A new global fever: Chinese micro-soap operas conquer the world

A trend born in China is revolutionizing the way we consume audiovisual content: micro-telenovelas , a radical format composed of dozens of episodes lasting less than a minute, are becoming a global phenomenon.

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Designed to be consumed on mobile apps, these series, with intense plots and concentrated dramatic twists, don't aim to achieve great artistic achievements, but rather to offer a fast-paced and addictive entertainment experience. In less than an hour, viewers can experience the condensed emotions of a 100-part soap opera, but in an express version.

According to data from the analytics firm Sensor Tower, apps for watching micro-telenovelas had accumulated nearly 950 million downloads worldwide as of March 2025. Although many of these apps are based in the US or Singapore, their roots and business model largely come from China.

Initially, content was filmed in Chinese and dubbed into English. However, global demand has driven original English-language production, with sets and equipment already installed in Europe and the United States. According to Chinese state-run media outlet The Paper, some production companies can film up to 100 episodes in a single week, optimizing resources and filming time.

The industry in China has reached astonishing proportions. In 2024 alone, more than 30,000 micro-telenovelas were produced, generating revenues of around $7 billion, according to the China Internet Services Association. This figure even surpassed the revenues of Chinese cinema, which totaled $5.8 billion that same year.

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Content under scrutiny: censorship enters the scene

Despite its overwhelming success, the format has not been without controversy. In February, Chinese authorities ordered the removal of around 1,200 microdramas from digital platforms, citing content concerns. China's National Radio and Television Administration warned that these products must promote "positive national values" and strongly opposed scenes featuring violence, eroticism, or situations deemed in "bad taste." While the exact criteria have not been specified, stories such as that of a millionaire in love with a domestic worker or that of a woman abused by her mother-in-law, considered by censors to be examples of "vulgarity," have been banned. This intervention has sparked debate about the limits of creativity in the digital context and how governments seek to regulate an industry that is growing rapidly and increasingly transcends borders.

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