Asian dramas like
Over 30

“Wife and Woman” explores the lives of individuals grappling with the tension between love and separation, summoning their strength to pursue authentic love and understand the essence of existence. Two distinct people come together and share their lives. In the end, what remains for them? What do they gain, and what do they forfeit? They achieve material wealth, professional success, and welcome a child—yet it’s time to challenge this outdated perspective. Since they cannot fully merge into one until the very end, wouldn’t it be wiser for them to exist as two separate individuals rather than as a married couple? Additionally, it’s essential to remember our shared humanity. Before taking on roles such as husband, wife, parent, son, or daughter, we are all individuals entitled to live our own authentic lives. (koreandrama)

For the last six years, Song Gun Woo has been leading a dual existence with two women. He is wed to Sae Young, while his mistress is Suh Kyung. Sae Young is quite sensitive and tends to tear up easily when she receives compliments or witnesses acts of kindness. She yearns for an ideal marriage, but she and her husband have struggled with conceiving a child. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers that her husband has been involved with another woman.

The narratives of two families united through marriage.

A young woman is compelled to relinquish her baby when her first love weds someone else. Many years later, now a married woman, she finds her child, and shortly thereafter, her first love comes back to the town.

A drama inspired by the tale of Jang Eun-young, the ex-chairman of Dong Ah Constructions and a former KBS announcer. After her lover departs, a woman weds a man who is significantly older, akin to her grandfather, while her family faces difficulties in making ends meet.

The drama narrates the journey of a woman who endures suffering due to her husband’s infidelity and misconceptions, yet continues to seek out love and joy with the support of her family. Choi Eun Sul, a young married woman and researcher at a cosmetics firm, is full of life, cheerful, and possesses a strong sense of curiosity. Despite experiencing betrayal and profound pain, she remains determined to pursue her own path to love and happiness.

Two decades after harboring a dark secret in their school days, three women come together again when they discover they reside in the same apartment complex. Although their lives have taken different paths, they face a common issue: infidelity from their husbands. United by their feelings of betrayal, these three housewives form a bond to seek vengeance. By actively addressing their marital challenges, this series promises to offer a sense of cathartic relief to its female audience. (MBC)

Geum Sa Wol is a brilliant architect who was raised in an orphanage. Throughout her challenging childhood, she maintained an optimistic outlook and never lost hope, regardless of the difficulties she encountered. Her biological mother, Deuk-ye, conceived her during an affair with a former boyfriend and seeks vengeance against her husband and his mother. After many years, Sa Wol encounters her mother, yet neither of them realizes their true connection. Instead, they form a relationship as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. (MBC)

Fan Chen and Chen Xiao Wen are experiencing their second period of relationship challenges. Fan Chen, who works as the Director of the Editorial Department at a book publishing company, is known for his outgoing personality and great sense of humor. He often brings laughter to his colleagues at work. On the other hand, his wife Chen Xiao Wen, who is the Chief Physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, is known for being extremely rational and strict in all aspects of her life. Despite Fan Chen's efforts to create a warm and romantic atmosphere for them, Xiao Wen remains indifferent and critical of his attempts to revive their marriage. She even starts to suspect that he may be having an affair. Fan Xiao Guang, Fan Chen's younger brother, is a generous but idle individual. He often lends money borrowed from Fan Chen to help others in need. On one occasion, Fan Chen lends money to Xiao Guang so that he can purchase a new apartment and get married. However, Xiao Guang ends up selling the apartment at a low price to help a friend whose father is ill. This decision leads to a crisis in Fan Chen and Xiao Wen's marriage.

In their marriage, Li Hai and Wu Ting have a strong bond. While Wu Ting looks after their daughter, Yingzi, in Canada for her schooling, Li Hai focuses on his career in China. However, Li Hai develops feelings for Zhao Xiaofei, a journalist. When Wu Ting discovers the affair, she quickly returns to China to try to salvage their relationship. Now, Li Hai is faced with a decision between these two women.

This story revolves around three different households. The Han family consists of Mr. Han, his second wife, and four daughters. While two of the daughters are from his previous marriage, the younger two are from his current marriage. The Choi family is made up of Mr. and Mrs. Choi and their two sons. Lastly, the Lee family includes Mr. Lee and his two sons. (Koreanwiz.org)

"Dowry" is a Taiwanese drama series that revolves around the theme of parental love and care towards their children. It consists of 324 episodes in Taiwan and 865 episodes in its international version. (Wikipedia)

Set in a rundown, vintage shop known as Old Noodles, this narrative revolves around a family that has operated a noodle factory for three generations. Focused on the world of noodles and the web of relationships tied to it, the tale captures the zest of radish water noodles along with the depth of chopped noodles prepared with chicken broth. This drama seeks to reinforce the family values of a wayward clan that remains united solely for financial gain. (MBC)

A woman who craves constant affection in an everlasting romance. She finds it impossible to endure a day without love. Even after experiencing heartbreak and betrayal repeatedly, she continues to fall for men. (MBC)

U Jin is a driven physician who has lost faith in genuine love following past disappointments. He perceives marriage merely as a commercial arrangement. Hae Su is employed as a sous-chef, and she aspires to marry the right partner and build a family. Before long, U Jin finds himself falling for her, leading to a struggle between his feelings and his ambitions.

"If Tomorrow Comes" explores the relationship and struggles between a mother and her daughter. Seo Woo portrays the compassionate college student Yoon Eun Chae, who believes that honoring one's parents leads to personal joy. The character of the mother will be enacted by Go Doo Sim.

