Asian dramas like
Bland You

After losing her mother, a high school student named Marimo embarks on a journey to meet her estranged father, Shinpei, whom she had never known. To her surprise, Shinpei turns out to be a 38-year-old aspiring private detective, very different from the father she had imagined. Despite initial disbelief, Shinpei eventually accepts Marimo as his daughter after seeing the necessary documents. As they navigate their newfound relationship, Marimo labels Shinpei as "The worst father in the world" while Shinpei mourns the loss of his freedom. Together, they discover the challenges and rewards of building a father-daughter bond.

A local video store recently discovered a collection of 68 films on a video cassette. These films depict the lives of 11 individuals ranging from teenagers to young adults as they navigate modern society. The collection offers a unique glimpse into their daily experiences through a series of video diaries.

Kagura Akane is the single child of a family that operates a teppanyaki restaurant in the heart of Tokyo. Akane has always admired her father Tetsuma, known as the top teppanyaki chef in Japan. Growing up in this environment, she naturally developed her own teppanyaki skills. However, after her mother passed away, her father lost his motivation and disappeared. Akane has since taken on the responsibility of running and safeguarding the restaurant on her own. Unexpectedly, she is confronted by Erena, the daughter of a wealthy food company owner, who demands that Akane vacate the premises immediately due to her father's debts. Despite feeling disheartened, Akane decides to shut down the restaurant. But when her father's friend, Kurogane, presents her with "Ittetsu", a special grilling plate treasured by Akane's father, her passion for teppanyaki is reignited. Determined to save the restaurant, she sets off on a journey with Shinta to locate her missing father, only to find herself entangled in culinary competitions wherever she goes.

Nao-chan, Kinbe, and Yamacho are all in the fifth grade at their elementary school. Although they are in different classes, they decided to reunite and spend time together before summer vacation. During their get-together at Nao-chan's house, she brings up their old classmate Tetsuchin, who had moved to Fukushima two years ago. Tetsuchin's promise to reunite in two years is nearing its deadline. Despite this, Nao-chan unexpectedly suggests visiting Fukushima. Unbeknownst to the others, Nao-chan harbors a secret that dates back to third grade. This heartwarming yet slightly mysterious comedy drama follows the lives of these elementary school students as they embrace the present moment.

Miya, a regular employee, resides in the lively urban area. At 26 years old, she is amicable and diligent in her job, even though she occasionally takes the fall for others without being able to defend herself. The routine and demanding nine-to-five job can be tedious, but Miya finds joy in her leisure time outside of work. Typically, unmarried Miya doesn't hurry home after finishing work. Instead, she deliberately strolls down a street filled with restaurants and dining places, sometimes stopping by her favorite spot to enjoy familiar tastes or experimenting with new dishes on a whim. After satisfying her hunger, she lets out a satisfied sigh. Such a woman, who appreciates life, is someone you'd want to sit beside and relish a meal with...

Nozomi, a Taiwanese woman, is married to Shinji, a Japanese businessman living in Taipei. Their relationship takes a turn when Shinji is required to go back to Japan to manage the family estate. This leads to a conflict between Nozomi and her mother-in-law. (groink)

A young student in elementary school grapples with the concept of his existence. A enigmatic woman possessing the "ability of life", along with a boy burdened by inner turmoil. This narrative of adolescent experiences is one that resonates with many. The internal battle of emotions is portrayed in a poignant drama featuring talented actors Kamiki Ryunosuke and Ryoko Hirosue, who deliver a compelling story of finding peace in accepting one's own existence.

In the drama "Tenshi no Wakemae," Arisa Mizuki portrays Kurumi, a 35-year-old woman who faces a sudden loss of everything in her life when her fiance absconds with all her belongings. With only 15,000 yen and some boxes of ohagi, a type of rice ball, Kurumi encounters a construction site where she decides to share the ohagi with the workers. Through the theme of food, the series follows Kurumi's transformation as she rebuilds her life.

A man, his wife, and his sister-in-law reside together in the same household. Due to returning home late and feeling exhausted, they have decided to start preparing their own meals every day to cut costs. However, they are unsure about what kind of nutritious meals they can prepare at such a late hour.

Thirty-four-year-old Yoshioka Toko was diagnosed with breast cancer two years after giving birth to her second child. Unfortunately, surgery is not an option due to her terminal condition, although her life expectancy remains uncertain. Toko is determined to stay strong for the sake of her son and daughter, despite facing moments of fear and anxiety. Shortly after Toko's diagnosis, her husband Kenichi learns that he has end-stage lung cancer. Despite their limited time left, the Yoshioka family continues to hold onto their dreams, never losing their sense of humor and their love for each other.

