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Technology
How soapy micro dramas became Hollywood’s next big bet
Once upon a time (read: a few years ago), there were a pair of upstart streaming services called Quibi and Go90 that were supposed to appeal to phone-addicted millennials. These platforms were supposed to compete with Netflix and Amazon by offering up short-form videos designed to be watched on the go. Both services were touted as being the future of entertainment, and they had sizable financial backing. But neither Quibi nor Go90 managed to gain any real traction before their names became shorthand for “bad ideas exemplifying how out of touch studio and telecom execs can be.”
Quibi and Go90 were not long for this world, and much has been written about how they were doomed from the jump. Quibi was oddly expensive, Go90’s landscape mode-focused branding confused people, and neither service made it easy to share their content on other platforms. Back then, people — especially here in the West — laughed at the idea of watching scripted series that were meant to be viewed on a smartphone. But that same basic concept began to take off in China as the covid-19 pandemic ground the entertainment industry to a halt and forced movie theaters to close. Some were supernatural period dramas, while others were romantically charged thrillers set in the modern day. And their stories were all filled with wild twists that played out over the course of dozens of episodes.
In 2025, “micro drama” companies like DramaBox and ReelShort have demonstrated that there actually is an audience willing to pay for content that can be consumed in small, quick bites. And the recent micro drama boom has been a fascinating case study in old, failed ideas finding wild success in the present day because the way people think about and interact with media has changed.
When you open up any of the dedicated micro drama apps, you can see that the companies behind them took notes from social media platforms like TikTok and streaming services like Netflix in order to create a new, slop-filled third kind of thing. You’re immediately presented with a grid of posters for multipart series whose “episodes” each run for about two minutes max. And the titles — gems like I Kissed a CEO and He Liked It, Betrayed Alpha Queen Rises from the Ashes, and The Unwanted Wife Strikes Back — are as self-explanatory as they are ridiculous. Almost all of the shows involve elements of pulpy romance and women getting revenge after being scorned for not embodying the “right kind” of womanhood or femininity.
Many of the series frame fertility, motherhood, and werewolf / Omegaverse culture as the things that define their heroines’ sense of self. And while these female characters are often introduced as people who are able to fend for themselves independently, their main goal is usually to find a man who can sweep them off their feet and take care of all their worldly needs.
Micro dramas’ overwhelming focus on stories about downtrodden damsels in distress speaks to the fact that female viewers make up a substantial chunk of these platforms’ subscriber base. On some level, these series are tapping into the same kind of tawdry energy that kept the romance lit space humming along even as the larger publishing industry has seen a steady drop in sales. But unlike romance novels from traditional publishing houses with rigorous editorial processes, there’s a slapdash shoddiness to micro dramas’ production values that reflects how incredibly inexpensive they are to make compared to a Netflix or Hulu original.
That relative cheapness is one of the major reasons that ReelShort and DramaBox — which are backed by Chinese and Singaporean companies, respectively — have been making a bigger push into Western markets over the past few years. That’s also why US-owned studios like GammaTime and MicroCo are starting to pop up. It doesn’t seem to bother viewers that basically everything about micro dramas, from the writing to the acting to the lighting, is absolutely terrible. Globally, the micro drama industry is expected to rake in about $3 billion by the end of the year thanks to the platforms’ surprisingly aggressive and gamified pricing strategies. And with Hollywood execs deciding to get more serious about making micro dramas, the business has become something of an unexpected boon for young actors, writers, and production workers trying to maintain careers within a contracting job market.
Though you would be hard-pressed to find a micro drama that felt like a strong piece of storytelling, there’s no denying that people are paying to watch them at a time when traditional streamers have been struggling to draw in new subscribers. Are series like Carrying His Triplets, Becoming His Wifey, and Found a Homeless Billionaire Husband for Christmas destined to become mainstream pop cultural phenomenons? Probably not. But these kinds of projects are keeping people employed and making enough of a profit to justify their existence.
By launching a new kind of labor contract designed to address “the unique needs” of actors working on serialized micro dramas, like ensuring they’re paid a fair wage and earn screen credits for their labor, SAG-AFTRA has sent a signal to the rest of the entertainment industry about this kind of content’s future potential. These shows might not be particularly good right now, but that could change if the studios put more effort into producing them. And even if micro dramas were to stick to their current style of stilted acting / lackluster directing / weak writing, their success right now suggests that their subscribers might not really be interested in something “better.”
As different segments of the tech and entertainment industries vie for people’s attention, micro dramas feel like an unusually strong contender. Micro dramas don’t quite add up to streaming series in the way we typically think of them, and they don’t exactly scratch the same “look watch some randos do stuff” itch that TikTok is built for. Ironically, ReelShort and DramaBox’s success feels like a direct byproduct of the way that TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have gotten people into the habit of endlessly scrolling through vertically shot video. But these micro dramas are their own weird thing that have carved out a unique niche and found a ravenous audience in the process. And if these new platforms can keep their upward momentum going, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see their streaming and social media competitors rushing to make the similar content of their own.
