Asian dramas like
One Step Forward

Everyone harbors their own hidden truths; are you brave enough to uncover them? Caught up in the hustle and bustle of his daily routine, Mo, an office worker, has remained apathetic to his surroundings. However, a scolding from the head of the Owners' Corporation prompts Mo to use a drone to observe the chairperson's life, leading him to discover the secrets of various households. From the cheerful and lively fitness instructor to the flirtatious dance teacher, the kindergarten educator with a warm smile, the professor couple in love, the quiet Indonesian domestic helper, to the vigilant chairperson of the Owners' Corporation who monitors the estate incessantly... each individual has their own narrative. While spying on his neighbors, Mo catches a glimpse of his wife Ling in a neighboring apartment, setting off a chain of events that disrupt the couple's tranquil existence. As Mo delves into the lives of those around him, he realizes he knows less and less about his own wife. Despite the city's illuminated skyline at night, darkness looms within every home.

Toji manages the food section in a medium-sized department store and faces challenges with a difficult boss. However, his luck changes when he meets a charming elevator operator named Nao. Just as Toji begins to find happiness at work, his ex-girlfriend Makoto reappears as an account manager from an advertising agency. Despite Toji's surprise, Makoto acts as if they have never met before. With a demanding job and tension between Nao and Makoto, Toji finds himself in a difficult situation.

NHK's commemorative drama series for its 50th anniversary features multiple short stories showcasing popular Japanese actors and actresses. The narrative follows a ball as it travels from the river's origin to the ocean, revealing six love stories set in different seasons throughout the year.

Derived from the 2006 movie Sugar & Spice, this spin-off series consists of four unique narratives. In the first case, Minami, a student at the same university as Yutaka, harbors a secret admiration for him despite his relationship status. As circumstances change, Minami and Yutaka grow closer. The second case follows Madoka and her partner Satoshi as they navigate a long-distance relationship when he is relocated to Sendai for work. The third case revolves around Mika, who, after experiencing betrayal, loses faith in love until a colleague named Yuta challenges her beliefs. Lastly, the fourth case introduces Takuma, responsible for managing fanmail for the popular radio show School of Lock, who falls head over heels for Asuka, a waitress he encounters at a cafe. Wiki/d-addicts

According to the novel Paradise Thirty written by the author Nonami Asa.

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.

"PIANISSIMO" embodies the theme "Come & Goes in Silence," weaving through various love stories. This drama consists of 8 episodes, including Black City, Never Ending Love, Happy Fiction, Love is You, Grape Prince, Moebis, Magic Hour, and Meet, featuring renowned Hallyu stars and celebrated directors known for their contributions to melodrama. The cast includes members from SS501—Kim Kyu Jong, Kim Hyung Jun, Park JungMin—as well as singer Moon Hee Jun, Son Ho Young, Nam Gyu Ri, Tei, Bae Seul Ki, Seo Ji Young, former Baby V.OX member Shim Eun Jin, Kim EZ, Kong Hyun Joo, Hong Jong Oh, Park Ki Ung, Lee Tae Sung, Hong Soo Hyun, Won Jun Choi, among others, totaling over 30 Korean celebrities. With many musicians making their acting debuts in this series, viewers can expect a unique experience while watching. This drama was also released on DVD.

In Ogikubo, Hachimanyama, Chitose Funabashi, Futako Tamagawa, Kaminoge, and Denen Choufu, Loop line 8 passes through these six towns. Despite the close proximity, passengers must transfer trains and take a longer route. In each of these towns, there are women who struggle with unfulfilled love, such as one-sided crushes, domestic abuse, and extramarital affairs. Similar to neighbors taking a detour, their relationships are loosely intertwined. Due to the complex nature of their connections, they only scratch the surface when interacting with each other, leading them to question their personal struggles. Despite their worries and comparisons, they strive to move forward.

Ten episodes featuring a consistent cast, each presenting a unique storyline centered around various types of love relationships such as heterosexual, familial, LGBTQ+, and platonic.

