A Chinese vertical drama titled My Dad Can Hear My Thoughts or The CEO’s Unborn Savior has become a viral sensation on TikTok, where it is shared in short, nonsequential clips lasting two minutes. The plot features a fetus communicating with its mother using an omniscient, echoing voice reminiscent of Minnie Mouse, warning her about villains planning to harm the unborn child. The drama weaves in family drama, including attempts by antagonists to rob the parents of their wealth or split the couple using look-alike women. The climax involves a fight scene where no actual punches are thrown. The title appears on a homemade, Canva-style sticker with a bright green highlight, and the characters seem to be wearing clothing from Temu, an online shopping platform. The drama is available on an app called Stardust TV, one of several vertical-drama platforms that have gained popularity in the past year. In the United States, more people are now watching microdramas on their phones than traditional streaming services, leading to a surge in companies offering similar content. Platforms like ReelShort, GoodShort, DramaWave, DramaBox, NetShort, ShortsWave, and MoboReels have emerged, offering content with racy, telenovela-style plots divided into short, cliff-hanger-filled clips. These clips are often filtered with highly saturated visuals to enhance their appeal. Kelsey Weekman of Yahoo News described the format as a guilty pleasure, but still a form of entertainment that many enjoy. The rise of vertical dramas reflects a broader trend in content consumption, driven by the demand for quick, digestible entertainment. This has led to a market flooded with low-quality material, often featuring explicit themes. Unlike traditional fan fiction or literary works, vertical dramas provide stress relief with minimal effort, sometimes involving explicit content. Many platforms use a coin-earning system that rewards users with unlocked clips for extended engagement. Although AI-generated content is becoming more common, many vertical dramas are still produced by humans. Actors such as Olivia Rose Williams, Vanessa von Schwarz, and Ashlynn Judy have become influencers, often discussing the industry's misogynistic tropes and working conditions. Von Schwarz noted that the fast-paced nature of the sets requires actors to be adaptable and make rapid decisions. She expressed concerns about the use of AI in the industry, emphasizing the importance of consent and creative ownership. She argued that innovation and protecting artists do not have to be opposing goals. While some critics argue that vertical dramas often lack quality, others point to examples like the microdrama created by Issa Rae, which has received critical acclaim. The format has allowed actors to continue their craft during economically challenging times. However, the gambling-style structure of these platforms, which includes in-app purchases and subscriptions, raises concerns. The content, which includes stories about seducing a sister’s ruthless CEO husband or receiving sex education from a best friend, continues to attract viewers. According to von Schwarz, the goal should not be to imitate traditional film or television, but to respect and advance the language of vertical storytelling.