Sanada Nishiki and Yamada Jiro, a male pair, are the creative minds behind Himekawa Rosanna, a well-known writer of girls manga. They were mentored by an editor known as "the Monster" and entered the world of girls manga writing. Despite their success, their true passion lies in creating manga centered around gourmet food. Their home office boasts a secret library filled with novels, essays, and manga featuring delectable dishes. When faced with looming manga deadlines, they often retreat into the world of gourmet cuisine within the pages of their books, temporarily forgetting about their responsibilities as they indulge in cooking.

Roaming warrior Matsumura Shinbei makes a living by challenging and defeating martial arts schools with his exceptional swordsmanship skills. He enjoys a bachelor's carefree life in a tenement house. One day, fellow wandering samurai Okiishi Tonomo moves in with a baby boy named Tsurunosuke. Tonomo's home was recently destroyed, and his wife had passed away. Shinbei offers to help Tonomo if he ever needs assistance. The next day, Tonomo disappears, leaving Shinbei to care for Tsurunosuke despite his lack of experience. Shinbei becomes unexpectedly popular, as the residents of the tenement house seek his help with various issues, such as a couple's divorce struggle due to infertility, a young girl's scheme targeting the elderly, and the inadequate training of a coal merchant's unreliable male heir. This alcohol-loving and highly skilled wandering samurai faces challenges as he juggles caring for the baby and resolving issues in the city.

Clients who depend on a solitary advertisement about a restaurant named Kamogawa Shokudo, end up there after remembering a particular dish. Located near Higashi Honganji in Kyoto, this unassuming eatery attracts individuals dealing with various troubles in their lives such as work, family, relationships, and more. The restaurant's waitress, Kamogawa Koishi, listens to customers' problems with genuine concern, while her father Nagare, a former detective, uses his keen observation skills to understand and fulfill their culinary desires. After enjoying the "food with memories" crafted by Koishi and Nagare, patrons leave Kamogawa Shokudo feeling inspired and rejuvenated, ready to face life's challenges with newfound courage and joy. This narrative is inspired by the book "Kamogawa Shokudo" written by Kashiwai Hisashi.

Suzuki Kanna is a determined and ambitious woman who works in the fashion industry with the goal of creating clothing that enhances women's beauty. However, her life takes a turn when she discovers her husband Rei is having an affair. Facing challenges at work and home, including a demanding boss, a husband who relies on his mother, and unexpected visits from her mother-in-law, Kanna is also raising her 4-year-old son, Reon. Despite feeling overwhelmed, Kanna remains resilient and determined to overcome obstacles in pursuit of her dream and happiness for herself and her son.

Tomikawa Yosuke is wedded to Mizuki. They share a daughter named Shiori and a son named Ko. Yosuke holds the position of general manager in the human resources department of a sizable corporation, whereas his spouse is employed as an educator at a private junior high school. Their daughter is employed as a creator of jewelry and their son is currently seeking employment. Although they may seem like a harmonious family, an unexpected event causes their familial unit to unravel.

After his Japanese mother-in-law passes away, Bryan Jenkins, an Englishman, relocates to Tokyo with his family to live with his father-in-law. While his wife commutes to work in the city, Bryan adjusts to his new role as a homemaker in Japan. He encounters various surprises, such as learning the Japanese language, experiencing the unique Valentine's Day traditions, and exploring the supernatural myths from Japanese horror stories. Filled with humor, love, and cultural differences, follow Bryan as he navigates life in Tokyo as a foreigner striving to ensure the safety and happiness of his family.

Seven years after disappearing, Isoyama Takeshi has returned home and now runs a struggling bakery with his wife Seiko and daughter Nanami. The only bright spot is Nanami's engagement to Shirogane Masaya, the son of a wealthy family. However, Masaya's father disapproves of Isoyama's financial status and wants to end the engagement. One day, Isoyama reconnects with his old friend Kurebayashi, who asks him to deliver something to someone. During a night spent in his car, Isoyama meets Meguro Yuki, who is seeking to escape her father's abuse. To help her, Isoyama pretends they are father and daughter and together they flee Tokyo.

Tenko manages a guesthouse by herself, situated in a wooded area in Nagano abundant with Japanese larch trees

The Tachibana family is at the center of the story, residing in a 2.5-generation household. This unique setup involves parents and their children living together in a two-generation home, with the addition of a single sibling from the younger generation. The decision is made by the Tachibana family to renovate their old residence into a 2.5-generation household. As a result, the 40-year-old protagonist, Masaharu Tachibana, who is unemployed and reclusive, moves in with his sister and her family. Despite being a respected gaming expert in the virtual world, Masaharu encounters difficulties in his new living arrangement. His sister requests his assistance with household tasks, while his teenage niece views him as "weird." Accustomed to living life at his own pace, Masaharu gradually adapts to socializing with others and embracing a more interactive lifestyle in the midst of these changes.