- More and more micro drama production houses are embracing generative artificial intelligence into their workflows to keep production costs down while churning content out even faster. As ill-suited as the tech generally is for more polished projects, it makes a lot of sense for the style these kinds of shows are known for. It’ll be interesting to see if micro dramas’ use of AI will become a point of contention for the human actors relying on these projects for work.
- Micro dramas’ rise in prominence also happens to coincide with a sharp downturn of film and TV production in Los Angeles. That’s another reason more performers are turning to the platforms to stay afloat, and this moment could be a choice opportunity for micro dramas to establish themselves as a viable source of entertainment.
- Though micro dramas are currently on the come up, this Puck piece does an excellent job of illustrating some of the challenges these platforms will be up against as their growth leads to market saturation.
- It’s important to understand just how hostile toward users basically all of the big micro drama apps are. Janko Roettgers’ recent piece here breaks down what makes these apps feel so predatory, and how many of them have been informed by mobile gaming’s freemium model.
- The Ankler had a great sit-down with ReelShort CEO Joey Jia about how the company’s approach to monetization turned it into a billion-dollar business. The piece also includes a chat with actor Kasey Esser about how working on micro dramas has had a profound impact on his career.
- SAG-AFTRA’s micro drama contract makes it seem like the union is being proactive about shifts within the entertainment industry. But this Variety piece digs into how the new contract was — at least partially — a response to the fact that some actors were just deciding to work nonunion.
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Technology
Michael and Susan Dell surpass $1 billion in donations backing AI-driven hospital project
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Billionaire Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell, have become the first donors to give more than $1 billion to the University of Texas at Austin, funding a massive new medical research campus and hospital system powered by artificial intelligence.
The couple’s latest investment includes a $750 million gift to help build the UT Dell Medical Center, a planned “AI-native” hospital expected to open in 2030 as part of a more than 300-acre advanced research campus.
University officials said the project will integrate research, clinical care and advanced computing to improve early disease detection, personalize treatment and expand access to care in the rapidly growing Austin region.
The Dells’ support builds on decades of contributions to UT, including funding for its medical school, scholarships and research programs.
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Michael Dell and Susan Dell attend the Breakthrough Prize ceremony as they become the first to donate more than $1 billion to the University of Texas at Austin. ( Craig T Fruchtman/WireImage)
“By bringing together medicine, science and computing in one campus designed for the AI era, UT can create more opportunity, deliver better outcomes, and build a stronger future for communities across Texas and beyond,” Michael Dell and Susan Dell said.
The gift ranks among the largest in the history of higher education, alongside major contributions like Phil Knight’s $2 billion pledge to Oregon Health & Science University and Michael Bloomberg’s $1.8 billion donation to Johns Hopkins University.
The new UT Dell Medical Center will be developed in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center, integrating cancer care into a system designed to connect prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
AI IS RUNNING THE CLASSROOM AT THIS TEXAS SCHOOL, AND STUDENTS SAY ‘IT’S AWESOME’
The University of Texas at Austin campus at sunset. (iStock)
“We will deliver better outcomes for patients by providing research-driven cancer care that is precise, compassionate and hope-filled,” Peter WT Pisters, president of UT MD Anderson, said.
Officials said the facility will be built from the ground up to incorporate AI, rather than retrofitting older infrastructure — an approach they say could transform how hospitals operate.
Independent experts have cautioned that AI in health care can introduce risks if not carefully validated. A widely cited study published in the journal Science by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Chicago found that a commonly used healthcare algorithm underestimated the needs of Black patients due to biased training data, highlighting broader concerns about equity in AI-driven systems.
The project also includes funding for undergraduate scholarships, student housing and the Texas Advanced Computing Center, where officials are developing one of the nation’s most powerful academic supercomputers.
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Artificial intelligence technology is expected to play a key role in diagnosis and patient care at the planned UT Dell Medical Center. (iStock)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the investment will help position the state as a national leader in healthcare innovation.
“Texas already dominates in technology, energy and business, and now we will further cement our leadership in health care innovation as well,” Abbott said.
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The university said it plans to break ground on the medical center later this year and has launched a broader campaign to raise $10 billion over the next decade.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
SpaceX and Cursor are now working closely together to create the world’s best coding and knowledge work AI.
The combination of Cursor’s leading product and distribution to expert software engineers with SpaceX’s million H100 equivalent Colossus training supercomputer will allow us to build the world’s most useful models.
Cursor has also given SpaceX the right to acquire Cursor later this year for $60 billion or pay $10 billion for our work together.
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If you’ve ever clicked “Check for updates” and trusted what you saw, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what this latest scam is counting on.
The page mimics official branding, includes a believable knowledge base number and presents a big blue download button that feels familiar.
The catch? The download installs malware designed to steal passwords, payment details and account access.