Mizushima Hiro takes on the roles of a stylist, a surfer, and a hairdresser in three separate 15-minute segments, all centered around themes of love

Following the death of her mother at a young age, Sugihara Oto was raised by adoptive parents in the countryside of Hokkaido. Despite giving up on her dreams, she maintains a cheerful and courageous attitude. However, she faces a dilemma when her adoptive parents pressure her into marrying a wealthy man who is 20 years older in order to alleviate the family's financial struggles. Meanwhile, Soda Ren, who lost his parents early on, was raised by his grandfather in Fukushima's rural surroundings. When his grandfather falls victim to a scam, Ren heads to Tokyo to earn money to save their farmland. Although he dreams of reuniting with his grandfather, the harsh reality sets in. By chance, Oto also travels to Tokyo, leading to a tale of love and personal growth among six young individuals from rural backgrounds who find themselves in the bustling city.

The narrative takes place inside four vehicles trapped in a congested traffic jam.

In every populated area, there exists a community. Districts are interconnected by trains, with stations serving as meeting points for people and opportunities for love to blossom. This series consists of 10 episodes showcasing various love stories - romantic, familial, friendly, and hometown love - all centered around different train stations along the Osaka Loop line. (jdramas.wordpress)

Ayaka Miyata is employed at a company that produces stationery and is set to marry her coworker, Yuichi Hiyama. Despite this, she is hesitant to share the news with her mother, Harumi. Ayaka and Harumi have been estranged since a major disagreement they had when Ayaka was 20 years old. Harumi has always kept the identity of Ayaka's father a secret since she was a child. One day, Yuichi urges Ayaka to inform her mother, which leads to Harumi visiting the company the following day to evaluate whether Yuichi is a suitable partner. During the meeting, Yuichi and Harumi hit it off and she agrees to attend the wedding dress fitting. Unfortunately, on the day of the fitting, Harumi is rushed to the hospital after suffering from a sudden brain hemorrhage. Despite three months passing, she remains unconscious. Meanwhile, Ayaka discovers her mother's living will from a nurse, revealing that she had been exchanging diaries with her high school classmates. Using the diary as a guide, Ayaka travels to Kaga City in Ishikawa Prefecture, her mother's hometown. The revelations in the diary, filled with both lies and harsh truths, ultimately lead Ayaka to find true happiness.

It is a tale about two friends who develop romantic feelings for each other yet choose to remain just friends.

Lee Sarang works part-time and lives alone in her apartment. One day, she meets a new part-time colleague, Son Hyun Woo, who starts working alongside her. At the same time, a new neighbor moves in, whose identity remains a mystery to Sarang. The story explores how chance encounters can shape one’s destiny.

The series follows the lives of individuals who have fallen out of love. Matsuo Ryo is employed at a landscaping company and holds a negative view of women. During a visit to a client's office, he encounters Satogawa Akane, a secretary to a CEO who is highly regarded by male colleagues for her beauty and intelligence. However, Akane, disillusioned by a past relationship, is not interested in pursuing romantic relationships and only engages in sexual encounters with married men. A new colleague named Kinosaki Haruto shows interest in Akane. Meanwhile, Ryo is approached by his boss with a proposal to marry his daughter Tanno Ayaka and eventually take over the company, but Ryo sees Ayaka as a sister figure and feels embarrassed by the suggestion. Ayaka, who works at a construction site by day and a girl's bar by night, struggles with her own sexual identity. One night at the girl's bar, she is approached by a female customer named Kuroda Azusa.

This narrative follows the life of a young man in Tokyo spanning two decades. Shota enrolled in a prestigious private university in the city. Upon discovering his girlfriend's infidelity with wealthy older men, he concluded that women prioritize money above all else. Determined to elevate his social standing in Tokyo, Shota secured a position at a prominent trading company after graduation. Despite enjoying a life filled with wealth and romance, his values began to shift as he competed for success alongside his colleague Kojima and navigated his relationship with Minami, who sought a partner earning at least 30 million annually. It wasn't until Shota reconnected with his former classmate Kazuma, now a CEO of a startup company, and his employee Ruriko, that he started to discover a fresh sense of purpose in his life.

The narrative focuses on two girls along with their boyfriends. They must contend with witnessing their girlfriends' anger in various scenarios.

