My Vertical Drama Rating System Explained | How I Score Verticals

📝 Ever wondered how I score the Vertical Dramas I binge? 🤔
Well, it’s time I finally break it down!

Here’s your full guide to my rating system ⭐ and how the infamous VertiBingo 🎯 works!
From chemistry and drama to originality and toxic tropes 🚩—I’ve got a method to the madness (mostly 😉).

✨ Each series gets rated with stars across categories like development, romance, and drama.
✨ The VertiBingo is for bonus points if a series avoids the usual messy tropes (slaps, bullying, toxic families… you know the drill 😬).
✨ And NEW: introducing the Frustical (Frustration + Vertical) Scale 🌶 — measuring just how spicy your frustration gets when a Vertical ends with a cliffhanger (without warning 😤).

🎬 Originality

Classic Isn’t Always a Crime… Unless It’s Copy-Paste

In VertiLand, reused tropes are part of the game—but that doesn’t mean they’re bad by default! A familiar storyline can still be entertaining if it brings something fresh: a clever twist, unexpected worldbuilding, or new character dynamics.

However, if it feels like a full copy-paste—same plot, same conflicts, same lines—it’s hard to stay invested, and that’s where the score takes a hit.

Smart reuse of tropes with a creative twist will score higher. But if it’s truly a brand-new concept that breaks away from the usual patterns? That’s where the 5 stars live. 🌟

💫 Chemistry or Charisma

Give Me That Spark!

This rating depends on the genre, but it’s all about the emotional pull or narrative momentum that keeps me invested.

💖 For romance verticals:

I’m rating the chemistry between the leads. I want to see sparks fly, heart-eyes, subtle tension—make me root for them!

No need for steamy scenes—just give me that fluttery feeling and a believable emotional connection.

The more genuine, cute, and well-paced it is, the higher the score!

🎭 For non-romance verticals:

It’s all about charisma. If there’s a single main character, they need to own the screen.

Strong writing, emotional depth, and standout presence are key.

If the lead blends into the background or lacks impact, the score will definitely drop.

❤️ Romance or 🔥 Action

Make It Worth It

When it comes to romance, I want a healthy, meaningful love story.
That means:
🚫 No controlling, toxic male leads.
🚫 No weak redemption arcs after years of mistreatment.
🚫 No “I hate you” flipping to “I love you” in one episode without real development.
Give me chemistry, connection, and growth—not just drama for the sake of it.

If it’s a non-romance vertical, then it’s all about the action.
💥 Are things constantly happening?
💥 Are plot twists keeping me hooked?
💥 Is the story moving forward with purpose?
Then you’re scoring high!
But if it’s the same conflict over and over or one storyline dragged out for 10+ episodes? Expect a low rating.

🎭 Drama

Yes Please… But Make It Smart!

It’s called Vertical Dramas for a reason—I want emotion, tension, and juicy twists. Romance is great, but don’t forget to bring the drama too!

✨ That said, drama ≠ bullying.

You don’t need an over-the-top villainess or a dozen slaps to keep things interesting. Sometimes the real drama comes from emotional stakes, misunderstandings, or a lead couple who just can’t communicate properly (and I’m here for that!).

🚫 Extreme bullying, abuse, and gratuitous violence? That’s where I draw the line. Those drop the score.

I’m looking for clever, compelling, story-driven drama—not just chaos for chaos’ sake.

🧠 Development

Keep It Coherent

This rating looks at overall plot development and how well the story holds together from start to finish.

✨ I love big reveals, shocking twists, and slow-burn secrets—but they have to make sense.
If the mystery builds up for 20 episodes and the reveal is weak or nonsensical? That’s a no from me.

📉 Plot holes, confusing transitions, or inconsistent storytelling will drag the score down.
If the editing feels choppy, if information suddenly changes without explanation, or scenes seem to skip crucial moments? Low rating.

