Picture taken of Rakuten Viki The Xavierite
For many people, the love for Asian dramas can start with just a single episode. It could be from a friend’s recommendation, a small clip on TikTok, or maybe just from simple curiosity, which was exactly how it started for me.
At first, the fast moving subtitles might seem a little intimidating, but soon, the plot, the beautiful visuals or even the unexpected twists and turns start to pull you in, which makes it way too hard to stop watching.
It’s amazing. Once you start that first episode, it’s really easy to lose track of time. Before you know it, you’re up late at night, and you’re telling yourself, “Let’s just watch one more episode.” But if you’ve ever watched something truly engaging, you know how hard it is to stop, especially when the series is just that good.
What might have started out as curiosity, quickly turned into an interest, and you soon found yourself searching for more dramas from Korea, China, and so on. You weren’t alone. Over the past few years, Many Asian dramas have become a lot more popular around the world.
There are many aspects that always seem to pull viewers back in for more. As a person who likes many Asian dramas, there’s definitely something about the emotional part that always seems to draw me back in. It’s the way these shows make you feel so deeply connected to the characters, and even their struggles.
Even though the episodes might seem a little shorter than Western dramas and they rarely seem to even have a second season, they always manage to wrap everything up in just one season.
This type of pacing for a tv show can sometimes feel like a relief since you don’t have to wait months or even years for new seasons and endings with cliffhangers that make you question whether you should have even started the show.
Personally, as someone who also loves watching TV shows, sometimes you want to be able to feel everything in just one season, so it’s nice to watch a show from beginning to end and experience the whole story in just a short amount of time.
The stories in these dramas might seem dramatic sometimes, but the plots are very engaging, which makes it easy to forget how fast the episodes are going by.
I personally love dramas that are focused on love and friendship, and these seem to be common in many Asian dramas and are often shown in a genuine way.
One of the things that I really like about these shows is the fact that they tend to showcase their culture in many different ways. From the clothes the characters are wearing to the way family and traditions play such a huge role in the plot, every detail kind of helps you understand the culture more.
Personally, It’s amazing to see how different cultures approach things like love, relationships, and even day-to-day life.
After all that, you’re probably curious about where to start. So, here are a few dramas I’d recommend to get you started.
For Korean drama Beginners:
Descendants of the Sun (2016) – This drama falls under multiple genres, such as romance, action, and more. It’s a love story centered around a soldier and a doctor. They struggle in their lives due to their different professions but later reunite in a country at war. Together, they fight for love while saving lives.
Flower of Evil (2020) – This drama falls under thriller and romance. It’s about a detective husband who has a rare disorder that stops him from feeling emotion. She starts to investigate a murder, which leads to uncovering a few things that point right back to him. As his secret begins to be revealed, their relationship faces trouble.
For Chinese drama Beginners:
My Journey to You (2023) – This drama falls under historical romance. It’s about an assassin from an organization sent to infiltrate a powerful family. There, she meets a young master. They start to form a connection. As her secrets unfold, she has a choice to make.
The Untamed (2019) – This drama falls under fantasy and historical. It’s about two cultivators from different sects. Despite their differences, they form a strong bond and work together to uncover many secrets.
For Japanese Drama Beginners:
Silent (2020) – This drama falls under romance and drama. It’s about a young woman who falls in love with a man who is slowly losing his hearing. As they grow closer, she learns to communicate through sign language. Their relationship faces many challenges, but they try to get through it.
Alice in Borderland (2020) – This drama falls under thriller and action. It’s about a few friends who are transported to a place where they must play deadly games to survive.
Whether you’re looking for thrillers, romances, or fantasy, there’s many dramas to choose from that will suit your taste. Check out IQIYI, Netflix, and VIKI. Happy watching.