Jane The Virgin. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Bridgerton.
Romance shows have dominated the American entertainment industry for as long as people could remember. They provide the public with the perfect channel of escape from reality, which can sometimes be stressful and ugly. However, this popularity doesn’t apply only to America, as many Asian countries also have iconic romance shows, called dramas, that garner millions of views every week. Despite the differences between these shows, several factors contribute to the attractiveness and popularity of Asian dramas, such as the original soundtracks that accompany every drama.
I grew up watching dramas, so choosing only a few of them to recommend was a hard task. However, the four listed below are not only dramas with exceptional storylines and character developments but also come from all parts of Asia.
- F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers
Anyone immersed in Asian dramas will know the iconic Boys Over Flowers. Originating from a Japanese shoujo manga, Boys Over Flowers has remakes in Taiwan, Korea, and now, Thailand. F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers is a current drama that features well-developed characters, progressive plots, and swoon-worthy moments. It’s a drama that efficiently deals with the darker aspects of bullying and addresses the importance of giving people a second chance. The female character is realistic because she stands up for her beliefs but is troubled by her insecurities; her character isn’t strong to the point that she becomes a cliche. In addition, the side characters have their own personalities, characteristics that make them human and likable. Taken as a whole, it’s definitely, in my opinion, the best Boys Over Flowers remake.
- Ashes of Love
Chinese dramas tend to take viewers on a journey of agony and pain before giving them the main couple’s happy ending. Ashes of Love, a hit drama from 2018, embodies all the elements of typical Chinese dramas and more. There are breathtaking computer graphic images and beautiful traditional costumes. The drama’s setting brings to life the myths and legends of Chinese immortals and angels. Also, this drama heavily emphasizes friendships between characters who share and don’t share the same blood and the circumstances that can bring these relationships together and apart. Nobody is right or wrong in this drama; instead, everyone is a product of the environment they have grown up in. Nonetheless, even though everything should be viewed from an objective perspective; when you end up falling in love with all the characters, you have no choice but to feel frustrated and take sides.
- Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
A Korean drama produced in 2016 and based on the real-life story of Olympic weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo takes viewers on an emotional ride of friendship, love, growing up, and achieving one’s dreams. I would describe this drama as nostalgic and relatable because every person in their 20s goes through a phase of uncertainty. Like every other college student, the main character struggles with her image versus the image she puts out for the public. Since weightlifters have to obtain certain body weights to compete in different categories, the female lead is constantly conflicted between her decision to adhere to Korea’s beauty standards and her desire to fit in with everyone else. The drama shows her journey of self-confidence, discovery, and finding what choices provide her the most comfort. It also depicts the pain of unrequited crushes and the sweetness of first love. Finally, this drama breaks another stereotype by taking typical romantic cliches – such as catching a falling girl and blocking a girl from being splashed on – and twists them into realistic depictions of what humans normally do.
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Don’t be fooled by this title. This romance anime not only focuses on the main lead’s romantic journey but also tackles many social issues present in today’s world. The premise of this anime is that people are developing a syndrome that makes them invisible to other people. In the series, after further investigation, they find out that they’re usually dealing with internal conflicts, such as being bullied or not accepting a traumatic event. It’s almost as if the viewers are conducting a full psychoanalysis on the characters, delving into their pasts and figuring out the best ways to heal and grow. Even though there are sweet and funny parts, the anime is relatively dark, covering issues still relevant in today’s society. Watch this anime for its gorgeous art, riveting plotlines, and relatable characters.
Final Thoughts
Dramas can easily fall into a cliche hole, but those four have constantly held up with the changing values and standards of what constitutes a good romance. Now, if you ever have a free night with nothing to do, be sure to check these out. Who knows? You might find more Asian dramas that you enjoy!
Featured Image By Ivana Darancou