Asian dramas like
Carnation

Sumire, a girl born in the affluent area of Kobe during the early Showa era, dedicated herself to creating children's clothing as a means of livelihood following the destruction of war. Eventually, she went on to open the first children's goods store in Japan.

The 81st NHK Asadora introduces a new series titled Welkame. The plot follows Nami, a young woman who grew up in a minshuku. After moving to Tokyo for a job at a magazine company, she unexpectedly loses her position and is forced to return to her hometown, where she must navigate relationships with her family and old friends.

The film is inspired by the real-life tale of Taketsuru Masataka and his spouse Rita Cowen. Masataka holds the distinction of being the inaugural Japanese individual to craft whisky within Japan upon establishing his distillery in Hokkaido in 1934. The film's title is derived from Rita's affectionate moniker for Masataka.

The narrative focuses on the experiences of a married couple, as narrated by Mura. (Tokyograph) Based on the memoir "Gegege no Nyobo" penned by Mura Nunoe, the spouse of manga artist Mizuki Shigeru. Presented as the 82nd NHK Asadora.

Kawahara Kimiko, the oldest of three sisters, was born in Osaka in 1937. When she was nine years old, her family relocated to Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Surrounded by the local Shigaraki pottery, Kimiko developed a passion for ceramics and aspired to become a ceramics artist. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she persevered and built a groundbreaking career in ceramic arts, from her early years to her marriage.

Uno Meiko, the protagonist of a food-centric series, hails from a family that owns a western-style eatery in Tokyo. After tying the knot, she relocates to Osaka with her spouse, where she grapples with the contrasting cultures of the two cities while navigating her roles as a mother and wife.

Mantaro hails from a wealthy family in Kochi that is involved in the brewery business. Due to his fragile health, he becomes a victim of harassment. Since childhood, he has held a deep interest in flora and chooses to leave school in order to pursue a degree in botany at Teikoku University in Tokyo. He takes on the role of a research assistant with the aspiration of compiling a comprehensive encyclopedia on Japanese plants, dedicating himself to achieving this goal.

In 1929, Japan saw the establishment of its inaugural law school specifically for women. Among the students was Inotsume Tomoko, who went against societal norms. By 1938, the first female lawyers, such as Torako, began to emerge, earning admiration nationwide. However, with the outbreak of war, opportunities for their legal expertise decreased. Fast forward seven years, Torako, who had lost everything during the war, utilized her legal knowledge to survive. With a goal of becoming a judge, she dedicated herself to creating a family court to aid children orphaned by the war and women facing difficulties, aiming to assist those facing challenges beyond politics and finance.

Taking place in the war-torn neighborhood of Kamata, Tokyo in 1945, the narrative revolves around Shimomura Umeko, the youngest of three siblings. Her father works as a doctor at a university hospital. Despite her siblings' notable achievements, Umeko struggles with self-assurance. A particular event inspires her to pursue a career as a community doctor, yet she encounters numerous setbacks along the way.

The 67th NHK Asadora Drama follows the story of Manten, a young woman who grew up on a small island in southern Japan surrounded by nature. Inspired by her father, who disappeared at sea when she was eight years old, Manten holds onto his dream of space exploration. At eighteen, Manten faces pressure from her mother to decide on a career path or start paying rent, while also dealing with a declaration of love from a childhood friend. Despite these challenges, Manten remains determined to pursue her dream of joining Japan's National Space Development Agency, NASDA. However, she realizes that achieving this goal will require hard work and dedication, including obtaining a college education and gaining three years of experience in the field. As Manten navigates the complexities of life and love, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of space travel, making unlikely friendships along the way.

Akari's biological mother hails from Osaka. In order to delve deeper into her roots, she relocates to Osaka to reside with her grandmother. It is revealed that Akari's grandmother shut down the okonomiyaki eatery following the departure of Akari's adolescent mother. Subsequently, Akari takes it upon herself to revive the okonomiyaki restaurant and launch the business independently.

