DUANJU  NEWS

The Short Drama Forum returns this summer with a new edition that aims to deepen understanding of duanju and support the international development of this genre, which is currently taking shape. Organized by the Short Drama Alliance and hosted by Wenwen Han , the event offers a dual format: a private session on Zoom (by appointment) and a free replay on YouTube the following day. The forum brings together speakers from China, North America, Europe, India, Australia, and Brazil for in-depth discussions on creation, the international circulation of content, and the changing face of short stories. Highlights include a mapping of the Chinese market, a reflection on genre diversity beyond CEO romances, a cross-talk between female creators, and an overview of the format's global development. Two options for participation are offered: free access in exchange for a social media post, or a paid ticket for $39. The event will take place on the night of August 23-24, 2025 , from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. (French time). It promises to be a highlight for anyone interested in the future of Duanju. Learn more: Link #WenwenHan

Wix is one of the most widely used website hosts in the world, with over 250 million websites created. Dailymotion, for its part, is a long-standing global player in online video, present in over 180 countries. However, when trying to make the two coexist, a technical limitation prevents creators from monetizing their content. How monetization normally works? For a video to earn money for a creator, the site hosting it must authorize advertisers to display ads on it. This authorization is based on an ads.txt file, located at the root of the site, which specifies which advertising agencies can sell. When this system is well-established, views generated from a site are counted and paid. It's a standard used throughout the online advertising industry, adopted by YouTube, Dailymotion, and many other platforms. The problem on Wix's side? When a creator embeds a Dailymotion video, it doesn't go directly through their site. Wix uses a technical "sandbox" that hosts the content on separate subdomains: usrfiles.com and filesusr.com. Result: Dailymotion sees the views as coming from these technical addresses, ignores the ads.txt from the main site and monetization does not start. A dead end that affects many creators Wix is home to millions of creators, small businesses, artists, and media outlets worldwide. Dailymotion, on the other hand, remains a global platform with 300 million monthly users and thousands of creators posting their videos daily. The equation is simple: if technical compatibility between Wix and Dailymotion is not ensured, potentially thousands of creators will see their videos circulate without generating any advertising revenue. Behind this impasse lies a simple question: how can creators be compensated if the tools aren't keeping up? Without advertising, it's difficult to finance works, pay teams, and support innovation. This is also the case for web series, short films, micro-series, and duanju, which are booming on smartphones and rely on a still-nascent economy. For these stories to find their audience and for artists to make a living from them, the technical environment must evolve and allow for the construction of a virtuous economic model. Hopefully, this article, published on September 12, 2025, will help change the situation for the benefit of creators. Article written by Guillaume Sanjorge #GuillaumeSanjorge