According to researchers at Malwarebytes Labs, a cybersecurity research and threat intelligence team inside Malwarebytes, the site uses a typosquatted domain that looks close enough to a real Microsoft URL to fool a quick glance. That small trick is often all it takes.
APPLE APP PASSWORD SCAM EMAIL WARNING
Cybersecurity researchers warn a fake Microsoft update site uses a look-alike URL and a familiar download button to deliver data-stealing malware. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Why this fake Windows update malware slips past detection
At first glance, nothing seems off. The file looks like a standard Windows installer. It even lists “Microsoft” in its properties. That’s where this attack gets clever. Instead of using obvious malicious code, the attackers built the installer with legitimate tools and layered the attack in stages. Each piece looks harmless on its own.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
- The installer launches what appears to be a normal app
- That app quietly runs hidden scripts
- A disguised process loads a full Python environment
- Data theft tools activate in the background
Because each step looks routine, many security tools fail to flag it right away. Researchers also noted that antivirus engines initially showed zero detections for key parts of the attack. That does not mean the file is safe. It means the malicious behavior is well hidden.
What this fake Windows update malware is stealing
Once installed, the malware gets to work fast. It collects details about the infected device, including location and IP address. Then it reaches out to remote servers to receive instructions and upload stolen data.
The targets include:
- Saved browser passwords
- Login sessions and cookies
- Payment details
- Discord account tokens
It even tries to shut down other processes on your system to avoid interference while it works. In some cases, it modifies apps like Discord to intercept account activity in real time.
How the fake Windows update malware stays on your system
This malware is designed to stick around. It creates entries that look like normal system processes, so they blend in. One registry entry mimics Windows Security Health, which most users would ignore. It also drops a shortcut in your startup folder with a familiar name like Spotify. That makes it easy to overlook. Two different persistence tricks mean it can survive a reboot and keep running.
FAKE WINDOWS UPDATE PUSHES MALWARE IN NEW CLICKFIX ATTACK
A fake Windows update page is tricking users into downloading malware that steals passwords, payment details and account access. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)
Why this fake Windows update scam feels so real
There’s a bigger trend behind this. Researchers say campaigns like this often target regions where large data breaches have already exposed personal information. When attackers already know your name, provider or habits, they can build scams that feel tailored to you. That makes a fake Windows update page far more believable than a generic phishing email.
It also highlights something important. Today’s malware often hides inside legitimate tools and trusted frameworks. That makes it harder to detect and easier to trust. This campaign shows how far scammers have come. They are no longer relying on sloppy emails or obvious fake links. Instead, they are building layered attacks that look and behave like trusted software.
Even experienced users can get caught off guard when everything appears normal. The biggest takeaway is simple. A clean scan result or a familiar interface does not guarantee safety.
Microsoft says it’s aware of the threat
Microsoft confirmed it is tracking this type of activity and urges users to be cautious when downloading updates from unfamiliar sources.
“We are aware of reports of fraudulent websites impersonating Microsoft, and we actively work to detect and disrupt malicious activity across the internet,” A Microsoft spokesperson told CyberGuy. “We encourage customers to be cautious of unexpected prompts or downloads and to verify that they are interacting with legitimate Microsoft domains. As a best practice, we recommend users verify the legitimacy of a link by going directly to our website from your own saved favorite, from a web search, or by typing the domain name yourself.”
For more guidance on how to protect against online phishing scams, you can refer to Microsoft’s official support page at support.microsoft.com.
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A convincing Windows update scam is spreading malware that can grab saved passwords, cookies, payment data and Discord tokens. (Todor Tsvetkov/Getty Images)
Ways to stay safe from fake Windows update malware
You don’t need to be a security expert to avoid this. A few habits make a big difference.
1) Only update Windows from your settings
Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates there. Avoid downloading updates from websites.
2) Double-check the URL
Real Microsoft pages use microsoft.com. Anything else, even if it looks close, should raise a red flag.
3) Be cautious with urgent update prompts
If a site or message pressures you to install an update, stop and verify it manually.
4) Use strong antivirus software with behavior detection
Traditional antivirus software, which often comes built into your device or as basic security software, mainly looks for known threats using signature matching, which means it can miss new or well-hidden attacks like this one. Strong antivirus software uses behavior detection to monitor what programs are doing in real time, helping flag suspicious activity even if the malware hasn’t been seen before. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
5) Use a data removal service to limit your exposure
If your personal information is already circulating online from past breaches, it can make scams like this more convincing. A data removal service helps reduce how much of your information is publicly available, making it harder for attackers to target you with tailored phishing attempts. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
6) Turn on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection if your passwords are stolen.
7) Avoid downloading installer files from unknown sites
Legitimate updates rarely require manual downloads.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Fake updates are one of the most effective tricks because they tap into something we all trust. Keeping your system secure should not put you at risk, yet that’s exactly what attackers are exploiting here. The safest move is to slow down, verify where updates come from and stick to built-in tools whenever possible.
Are tech companies doing enough to keep fake updates from putting your data at risk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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