🤯 I want to be hooked, not confused. Give me logic, clarity, and proper payoff.

⚠️ And beware of the dreaded final cliffhanger—especially if it hints at a Part 2 that may never come. That fake-out ending? Instant point drop.

🍷 No Drugged Drinks

(or Anything Like It)

To check this box, there must be zero use of drugs or substances to harm, control, or assault a character—especially via drinks.

That includes spiked cocktails, substances sprayed in someone’s face, or anything else that violates consent or safety.

If no one gets drugged and everyone respects boundaries for once? Congrats—you’ve found a unicorn in VertiLand. 🦄✨

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 No Toxic Family or Friends

To check this box, the lead’s circle needs to be genuinely supportive. If even one family member is controlling, manipulative, or just plain cruel? ❌ Disqualified.

Same goes for friends—if the so-called “BFF” sleeps with the fiancé or sabotages the lead? That’s not friendship, that’s a walking red flag.

Only healthy bonds and wholesome support allowed here. 💖🫶

🚫 No Bullying

(Seriously, None)

To check this box, the series must not include any form of bullying—at school, at work, or even in a store. Yes, that rude salesperson with an attitude? Still counts as bullying.

No mean girls, no power-tripping bosses, no classmate drama, and no subtle insults disguised as “concern.”

If everyone treats each other with basic respect for once, congratulations—you found a unicorn. 🦄✨

🚫 No Slaps, No Punches

This one’s pretty straightforward—if anyone slaps someone, the box is lost.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the lead or a side character, whether it’s “deserved” or played for laughs. Violence is violence.

And yes, this also includes a dramatic punch from a male character. ✋👊

If everyone manages to keep their hands to themselves? That’s a win.

🚩 No Red Flag Male Lead

To check this box, the male lead must behave like an actual human being—not a walking 🚨.

No manipulation, no controlling behavior, no “if I can’t have you, no one can” energy.

Bonus red flags to watch for: jealousy turned violent, emotional blackmail, stalking, and of course—drugging someone (in a drink, sprayed, or otherwise) to get his way.

If he respects boundaries and doesn’t traumatize the love interest? Congrats, you’ve found a rare green flag in VertiLand. 💚

🎯 VertiBingo Grading Scale Explained

This isn’t your average Bingo game—this is how I measure how healthy, smart, and watchable a series really is beyond the drama 👀✨

✅ 5 boxes checked = A+
Perfect score! A rare gem in VertiLand that avoids all the major red flags. We love to see it! 🏆

✅ 4 boxes checked = A-
Still excellent! Just one slip-up, but overall a strong, well-balanced series.

✅ 3 boxes checked = B
Some flaws, but still enjoyable—enough good to outweigh the bad.

✅ 2 boxes checked = D
Yikes. Too many classic problems weighing this one down. Watch with caution.

✅ 1 box checked = F-
Barely made the cut. I’ll still post about it, but consider this a major Trigger Warning ⚠️. This means the series includes heavy red flags, and viewer discretion is strongly advised.

🎬 New Addition:
The Frustical Scale

Because frustration in VertiLand knows no limits…

Much like the Scoville Scale for spices, the Frustical Scale measures how painful a Vertical cliffhanger can be:

✅ 0 Frusticals → No cliffhanger
The story has closure (good or bad), and we can breathe easy.

🙂 500 Frusticals → Possible Part 2, but not necessary
Closure is there, though there’s room to continue.

😬 5,000 Frusticals → Closure sabotaged by a final twist
Remove the last episode, and you’d have an ending.

😡 25,000 Frusticals → So close, but they pulled a twist
A few more episodes would’ve given closure.

🤯 100K Frusticals → Major gaps left hanging
Plot twists unresolved, questions unanswered.

💀 1M Frusticals → Cut mid-action
No ending in sight—like stopping Titanic before it even hits the iceberg.

These are just examples, and the Frustical Score isn’t set in stone — it adjusts depending on the situation.