In the booming short drama industry, nothing captures the audience’s heart quite like the spark between two actors. The right pairing can transform a few minutes of screen time into a lasting memory, fueling fan communities, live-stream moments, and even real life romances. Here are five of the most dazzling on-screen couples whose chemistry has lit up the short drama world. 1. Zhang Beixi & Lin Ruixue: A Fairytale Sweetness Every glance between Zhang Beixi and Lin Ruixue feels like a page out of a modern fairytale. Their on-screen romance radiates such effortless warmth that fans can’t help but get swept away. Off-screen, they’re equally captivating. During livestreams, Zhang Beixi doesn’t shy away from whispering sweet nothings to Lin Ruixue, melting hearts in real time. With their striking looks and natural charm, this duo has become the gold standard of what fans imagine true love to be. 2. Zeng Hui & Han Yutong: The “Sunset Yuhui” CP Few partnerships in the short drama world have the staying power of Zeng Hui and Han Yutong. Having co-starred in eight projects together, their most famous hit Boss Li, You Got the Wrong Wife cemented them as household names. Fans affectionately call them the “Sunset Yuhui” CP, a nickname born out of admiration for their unique bond. What began as sizzling screen chemistry eventually blossomed into a real-life romance, turning them into one of the industry’s most beloved power couples.   3. Zhu Yiwei & Bai Xinyi: From Screen to Award-Winning Love Story When Zhu Yiwei and Bai Xinyi first starred in Long Smoke and Chaos, audiences were struck by their intense yet tender portrayal of love. Their performances carried a rare depth, making their characters unforgettable. That connection carried beyond the screen: in 2024, the pair announced their engagement, to the delight of their fans. The following year, they were named “Short Drama Screen Partners of the Year,” a recognition that celebrates not just their artistry but also the authenticity of their shared journey.   4. Liu Qing & Bai Yan: Love Like a Painting The pairing of Liu Qing and Bai Yan in Sinking into Rouge Color was nothing short of magnetic. Their emotional scenes pulled viewers into the raw beauty of love, while their off-screen interactions revealed a tenderness that blurred the line between fiction and reality. In one unforgettable livestream, Liu Qing leaned in to kiss Bai Yan, sparking endless discussion online. With Liu Qing’s stylish charisma and Bai Yan’s graceful elegance, they’re often described as a “perfect couple in a painting.”   5. Wang Yiyang & Qianzhe: Youthful Energy, Genuine Affection Wang Yiyang and Qianzhe bring a youthful, vibrant energy to every performance. Their on-screen kisses feel natural and unforced, a reflection of the genuine affection they share. Viewers are drawn to their bright, complementary personalities: Wang Yiyang’s sunny confidence alongside Qianzhe’s sweet charm. Together, they’ve built an image that is fresh, authentic, and deeply relatable,  making them one of the most sought-after on-screen couples in today’s short drama landscape.   From fairytale romances to reel-to-real love stories, these couples have proven the emotional power of short dramas. Their connections, both scripted and genuine,  remind us why audiences return again and again to these fast-paced, deeply moving stories. And as the short drama industry continues to expand, we can only expect more dazzling partnerships ready to steal the spotlight. Article written by Blessing Azugama #BlessingAzugama Sources: Yule 360 , August 28, 2025

In Tokyo, vertical drama now has its own summit. The "Short Drama Summit JAPAN 2025 Summer," organized by LINE Yahoo!, brought together producers, platforms, and creators to take stock of the industry and set a clear ambition: to reach 10 million paying users per month. A booming market According to Line Voom, the short video platform integrated into the LINE app, itself a widely used instant messaging service in Japan, the global duanju market was worth $1.5 billion in 2024. Japan's market is still small (around €100 million) but is experiencing rapid growth: quadrupled in one year, with a projection of €470 million by 2029. The organizers see the potential for a new cultural ecosystem, capable of competing with digital publishing and streaming. The summit highlighted the sector's main players. BUMP, with over 230 million downloads, stood out thanks to series like The Perfect Girlfriend's Condition. Gokko, a studio entirely dedicated to vertical fiction, has already produced nearly 2,000 videos, accumulating over 9.4 billion views. DramaBox, of Chinese origin but now established in Japan, is expanding by leveraging the enormous catalog of Chinese productions. Alongside these leaders, other producers such as COL JAPAN or WaGa are experimenting with hybrid formats and seeking to structure the local market. The discussions revealed a creative tension: should we prioritize speed and immediate consumption, or aim for stories that leave a lasting impression on viewers? Some speakers compared vertical fiction to fast food, where efficiency is paramount. Others emphasized the importance of the storyline, which is key to attracting international audiences and giving duanju a true artistic identity. The challenge of monetization The business model is still under construction. Most platforms combine pay-per-episode subscriptions, advertising, and subscription plans. BUMP and Gokko are exploring the idea of a “500 yen package” (about 3 euros), allowing viewers to watch a full season at a discounted price, in order to get viewers used to paying. But retention remains a problem: many users subscribe for a week before canceling. Everyone agrees: to reach the 10 million subscriber mark, Japan must produce more compelling content, attract established players, and develop a true vertical fiction culture. As LINE VOOM pointed out, while manga took 20 years to establish itself as a major sector, duanju could follow the same path... but much faster. Source : • Natalie.mu , August 29, 2025

