Asian microdrama news archive
Every report tagged with Asia, China, India, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Southeast Asia, South Korea, newest first.
Start with the guide: China's short drama (短剧) industry: size, platforms and producers, India's microdrama market: size, apps and funding
- Sensor Tower: South Korean short-drama app revenue hit a record in August
In-app purchase revenue rose about 28% on July, and two short-drama apps now sit 7th and 8th in Korea's entertainment top 10 by in-app revenue.
- China's broadcast regulator sets a 500-title microdrama target in its five-year plan
The NRTA's plan for 2026 to 2030 counts 500 excellent micro short dramas over the period, sets a 95% AI-penetration indicator for the sector and names an overseas-expansion programme.
- Korai Flix agrees $3.5bn SPAC merger with APEX Tech Acquisition
The Seoul-based AI entertainment platform, which offers AI short dramas and AI companion avatars, would list on the NYSE as Krflix Group. Closing is targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
- Mediacorp launches Love Angels, a 20-episode shoppertainment microdrama
The Singapore broadcaster built the spy comedy around six brand partners across eight episodes; viewing figures cited are the company's own.
- SPH Media releases first microdrama, sponsored by Singtel
The 24-episode horror-comedy CONNECTED, produced by SPH Content Lab, began releasing on 10 October on STOMP, HardwareZone and Singtel channels; no audience figures have been published.
- China Literature raises Tencent cooperation caps, citing short drama
China Literature lifted its 2026-28 caps for advertising commissions from Tencent to RMB 1.1bn, 1.9bn and 2.2bn, citing the extension of the cooperation to short drama and AI-animated drama.
- COL Group drops its RMB 2.83bn share placement and its Hong Kong listing plan
The Shenzhen-listed parent of FlareFlow ended a private placement eight days after proposing it, and separately ended its planned H-share listing in Hong Kong. The placement plan cited AI short drama.
- TikTok and Singapore's IMDA launch microdrama training programme
Media professionals from 20 accredited Singapore companies will be trained to produce 50 to 100 microdrama episodes, in live-action and AI-animation tracks.
- COL Group proposes RMB 2.83bn A-share placement, partly for AI short-drama rights
The Shenzhen-listed parent of FlareFlow filed a private-placement plan on 1 October 2026. It earmarks RMB 575m for rights to AI short dramas, mid-length and interactive dramas. The plan still requires shareholder and regulatory approval.
- China's NRTA opens 2026 International Micro-drama Competition, entries due 30 November
A notice from China's broadcasting regulator invites finished micro-dramas and original scripts from producers worldwide, across five competition units, with submissions closing on 30 November 2026.
- SoonShot discloses user and subscription metrics, and a reported pre-Series A
The Korean microdrama app said cumulative users reached 1.15 million and that the US accounts for 60% of revenue. Money Today reported a pre-Series A of about KRW 3bn; investors were not named.
- COL Group discloses $12.4m arbitration over unpaid FlareFlow advertising fees
An advertising agency has filed an arbitration claim against COL Group's Singapore unit FlareFlow Pte. Ltd., the parent and two others, seeking $12.1m in unpaid Facebook and TikTok ad fees for October 2025 to February 2026.
- China names 165 titles in second 2026 batch of microdrama action plan
The regulator's list records the distribution platform, production company and nominating provincial bureau for every title. Hongguo carries 110 of the 165.
- Busan's content market gives microdrama two dedicated sessions
The Asian Contents and Film Market runs 10 to 13 October with programming on microdrama and generative AI, including a partnership with Kling AI.
- PineDrama passes 100m downloads with about 7m daily users, per Sensor Tower
ByteDance's overseas short-drama app has passed 100m cumulative downloads, with Indonesia and Brazil accounting for 82% of them, according to Sensor Tower figures published in China in September.
- China consults on State Council rules for minors online, above NRTA Order 16
The Cyberspace Administration opened comment on 18 September on draft State Council Provisions on minors' internet use. The text never names micro short drama, but reaches vertical-drama applications through online audio-video services and a ban on algorithms inducing excessive consumption.
- iiMedia puts China's 2025 microdrama market at RMB 67.79bn, below the regulator's figure
The research firm's consumer trends report gives a 2025 market size roughly a third smaller than the figure China's broadcasting regulator gave at a State Council briefing the same day.
- China regulator says 430,000 microdramas went online in eight months, over 90% AI
At a State Council briefing, the NRTA's network audiovisual director gave user, market and enforcement figures, and said more than 90% of this year's titles were AI-made.
