Vertical dramas are taking off. Fast, fresh, and full of heart. But in the German-speaking world, hardly anyone knows what they are … yet.
I’m Cordula, and I’m here to change that. vertidramas is the place where creators and fans meet – from actors, writers, and directors to the people who can’t stop watching their favorite series on loop.
You’ll find interviews with some of the most exciting voices in the industry, quick-hit reviews that get straight to the point, and a look behind the scenes of this brand-new storytelling format that’s changing the way we watch dramas.
Verticals deserve the spotlight – and we’re here to give it to them.
It was a line I once heard from an actress on Instagram— and it stuck with me. It perfectly captures what makes this new form of storytelling so fascinating: it’s not something you tune into — it’s already part of your everyday life.
Vertical dramas are short-form series filmed in a 9:16 format, made to fit the way we naturally hold our phones. Quick to watch, emotionally charged, and designed for the scrolling age.
The format took off in China, with platforms like iQIYI pioneering mobile-first storytelling. Soon after, apps such as Kuaishou followed, producing “micro dramas” tailor-made for vertical viewing.
What makes them so compelling? The pace, for one — every second counts. The stories are packed with familiar tropes we love to get lost in: secret billionaires, enemies turned lovers, mistaken identities, forbidden romances.
But the real magic happens behind the camera: Actors, writers, and directors are reinventing what storytelling looks like in 8-to-10-day shoots, finding new ways to create intimacy and impact within a frame built for your hand, not your TV.
That’s what fascinates me most, vertical dramas feel close. You don’t just watch them, you feel them. Every emotion, every look, every twist happens right where your thumb rests.
Vertical dramas aren’t the next big thing. They’re here. And they’re changing how we tell and experience stories.