On May 7, 2025, Netflix officially announced the launch of a vertical feed of short clips on its iOS and Android mobile apps. Presented as a dedicated tab within the app, this format allows users to quickly scroll through personalized clips. Simply called Short Videos , this feed appears as a vertical thread. Each short video is taken from movies and series in the Netflix catalog, with options to watch the full episode or movie, save it, or share it. Netflix aims to capture attention by replicating the effectiveness of infinite browsing found on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts , while integrating it into a premium streaming framework. Back in 2021, the platform experimented with a vertical feed dedicated to comedy clips, followed by another for children's content. These previous experiments were called Fast Laughs for comedy content, and Kids Clips for children's content. These experiments were limited to specific categories. The new test is much more comprehensive, addressing all genres in the catalog. The launch of this mobile vertical stream of short videos represents a coherent strategic move. This mobile-first format is fast, emotional, and optimized for mobile screens. This is a first step that could lead the streaming giant to begin its direct involvement in mobile fiction. Watch this space. Content choices, investment, and audience returns will determine whether Netflix becomes a new player in the format. Results in terms of retention and engagement will also be decisive. Sources: • Netflix , March 3, 2021 • TechCrunch , March 3, 2021 • Netflix , May 7, 2025 • TechCrunch , May 7, 2025 • Fast Company , May 7, 2025 • Free News , May 9, 2025

When you think of cinema, you immediately think of feature films projected on the big screen. However, the roots of cinema lie in a completely different reality: that of the short format. Today, duanju, also an ultra-short format, with episodes lasting 1 to 3 minutes designed for the mobile age, invites us to delve back into the cinema of its origins, particularly that of the Lumière Brothers. The Lumière Brothers: inventors of big-screen cinema and short film formats In 1895, Louis and Auguste Lumière presented their cinematograph to the public. The inaugural demonstration, with the famous film "La Sortie de l'usine Lumière," lasted only 46 seconds! The reason? A technical constraint: the film stock didn't allow for longer filming. Short format doesn't necessarily mean unproductive. Proof of this is that between 1895 and 1905, the Lumière brothers made more than 1,400 numbered and listed films, plus more than 600 others not included in the catalog. Almost all of them adhered to this constraint: less than a minute, a single take, a fixed frame. And yet, they managed to capture powerful and universal moments: children at play, scenes from everyday life, and the daily grind of the streets. These micro-sequences sparked public enthusiasm and paved the way for a new art. From the Lumière brothers to duanju, the short format is exported and also draws on international experience. The brothers quickly trained operators to use their invention, who then traveled the world to film local events. Similarly, duanju crosses all continents, with local adaptations of hit series. We therefore readily associate cinema and feature films, but cinema was born short. And as such, duanju does not represent a break, but rather a continuity. Duanju: the short format chosen and not imposed While Lumière films were short by technical necessity, duanju adopts the short format by strategic choice. In the era of mobile usage, fragmented attention spans, and multiple digital demands, viewers favor brief, effective, and immersive formats. The duanju episodes correspond perfectly to these new behaviors and current expectations, where attention is quickly captured and held. Yet, the two approaches converge. We observe the same narrative efficiency: in a few seconds, a place, an atmosphere, characters, and a situation must be established. The same power of suggestion must be summoned: the images must immediately involve the viewer. Finally, the economy of means remains from one era to another: the Lumière brothers filmed in a single take. Duanju, for its part, often favors quick shoots, with a controlled budget and a limited number of takes. In both cases, brevity becomes a creative constraint. When constraint nourishes art The experimental film " Lumière & Company" perfectly illustrates the artistic legacy of the Lumière Brothers and its continuity in contemporary creation. In 1995, to celebrate 100 years of cinema, some forty renowned directors, from Wim Wenders to David Lynch, agreed to shoot a film respecting the technical rules of the Lumière Brothers: a maximum duration of 52 seconds, a maximum of three takes, and no artificial lighting. The result: radically different works, each marked by the artistic identity and sensibility of its author, despite using the same technologies and constraints. What we take away from this: the short format does not prevent art. On the contrary, it stimulates creativity. Duanju fits into this logic: with little time and few means, it can and must produce strong, intense, singular works. Serial storytelling: an ancient history Duanju exploits another dimension: serial writing, a choice that is also not new. From the beginning of the 20th century, the first major cinematic serials appeared. In 1908, " Nick Carter, the King of Detectives" , directed by Victorin-Hippolyte Jasset, offered a series of episodes featuring a recurring hero. A few years later, in 1915, " The Vampires " by Louis Feuillade extended this logic: a story in episodes, a serialized plot centered on a criminal organization, strong characters. Duanju revives this tradition: a rhythmic narration, short episodes, recurring characters, while adapting it to the digital age, with its modern uses and distribution on mobile. From the train entering the station to the smartphone screen The Lumière Brothers changed our relationship with image and movement. With what is considered their most famous film, " Train Entering the Station ," screened in 1986 at a cinema in La Ciotat, France, they invented an art, a language, and a collective experience. Duanju extends this adventure: it transposes intensity onto today's screens, condensing emotion, narrative, and visual identity into a very short time. The short format is therefore not a recent trend, as one might think: it is a return to the roots. There is, however, one essential difference: from now on, the choice of the short format is no longer a technical constraint, but a new way of telling stories to a generation in a hurry and multi-connected. Duanju, like the Lumière brothers, must continue to show that one can make art with little: little time, few resources, but a lot of inventiveness. Article written by Maëlle Billant #MaelleBillant Sources: • Lumière Institute: Lumière films • Lumière Institute: The Lumière cinematograph • Cineccentric , July 7, 2021 • Encyclopaedia Britannica