- Mediacorp, SBS's Studio S and SoonShot to develop four Singapore-Korea microdramas
Singapore's Mediacorp announced a partnership with Studio S and the short-form platform SoonShot for four microdramas. The first, a short-form adaptation of the 2018 Korean comedy Still 17, is targeted for release by the end of 2026.
- China publishes its July-August generative AI filings, with 1,112 services now cleared
The Cyberspace Administration of China listed 124 newly filed generative AI services for July and August 2026 and restated the duty on apps to display the model name and filing number of the service they use.
- China issues version 3.0 of its AI safety governance framework
The framework is a non-binding governance document, not a rule. It was released at the opening of National Cybersecurity Week in Jinan and is the third edition since 2024.
- Pocket FM's parent says its all-AI microdrama app Pocket Saga runs at about $15m a year
Pocket Entertainment said its three-month-old, US-only microdrama app uses entirely AI-produced content. The parent put its own annualised run rate at $500m and is in talks with investors.
- Kuku said to be building a 1,000-person AI content unit ahead of an Indian IPO
Entrackr reports the audio and microdrama group has hired about 200 of a planned 1,000-strong AI production team in Mumbai, and has filed confidentially for a listing of up to Rs 3,500 crore.
- China opens objection period on audience-measurement data standard
The NRTA published the approval draft of a technical requirement for data collection in comprehensive audience-evaluation systems, covering online audiovisual services, for public objection until 17 September 2026.
- China's regulator sets three principles on AI likeness and voice in microdrama
The NRTA convened 17 platforms and producers on 2 September to agree that any fused likeness or voice requires the rightholder's express authorisation, and that platforms carry a review duty.
- China names 12 microdrama projects for state support in second of three tranches
The National Radio and Television Administration published 12 proposed projects on 4 September, the second of three tranches under its premium microdrama programme. Objections closed on 11 September. The projects are proposed, not finally awarded.
- aTwist launches with 10 originals across eight English-language markets
The microseries platform led by Jana Winograde, Susan Rovner and Lloyd Braun went live on 3 September in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India and the Philippines. No pricing was disclosed.
- SEC filing specifies Ruanyun Edai's YeeZo platform as a short-drama production tool
A 6-K furnished on 3 September attaches a RMB5,992,185.94 laboratory procurement contract whose exhibit describes YeeZo as creating short-drama projects from a text description. The company says no revenue has been recognised.
- Flipkart opens a microdrama section inside its shopping app, Indian outlets report
Entrackr said on 2 September that it had seen a Play tab with a Drama section live in the app. Inc42, reporting the same afternoon, described the feature as being tested and recorded no confirmation from the company.
- China opens consultation on cable and IPTV service rules to curb stacked TV fees
The National Radio and Television Administration published two drafts on 2 September, revising the cable operation-service rules and creating a first instrument for IPTV. Comments close on 1 October 2026.
- Seventeen Chinese provinces have committed public funds to microdrama production
A National Radio and Television Administration readout published on 1 September puts the annual plan at more than 500 supported premium microdrama projects, with key platforms holding close to 600 more in reserve. No monetary amount was disclosed.
- Global Mofy AI raises $2.04m, pricing shares far below its last close
The Nasdaq-listed Chinese content group, which runs the short-drama brand Mofy Clip and has co-produced with China Literature, sold 3,796,000 shares at $0.538 against a $2.56 close eight days earlier.
- China's microdrama licensing measures take effect with classification thresholds unissued
NRTA Order No. 16 came into force on 1 September 2026, unamended from the text published on 31 July. The investment thresholds Article 5 delegates to a later instrument had not been issued, and the regulator published no implementing measure on the day.
- ReelShort enters Indonesia through Vidio, on a short-drama shelf that already existed
The Emtek-owned streamer announced on 26 August that ReelShort titles would appear in its premium packs from 1 September. Vidio's short-drama section was already live in early August carrying local titles, and the company's own blog gives no title count.
- FlareFlow posts a 60% net margin on an entity with negative net assets
COL Group's half-year report puts its wholly owned microdrama platform at RMB 253m revenue and RMB 152m net profit. The same filing shows net assets of minus RMB 305m and describes the platform as having reached monthly operating break-even.
- COL Group takes FlareFlow into Thailand and sets a microdrama upfront in Singapore
Announced at ContentAsia LIVE in Bangkok on 26 August: a FlareFlow-branded section inside CP Group's existing TATANG by TrueID platform from September, and Inside Microdramas, a pre-financing showcase in Singapore on 27 October.
