Netflix and other streaming services are largely to thank for the new international awareness of Southeast Asian series. While Southeast Asian series have long enjoyed local success, their introduction to the Western market has only increased their popularity.
Shows such as Crash Landing On You have the makings of an international sensation; romance, drama, suspense, action, and poignancy. For fans of the incredible South Korean series which follows a spoiled young woman into the heart of North Korea, forced to escape with the help of a sympathetic army captain, there's a wealth of other series to explore. Heads and hearts collide in these complex and emotional series. Tackling issues like gender expectations and awkward first loves, this selection of Southeast Asian series is hopefully only the beginning, as Netflix continues to expand its repertoire.
'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo'
Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) is a talented weightlifter at a sports university. When she’s not dominating the championships, she’s trying to gain the interest of her friend’s older brother, Jung Jae-yi (Lee Jae-yoon). While her friend, Jung Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk), teases her at first about her crush, he eventually realizes that he’s falling for Bok-joo as well.
A lighthearted coming-of-age story that blends sports drama with awkward and sweet teen romance, the show also prioritizes friendships, showing that love can come in many forms, and is no less important even if it isn’t romantic.
'Single’s Inferno'
Nine singles arrive in “Inferno,” a scorching-hot, deserted island. They’re forced to hike to fetch water and cook with meager ingredients, all while trying to romance a fellow contestant so that they can escape together to “Paradise." In Paradise, they share dates in a luxury hotel, so it’s no surprise that everyone is eager to pair up.
The show is narrated by a panel that comments on the contestants’ attempts at flirting. With a charming cast and a few twists, the show separates itself from most reality TV by keeping the drama low-key and focusing on small, shared moments on the island.
'Full House'
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This romantic Korean series utilizes a familiar trope, that of a “business” marriage. Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo) is an ambitious screenwriter bent on regaining the rights to her childhood home, but in order to do so, she needs to agree to marry the self-obsessed actor, Lee Yeong-jae (Rain). Although the show is a bit dated and relies heavily on tropes, the acting of the two leads was universally acclaimed, catapulting them both to stardom. The characters are spunky, witty, and carry the show to a satisfying conclusion. There’s also a Thai remake, which, while not on Netflix, became a hit in Indonesia.
'Terrace House: Boys & Girls In The City'
Another reality series, it’s worth bingeing for the light notes of romance and drama that attend the “terrace house," a house where three boys and three girls live together, go on dates, and pursue their individual passions. There are plenty of memorable moments throughout the season, from the “coward” omelet to Misaki’s unsuccessful attempt to win over the disinterested Hikaru by wearing a brand-new nightgown.
While there are plenty of fights, they often resolve surprisingly respectfully, and the friendship between the many housemates (who rotate out and are replaced as the series progresses), is heartwarming.
'My First First Love'
Five twenty-somethings end up living together due to various circumstances and must navigate college life, friendship, and first love blossoming in their shared home. The friends are from every walk of life, and this diverse group – from a college dropout to a wannabe musician cut off by his wealthy father – must learn how to co-exist with each other and help one another make it through their college years.
The love stories are sweet, while the depth of each of the characters allows for many plot lines to delve into.
'Girl From Nowhere'
While it’s darker than the other series on this list, like Crash Landing On You, there’s plenty of suspense. The Thai series follows a mysterious being in the form of a young girl, Nanno (Chicha Amatayakul), who uses her mysterious powers to punish her fellow schoolmates and teachers when she catches them engaging in perverse behavior.
Nanno’s presence acts as a catalyst to unveil the dark secrets of the school, which has been hiding behind its pristine reputation to mask the devious behavior of its denizens. Chilling, this anthology series has already become a hit in Thailand as well as Vietnam and the Philippines and is likely headed for international acclaim.
'So Not Worth It'
One of the most diverse K-dramas on this list, So Not Worth It is a quirky, colorful exploration of college dorm life in Seoul. The multicultural cast of students must navigate the usual trials of dorm life, such as petty thieves and awkward dating scenarios.
With sitcom-style laughs and vibrant editing, the show is as playful as it is relevant, showcasing the multicultural nature of Seoul and the negotiations between different perspectives as Thai, Korean, and Spanish students mingle. It’s already a top series in Thailand and Saudi Arabia, and sure to attract more international viewers if it gains a second season.
'I Can See You'
A Filipino romance anthology, I Can See You tells four separate love stories. Whether falling in love or trying to save a destabilized marriage, each of the characters’ stories portrays some aspect of what it means to love, and how that must be resolved with real-world problems that stand in the way of a happily ever after. The series is currently only available on Netflix Philippines, but will hopefully have a worldwide premiere soon.
Amo, a gritty Narcos-style series, is currently the only Filipino series to have debuted on Netflix, but hopefully, I Can See You and many others will soon follow.
'The Ghost Bride'
Similar to Crash Landing On You, The Ghost Bride tells the story of a very unlikely romance. In the British colony of Malacca in the 1890s, Pan Li-lan (Huang Pei-jia) is desperate to save her family from debt, so she agrees to marry the wealthy but dead Lim Tian-ching (Kuang Tian).
Married to a ghost, she is quickly confronted with the truth that his death is far more sinister than it first appeared, and she becomes embroiled in a supernatural world of ghosts and demons as she endeavors to track down Tian-ching’s murderer. The Taiwanese-Malaysian series isn’t too bogged down with historical details, instead serving up a sizzling Hollywood-style plot with just enough suspense, action, and romance to appeal to a wide range of viewers.
'Followers'
Several women whose lives are connected by social media cross paths in Tokyo. The successful and ambitious photographer, Limi Nara (Miki Nakatani), changes the life of the hopeful actress, Natsume Hyakuta (Elaiza Ikeda), when her photos go viral. The women confront pressure, both on and off social media, to conform to societal expectations.
The series deals with relevant topics such as motherhood, work-life balance, and friendship in the digital age. One could wish that a greater diversity of women are represented in the J-drama, such as better LGBTQ+ representation and body positivity, but it’s still a start towards acknowledging the many pressures that women face in a patriarchal world.