This new wave of influence is not the first: from the “chinoiserie” of the 18th century (porcelain, lacquer, pagodas) to the vogue for tea, and later the boom of martial arts and Hong Kong cinema (Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan), China has often shaped the Western imagination; duanju is today’s mobile incarnation of that tradition. Duanju is emerging as a key laboratory for mobile storytelling and fiction, at the heart of a Chinese strategy where culture, platforms, and public policy advance in unison. Internationally, duanju apps surpassed 370 million downloads in the first quarter of 2025, according to Sensor Tower. A format calibrated for export Duanju has become a genuine export industry. Industry reports highlight the rise of duanju platforms in the American, Asian, and Latin American markets, with revenues growing strongly in the United States. Douyin, the Chinese TikTok It is impossible to talk about duanju without mentioning TikTok. The app, ByteDance’s global showcase, plays a key role in the spread of short-form content. But its domestic version, Douyin, follows a different logic. In China, the platform integrates mini-programs and shops that allow users to watch a series, purchase a product featured in an episode, subscribe, or join a duanju app without leaving the platform. ByteDance, the parent company of Douyin and TikTok, even offers a turnkey solution to host, review, distribute, and monetize short dramas directly within Douyin. This seamless integration turns each episode into a transactional entry point, accelerating their professionalization. TikTok, a more open but less integrated model Internationally, TikTok remains powerful for discovery, but outbound links are more restricted. The launch of TikTok Shop in the United States in September 2023, and later in Europe (France, Germany, Italy) in March 2025, marks a shift toward an integration closer to the Douyin model and paves the way for the export of duanju. Despite this, creators often have to rely on the bio link or hold a Business account to add direct links. This difference highlights two approaches: in China, duanju benefits from full integration between content and transaction, while abroad the user journey remains fragmented and more costly for producers. And while this model can be restrictive for creators, it remains highly profitable for ByteDance. Local cultural adaptation One of the major levers of duanju lies in localization. Studios modify characters, settings, and narrative themes to align with the sensibilities of local audiences and regulators. Netflix is also experimenting with these adaptation strategies, adjusting the tone and cultural references for each market. Pilots serve as tests, and only stories that resonate with their audience are then rolled out on a large scale. Chinese soft power For international observers, the rise of duanju illustrates a soft power strategy combining narratives, infrastructure, and commerce. The goal: to shape imaginaries compatible with Chinese interests while asserting its technological and cultural capabilities. In China, the distribution of duanju is regulated: sensitive content is filtered, duration is limited, and catalogs are regularly monitored by the authorities. What this changes for Europe For European creators and producers, the rise of duanju implies three developments. A new storytelling market that imposes fast and efficient narrative codes. A technical standard where viewing, payment, and commerce are combined in the same user journey. A competition of models, where the advantage will depend on the adaptation of local works to the vertical format, the direct link between episodes and transactions, and mastery of regulatory frameworks. Sources: • CSIS – ChinaPower , February 27, 2016 • Council on Foreign Relations , February 9, 2018 • National Endowment for Democracy , June 19, 2017 • USC Center on Public Diplomacy , October 1, 2018 • Les Échos , May 7, 2024 • GEO , August 15, 2025 • Sensor Tower , July 16, 2025 • 流媒体网 (LMTW) , August 28, 2025