A mother dedicates her entire life to living humbly for the sake of her daughter, who feels ashamed of her. However, one day, the mother vanishes. The daughter is left without a mother to embrace, voice her grievances to, or even see. Meanwhile, the authorities are concealing the reality of this incident...

Mayumi Sato is a homemaker who has been married to Hideaki, a salesperson at a real estate company, for over a decade. Their daughter has been accepted into a middle school, but the family is struggling to afford the tuition fees. To help cover the costs, Mayumi decides to reenter the workforce. Meanwhile, Hideaki seems indifferent to their financial situation and is unhelpful with household chores, causing tension between them. One day, Ayako Nasuda and her husband Taro, who is a teacher at the middle school, visit a show home built by the housing company where Hideaki is employed. Hideaki finds himself drawn to Ayako.

The play portrays the joyful lives of a cluster of youngsters led by Ma Xiao Tiao, sharing amusing anecdotes involving their parents, teachers, and peers. It mirrors the everyday experiences of modern children with a focus on psychological authenticity, promoting the natural essence of childhood, nurturing innocence and curiosity, examining the disconnect between the adult and child realms, and encouraging empathy and dialogue to cultivate a wholesome, balanced, and idealized childhood.

This tale revolves around the ordinary lives of individuals, exploring the complexities faced by two generations. It delves into their experiences of happiness, sorrow, love, and animosity, as well as common psychological challenges. Wei Na, a psychological counselor, could have enjoyed a harmonious marriage with her tennis coach husband Situ Xia like other newlyweds, but a sudden tragedy alters their lives. In addition to managing her disabled husband's mood swings, Wei Na must navigate the overbearing presence of her mother-in-law, Feng Qiu Xia. Meanwhile, full-time homemaker Fang Xiao Yu grapples with self-doubt, fearing that her esteemed lawyer husband Shao Yong Kang is being unfaithful. Simultaneously, Shao faces scrutiny for accepting a bribe from a client, leading to intense pressure to potentially lose his lawyer's license. To shield his wife from stress, he keeps this information to himself, exacerbating her anxiety.

An Wen, a young woman, marries the father of Liu Dao and assumes the role of his stepmother. Following the death of Liu Dao's father, An Wen makes every effort to look after Liu Dao. (DramaWiki)

In late 1958, Li Zhi Hao, the director of the mountain region post office, passed away unexpectedly while on duty

The play narrates a complex emotional tale involving a father and his son

Zhang San is a kind-hearted individual who runs a vintage store in a small town. Despite not making much profit from his business, he is content with his life. However, his world is turned upside down when his wife, Gu Xiao Hua, unexpectedly asks for a divorce and plans to move abroad with their son. In order to retain custody of his son, Zhang must have a sum of 500,000 in his bank account, with the stipulation that he cannot borrow the money. His only chance to raise the funds is by participating in a business competition sponsored by a jewelry company.

Narrates the experiences of the generation born after the 1990s, dealing with the challenges in their education and relationships with both teachers and parents

Centers on the dishonesty found in love and marriage, illustrating the anguish experienced by city-dwelling individuals when faced with deceit and betrayal in their romantic relationships

Describes the relationships and marriages of three youthful couples

The narrative revolves around three close companions, Jiang Bo, Chu Han Min, and He Hua, who were raised in a quaint village located to the south of the Yangtze River

Lou Zhi Jun, a skilled chef known for his roast duck, has taken on the role of a father to three children he adopted over the past 16 years. Despite facing many challenges and making personal sacrifices, he has raised these children – 17-year-old Xiao Yu, 13-year-old Xiao Xin, and 6-year-old Xiao Wan – with love and care. Despite not being biologically related, the children share a strong bond and care deeply for each other. However, tragedy strikes when Lou Zhi Jun is diagnosed with an untreatable hereditary neurological condition that will eventually result in the loss of his bodily functions. Concerned for his children's future, he decides to help them locate their biological parents before his health deteriorates further.

Narrates the tale of Sun Ji Wen and his three sisters-in-law who had a miscommunication leading to conflict, but eventually reconciled and earned back each other's admiration

Zhu Bo Yong holds the position of chairman at Lisa Garment Company. Despite his responsibilities, he remains devoted to caring for his unwell wife Yang Jing and his son Zhu Bao who has special needs. Rong Hua, a migrant worker, relocated her elderly relatives to a small town near the provincial capital in search of better opportunities. Zhu Bo Yong offered Rong Hua a job as a nanny, and her compassionate nature quickly earned the trust and reliance of Yang Jing and Zhu Bao. Yin Li, another migrant worker, joined Lisa Enterprises as a temporary employee and played a crucial role in resolving various issues. Chen Quan, a man who had faced setbacks in his business, found solace after receiving assistance from Rong Hua and developed feelings for her out of gratitude. His desire to marry Rong Hua left her feeling conflicted.

The narrative follows the journey of young individuals striving to overcome challenges in life. In the rural village of Jiang Men, two brothers, Liu Hua Sheng and Liu Hua Jie, make different decisions. The elder brother travels to Macau to visit his uncle, while the younger brother opts to pursue a college education. Both brothers were accepted into college, prompting their mother to work hard to gather funds for their tuition. A man known as Uncle Li unexpectedly appears from Macau, informing their mother that her younger brother is ill with cancer and wishes to reunite with his family before passing away. He also mentions an inheritance that he wishes to leave to his family. After deliberating with his mother, Hua Sheng decides to visit his uncle in Macau, while Hua Jie continues with his studies. Upon reaching Macau, Hua Sheng learns that his uncle has already passed away, leaving behind substantial debts for him to manage. With no other options, Hua Sheng remains in Macau and starts afresh to build a new life for himself.