Guide to Netflix Asian TV Series and more it is the guide that is right for you in this particular period that we are experiencing. Due to the quarantine, present throughout our country, it is necessary to keep ourselves busy as much as possible and spend our time indoors.
We are here to direct you to a particular section of the Netlix catalog, that is the Asian one, suggesting you TV series that could make you spend these days in peace.
Beyond that we are going to suggest you too other products, present on another platform, in case the Asian TV series become yours absolute favorite (which I hope!).
Special guide to Netflix's Asian TV series (and more)
During this quarantine period, the best thing to do is to find numerous activities to do around the house and stay there without making a fuss. If you find yourself in a harrowing situation, that is, one in which you have already finished all the series that you had on the list, I suggest you broaden your horizons and to browse through a catalog of the Netflix section: the Asian one.
See all first weaponsMost likely, let me illustrate some features of this new genre. Compared to the TV series that we are used to seeing nowadays, the Asian genre can be considered very particular: first of all, you will find always current issues e newspapers, which are part of the everyday life of Asians.
Depending on the country, these issues will be addressed more sensitive o hard. There are some Asian TV series that literally throw the harsh truth of certain aspects of life in your face. If your purpose is to have fun, do not think too much e unplug, I recommend mainly Chinese series: they usually tend to be (at least from what I've seen) much more playful and witty.
If you want to go on a trip, I recommend the Korean ones. The Japanese ones are a mix of the two, neither too hard nor too delicate: of course, then it always depends on the type of series you choose to see. In addition to this change of course, another substantial difference will be the language.
I'll tell you here and I'll probably repeat it later but it never hurts to read it several times: it's about Different countries with distant cultures from ours, literally a another world, that's why language differences, especially in the beginning, will make themselves felt very hard. Don't worry, you will slowly get used to it.
Finally, I believe that this genre is able to show us a new side of the world, a side to which we usually do not give much weight because, in fact, “it is not ours”. There are many moral lessons that are shown to us in the Asian series and I hope you will be able, over time, to understand them all.
That said, my dear readers, in addition to the famous ones five tv series that I suggested to you a few years ago, and that you absolutely must see, I have selected others that could be for you.
Crash Landing on You
The first series is Crash Landing on You, 2019 Korean drama that landed on the streaming platform earlier this year. The series is about Yoon Se-ri, a wealthy heiress who, during a paragliding exercise, crosses the border with North Korea due to the strong wind.
Not knowing how to return to her homeland, she meets the young officer Ri Jeong-hyuk, who offers to help and protect her. Over time the two will begin to have feelings for each other, despite the constant and suffocating tension present between their countries and differences.
If you remember my famous speech in which I highlighted the differences between Japanese, Chinese and Koreans (obviously these are impressions I personally had) you will remember that Koreans, unlike the Chinese for example, tend to be much more realistic on the themes that face and also deep, with slight additions of good trash.
This TV series, putting aside the forbidden love story that will surely make you dream from the first episodes, highlights the differences between the North and South of Korea. Obviously these differences, especially at the level of dialect and pronunciation, you will not be able to notice them immediately.
But I assure you that after a few episodes you will begin to notice.
Here, too, I do not stop reminding you of this detail: obviously, since these are languages and cultures that are different and far from ours, it is normal feel disoriented e to think that actors don't know how to act. I thought so too, at the beginning of my Asian adventure.
Over time, however, I learned to get used to them new and particular sounds, managing to distinguish good acting from bad. In Crash Landing on You the actors are very good and they manage to give depth to their characters. In particular, the actor who plays Ri Jeong-hyuk, who goes from being a cold and detached soldier, to a man who finally manages to fall in love with a woman.
The central key to this series is, as mentioned before, the difference between North and South. These differences were realized so well that the series, in addition to being one of the most viewed, was particularly appreciated by North Korean deserters.
Thanks to some internet research, I also found that a professor at Chungnam National University named Yun Suk-jin said that the series “changed stereotypes about North Korea and candidly showed that it's also a place where people live. "
It is a series capable of showing a particular vision of the country, of what people think and the vision they have of "foreigners".
Abyss e Terrace House
The second series, also of Korean style, is Abyss. Go Se-yeon is a good-looking legal attorney at the top of his career and Cha Min is his best friend, an unattractive rich guy and the head of a major cosmetics empire.
Due to a strange accident, Cha Min dies and awakens in another body, one more attractive and different thanks to Abyss, a celestial object able to bring back anything dead: once brought back to life, people take on the appearance of their soul.
Go Se-yeon is later murdered and Cha Min manages to bring her back to life thanks to the Abyss. After explaining to their friend what happened, the two team up to find out who killed Go Se-yeon.
This series kept me hooked on television for two days straight and it was illuminating, really well done. This is the first series detective style with fantasy element I've ever seen (for now).
The series is intriguing and able to keep you attached to the television in a very simple but effective way. Also there are several twists that will literally make you speechless, increasing interest in the series.