In the global microdrama ecosystem, a decisive step has just been taken. The DramaBox platform, already essential in Asia and increasingly influential internationally, has been chosen by Disney to join its prestigious Disney Accelerator program. Created in 2014, the Disney Accelerator annually supports a select number of companies deemed strategic for the future of entertainment. The 2025 edition has selected four companies: DramaBox, Animaj, Haddy, and LIMINAL Space. All will benefit from mentoring by Disney executives and opportunities to collaborate with the group's various divisions. By selecting DramaBox, Disney is sending a strong signal: Duanju is no longer a mere local phenomenon, but a format that major global groups are now taking very seriously. Designed for mobile devices, these vertical stories, condensed into a few minutes, attract hundreds of millions of viewers in Asia and are beginning to gain traction elsewhere, particularly in Europe and the United States. While financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, the addition of DramaBox to the program opens the door to further experimentation with Disney. Whether it's new broadcast models, original content, or local adaptations, this collaboration marks an important step in the format's global visibility. DramaBox in figures Since its launch in 2023, DramaBox has surpassed 100 million downloads on Android and boasts over 90 million registered users, including 30 million monthly active users. The app is available in over 200 countries and regions, with a catalog of over 1,000 series. Its influence is also reflected on social media: 16 million followers on Facebook, 11.2 million on TikTok, 5.8 million on Instagram, and nearly 460,000 subscribers on YouTube for the French-language channel. These figures make it a leading platform in the sector, a direct rival to ReelShort. Sources • The Walt Disney Company , July 29, 2025 • C21Media , July 29, 2025 • Kidscreen , July 29, 2025 • Washington Post , August 23, 2025 • WGBH , March 19, 2025 • 36Kr Europe , 2024 • Ainvest , 2025 • Barchart , 2025

Based on our exclusive information, a new mobile series is set to be released on Sunday, August 24, 2025, available on the Story TV platform. Its title is self-explanatory: "Dangerous Relationship with a Femme Fatale." This thriller is part of the boom in micro-series in the duanju format. The plot opens with the mysterious death of Alexandre Beaumont, a brilliant lawyer found lifeless in his villa. His wife, Eva Mariane, a seductive and elusive investigative journalist, becomes the main suspect. Is she a grieving widow or a calculating predator? Doubt sets in from the very first scenes. Tasked with the investigation, Commander Lemoine must resist the trap of a dangerous seduction. Beside him, Warrant Officer Claire Dargent observes her superior's gradual descent, drawn in by a woman who muddies the waters as much as she catches eyes. "This is a crime scene, not a date," Lemoine asserts, before Eva retorts: "And yet, I'm the one you're staring at." The series relies on a trio of actors. Sam Lyam plays Commander Lemoine, torn between rigor and temptation, while Charline Rossi, with her clear-sighted gaze, contrasts with her superior. Marie Venturi's performance in the role of Eva Mariane is distinguished by its accuracy and formidable intensity. Directed and produced by Adrien Cottinaud and Alexandre Perrin, the series immerses viewers in a world of passion and manipulation. The series is available on StoryTV . Discover the trailer below. If necessary, enable subtitles in your language.

The format is moving from mobile apps to classrooms. Roy Hanney, a researcher and lecturer at Southampton Solent University, a UK-based institution renowned for its creative and media education, is taking a close look at the duanju phenomenon. In a study published in August 2025, he traces the format's rise in China, which has become a multi-billion-yuan industry, and its international expansion, analyzing its aesthetic codes (vertical video, close-ups, fast pace), its narrative formulas (cliffhangers, melodramatic archetypes), and its business models. He cites in particular the success of Escape from the British Museum , which accumulated more than 300 million views in one week and generated massive sales of derivative products, or the short adaptation of Pride and Prejudice filmed in the United Kingdom in 2024, condensed into 16 vertical episodes of less than two minutes each. Starting this fall, its students will be taking a new module: developing and pitching their own micro-drama concepts, in conjunction with industrial realities and local businesses in the creative industries. The goal: to transform the classroom into a true project incubator, where theory and practice feed off each other. This approach reflects Roy Hanney's conviction that duanju is not just an object of study, but a field of experimentation and training for the talents of tomorrow, at the crossroads of research, creation and local economic development. • Zenodo , August 11, 2025