- COL Group short-drama revenue doubles as ReelShort stays outside its consolidated accounts
The Chinese publisher's half-year report shows short drama and IP derivatives at RMB 411m, up 108.72%, against web literature down 54.91%. Crazy Maple Studio, which operates ReelShort, is disclosed as a 49.24% equity-method associate rather than a subsidiary.
- Kunlun Tech revenue up 43.55% in first half; short-drama billings top $65m a month
Kunlun Tech, which runs DramaWave and FreeReels, reported first-half 2026 revenue of RMB 5.36bn. It said monthly gross billings at its AI short-drama platforms exceeded $65m at the end of June.
- Kuaishou reports short-play supply up more than fivefold since January
The platform's interim results for the six months to 30 June 2026 describe a more than fivefold increase in the supply of short plays, counting live-action and AI-generated titles together, against a January 2026 base.
- Short-drama app downloads reach 1.45bn in the first half of 2026, Mintegral reports
Advanced Television reported on 18 August that Mintegral, drawing on Insightrackr data, put first-half short-drama app downloads at 1.45bn, up 95.5% year on year, with about 83% coming from emerging markets.
- Chinese trade outlets report investment thresholds for microdrama licence tiers
DoNews reported on 18 August that China's broadcast regulator issued a management advisory dated 17 August setting the budget thresholds that Order No. 16 leaves to a later instrument. No government or state-media carrier had published it as of 21 August.
- Tencent names mini drama advertisers as a category in its ad automation tools
Tencent's second-quarter results say it upgraded its AIM+ campaign management product with end-to-end capabilities for mini shop and mini drama advertisers. No microdrama revenue figure is disclosed.
- China Literature books RMB430m from short drama and says reading revenue shifted to it
The Hong Kong-listed publisher reported short-drama and AI-animated-drama revenue above RMB430m for the first half, up 230%, and attributed part of a 7.3% decline in its online reading business to a shift toward those formats.
- Japan's FLASH raises a seed extension, taking cumulative seed to about JPY 1.3bn
The Tokyo company behind the short-drama app Million said on 5 August that a seed extension closed with five backers including Sony Innovation Fund. It disclosed a cumulative seed total of about JPY 1.3bn rather than the size of the extension.
- DataEye: overseas downloads up 79% in H1, in-app revenue up 13%
The vendor's half-year figures put install growth six times ahead of in-app purchase revenue growth, and describe a sector that has moved from land-grab expansion to competition for existing users.
- Two unrelated $1.4bn estimates circulate for different markets and years
Media Partners Asia's global ex-China figure for 2024 and Owl & Co's US figure for 2025 are both $1.4bn. Quoting them together implies a corroboration that does not exist.
- DataEye puts H1 2026 overseas microdrama app spending at $1.27bn
The Chinese research house estimates in-app purchase revenue for microdrama apps in markets outside China at about $1.27bn for the first half, up 13% year on year. Its published revenue split does not sum to that total and one share is misstated.
- China's microdrama licence thresholds are delegated and still unpublished
The Measures leave the three licence tiers to be set by the State Council's broadcasting department. No figure has been issued, and three separate tier systems are now in circulation.
- Kuaishou filing puts Kling AI round at about $3bn for 16.67%
An HKEX filing of 2 July 2026 caps the investment at ¥20.4471bn, roughly $3.0bn, implying a post-money valuation of about $18bn.
- China's microdrama rules become binding law from 1 September
NRTA Order No. 16 moves the sector to three-tier licensing, defines the format as episodes under 20 minutes, and mandates AI labelling, non-addictive recommenders and clear paid-content disclosure.
- China's Order No. 16 was signed on 30 July, and Article 52 is new
The promulgation header dates the order to 30 July and publication to 31 July. Article 52, on microdramas shot in China for overseas broadcast, does not appear in the June draft.
- Capital flows to Chinese AI video while Western microdrama rounds stay small
At least fifteen rounds closed between January and July 2026 across microdrama and adjacent AI video, led by Kling AI, Shengshu, PixVerse, Zhixiang and Fish Audio. Western vertical-drama rounds were far smaller or undisclosed.
- Three unrelated "150" figures circulate as microdrama market sizes
A $150bn vertical-video estimate, a $150bn analyst figure covering mostly ad formats, and a ¥150bn China projection use different currencies, scopes and bases. None is a microdrama market size.
- QuestMobile: Chinese short-drama viewing shifts to standalone apps
Standalone apps reached 402m users in May, up 77.1% year on year, against 508m on WeChat mini-programs, up 25.4%. Douyin mini-program users fell 83.3% to 14m.
- Hongguo reaches 356m monthly users on a free, ad-supported model
ByteDance's Hongguo (红果短剧) was at 356m monthly active users by May 2026, up 79.1% year on year, per QuestMobile, against 304m in February.
