iQIYI launches Undercurrent Theater for short-form suspense dramas

iQIYI, China's leading online entertainment platform, launched on Aug 4 Undercurrent Theater, which it described as the industry's first dedicated brand for horizontal short-form suspense dramas.

Building on the foundation of its long-form Suspense Theater brand, the new label focuses on horizontal-screen productions with episodes ranging from 10 to 25 minutes. The dramas aim to combine cinematic production quality with concise storytelling to meet growing demand for premium short-form content.

With the tagline "Beneath the currents, truth lies", Undercurrent Theater will focus on suspense stories that explore human nature through crime, mystery and psychological investigation.

The brand's initial lineup includes three titles covering crime investigation, classic IP adaptation and suspense mystery.

The first release, Dead of Winter, is now available on both iQIYI and iQIYI International. Set in a small city in Northeast China in the late 1990s, the series follows a community police officer and a criminal investigator who reunite to solve a string of major criminal cases, uncovering an eight-year family tragedy.

Two additional productions are scheduled to follow. The VI Group of Fatal Case revisits a well-known crime franchise through a prequel, while The Murder Truth centers on a series of connected criminal cases, combining suspense with psychological investigation.

The launch reflects the rapid growth of China's short-form drama market, where audiences are increasingly seeking content that combines high production values with shorter viewing times.

The move follows the success of Rose Finch, a short-form drama blending folklore with scientific investigation. According to Enlightent, the series topped China's short-drama market for six consecutive days and reached a peak market share of 44 percent. The company said it will continue to expand its portfolio of genre-focused productions and invest in premium horizontal short-form dramas.