In this eccentric, surreal online series, a man and his fictitious companion explore his profound reflections during showers about existence, romance, and washing methods. (AsianCrush)

Miyuu lost faith in men after her father cheated with another woman. Nevertheless, she found herself falling in love with someone despite her lingering distrust.

Emi works as a lighting technician at a company that specializes in lighting. Due to her predominantly male colleagues, she has adopted a more tomboyish behavior. Emi is not interested in typical girly things like fashion and has a cynical view on love. Despite this, she harbors feelings for her ex-boyfriend, who is also her coworker. Mako is a diligent office worker who is somewhat clumsy and hesitant to pursue romantic relationships. She had never been intimate with anyone until she developed feelings for a colleague. Saki is a stunning and confident young woman with aspirations of becoming a journalist. However, she ends up working as a hostess in a bar to support her family. Saki fabricates stories about working at a prestigious publishing company to her family. She becomes romantically involved with a married man who is kind and supportive.

Tsukasa is a devoted husband to his wife Sayaka, showcasing a strong appearance, notable educational background, and a lucrative salary. However, he harbors a hidden truth from his wife - his incompetence at work. Struggling with constant errors and doubts about his abilities, Tsukasa faces a dilemma when he discovers Sayaka is expecting a child, making it difficult for him to leave his job.

AbemaTV is promoting a drama/romance series that promises to blend themes of love, heartbreak, camaraderie, and the essence of youth. The show will center around the journey of five individuals as they come together to establish a voice acting agency in pursuit of their shared dream. (The Hand That Feeds HQ)

Toko Ikuta was brought up by her uncle in Morioka city

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.

Nakayama Aya, a 32-year-old homemaker, has been joyfully married for two years. Despite appearing to be a picture-perfect couple to outsiders, Aya becomes suspicious when she discovers a cryptic message from an unknown woman on her husband's phone. This discovery, coupled with the lack of intimacy in their relationship for the past two months, prompts Aya to embark on a quest for further proof of a potential affair.

If I were to confess my feelings for you, would it jeopardize our friendship? Unrequited love involves making difficult decisions. I harbor feelings for you in secret, but the label of "friend" creates an obstacle between us. I yearn to break down this barrier, yet find myself unable to do so. Within this restaurant, we witness the struggles of a manager pursuing his dreams and regular customers who have lost theirs. Why is it that concepts like love and aspirations, which sound so pleasant, can also bring about pain? This short drama series unfolds in a unique café, each episode portraying a step towards maturity and personal growth.

After being dumped by her boyfriend of many years, a woman starts to see herself as undesirable in the realm of love. However, her perspective changes when she meets a man who teaches her the worth of things that have been previously owned.

The series effectively narrates the journey of a girl named Hyo Rin, who is perpetually troubled by matters of the heart

Hashimoto Tomoko, aged 42, leads a mundane life as a typical homemaker. One fateful day, she crosses paths with Sugawara Yuichi, a part-time worker 15 years her junior. Yuichi is in a relationship with Suzuki Satomi, who lives with him, while Tomoko is married to Koji. Despite being fully aware of their respective partners, Tomoko and Yuichi engage in frequent encounters in a narrow street near the Chuo train line without any clear intentions, ultimately leading to a physical relationship. These rendezvous serve as a temporary escape from the relentless monotony of their lives, filling the emotional void within them. However, an unforeseen event begins to shake Tomoko and Yuichi, unraveling an incredibly harsh reality that lies ahead for them.

The tale commences with a lost engagement ring in the MRT train. Yi Zhi had intended to propose to Lisa on that special day, but unfortunately, the ring slipped from his grasp. As they set out to find the ring, they both began to reflect on the true meaning of love. Meanwhile, the ring embarked on its own journey through the city, passing through different stations and becoming entangled in various love stories. Much like the concept of love itself, this ring flowed continuously through the bustling city.

The plot revolves around Lei Lei and Ye Qing, who initially have a rocky start due to rumors spread by the villagers about Ye Qing's character. However, they bond over their mutual admiration for Teresa Teng's music and eventually form a strong friendship. As they support each other during China's changing times, their bond deepens into a romantic relationship. The title of the drama is inspired by Teresa Teng's iconic song.