The taste of food can vary depending on the company, location, and emotions involved. An elegant food stall, featuring three colors, operates exclusively on weekday evenings within the temple premises. A new store, set to open this spring, promises a captivating experience for visitors. The stall is managed by Shota, a skilled French chef who has mysteriously lost his ability to taste and smell, and Terumoto, a former monk with a refined palate but lacking cooking skills. Struggling in their respective careers and facing pivotal moments in their lives, the two men unexpectedly join forces.

Irie Manato started isolating himself from society at a certain point. Despite appearing indifferent when teased, it is merely a facade he puts on. His encounter with a peculiar girl named Misawa Yui changes things. Yui, who despises the monotony of daily life, playfully challenges Manato with her blunt honesty. Feeling lonely and scared, Manato hesitates but is inexplicably drawn to her. Unfortunately, his affection for Yui is destined to remain unreciprocated. --TBS

When Haruka was nine years old, she moved from Osaka to Yufuin with her father, Yosuke, and younger sister, Asuka. Yosuke wanted to start a restaurant in the town. Haruka's mother, Yuko, stayed in Osaka, leading to her parents getting a divorce shortly after. Yosuke opened a restaurant but had to close it down not long after. Fast forward ten years, Haruka is working part-time while attending junior college to support her family. Yuko, concerned about Haruka, invites her to Osaka and offers her a job. Despite not forgiving her mother, Haruka decides to work in Osaka to help Yosuke reopen the restaurant. Haruka's experiences in Osaka help her to better understand her mother and she excels as a tour planner, utilizing her knack for pleasing people.

Kamikawa Ryohei, a 35-year-old man employed by a multinational corporation, enjoys a content family life with his wife and son. However, when he decides to make a career change and resign from his job, his wife unexpectedly disappears, leaving him to manage the household and raise their son on his own. On the other hand, Saeki Shinichiro, aged 61, chooses to live independently after losing his wife to an illness shortly after retiring from his long-time job.

Shirayuri Rio is accustomed to living independently until his younger brother unexpectedly arrives, announcing his intention to move in, much to Rio's dismay. The series follows their adventures in assisting others, with each episode featuring a brief cooking tutorial.

March marks the time for graduations, a period of farewells, shattered dreams, and loss. Life presents challenges that must be overcome, symbolizing the essence of graduation. As the saying goes, "Goodbye is not the end." Graduation signifies a new beginning rather than an end. This spring, Fuji TV will broadcast a special drama centered on the theme of graduation, featuring a graduation song. The plot revolves around "4 stories linked to popular graduation songs," all set within a radio program. The drama, a poignant and heartwarming tale, delves into the graduation narratives of the radio host and the program's listeners.

Inside a train, there exists a unique community where strangers with their own paths in life coincide for a brief moment in the same carriage. Normally, these individuals would never have interacted, much like the parallel railway tracks they ride on. However, occasionally, fate brings them to a crossing point - the last train. This heartfelt drama celebrates the marvels of life through the diverse stories depicted in this real-life portrayal. (NagoyaTV)

Seven years ago, Kazuki passed away when he was only 25 years old, leaving behind his wife Tetsuko and father Gifu. Although they live together as a family, their relationship is unique as Tetsuko is not biologically related to her father-in-law. Tetsuko finds solace in meeting individuals who were connected to her late husband through fate, which helps her overcome the grief of losing a loved one and allows her to move forward in life.

Rika Ikeda, aged 34, engages in a relationship with Sota Kashiwagi, aged 54. Sota, who is married to Mitsuko and has a daughter, is also the director at the company where Rika works. Despite Rika's deep affection for Sota, he ultimately deceives and ends the relationship. Rika encounters Keiichi Ochiai through a blind date, who happens to be a close friend and almost like a younger brother to Sota Kashiwagi. Subsequently, Rika decides to seek revenge.

Isoyama Takeshi, a temporary worker at a company, receives news from his employer that he will remain on a fixed-term contract with no possibility of becoming a permanent staff member. At home, his wife Seiko and 12-year-old daughter Nanami often criticize him. Adding to his troubles, a real estate investment he made secretly ends up with unexpected consequences, leaving him struggling to keep up with mounting interest payments. Encountering a mysterious elderly woman, he hatches a plan to vanish for 7 years in order to be legally declared dead and start anew.

Arimoto Hikari, a 32-year-old woman who is married with a son, visits her father Taizo after he collapses from overworking. The doctor informs Hikari that her father only has 4 days to live. Despite her initial resistance, Hikari decides to take over her father's company as he had originally intended for her. However, she encounters challenges such as her husband traveling to America for work and facing opposition from some employees like Katsumata and Junzo. This story is inspired by Suwa Takako's novel "Machi Koba no Musume."

