Asian dramas like
Mai Agare

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.

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.

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

During the 1980s, Gao Ji Lin, a young man from Gaojiagou in northern Shaanxi, was known as the top reader in his village. Despite his humble beginnings, he had a gift for writing and poetry and dreamt of achieving greater things. His hopes were pinned on the college entrance exams, but to his dismay, Ji Lin unexpectedly did not make the student list and also failed to secure a job as a private teacher in a primary school. However, Liu Qiao Zhen emerged as a beacon of hope, offering unwavering support for his aspirations. Encouraged by the village community, Ji Lin decided to persevere in pursuing his career goals.

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?

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.

Mizuki is an aspiring actress who is still striving to achieve her dream. Despite facing the challenges of her ordinary life, she holds onto her passion for the spotlight. Despite her family's warnings, she manages to land a role with a film company in Tokyo. She goes through the ups and downs of starting out in the industry, but is devastated when the company shuts down. Mizuki returns home, but her determination to succeed remains strong.

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.

Inoue Momoko looks up to her deceased father, a pilot, and starts her career as a co-pilot at a budget airline. With guidance from Captain Shinkai Kohei, who was acquainted with her father, Inoue Momoko strives to advance to the position of captain, with the encouragement of her boyfriend Umino Daisuke. During a flight, Inoue Momoko encounters a passenger dispute regarding carry-on baggage restrictions, and Katsuki Tetsuya observes the situation.

In this collection of dramatic stories, participants were chosen from "Naniwa Boys", "Ae! Group", and "Lil Kansai". The series consists of 14 episodes, each portraying a unique "event" happening in Tokyo, leading to situations where men find themselves unable to return home despite their desire to do so.

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)

The narrative centers on the bond and development of high school students aged 17, illustrating how friendships play a pivotal role in their lives. Oh Na Ri, a first-year student, gains confidence after shedding some weight but faces challenges regarding her self-worth when she encounters the attractive and popular trio of Im Yoo Na, Im Sun Ji, and Seo Mi Rae. Im Yoo Na, Na Ri's friend since childhood, is not only beautiful but also hails from a wealthy background; however, she feels exhausted by the insincerity of those around her, valuing only her friendship with Na Ri. Im Sun Ji, who appears innocent, is quick to stand up for Na Ri, while Seo Mi Rae, a dedicated idol trainee, grows intrigued by Na Ri after noticing Yoo Na's admiration for her.

The story follows the journey of young individuals growing up in the Hutong area of Beijing over the span of several decades. Through a unique lens, it showcases the determined and innovative spirit of regular people in the modern era as they strive to change their own fate and pursue their dreams of a better life. In 1978, Chen Wa'er, Wu Xikai, and their childhood companions all sat for the gaokao exams. While Chen Wa'er and Hu Meihua did not pass, Li Qiang was accepted into an accounting school. Their paths diverged, leading to a growing distance between the friends. Li Qiang finds success in the financial markets and eventually marries Chen Wa'er, only to later abandon his family due to his ego. Undeterred by life's challenges, Wa'er goes on to establish a renowned company. Hu Meihua, who had moved to the United States, returns as a banker. Despite starting from the same point, each individual embarks on their own journey towards achieving their goals as life's race begins.

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 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.

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.

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)

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.

The narrative follows a varied ensemble of young professionals, comprising an event planner, a chef, a webtoon creator, a fashion designer, an interior decorator, and a classical vocalist, as they pursue their aspirations and seek romantic relationships.

During the 1990s, individuals facing material shortages focused on increasing production to sustain themselves, leading to the rise of numerous skilled workers. Qin Wei Guo, a dedicated young individual during this period, put in considerable effort. As society evolved, the quality of life for the population steadily rose.

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.

In a run-down shopping district, Shinoda Mariko stars as the owner of a clothing store with a unique talent for instantly knowing a customer's clothing size. The narrative will revolve around her interactions with various patrons. (Credit: JapanBullet)

A lively conversation unfolded among a group of actors meeting at a cafe named "CITY COUNTRY CITY" in Shimokitazawa, coinciding with an online weather forecast predicting sunny skies. (Paravi)

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

A young man named Juan arrived in a bustling city with aspirations of establishing a lion dance studio, but struggled to secure employment. While trying to set up a small business, Juan crossed paths with Le, who owned a fried rice noodle stall. Together, they encountered various challenges and individuals in their quest to survive and achieve their dreams in the city. Eventually, Juan seized an opportunity to appear in a lion dance film.

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.

