Zhengzhou, a city in Central China, is known by industry insiders as China's "Vertical Hollywood" — a major hub for micro-drama production. To uncover the truth behind the screen, China Daily reporter Yan An went undercover as an extra to see it firsthand.

What she discovered reshaped her view of the industry. Once dismissed as low-budget and rough, vertical dramas are now becoming more grounded and more refined. The boom is breathing new life into local communities. A 600-year-old village has been repurposed into a professional filming hub, and even a villager's donkey can earn 500 yuan ($72.3) a day as an extra.

These down-to-earth stories do not compromise on quality. The industry is rapidly moving toward more professional, high-quality production that resonates with global audiences.

As 2026 marks the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), join Yan An in Zhengzhou to hi-five China's newest and most cinematic cultural phenomenon.