Tsuneko Kohashi, the oldest daughter in the Kohashi family, was just 11 years old when her father, Takezo, passed away from tuberculosis. Embracing her father's belief in the value of everyday life, she took on the role of a parental figure for her mother, Kimiko, and her two younger sisters, Mariko and Yoshiko, earning her the nickname "Toto One-chan." Leading her family through challenging times, Tsuneko worked hard to support them as the head of the household. In the aftermath of the war, Tsuneko, Mariko, and Yoshiko collaborated to launch a lifestyle magazine in a war-torn Tokyo, catering to female readers. Named "Your Life," the magazine featured practical articles and quickly gained popularity. Thanks to the expertise of editor Hanayama Isaji, "Your Life" became an indispensable resource for women during the era of rapid economic growth.

Taking place from the late Meiji era to the post-World War II period in Osaka, the story follows Fujioka Ten, inspired by Yoshimoto Sei, the founder of Yoshimoto Kogyo and a female comedy show promoter. Ten comes from a family involved in the drug wholesale business in Kyoto and falls in love with Kitamura Tokichi, the son of a family in the rice industry. Despite her parents' disapproval, Ten marries Tokichi, a passionate comedy enthusiast. Together, they manage a vaudeville theater, with Ten becoming the first woman in Japan to turn comedy into a profitable venture, turning Osaka into a hub for comedy.

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.

The 71st Asadora is called Wakaba, which follows the story of a young woman who fulfills her father's desire by becoming a landscape gardener. Wakaba, originally from Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, enjoyed a happy life with her family until the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake struck in 1995. After losing her architect father in the disaster, Wakaba, along with her mother and brother, relocates to Obi, an ancient castle town in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture, where her grandmother, uncle, and aunt reside. Surrounded by Obi's lush natural surroundings, Wakaba discovers the healing power of plants and decides to return to Kobe to help rebuild the city with abundant greenery.

The 75th NHK Asadora is titled Imo Tako Nankin and is set in 1962 Osaka. The series is inspired by an essay written by Tanabe Seiko, an acclaimed writer, which reflects on her own life. The main character, Hanaoka Machiko, is a 37-year-old single woman who works at a hardware store in Osaka City and also pursues writing. After falling ill from overwork, Machiko meets and falls in love with Tokunaga Kenjiro, a doctor who treats her. They eventually marry, but Kenjiro comes with a large extended family, including his five children, brother, sister, and parents. The drama follows Machiko as she navigates her new family dynamics while continuing to pursue her career as a novelist in a humorous and heartwarming manner.

At the onset of the Showa period, a girl named Asada Nobu, also referred to as 'Hachikin Onobu,' was darting through the streets of Kochi with astonishing speed. At the same time, Yanai Takashi, who had lost his father to disease during his childhood, was taken in by his uncle and met Nobu at the new school he attended. As the threat of war loomed, Nobu, who was enrolled in a women’s normal school, had become an ardent militarist like many of her peers. Before long, war broke out, and Takashi was deployed. He faced the devastating loss of his younger brother, Chihiro, in the conflict, while Nobu also suffered the loss of her beloved. After completing her education at the women's school, Nobu's beliefs shifted dramatically due to the war, prompting her to seek her own understanding of what was right. She became the first female reporter at a newspaper in Kochi. Following the war, Takashi left his job as a scrap collector and joined the same newspaper, where they both worked on the same magazine. Although Takashi aspired to become a manga artist in Tokyo, he was concerned about his ability to sustain himself. Nobu encouraged him, saying, "You can come later. I’ll head to Tokyo first and wait for you," after which she resigned from the newspaper and relocated to Tokyo. Takashi followed her there, and they began sharing a cramped six-tatami apartment that lacked a bath, had a communal toilet, and a hole in the ceiling requiring them to use an umbrella on rainy days, but on clear nights, they could gaze at the stars. Nobu found their circumstances intriguing, and the couple decided to marry, expressing, "I want to be with someone who can appreciate any situation."

Xiu Ju, a resourceful young lady born into poverty, supports her ailing mother by selling handmade items while studying in secret. She develops feelings for the compassionate Shen Yan Zhou, but circumstances lead her to marry his elder brother, Shen Yanqing, in order to settle a debt and care for her mother. Caught between love and duty, Xiu Ju grapples with a complex array of emotions within the Shen family. Will she find a way to be with the man she truly loves?