After graduating from school, three women living in the city come together through their experiences with work and love. The play explores the theme of love and marriage, highlighting the importance of honest communication and mutual understanding in relationships. It serves as a reminder for urban men and women that while well-meaning lies may exist, a strong foundation of openness and understanding is essential for a successful marriage.

"Revitalizing Our Community" is a social drama set in a small town in Osaka, Japan. The local government is facing a financial crisis, with severely limited funds. They must decide which government sectors to reduce funding for and which to prioritize in order to sustain their town.

A noodle shop owner struggling with debt and his incredibly resourceful wife are facing financial difficulties while trying to support their five children. Despite their limited funds, they rely on humor and clever problem-solving to make ends meet. (JDorama)

In an effort to expand her business, SIK-SIK, an employee at a travel agency, travels to Malaysia for a meeting with her client. However, her plans are disrupted by a devious local tour guide named KUNG-CHI, leading to a falling-out between them. Suddenly, SIK-SIK's boyfriend CHING CHIN-BOK appears and proposes marriage to her. They begin preparing for their wedding upon returning to Hong Kong. Just as SIK-SIK believes she is the happiest bride, a video is leaked during the ceremony showing CHIN-BOK cheating on her with her best friend. Heartbroken, SIK-SIK returns to Malaysia and changes jobs to work at a local hotel, where she meets KUNG-CHI again. Despite their differing mindsets, they develop subtle yet close feelings for each other. CHIN-BOK's sister CHING CHIN-CHUN supports SIK-SIK's decision to break up with her brother. Through SIK-SIK, she meets the famous chef CHIN TSUN and becomes his apprentice to learn cooking. Over time, CHIN-CHUN develops feelings for her mentor, while CHIN TSUN cannot shake his thoughts of SIK-SIK. Just as he is about to confess his love, CHIN-BOK resumes his pursuit of SIK-SIK, with KUNG-CHI unexpectedly coming to her aid.

Following a tragic accident, magazine photographer Song Tian Chong lost her vision. Despite her passion for beauty and watching TV dramas, Tian Chong remained undeterred by her blindness. Supported by her boyfriend, To Zhen Hang, and her guide dog, Tian Chong stays positive and draws strength from her new mantra, Love Conquers All. While Tian Chong rebuilds her life, her new neighbor, advertising expert Gam Yin Zhong, is going through a midlife crisis. Previously consumed by work, Yin Zhong became isolated from friends and family. Feeling lost and lonely, Yin Zhong decides to go on a long vacation to rediscover himself. After a breakup, Tian Chong meets Yin Zhong and finds solace in their shared loneliness. Despite their initial differences, Tian Chong and Yin Zhong gradually develop feelings for each other and realize they have more in common than they thought.

A tale depicting the proprietor of an inquisitive boutique assisting women in resolving their relationship dilemmas through the use of eloquent and lovely language

Naoko's life takes a turn when a failed project leads to her being demoted from marketing to data management, and her boyfriend and boss, Yanagiba Toshiro, moves to New York. Feeling lost, she encounters Uchimura, a cheerful bus driver who inspires her to reevaluate her goals. However, her world is turned upside down when Toshiro returns to Tokyo, forcing her to choose between two very different men in her life.

The series delves into the connections and friendships among seven individuals who come together unexpectedly, exploring how these relationships evolve over time. It all starts with a gathering of six of them. Each of the seven main characters is named after a different color of the rainbow.

Kami Daisuke serves as the primary aide to influential parliamentarian Tojo Yuji. His aspiration is to enter politics and bring about change in Japan, with Tojo serving as his role model for an honest politician. Despite his busy schedule, Daisuke's wife Kumiko remains supportive of his ambitions. One day, Daisuke is shocked to discover a memo supposedly signed by him indicating acceptance of a 50 million payment from a construction firm. Tojo, believing Daisuke betrayed him by taking a bribe, distances himself from Daisuke who now faces scrutiny from both law enforcement and the media.