Asian dramas like
Dandan

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.

The narrative takes place in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture during the time period of the Second World War. At the start of the story in 1928, the protagonist, Sakurako, is a lively seven-year-old girl with a passion for becoming a jazz pianist, with music playing a significant role throughout the storyline.

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.

Sakura follows the journey of Matsushita Sakura, a fourth-generation Japanese American woman from Hawaii, who relocates to a quaint town in Gifu, Japan to work as a language teacher for middle school students

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.

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.

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?

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.

In the story "Muse no Kagami," Rino Sashihara portrays a regular girl from a rural area without any remarkable attributes. Her life changes when she meets Okita Ryu, a once-popular actor, who recognizes her talent for quickly memorizing lines and her hidden acting skills. Impressed by her abilities, he guides her towards pursuing a career in acting.

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.

A drama narrates the experiences of seven idol trainees as they navigate their everyday challenges.

The anguished existence of young individuals who desire to end their lives, yet also yearn to continue living.

The narrative follows Yuu, a fifteen-year-old girl whose family is torn apart following an incident at her father's spring factory. Despite facing numerous challenges, Yuu remains determined to overcome them with a positive outlook, eagerly anticipating the day when her family will be whole once more. (

Mare is a young student attending elementary school. Her family resides in the city, but they decide to escape to a fishing village in Noto after her father faces financial difficulties. They find shelter in a house owned by a couple who manage a salt pond. Mare's father attempts to start a new business, which unfortunately does not succeed. Meanwhile, her mother contributes to the family's income by working at the salt pond. Fast forward 8 years, Mare is on the verge of completing high school and opts to work for the Wajima local government. Her aspiration is to secure a stable job, unlike her father's experience. In her new role, she assists individuals who are relocating to Noto.

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.

Jeong Nyeon, a young woman from Mokpo, possesses a natural talent for singing despite lacking in financial resources and formal education. Her aspiration is to become a prominent figure in a women's traditional theater troupe. However, she acknowledges that she has much to learn and a considerable journey ahead of her before she can take on leading roles. Set in post-war Korea in 1956, the story unfolds in the coastal city of Mokpo, following Jeong Nyeon's pursuit of her dream. This narrative is adapted from the webtoon "Jeong Nyeon" created by Seo Irae and illustrated by Namon.

The narrative follows the Iwata family residing in Ikeda, Osaka City, during the 1950s and 1960s. Fuyuko (16), the youngest daughter, serves as the story's narrator. The family operates a bakery, with the ambitious and energetic mother, Teruko, striving to fulfill her aspirations. In line with Teruko's ambitions, the eldest daughter pursues figure skating while the second daughter achieves fame as a professional singer. In contrast, Fuyuko discovers her passion for baking bread.

A community resides close to park number 8, each person with their own unique narrative. The tale follows five individuals navigating life in their fifties. (ChineseDrama.info)

Na Ra, an intelligent and attractive Korean woman, travels to China and develops a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and art. She is determined to establish herself in the entertainment industry and win an art award in the country. However, as a significant play is gearing up for rehearsals, Na Ra goes to great efforts to secure a leading role in the production.

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.

During his junior year break, Xiang Yu visited his grandfather's pear garden with his band, causing a stir in the peaceful environment. Xiang Yan Liang, a renowned figure in Peking Opera, hoped his grandson would follow in his footsteps, but Xiang Yu Xin was still haunted by a past incident. Various characters, including a deaf opera prodigy, a runaway beauty, and a talented girl, gathered at the garden, sparking a holiday filled with tradition, modernization, and reflections on youth. Xiang Yu Xin's struggles mirror those of many young people, with his eventual choice symbolizing courage and affirmation.

In spite of facing criticism from fellow teachers and parents who doubt her abilities due to her troubled upbringing, a preschool teacher is determined to move past her traumatic past. (jdorama)

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.

Yuri is a young woman who was abandoned by her boyfriend, who is now in a relationship with another girl. Feeling heartbroken, she chooses to express her emotions by sending you multiple videos to vent.

Mizusaki Keita, a chef working in a French restaurant located in a bustling shopping area, finds himself devastated by the loss of his wife to an illness. However, with the encouragement of Kataoka Miho, a young pastry chef apprentice at the restaurant, he decides to transform his wife's cherished piano into a street piano. One day, renowned pianist Imanishi Kohei, known as a rising star in the piano world, unexpectedly arrives and asks to play the street piano. After performing a flawless rendition of "Nocturne," Kohei departs. What led him to play the piano on the shopping street? The street piano at the French restaurant in the shopping district becomes the starting point for various captivating tales to unfold.

