Beijing Review

The Vertical Revolution

In a bygone era, Rong Dai, an esteemed empress, fell victim to foul play. Awakening in 2023, she found she had become a modern-day magnate’s wife, unloved by her husband. At an auction, Rong spent a hefty sum of her husband’s money to reclaim a jade pendant—a cherished gift from her father thousands of years ago, and pledged to repay the money before concluding the loveless marriage.

With a mouth full of ancient proverbs, a penchant for finding novelty in everything, and a flair for confronting romantic rivals, the lady’s transformed demeanor rekindled her husband’s love for her. Additionally, her authentic portrayal of an empress during an audition earned her a spot in a play, leading to a successful career in drama. Rong reaped a double harvest of success in both love and career.

This is the Digital-only micro-series, a recently prominent genre, is primarily consumed on mobile phones. Typically spanning between 50 and 100 episodes, each lasting under two minutes, these lowbudget productions make use of fast-paced narratives. They are characterized by strong theatricality and condensed yet suspenseful storylines, featuring a cascade of unexpected twists.

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