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| Short Drama Era Begins Guo Yuxin Brings Vertical Series to Dragon TV Golden Spot. (Photo: Sina) |
Chinese actress Guo Yuxin has just rewritten the playbook for short-form content after becoming the first short drama star to bring a vertical series onto a national television channel. Her drama Northeast Love Story: Flash Marriage Rose officially premiered on Dragon TV on 18 February 2026, taking over the prestigious Golden Theater 9PM slot — a time traditionally reserved for mainstream television productions.
For years, vertical short dramas in 9:16 format have been closely associated with mobile platforms. Now, that boundary has officially been crossed. This marks the first time in Chinese broadcasting history that a vertically filmed short drama has been accepted and aired on a national TV station. And yes, the industry is watching closely.
Starring Guo Yuxin alongside Liu Haoqun, the romantic drama is set in Northeast China during the 1990s. The story follows Yang Chunrong, played by Guo Yuxin, a woman navigating love, family expectations and unexpected marriage in a changing era.
Her performance has been widely praised for its emotional depth and grounded portrayal, with viewers highlighting how naturally she delivers vulnerable moments without overplaying them.
Industry insiders say this breakthrough is bigger than just one show. It signals a shift in how short dramas are perceived — no longer dismissed as “mobile-only content”, but recognised as commercially viable and artistically valid for broader platforms.
One of the most talked-about aspects is how Dragon TV adapted the vertical format for horizontal television screens. Instead of cropping or re-editing heavily, the channel kept the original vertical frame intact.
The empty spaces on the left and right sides of the screen were filled with black panels containing additional information such as story summaries, discussion topics and light graphic elements.
Some viewers described the layout as creative and modern, saying it gives the broadcast a “second screen” feeling without losing the original artistic intent.
Others, however, admitted it felt slightly distracting or unusual compared to the full-screen television experience they are used to.
On Weibo and Douyin, reactions have been mixed but passionate.
Supportive fans called it “a bold move that opens doors for short drama actors” and praised Guo Yuxin for leading what they see as a new era. Many commented that this proves short drama performers deserve the same recognition as traditional TV actors.
Meanwhile, sceptical netizens questioned whether vertical dramas truly belong on national TV. Some argued that television should preserve its cinematic widescreen standard, while others simply said they needed time to adjust.
Despite the debate, one thing is clear: people are talking.
For years, there has been an invisible hierarchy between short drama actors and mainstream television stars. This broadcast challenges that divide. If ratings hold steady, more short-form productions could follow, potentially reshaping casting opportunities, production budgets and distribution strategies.
Guo Yuxin’s milestone may well become a case study in how digital-native formats transition into traditional media. It also highlights how audiences are evolving — increasingly open to new viewing styles and storytelling formats.
The question now is simple: is this a one-time experiment, or the beginning of a new standard in Chinese television?
What do you think — should vertical short dramas become a regular feature on national TV, or is this format better suited to mobile platforms?