- Notice names all 16 projects in China's first microdrama support tranche
The National Radio and Television Administration's 28 July notice lists all 16 proposed projects in the first tranche of its premium microdrama programme, each with a theme and production company. Youku, MIGU and Shanghai Film Group are among those named.
- DataEye puts China AI short drama at ¥40bn for 2026, up 138%
The figures were presented at WAIC on 20 July and had already appeared in a vendor column on 16 July. Of 221,900 AI and manga dramas launched in the first half, 1,055 passed 100m views.
- China's microdrama rules stay in draft with a blank commencement date
Article 53 of the NRTA draft leaves the date it takes effect literally empty. The three provisions that would bite hardest on coin monetisation are not in force.
- RisingJoy distributes its RJOY microdrama service inside TikTok Minis
The Singapore company launched in the United States and Japan without a standalone app, and has branded-service deals with Astro and Sooka in Malaysia and the IDN App in Indonesia.
- India's One Life Studios licenses 60 titles; The Daily Show goes vertical
The Mumbai studio licensed 60 microdramas from a 500-plus catalogue to three Southeast Asian platforms on 22 July. Paramount confirmed a Daily Show microdrama on 21 July.
- China grades AI microdramas by budget tier from 1 July
An NRTA department notice sets investment tiers of ¥800k and above, ¥300k to ¥800k, and below ¥300k. It was carried by Xinhua rather than published on the regulator's own site.
- German youth-protection regulator flags AI risks on youth platforms
The KJM release of 19 May is titled: AI on youth-oriented platforms - providers create new gateways for risks.
- DataEye counts 221,900 AI dramas in H1, 0.47% past 100m views
The vendor's ADX figures for the first half of 2026 put 1,055 titles past 100m views and about 12,000 past 10m, with more than 90% described as flops.
- Hong Kong freight forwarder Globavend enters micro-drama with Loomi acquisition
The Nasdaq-listed cross-border logistics group took majority control of Loomi Group in May 2026, adding a Southeast Asian micro-drama app and an AI production platform to a freight business.
- China's NRTA draft would require an AI label on every microdrama episode
Article 34 of the 24 June draft requires a visible AI label on every episode, a stricter duty than Article 50(4) of the EU AI Act. Comments close 23 July.
- Five new entrants, including a distressed pivot out of real-money gaming
Lighthouse Verticals, İki Dakika, StoReel, ThumFlix and Vertical TV join the field. Inc42 reported that Zupee bought Vertical TV for under ₹40 crore, about $4.5m, weeks after around 200 layoffs.
- China's NRTA drafts administrative measures for microdrama
The 24 June draft defines episodes of under 20 minutes, requires pre-release approval and script and title control, and bars wealth-flaunting content. Comments close 23 July.
- Yash Raj Films takes a strategic stake in Rusk Media
Variety reported the investment in the Indian vertical-entertainment company on 29 June 2026. No deal value or stake size was disclosed.
- Pocket FM shuts down Pocket TV ahead of its IPO
Business Today reported the closure of the company's vertical video service on 28 June 2026.
- Evoken, the LiblibAI parent, raises about $300m at more than $2bn
Yicai Global reported the Series B+ on 18 June 2026. The money goes to the AI video tool layer rather than to a consumer microdrama app.
- Chinese capital moves to the AI production-tool layer
AniShort and CreativeFitting both raised funding in rounds dated 9 to 12 June 2026, according to PEdaily.
- FlexTV owner Mega Matrix reports revenue down 28% and a net loss larger than sales
The NYSE American-listed short-drama operator posted about $26.1m of FY2025 revenue against a net loss of roughly $34.3m. Its adjusted EBITDA loss, the figure it led with, was $5.6m.
- COL Group executive puts microdrama marketing above $1m against $150k-250k production
In a trade interview, Timothy Oh set out the company's cost structure: series cost $150,000 to $250,000 to produce, marketing can exceed $1m, and roughly 400 marketing experiments run each month.
- iQIYI's annual report puts its micro-drama library near 20,000 titles
The streaming platform's 2025 annual report on Form 20-F treats micro dramas as a defined business line, reporting roughly 20,000 micro-drama titles against more than 40,000 long-form titles.
- The9 signs Chengdu Lumosi for AI short drama built on TVB's The Greed of Man
The Nasdaq-listed Shanghai company holds an exclusive mobile game licence for the 1992 TVB serial and says it has begun developing AI-generated short drama formats within those rights. It repeated the disclosure in a July shelf registration.