Usui Sachi, an office worker, seems to attract misfortune just like her name suggests. She is constantly busy with odd tasks at the events company where she is employed, leading her to rely on convenience store meals as a daily routine. One day, while at the convenience store, Sachi accidentally bumps into Karamaru Atsushi who takes her to a temple to make amends by treating her. Karamaru is in training to eventually run the temple. At the temple, Sachi meets the head priest Gendo and university student Ogi Takenori, who is there to learn about the temple's shojin cuisine. Through the meal, she learns about the importance of having proper meals. Inspired, Sachi attempts to cook at home for the first time in a long time, which leads to subtle changes in her daily life. This story is based on the manga by Kanemori Ayami.

Three decades have passed since he departed from his childhood town of Kurumaya with his father. Kojiro encounters a group of women from Kansai during the bustling autumn tourist season and feels a sense of destiny as he hails from the same Osaka region.

Shiro and his daughter Haru manage the guesthouse "Love Is Pink"

Yasui Tsukasa, a young CEO of a technology startup, is among a group of seven individuals (Onishi Ayaka, Kuroba Mario, Kakei Miwako, Wada Masato, Mashima Hidekazu, Sakai Maki) who attend a single-day cooking workshop at the popular restaurant Grand Rossa in Ebisu, Tokyo. There are rumors circulating that the chef-owner Iwasa Akira at Grand Rossa has a talent for solving relationship problems. Many troubled individuals visit the restaurant seeking advice night after night.

The Mano household resides in a particular apartment complex and may seem like an average family at first glance. However, they are far from ordinary. The family consists of Keita, the father who enjoys online shopping, Eriko, the dependable mother, their daughter Sora who is a university student, and Eriko's older brother Hajime, who is temporarily living with them. Each member of the Mano family possesses unique and strong personalities that lead to amusing and heartwarming moments.

In a peculiar location, a man and a woman, vastly different from one another in both time and space, encounter each other. Their destinies are altered. - NAVER

Chen Hao Yuan is a diligent student known for his calm demeanor. In contrast, his close friend, Hong Cheng Yi, has a troubled past involving juvenile detention for a bank robbery. Despite their differences, they worked together to support a classmate struggling with addiction, uncover a teacher's hidden secrets, and investigate the disappearance of bees linked to an impending apocalypse in 2012. Their carefree outlook on life shifted to anger when they learned that a dishonest politician was behind the hardships faced by both of their families. (Dramawiki)

Li Wen Qin, a young person from Qiaotou, was arrested for participating in the Formosa Magazine Parade on December 10, 1979. While in prison, he discovered innovative ways to sustain himself, such as mixing saltwater with rice and consuming it along with memories of his lover, A Chun, moments shared with loved ones, and his unwavering desire for democracy. Despite the harsh conditions of the prison, known as the "Hotel Saltwater," Wen Qin and his fellow inmates held onto their spirits that yearned for freedom.

Kuranaga Haruyuki is employed at the community assistance center in the city hall of Wani no Kuni. Over the past three years, he has been under significant stress and dealing with daily stomach pains. His hardworking, respectful, organized, cautious, and reserved nature often puts him in difficult situations with his colleagues, his boss who is both arrogant and timid, and the demanding citizens he serves. Kuranaga finds solace in venting to his tropical fish companions while enjoying a glass of low-alcohol beer. However, a sudden emergency causes him to finally snap. This triggers his inner sense of justice, prompting him to confront and resolve issues both at work and within his family, leading to a heartwarming resolution.

Tajima resides happily in Tokyo with his wife Keiko, their daughter Mika, and son Ryota. Unfortunately, Keiko is diagnosed with terminal cancer and passes away within three months. Keiko was the light of the family, and her absence creates a void in their hearts. Tajima attempts to continue on as usual, but soon realizes it is futile. Upon his children's suggestion, they visit Kibougaoka, Keiko's hometown, to reminisce about her past. They visit Keiko's old, empty home, and Tajima proposes they move there. Mika and Ryota agree, and the Tajima family begins a new chapter in Kibougaoka.

Following the Nani disaster, temporary housing was constructed on a street for those who lost their homes. Despite 12 years passing, 18 households still reside in the temporary dwellings for various reasons. Residents are required to vacate if their monthly income exceeds 120,000 yen. Shinsuke Tanaka is incentivized to observe and report on the lives of those in the temporary housing. He immerses himself in the community, forming bonds with residents like Tatsuya and Okabe. As rumors swirl about the impending demolition of the temporary dwellings, Tanaka's personal connection to the disaster becomes more pronounced.

The plot revolves around a family navigating complex emotions and their dedication to the world of opera. This drama is inspired by the experiences of a Beijing Opera Troupe in Hebei over the last two decades of reform and opening up. (Baidu)