FanTalk: Where Vertical Drama Fans Speak Up 🎬💬

🎭 Acting Definition Acting is the art of embodying a character that is not yourself — breathing life into someone else’s story, emotions, and actions while knowing it begins and ends with the performance. When Acting Becomes Too Real for Fans Imagine this: you just landed your very first role, and it’s as a villain. […]

Imagine coming home after a long day at work. You’re tired, looking for a little escapism, so you grab your phone, open your favorite app, and start a Vertical. The first few episodes hook you instantly. You’re in. But then—paywall. Since you’re not a heavy binger, you skip the subscription and spend between $50–$70 in […]

The Shift From Toxic Tropes to Empowering Stories In a previous FanTalk, I spoke about the concerning trend of toxic or abusive male leads being glamorized in vertical dramas—and how this can be dangerous due to audience desensitization. Too often, we see female characters “forgive” years of psychological or physical mistreatment because the male lead […]

TL;DR Stories shape norms. When violent or degrading behavior is packaged as “romance,” younger viewers can become desensitized, more accepting of harm, and less likely to recognize red flags in real life. The data backs this up—and so does common sense. What the research says (and why it matters) Desensitization is real. Longitudinal research shows […]

In a previous FanTalk about Being a Fan, we explored parasocial relationships and how to manage them from a fan’s perspective.Today, let’s continue the conversation with Being a Fan – Part 2, focusing on one of the most important (and sometimes forgotten) parts of fandom culture: respect. When Excitement Crosses the Line Imagine this: You’ve […]

Vertical web dramas have quickly evolved from novelty content to a full-blown phenomenon, with fans across the globe craving romance, tension, and escapism in bite-sized episodes. But with that growth has also come a rise in toxicity—storylines relying on shock value, abuse, and outdated tropes. Thankfully, creatives are rewriting the rules. One of the most […]

A New Wave in VertiLand? Have you ever found yourself tired of toxic romances, misogyny, constant humiliation, and violence in Vertical Series? You’re not alone — and you’re definitely not overreacting. In today’s FanTalk, we’re diving into how the Vertical Drama space has evolved, the growing concerns among fans, and the creatives who are actively […]

FanTalk: The True Cost of Being a Vertical Lover 💸 Vertical dramas often revolve around billionaires, CEOs, and luxury lifestyles. But let’s get real—most of us aren’t rolling in cash like the characters we watch. And while I’m not here to give you an economics lecture, it’s time we talk about the real cost of […]

I’ve been thinking about writing this FanTalk for a while, hoping the “XL” trend in Verticals would simply fade away on its own. Unfortunately, it hasn’t, and after seeing yet another “promotion” today, I’m done staying quiet. The Disappointment Behind the Poster Imagine coming home from a tough day, ready to unwind with your favorite […]

🚨 New FanTalk: Let’s Talk About Bullying in VertiLand There’s a trend in some vertical series that’s been bothering me: endless bullying scenes that drag the story down instead of lifting it up. Yes, conflict is needed—but does the humiliation need to be on loop? 😖 When You Start Excited, But End Up Exhausted You […]

As we step into Pride Month, it’s the perfect time to open up a conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in vertical dramas. Today’s FanTalk is a heartfelt thank you and a call to action—for more diversity, more love stories, and more voices in the vertical space. A Big Thank You to the Creatives 🌈 Let’s start […]

🎭 Parasocial Relationships in the Vertical Space: When Fandom Feels Personal Imagine this: you’re scrolling through your favorite vertical drama app. You binge a series that totally consumes you—it’s emotional, addictive, and your favorite actor is in it. Excited, you head to Instagram to send them a heartfelt DM. After all, they often reply to […]