The 'Frankenstein' Between Netflix and TikTok Taking Latin America by Storm with an Unexpected Telenovela Twist

A new audiovisual format is gaining momentum across Latin America: microdramas. These are ultra-short fictional series, shot in vertical format, that blend the classic storytelling of telenovelas with the fast-paced, mass-consumption style of social media platforms like TikTok.

These micro-telenovelas feature episodes lasting just one to two minutes, with stories that dive quickly into conflict and end on a cliffhanger to keep viewers hooked.

Produced with simplicity in mind and tailored for mobile viewing, they rely heavily on emotionally charged content that immediately resonates with audiences—without dragging out each plotline.

The content is fast-paced and melodramatic, true to the telenovela tradition, and often borders on the absurd or unsettling. With eye-catching titles like “The Double Life of My Millionaire Husband” or “Destined for My Forbidden Alpha,” these shows aren’t aiming for artistic depth—they’re built for quick, addictive entertainment.

In under an hour, viewers experience an emotional rollercoaster equivalent to what a traditional 100-episode telenovela might offer—but at hyper-speed. One Reddit user summed it up perfectly: “I love it. They don’t waste our time. The lovers kiss at first sight.” It’s this instant gratification that makes microdramas so captivating.

From China to the World

At the heart of the microdrama boom is ReelShort, an app launched in California in 2022 by Crazy Maple Studio, a company backed by Chinese capital. In 2024, Time magazine named Crazy Maple one of the 100 most influential companies in the world. The studio is also behind interactive storytelling apps like MyFiction and Chapters, which focus on narrative-driven digital content.

ReelShort’s signature offering—its bite-sized microdramas—has found a particularly enthusiastic audience among younger viewers and is rapidly expanding across Latin America, according to Cveintiuno.

This rise is being fueled by a growing demand for fast, engaging content optimized for mobile use and embedded in today’s digital culture. As a result, ReelShort is emerging as a key player in the evolution of short-form fiction content in the region.

The format is especially popular in markets like Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, where it is becoming a full-blown cultural trend.

This phenomenon reflects how digital fiction is reshaping both storytelling techniques and the business models surrounding entertainment.

While it remains to be seen whether microdramas will solidify their place as a dominant format, their growing popularity signals a major shift in how audiovisual stories are created and consumed. The iconic Latin American telenovela may have found a path to reinvent itself—shorter, faster, and tailor-made for a new generation of viewers glued to their smartphones.