Many have complained about the banality of some stylistic choices, or the fact that the situations represented were all too “impossible” but, in short, it's a TV series, I think it's normal. For the rest, I can say I stayed pleasantly surprised by the finish and to have started with about a thousand "aw" at the sight of the characters together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qBl7_t0M_U
The third product that I want to suggest is not a TV series, but a japanese reality show and it's Terrace House. Let's say it's a subspecies of Big Brother ma (and I emphasize it) achieved much better for the following reasons: it's not vulgar, follows a lot the passions of the participants (whose age is between 16 and 35 years approximately), will make you laugh heartily and represents the reality.
The reality show has as protagonists you're guys, three males and three females, of mixed age and follows their daily events both inside the house where they live and during their outings, work days etc. On Netflix you can find various editions, including the one shot in Hawaii, the one in Tokyo and Karuizawa (my favorite, if you're interested).
It is a cool program, in which there is no lack of squabbles and love stories, intrigues and tear-jerking situations: in short, a little bit of everything. The presenters, who after about ten minutes from the program will comment live in a studio, are hilarious, witty e original.
Terrace House is a pleasant program to watch, which will make you spend some quiet afternoons, lightly seasoned with gossip and "oh no, chick X had to be with Y!". The whole will feature healthy Japanese humor: you will thank me, I'm sure.
Triad Princess e One Spring Night
The fourth is Triad Princess, Taiwanese TV series and ranked as Netflix's second original series in Mandarin. Her protagonist is Angie, a young girl who has lived her whole life in the shadow of her father, the head of the Triad (a criminal organization of a mafia type).
Angie would like to be more independent: for this reason, she challenges her father and starts working as an undercover bodyguard for a famous actress.
You know very well what Chinese-style TV series and the like are: trash, funny e wonderfully trashy. Obviously it is a comic trash, funny, able to put a smile on the face of those who are watching the series. Triad Princess is a great product, also featuring hilarious twists and actors.
The protagonist, for example, makes me die with laughter every time she appears on the screen. The plot is also, in some respects, very interesting and also innovative.
If you want to spend an afternoon (the series has only 6 episodes) fun and seasoned with a bit of martial arts, punches and baby elephants in love, is the series for you. To understand the last reference, you should see the series.
Remember Something in the Rain, that famous series that I probably forced you to watch (complete with a gun aimed at your head)? Here you are, One Spring Night it's the same caliber - and my gun too. A series of this kind goes beyond all expectations e gives unique emotions, almost heavenly.
The series is about Lee Jung-in, a librarian who has been engaged for four years to Kwon Ki-seok, a banker who attended the same university as Yoo Ji-ho, a pharmacist and a single father. Lee Jung-in and Yoo Jin-ho meet one morning, unexpectedly, when she walks into the pharmacy where the boy works to buy something that can alleviate her hangover from the previous night.
But the girl realizes that she has forgotten her wallet at her friend's house: Jin-ho reassures the girl and tells her that she can pay it the next day. After exchanging her phone number, the boy also lends her money to take a taxi to work.
From that moment on, an intense but troubled love story begins that will need to grow and blossom, like a flower in spring.
We know what Koreans are like: tougher themes e Really. Apparently, in Korea, a single father it is not well regarded by society or, in this case, from his future girlfriend's family. The protagonist, Lee Jung-in, finds herself at a crossroads: on one side make parents happy and marry a man she has known for a long time and with a stable job but with whom, unfortunately, the routine has overcome love, destroying it literally.
On the other make herself happy, being with a man who, despite having a mediocre job and a child, makes her feel loved, respected and unique. A man able to give her everything even if he has nothing in his hand (or pocket).
We will see the parental concern about him, who don't know whether to trust this girl who claims to be in love with their son. They know the risks involved in starting a relationship in the conditions in which they find themselves. We will see the concern of her parents who just want security and stability for their daughter.
We will also see the concerns of the two protagonists: Lee Jung-in, struggling with these new and unexpected feelings and the anxiety of doing the right thing; then there is Yoo Jin-ho, seriously in love for the second time in many years and, at the same time, afraid for himself, For his son, for his feelings.
The series, just to push you even more to see it, was created by creators di Something in the Rain (soundtrack and artists included). Who would have thought that, huh? It is a intense e deep journey that will make you fall in love.
Romance is a Bonus Book e My Holo Love
Netflix's next original tv series is Romance is a Bonus Book and is one of the most popular Korean dramas in TV history. The series is about Kang Dan-i, a mother and a successful former advertising copywriter. When the woman goes through a very difficult moment in her life, characterized mainly by her divorce with her husband, she tries to get back into the working world but with little success.
Unfortunately it has reached that age in which it is considered "Too old" and companies prefer younger (and cheaper) interns. One day, following some events, she will find herself working with Cha Eun-oh, a successful author, senior editor at a book publishing house and a close childhood friend of the woman.
The two will find themselves facing a series of challenges, most notably Dan-i, and slowly they will be able to understand how they feel about each other.
The fact that the series was set in a book publishing house immediately caught my attention. Here too, as always, we find a great representation of the Korean business landscape and the problems that a woman has to face when she decides to get back on track and work after several years.
