Home / Arts and Entertainment / Vertical Video Hit "From Rags to Rank One" Greenlit for Sequel
Vertical Video Hit "From Rags to Rank One" Greenlit for Sequel
28 Oct
Summary
- COL Group greenlights sequel to hit microdrama "From Rags to Rank One"
- Original series became a breakout hit in China with 2 billion views
- Sequel features enhanced production design, period costumes, and large-scale action
In a potential turning point for vertical video, COL Group has greenlit a sequel to its hit microdrama "From Rags to Rank One." This move signals the company's ambitions to expand beyond the typical CEO romances and supernatural love triangles that have dominated the format.
The original series, based on a popular novel, follows protagonist Xu Mu as he is thrust into a chaotic historical realm and journeys from basic survival to saving a nation. The show became a breakout hit in China, pulling in nearly a quarter-billion views on its first day and driving total views past the two billion mark.
The sequel ups the ante considerably, with a month-long production at Hengdian World Studios and a cast of more than 40 principal roles supported by a thousand-person crew. The scale includes enhanced production design, period-accurate wardrobe, and large-scale action set pieces—a significant leap for vertical content.
"This is a telling sign that the microdrama format is evolving," said Timothy Oh, general manager at COL Group. "What began as fast, snackable storytelling has transformed into a platform for long-form, serialized IPs that audiences truly connect with."