The kiss that day changed everything. This narrative starts with an unexpected kiss that reveals the sentiments of four men and women saying their goodbyes. It unfolds as a complex, bittersweet romantic fantasy involving four individuals who unite to discover true love. This series acts as a continuation of Moment, the flagship digital drama series from Studio Lululala. The feelings that men and women typically experience during dates are portrayed in an innovative manner with engaging characters. One couple has grown weary of one another, while another pair has separated after causing each other pain. Four distinct young adults come together to navigate the intricate challenges of their romantic entanglements. One couple aspires to embark on a new love journey, while the other envisions a flawless farewell. Will they achieve the conclusions they desire? (JTBC)

A series of short stories, each lasting 5 minutes, depicts significant moments in a girl's life as she desires to enhance her beauty, whether through love, heartbreak, or aspirations

The series "In the Realm of Love" is captivating due to its compact size, capturing the essence of young urban individuals in various stages of love. Despite being only 5 minutes long, each episode presents a unique love story, showcasing the power of storytelling within a brief timeframe. The show explores themes such as fortune and regret in love, reconciliations after arguments, and the intensity of passion, offering a glimpse into authentic urban life and crafting a microcosm of love within the "love apartment" setting.

The 77th NHK Asadora, titled Chiritotechin, is set in Fukui prefecture. The story follows Wada Kiyomi, also known as Kiyomi-B, a young woman from Fukui who relocates to Osaka in pursuit of her true calling. In Osaka, Kiyomi-B discovers the art of rakugo, a traditional Japanese comedic storytelling style, and decides to pursue a career in it. In the summer of 1982, Kiyomi-B and her family move back to Obama in Fukui, her father's hometown. While her grandmother and uncle embrace the family's return, her grandfather Shotaro opposes Masanori taking over the family business of making Wakasa lacquer chopsticks. Kiyomi-B develops a love for rakugo after listening to it at Shotaro's factory, which brings her closer to her grandfather.

Hey, stay away from him... well, he may not be my husband, but he belongs to me! Due to popular demand, the My Blue Sky story continues! What happened to Nazuna, her lively son Taiyo, and Kento, the man who left them to pursue a career in boxing? The last time we saw Nazuna two years ago, she had chosen to keep her child and remain in Tokyo after being abandoned at the wedding altar. Being a single mother was challenging, but she and her son were able to create a comfortable life for themselves. Now, Kento and Nazuna have reunited, and although they are not married, they live in separate apartments nearby, each following their own aspirations. Taiyo, getting ready for fourth grade, receives support from both his parents, and their unconventional family dynamic surprisingly works well. Things take a twist when Kento falls in love with another woman. Koyuki, reserved and timid, is the complete opposite of the outgoing and direct Nazuna. Nazuna and Taiyo are forced to reconsider their unique family setup as a result. Nazuna decides to confront the situation head-on and fight for the family she has built. Get ready, anything can happen!

This play explores the advantages and disadvantages of surrogacy. Haruna, a student at a medical school, comes across a man with a knife wound at a party where she is working part-time. After helping the man, she forms a close bond with him and his wife, who are struggling with infertility issues. The wife, Kaoru, decides to pursue surrogacy in order to repair her relationship with her husband. With the assistance of her doctor, Kaoru chooses Haruna as her surrogate. Despite financial difficulties, Haruna agrees to carry the couple's child. Throughout the pregnancy, Haruna grows attached to the baby growing inside her and also develops feelings for the nobleman. After giving birth, the child is handed over to Kaoru, who names her Mirei. Haruna continues to provide breast milk for the baby and longs to be a part of her life.

The 78th NHK Asadora series features a character named Hitomi. Set in the traditional shitamachi district of Tokyo, the show follows 20-year-old Hitomi as she becomes the catalyst for her divorced mother and estranged grandfather to come together and rebuild their family bond. Despite facing various challenges and everyday issues, the story unfolds with a touch of humor. Hitomi's upbringing is a central theme, and the family's reconciliation is triggered by the passing of her grandmother. Hitomi seizes the opportunity to attend the funeral in Sapporo and pursue her dream of becoming a dancer, inadvertently causing disruptions in her grandfather's life.

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.

The narrative revolves around Akiyasu Shin, a 28-year-old public servant selected to participate in a novel government initiative known as the "NEET protection law". This program aims to assist NEETs by pairing them with government workers in order to help them reintegrate into society. However, the issue arises when Akiyasu Shin's assigned partner, Sawamoto Himari, was enrolled in the program unknowingly! Will Akiyasu Shin be able to win her over, or will this forced partnership turn into a disaster?