At first glance, Vigloo looks like a dream come true — a slick Korean vertical video platform promising to launch new creators into the spotlight. But behind the glossy branding and friendly onboarding calls, a growing number of production teams are calling foul on what they describe as “systematic exploitation disguised as opportunity.”
💰 The Credit Trap
Vigloo doesn’t own its own IP — and that’s where the trouble begins.
Producers say the company’s entire business model depends on convincing outside teams to develop scripts and shows for free under the guise of “collaboration.”
“They tell you they’re looking for ‘partners,’” one former collaborator said. “But what they really want is free development — scripts, casting lists, location scouting — and then they ghost you.”
Once a project is far enough along, sources claim, Vigloo either cancels abruptly or takes those materials to cheaper teams willing to shoot for half the price. Some producers call it “vertical vampirism” — draining creative teams dry before moving on to the next.
🎬 The Friendly Thief Routine
Multiple production houses have reported an eerily similar pattern: Vigloo’s in-house producers visit the set, act warm and supportive, then secretly recruit crew and line producers behind the company’s back.
“They’ll compliment your team, ask for contacts ‘for future projects,’ and then next month, your cinematographer’s shooting for Vigloo without you,” one executive producer told V for Vertical.
This isn’t one or two incidents — insiders describe it as a deliberate, repeatable tactic that’s now become the industry’s worst-kept secret.
🧾 The Fake Co-Investment Pitch
And then there’s the co-investment trap.
According to several teams, Vigloo has approached newer production companies with offers to “co-produce” or “co-invest” in a slate of vertical series — sometimes two or three at once — promising access to data and analytics. But once contracts are signed, the numbers vanish.
“They refuse to show their streaming metrics before investment,” said a Korean producer who lost money on three projects. “They claim to have global traffic, but the platform’s internal data shows almost no viewership.”
Some teams poured in tens of thousands of dollars, only to find their projects underperforming or unpublished.
🚨 The Red Flags
- Asks for multiple story outlines from reputable teams, but never follows up.
- Pushes co-investment deals with zero verifiable streaming data.
- Demands ultra-low budgets while positioning it as “career opportunity.”
- Poaches crews directly from their partners’ sets.
- Shields financial transparency, leaving investors blind.
🤝 The Bigger Problem
Vigloo’s behavior isn’t isolated — it’s emblematic of a new power imbalance in the vertical space. With the format exploding globally, newer platforms are popping up faster than unions can regulate them. The result? No accountability, no contracts honored, and no data transparency.
Many teams still take the bait — desperate for credits and recognition in a competitive market. But at what cost?
When creators are forced to work at a loss just to stay relevant, the system stops being a “creative revolution” and becomes a race to the bottom.
🔍 Our Take
It’s time for platforms to remember: without filmmakers, there’s no content.
Without trust, there’s no future. And for Vigloo — or anyone else banking on short-term exploitation — the word is out.