Taking place during the Ming dynasty, the story centers on the Zhang family residing in Jing De Town and their successful porcelain production business. (DramaWiki)

The 62nd NHK Asadora Drama titled Watashi no Aozora is set in Oma-cho, Aomori and Chuo-ku, Tokyo. The series follows the journey of Kitayama Nazuna, a young mother, and her son Taiyo from Ohma, a small town in Aomori. Taiyo's father, Murai Kento, had dreams of becoming a professional boxer but had to give up due to a detached retina. Unaware of Nazuna's pregnancy, Kento left for America with another woman for eye treatment. After a successful operation, he returned to boxing but faced challenges in achieving success. Meanwhile, Nazuna gave birth to Taiyo and moved to Tokyo in search of Kento. Their paths cross by chance, leading Kento to try to reconnect with his newfound family. The series delves into their journey as they navigate the complexities of forming a family together.

Yamanaka Konoha, an 18-year-old girl from the rural Kumano area of Wakayama prefecture, comes from a family that relies on forestry for their livelihood. Konoha's mother, Senri, is a teacher of traditional farming methods and local history to tourists, while her father, Ichiro, dreams of opening a restaurant in Osaka. Konoha was raised in the forested hills by her grandfather, Sadamichi, who taught her ranger skills and meditation techniques. With a natural talent for tasting food, Konoha decides to pursue a career as a chef after her grandmother's passing. She joins her father in leaving Kumano for Osaka, where she plans to learn the art of cooking while Ichiro works towards opening his own restaurant.

Suenaga Kokoro, an international flight attendant, resides in Tokyo with her mother and grandmother who run a traditional restaurant in a bustling downtown area where customs and traditions are deeply rooted, and residents have a strong sense of community. This narrative chronicles a challenging year in Kokoro's life as she transitions from a single woman to a wife, stepmother, widow, and entrepreneur deeply connected to her family and neighbors. Kokoro shares their challenges and aspirations as she faces her own hardships and prospers despite adversity. While the internet is replacing traditional communities, places like Asakusa and individuals like Kokoro strive to preserve their warmth and values. Though Kokoro's world is distinctly Japanese, people worldwide will relate to her emotions of joy and sorrow as they are captivated by this touching story of love and loss, resilience and perseverance.

The narrative revolves around a girl named Jun Kano, who grew up in Miyakojima, Okinawa. After securing a job at a prestigious hotel in Osaka, she crosses paths with a man named Itoshi Machida (Itoshi meaning love in kanji), whose sibling has recently died. Despite their contrasting personalities, they develop romantic feelings for each other.

Nireno Suzume was born in 1971 in Gifu Prefecture to parents who operated a small eatery in a rural town

In 1930s Yuncheng, estranged half-sisters Song Jia Yu and Huo Ran, connected by their differing backgrounds and familial intrigues, transition from adversaries to partners. Utilizing their business savvy and underworld strategies, they work together to expose their father's deceit, restore their mother's heritage, and convert the oppressive Huo estate into a haven for women’s education and healthcare, ultimately carving out their own future as a new era begins.

The story revolves around Hanako Muraoka, a translator who lived through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods. Muraoka later translated the novel "Anne of Green Gables" by Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery. This information was derived from the book "An no Yurikago Muraoka Hanako no Shogai" authored by Eri Muraoka, Hanako Muraoka's granddaughter. The English version of the book is titled "Anne's Cradle: The Life and Works of Hanako Muraoka."

Yatabe Mineko, a 17-year-old girl, was raised in a family of seven in a mountain village located in northeastern Ibaraki Prefecture. Her father, Minoru, left for Tokyo to seek employment and earn extra income, but failed to return for the New Year. Determined to find him, Mineko convinces her family to allow her to go to Tokyo and promises to send money back home. In the autumn of 1964, Mineko, along with her childhood friends Tokiko and Mitsuo, secures jobs at a small factory in a working-class neighborhood of Tokyo. Despite facing challenges and moments of disappointment in her search for her father, Mineko starts to build a life in Tokyo through various encounters with locals, friends, and colleagues. The question remains: will she succeed in reuniting with her father?

In 1955, the play begins with Xu Hui Zhen, who became a widow shortly after getting married. She now operates a small tavern that was passed down to her. Despite facing various challenges such as the socialist transformation of businesses, the Great Leap Forward, natural calamities, and the Cultural Revolution, Hui Zhen stays committed to her principles on managing the tavern. As economic reforms are eventually implemented, Hui Zhen and her tavern reap the rewards of her dedication and unwavering belief in her values.

