, today’s short dramas string together continuous plots across dozens of episodes.
China’s microdrama market has exploded into a huge industry. In 2023, the market was valued at about 37.4 billion yuan (about $5.2 billion), up more than 267% from the previous year. By 2024, its estimated value had risen to about 50.4 billion yuan, surpassing China’s domestic box office revenue which, according to industry reports, amounted to about 42.5 billion yuan. Projections suggest that this market could reach 100 billion yuan (about $14 billion) by 2027.
South Korea’s short film market is also rapidly expanding. In 2024, it was estimated to be worth around US$490 million (about 650 billion won), accounting for around 3.24% of the global short film market and ranking Korea fourth globally in terms of revenue. Analysts predict this figure could exceed $1.5 billion in the next few years as demand for short-form content continues to grow.
In China, Korea, the United States, Southeast Asia and beyond, short films are thriving alongside digital platforms. As viewers increasingly prefer mobile viewing and fast-paced content, the accessibility of the short-form format becomes a competitive advantage. While these dramas aren’t replacing traditional movies or long-form TV, they have carved out a significant niche in the broader content ecosystem.
A report from Media Partners Asia shows that global revenue from short-form video is expected to rise from $5 billion in 2023 to $12 billion by 2025, and up to $26 billion by 2030.
According to producer Cao Tung, three main factors are driving the short film boom. The first is changing viewer behavior: audiences today often have no patience for long, slow narratives, preferring narratives that provide conflict and quick resolutions. The second is low barriers to entry, which allow new creators to experiment with emerging concepts, styles and talent without the financial risks of film or TV. Third, distribution platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Watch and specialized mini-drama apps offer instant access to millions of viewers, bypassing traditional cinema or broadcast channels.
Revenue streams for these projects include platform advertising, brand sponsorships, product placement and licensing, although advertising remains the primary driver. In markets with strong in-app payment systems, such as China, the United States and South Korea, individual episodes have generated up to $8 million in revenue, surpassing many mainstream films in smaller markets. However, even robust networks like Yeah1, with a strong presence on social channels, have at times struggled to fully leverage ad revenue despite past successes.
In absolute terms, short fiction still lags behind film and long-form TV in terms of total revenue. However, fast production cycles, low costs, and quick ROI make them attractive choices for smaller manufacturing companies. That said, not all short films turn a profit, and fierce competition from algorithms and changing viewer tastes mean many are quickly forgotten.
Sources: Znews