In addition to being characterized by a fresh, fun soundtrack and special twists, what I love about this series is that closer look at the publishing world, problems that employees are facing, gods successes and satisfactions related to this work.
It is also pleasant to see the way in which a team manages to relate and remain united in the face of the adversities and problems that everyday life, especially working life, puts in our path.
Romance is a Bonus Book is also capable of give people a boost, of give them an extra pinch of confidence, reminding them of never break down and that it will be possible to achieve the desired goals. The important thing is to commit and smile.
This TV series that I want to suggest to you, the latest Netflix license plate, is My holo love. This is one of the last series I have seen (in fact I have to start looking for others).
The series stars Han So-yeon, a young woman suffering from prosopagnosia, which is a disease that prevents her from distinguishing people's features. Due to this problem, the girl decides to isolate herself from the world. In fact, she finds it difficult to recognize her workmates, who most of the time consider her a rude person because she "never says hello". Unfortunately, however, they do not know about her illness.
Subsequently, the girl has the possibility of using Holo, an artificial intelligence visible through a simple pair of glasses and, obviously, visible only to the person who is wearing them. Holo will help her overcome her fears and make her more confident, especially in the workplace. The physical appearance of this artificial intelligence is the same as Go Nan-do, its creator.
The first thing I thought after watching the first episode was: "That's cool, I too would like to have a similar pair of glasses!". Aside from this, My Holo Love is one of the most unusual TV series I've ever seen so far - and believe me I've seen quite a few.
Il theme is not taken for granted but indeed, very interesting and well developed. As always, and this also applies to the other series suggested above, I found some capable actors and able to give the audience their best interpretation.
- special effects are extremely realistic and it is interesting to imagine actually owning a similar object, able to help us in certain situations and make us feel less alone, more appreciated. What struck me is the fact that the protagonist is not totally incorporated from this artificial intelligence.
In his place it would have been very easy to isolate oneself even more; the creators of the series instead wanted to emphasize how this Holo has benefited her life, allowing her to be more involved in going out with her workmates, more sunny and more open to talking about her illness.
I'm sure this series will also be able to make its way into your heart.
Netflix Asian series guide: here's the much more
That was the last Netflix series I wanted you to suggest, obviously on the platform there are many others and of all kinds. If you have reached this point you have becomethe maniacs of the Asian series, like myself, the time has come to introduce you to a platform created specifically for this genre.
The platform in question is called Viki and is perfect for anyone who loves Asian series. You can decide to subscribe, mainly to be able to see the serie in HD e without advertising breaks. I don't have a subscription, personally I don't find a bit of advertising annoying and the quality of the video, I'm honest, it's not bad.
Some products are not visible in our country, but will become so over time, it depends on the release date and the various copyrights. Here I have found a new world, literally. I have selected for you three tv series that I was able to see on this platform and that I really enjoyed. I will avoid going too far, otherwise I risk being shot.
The first is Goblin (or even Guardian: The Lonely and Great God) and is about Kim Shin, a general who lived during the Goryeo dynasty. Due to a harmful gesture towards his own king, he endangers his own army and his own family.
At the point of death he is condemned by God to an endless life, thus transforming him into a dokkeaebi, an immortal entity whose purpose is to protect souls. The only way to end his existence is to find his human bride, the only one able to free his soul and make him rest in peace.
I enjoyed the historical theme, characterized by exceptional costumes and plot, intriguing until the last episode, touching and profound.
The second is Descendants of the Sun: Yoo Si-jin is the captain of a South Korean special forces unit. Due to a minor accident, he ends up in the hospital and meets Dr. Kang Mo-yeon and falls in love with her immediately. The two begin dating but due to his work, the few dates they have had fail miserably.
Soon after, Si-jin leaves for Urk with his soldiers. The doctor, however, after refusing the advances of the director of her hospital, is sent eight months later to Urk, to direct the medical team in the area. The two will finally have the opportunity to get closer again, while they will be forced to deal with diplomatic cases, epidemics and natural disasters.
I enjoyed it incredibly The actors, stand out and perfect, the settings and in particular and topics dealt with during the episodes, hard and tremendously real.
The third and final is While you Were Sleeping: The protagonist is Nam Hong-joo, a television reporter with the ability to see unhappy events, mainly the deaths of others, in her dreams. Although she doesn't know when they will occur, the young woman goes to great lengths to prevent them from becoming a reality.
One day, Jung Jae-chan, a prosecutor at the beginning of his career, moves into the house next to hers. One night, the boy dreams of having a car accident that will lead to the death of the girl and her mother: after intervening, thus managing to change the course of events, the two begin to collaborate, even with agent Han Woo-tak who possesses the same "power" to try to understand the origin of their gift and thus save the lives of others.
What did I like about this series? Virtually everything, from the actors to the soundtrack, from the extremely rare theme to the captivating plot full of twists. Is it in my top three? Absolutely yes.
Here I conclude the guide, hoping not to be shot from a distance by anyone who reads it and happy to have illustrated this particular and interesting world.