The narrative follows Tenka, a 17-year-old girl born and raised in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture. When her father changes jobs, her family relocates to Tokyo. Tenka stays briefly with her grandfather, a passionate rice farmer residing at Igune, a forest surrounded by vast rice fields in the Sendai plains. Upon completing high school, she moves to Kichijyoji in Tokyo to live with her family in a residence situated on the grounds of a temple owned by her grandfather's longtime friend, Suzuki Shozo. Also on the property is a small nursery school operated by Shozo's wife, Yoshiko. Tenka begins to contemplate a career as a pediatric nurse. Over time, it is revealed that Tenka's family and the Suzuki Shozo family have a deep-rooted connection spanning generations. Tenka discovers that she is betrothed to Shozo's grandson, Ryunosuke, as per an agreement between her grandfather and Shozo. (DramaWiki) Notable locations in the story include Sendai, Miyagi and Musashino, Tokyo.

The narrative centers around Tsubasa, a 20-year-old woman who prioritizes her family and their business. Her world is shaken when her long-lost mother returns home. In order to repay her mother's debts, Tsubasa takes on a job as a DJ at a local radio station.

A courageous woman who confidently navigates the challenges of the Heisei and Reiwa periods. Embracing a positive outlook on life, she lives authentically and fully, unbothered by the opinions of others. Identified as a 'gal', she discovered the joy of aiding others through a particular event. Her aspiration is to pursue a career as a 'nutritionist', believing in the transformative power of food. Initially motivated by her close-knit family, she later extends her passion to benefit those she encounters, including children and patients. Her ambition leads her to spread happiness nationwide, embodying her 'gal spirit' by cherishing her uniqueness and relishing life amidst the turbulent times. Despite occasional concerns, she approaches the world with brightness, happiness, and strength, determined to overcome any challenges.

Set during the Meiji period in Matsue, Toki is an unconventional girl hailing from a once-respected samurai lineage that now faces financial hardship due to her father's unsuccessful venture. In order to support herself, she takes a job as a maid for a foreign English instructor of Greek-Irish heritage, who has always felt like an outsider after being left alone as a child. Despite their cultural disparities and the challenges of language, Toki and her employer connect through their mutual passion for ghost stories and their similar life challenges. Together, they embark on a unique adventure filled with odd characters and, naturally, an abundance of supernatural narratives. This tale is inspired by the real-life story of Koizumi Setsuko, the spouse of Koizumi Yakumo, originally known as Patrick Lafcadio Hearn.

Natsumi, a 23-year-old woman from Yokohama, is training with her father, a master baker, to become a pastry chef. She lives with her parents and younger brother. During a trip to Iwate Prefecture with her boyfriend Masaki for his grandmother Katsuno's 77th birthday, Katsuno falls ill and asks Masaki to return to run the ryokan she manages in Morioka City. Natsumi decides to stay in Yokohama while Masaki goes back to Morioka, but surprises him later by expressing her desire to become the ryokan's manager. Will Natsumi's journey be as smooth as the title suggests?

Oshima Goro, a janitor at a primary school, transforms into an exceptional teacher who helps students struggling academically despite lacking official certification. Akasaka Chiaki, a single mother, challenges traditional schooling during wartime and envisions a school providing comprehensive education through personalized coaching. Their relationship blossoms into both a professional partnership and a romantic one as they embark on a journey spanning 50 years, against the backdrop of the Showa to Heisei era, reshaping the landscape of education. This narrative is inspired by the 2016 novel "Mikazuki" by Mori Eto.

The story of Wang Li Fa, who runs a teahouse in Beijing during the 20th century, and the various customers who frequent the establishment.

Cheng Yue Liang, a man with autism, is saved by his stepmother in a crucial accident after his father dies during the war with Japan in the 1940s. The narrative explores their tumultuous lives and close familial bond. The drama features acclaimed screenwriter Cheung Wah Biu, known for works like 'Moonlight Resonance', 'Rosy Business', 'No Regrets', and the 80s trilogy 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'.

A young woman aspires to become the top entrepreneur during the Song Dynasty, yearning to break free from the constraints of marriage and pursue a life of independence. (Douban)

Continue the narrative spanning over five decades, which includes the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, 1936 Berlin Olympics, and 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The story highlights Kanakuri Shisou, the first Japanese man to compete in the Stockholm Olympics and set a world record, as well as Tabata Masaji, who is recognized for bringing the Olympics to Japan.

The 99th morning drama series tells the story of Tachibana Fukuko, a young woman facing challenges in Osaka alongside her husband during the post-WWII economic boom. Despite numerous obstacles, they eventually achieve success by inventing instant noodles. This drama is inspired by the real-life experiences of the wife of Ando Momofuku, the entrepreneur behind Nissin Food Products Co. Ltd. and the creator of instant ramen.

The NHK Asadora Renzoku Drama titled Churasan tells the story of Kohagura Eri, a young woman born on Kohamajima Island in Okinawa on May 15, 1972, the day Okinawa was returned to Japan from the U.S. When Kamimura Shizuko and her two sons, Kazuya and Fumiya, visit Eri's family's small inn, they are warmly welcomed by her fun-loving yet quirky family. Eri is surprised to learn that Kazuya is terminally ill, prompting Shizuko and her sons to spend their final days together in the beautiful Okinawan nature. After Kazuya's passing, Fumiya and Eri make a promise to marry in the future. Eventually, Fumiya and his mother leave the island to return to Tokyo. Years later, Eri works as a nurse and Fumiya as a doctor at the same hospital in Tokyo, where they are reunited.

Following a dispute, an elderly couple with white hair find themselves in the midst of a divorce, while a romance unfolds over three generations. What led to the breakup of the white-haired couple? As they embark on a quest for truth spanning five decades, who will be the one to advocate for letting go? And when the storm passes, listen as I declare, "I love you." (ChineseDrama.info)

The narrative is set during the Qing Dynasty and focuses on the Sung and Leung clans. Kwan Wai Lan runs a small enterprise with her eldest son, Leung Jing Yiu, her second son, Leung Jing Hong, her third daughter, Leung Sau Man, and her youngest daughter, Leung Sau Yin. Yiu used to work at the Jiujiang brewery before a calamity drastically changed the destinies of both the Leung and Sung families.

The sitcom portrays the weddings of the three daughters from the Takanabe family involved in tea cultivation, the challenges of passing down the family's tea business through generations, and the conflicts that arise between the couples. It captures the human drama within the family, showcasing moments of both joy and sorrow.

According to legend, a bride who wears a gown created by the renowned designer Madam Mari on her wedding day will discover genuine happiness. Reiko, a young advertising professional who is engaged to marry a colleague, decides to have her wedding dress made by Madam Mari after hearing about the legend. However, her initial meeting with the dressmaker doesn't go as planned, leading to unexpected changes in her life. Soon, Reiko finds herself working as an assistant to Madam Mari, who designs unique dresses for clients seeking happiness in their love lives. The series showcases different clients coming to Madam Mari with romantic challenges and receiving one-of-a-kind dresses that help them find true love. The story revolves around the pragmatic and sometimes skeptical Mari and the optimistic Reiko, who believes in love and dreams of marital bliss. This tale is not just for women in search of happiness, but for anyone facing difficulties in life. The show also highlights the diverse wedding dresses created by the legendary dressmaker, ranging from simple and elegant to extravagant. (YTV)

In 1942, Arisawa Maki and Noshiro Koji are set to be married, but their plans are disrupted when Koji's older brother, Ichiro, passes away during the war. This leads to Koji marrying Ichiro's widow, Asami, while Maki ends up marrying Koji's younger brother, Daisuke. Despite having children with their new spouses, Maki and Koji engage in a secret relationship. Daisuke, suspecting their affair, becomes enraged and sets fire to the mansion, resulting in Koji's death. Years later, Natsuo and Hideaki, the children of Maki and Koji, unknowingly fall in love, brought together by destiny.

The Ideal Journey for a Pair revisits the ordinary challenges faced by a married couple as they work to raise children and manage a small tea farm. It vividly portrays the various difficulties that arise between spouses, parents and kids, siblings, and community members. The storyline continues two years after three daughters left one after the other to get married. They have now come back home with a range of marital problems to address.

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.