The web series "Sugar Coating" is a romantic drama that explores the development of relationships among five young individuals struggling with love, depicting their journey to discover authenticity amidst a web of charming deceptions. (HanCinema)

Bubble up follows the journeys of young college students from two rival universities as they collaborate on a shared YouTube channel to showcase their respective student communities. Kim Se Woon, a sophomore studying business at Dae Han University, is portrayed as a cheerful and giving individual who harbors feelings of jealousy towards the bold and assertive On Ha Young.

Gong Ji Hoon, the Chief Executive Officer of a startup specializing in AI art collections, is set to take part in the final event for the company called "Constar IR Day." Meanwhile, Kim Jae Hee, the youngest director at Constar, forms both professional and personal connections with Gong Ji Hoon. As time goes on, their professional collaboration evolves into a romantic relationship.

Is it possible to rise back up after hitting rock bottom? Lin Wei Zhen, a former top child actress, has struggled to find work as she has aged in the entertainment industry, leading to feelings of depression and self-pity. Her path crosses with Zhou Shu Yu, a successful producer facing his own downfall after being betrayed by his friend, Xu Li Da, and girlfriend, Yang Jia Xin. As they stand at their lowest points, can Wei Zhen and Shu Yu support each other in reclaiming their former success?

Ren Hao Ming, the eldest son of the Ren Family, was highly esteemed until a tragic accident left him blind

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 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.

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.

A brief narrative about adolescents employed at a customer service center and interacting with actual clients.

In the upcoming season, we will explore the narratives of four couples who are at the initial stages of recognizing their emotions. However, as time progresses, they encounter conflicts of interest that result in legal disputes and a deterioration of their relationships, prompting them to reconsider their choices in an effort to maintain their love. Viewers may find reflections of their own past or current relationships within any of these couples. The show will illustrate how each partner views the situation.

Han Seo Ha is a lively and optimistic girl in her third year of middle school. She aspires to attend Hanlim Multi Art School due to her passion for singing. However, she often finds herself in the shadow of her older sister, Seo Jin. Seo Jin is currently a sophomore in the Practical Music department at Hanlim Multi Art School and possesses the charisma of a girl group leader. While she excels at playing the piano, her singing abilities do not match those of Seo Ha. Cha Su Ho, a sophomore at Hanlim, specializes in both piano and vocals. He is tall and attractive, drawing the attention of all the female students, yet he shows no interest in any of them. Do Chae Ah, also a sophomore at Hanlim, stands out to both teachers and peers because of her talent and appearance. She frequently feels resentful towards Seo Jin. Ban Da Yul, Seo Ha’s closest friend, is known for carrying tarot cards and reciting unusual spells.

During her time as a student, Qian Chuan Chuan had feelings for an older classmate named Lin Sheng Dong, who also felt the same way. However, after graduating, Qian Chuan Chuan felt abandoned. Now working as a film and television planner, she let go of her first love and found comfort in a boyfriend named Nan Ze. Despite her efforts, Nan Ze eventually broke up with her, causing Qian Chuan Chuan heartbreak once more. In the midst of these challenges, a college classmate and colleague, Liu Xiao Bai, who had feelings for Qian Chuan Chuan in secret, took the chance to confess his love. The two began a sweet romance. Will Liu Xiao Bai stay true to his original intentions and maintain the newfound connection with Qian Chuan Chuan? (YOUKU)

In a naval military district located in Qingdao, the head of the Naval Artillery School, Cong, and his wife, Yang Tao, organized a social event for the officers to help them find suitable partners. Their main goal was to assist the senior officers in addressing their personal marriage concerns. One of the officers, Jiang De Fu, was highly respected by Principal Cong. Upon the recommendation of the couple, Jiang De Fu met a young and attractive woman named An Jie at the event, and they developed a strong affection for each other. Despite Jiang De Fu appearing older than his age, An Jie was not bothered by it at all. Due to An Jie's modest family background, Jiang De Fu provided continuous support to her and her family. Over time, An Jie realized that Jiang De Fu, despite his rugged appearance, was actually a charming and clever individual.

Chen Cai Cai holds onto her aspiration of becoming a compassionate nurse and starts working as a trainee at a maternity hospital upon completing her studies. She found herself at a loss when witnessing the emotional separation between a mother and her newborn, leaving her feeling perplexed during her initial days at work. Despite feeling disheartened at the end of her internship, Chen Cai Cai made the decision to persist in her pursuit of her dream by transitioning to a confinement center where she could provide postpartum care.

A tale about Peng Tian Yi, a representation of the typical educated youth from the Northeast, and his life in the expansive rural area. In the 1970s, a circle of educated youths from Beijing formed a bond and courageously advocated for change amidst the changing times. Peng Tian Yi was unjustly imprisoned for protecting the work of an elderly scientist. Upon his release, he remained in the countryside to push for reform, eventually rising to become a respected intellectual of his era. (chinesedrama.info)