If you think that TikTok has a positive effect on humanity and we should consume more short-video content, well, here's some thrilling news: TikTok has a new app, and it's all about micro dramas.
Don't laugh, it's serious
Image from Apple's App Store
As Business Insider reports, micro dramas are one of the fastest-growing formats in mobile entertainment, so TikTok's move is logical.
The company has launched a standalone app called PineDrama in the US and Brazil. The app is focused entirely on micro drama series, also known as mini or vertical dramas, which are broken into short episodes that usually run for about a minute (60–90 seconds).
Instead of standalone videos, these shows are designed to be watched in sequence, pulling viewers through dozens or even hundreds of quick clips.
That way, your video channel can have 10 million views, instead of 100K, I guess.
Soap operas, but with werewolves
30–40 years ago (I really shouldn't say that out loud), soap dramas took over the world, and now, they're back with a vengeance.
Recommended For You
The report has it that PineDrama leans heavily into romance and supernatural themes. Love triangles, billionaires, vampires, and werewolves are common storylines. One series, Love at First Bite, has already reached 18 million views, while the app's three most popular shows have each crossed the 100 million view mark, based on in-app counters.
Money, money, money…
Most established micro drama platforms use aggressive monetization. Micro dramas generated an estimated $1.3 billion in the US in 2025, largely from direct viewer payments.
Apps like DramaBox and ReelShort typically let users watch a few episodes for free before locking the rest behind a paywall that can cost $20 a week or more. PineDrama is taking a noticeably different approach at launch. Users can sign in with their existing TikTok accounts and watch full series for free, with no ads and no payment prompts visible so far.
That ad-free, paywall-free setup suggests PineDrama is still in an early testing phase. Streaming consultant Hernan Lopez has described the launch as an experiment, noting that TikTok appears to be prioritizing engagement over revenue for now.
How long should such a drama be, realistically speaking?
Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: