Asian dramas like
Part Time Idol

The destinies of a pair of enka singers, a Hong Kong martial arts icon, and others become interconnected in this high-speed show showcasing the entire Gekidan Exile ensemble. (Netflix)

The plot of this series revolves around the television industry in Hong Kong during the 1980s, focusing on individuals who started as TV artists during that period and eventually rose to become prominent figures in the future of Hong Kong television

A diverse group of youths gathers at a guesthouse in Jeju, where they reconnect with their love and camaraderie while unraveling the enigma of "Sound Candy

A collection of hopeful young musicians dream of achieving fame as they navigate through the challenges of friendship, love, and school life. (Netflix)

After her boyfriend's unexpected passing, Cha Ra Ri is overcome with grief and considers joining him

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Matt, the keyboard player for the band "Magnet," tragically loses his life in a car accident, leaving his devastated brother Neil, the lead singer

Luo Tian Ran is a determined and independent young woman who values herself highly and aspires to become a successful songwriter in the music industry. Unfortunately, she is forced to leave her home due to the meddling of her friends. Fate brings her into contact with Jin Ze Yi, a famous pop star who initially appears arrogant. Despite his aloof demeanor, he has a hidden vulnerable and childish side. The two are compelled to share a residence temporarily, even though their personalities clash at first. Over time, Luo Tian Ran finds herself drawn to Jin Ze Yi's charms, and their feelings for each other grow mutual. Could a romantic relationship blossom between these two unlikely partners? (Viki)

The plot follows three regular girls named Asahi, Nami, and Hinata as they pursue their dream of becoming idols. Despite facing multiple rejections in auditions, their lives take a turn when they stumble upon a major crime and are forced to escape from the criminals. Luckily, they are rescued by a producer who offers them a chance to debut as idols, but under the condition that they disguise themselves as boys and keep their true identities hidden.

A skilled vocalist named Song Dan Ping arrived at an island with his small troupe of performers. While staying there, he developed strong feelings for Tong Ruo Fan, whose family funded the construction of his new theater. Despite their growing love, her family disapproved of their relationship and arranged for her to marry Chen Tian Yi, a wealthy man from the island. Ruo Fan's envious fiancé secretly set fire to Dan Ping's theater after its grand opening. Dan Ping was later presumed dead. The devastated Ruo Fan married Tian Yi without knowing he was behind the arson. Years later, a mysterious man with a significant fortune arrived on the island, bringing with him a desire for revenge and chaos.

Tong Yu Xin, a person with no musical talent, owns a special necklace. When she puts it on, she has the ability to captivate the audience with her singing for a limited time, turning her into a well-liked online singer-songwriter. Unexpectedly, one day, she unintentionally kisses Tang Yu Tong, a music instructor, causing the necklace to transfer to him. Now without her enchanting power, Yu Xin returns to her normal self and is determined to charm Tang in order to reclaim the necklace.

In the second season, the high school faces financial difficulties and is acquired by Oz Entertainment. The company relocates its young idols-in-training to comply with a new regulation mandating that underage performers receive twenty hours of education weekly and forbidding them from working past 10 PM. Tensions arise as the aspiring idols clash with the current student body, leading to rivalries, hidden crushes, and surprising alliances. Shin Hae Sung aspires to a music career, although her knowledge of it comes solely from books rather than practical experience. Jin Yoo Jin, a former child actor, frequently breaks school rules in his pursuit of becoming a hardcore rock star and often confronts JB, a member of the well-known group I:dn. JB’s ex-girlfriend Rian, who belongs to the popular K-pop band Hershe, wants to rekindle their relationship, but he begins to develop feelings for Hae Sung. Nana possesses the talent needed to become a leading vocalist. Who among them will reach the pinnacle of stardom? (Viki)

How can it be that twin sisters are such stark contrasts? Kwon Shi Ah is the stunning sister, captivating in every aspect and part of the well-known girl group Miracle Girls. From her preschool days, Shi Ah has been modeling and transitioned to a teen actress before ultimately becoming an idol. In contrast, her fraternal twin, Shi Yeon, is nearly twice Shi Ah's size and has faced constant ridicule and bullying at school due to her larger physique. As a result, Shi Yeon has withdrawn from social interactions, preferring to stay at home and create an online broadcast from the comfort of her room. The only occasions Shi Yeon leaves her house are to see a mysterious tarot card reader who gifts her a magical tarot card each day. However, their lives take a dramatic turn when they awaken one morning to discover that they have swapped bodies! How will an idol musician and Shi Yeon's high school crush react to the women they believed they knew?

Mok Ha harbored aspirations of becoming a singer from a young age. Unexpectedly stranded on an uninhabited island during her middle school years, she persevered in solitude for more than fifteen years. Upon her eventual rescue, she faced the challenge of reacclimating to a vastly transformed world. Despite the complexities of modern society, Mok Ha remained resolute in her pursuit of a music career, unwavering in her determination to fulfill her lifelong ambition.

Seung Hoon was involved in a car crash following his attendance at a music awards event. Formerly a singer, Seung Hoon is now a teacher at Yeongsol Alternative School, where he mentors 9 children in leaving behind their troubled pasts and striving towards their aspirations. (Naver)

A developing comedy-drama that portrays the challenging daily routines of a popular idol who faces difficulties despite achieving fame.

The plot centers on an unconventional kids' program titled "Minna de Utao!" Kenta, a budding musician, experiences a breakup with his band and a heartbreak from his girlfriend. Adding to his troubles, his family deems him as ineffectual. Surprisingly, he transforms into an "uta no oniisan," a singing figure on the show for children.

Julie, over 30 years old, is a self-absorbed individual who is determined to marry a wealthy man, but has faced continuous failures. Chen Qing Xia, approaching 40, has achieved success in her career but is entangled in a complicated relationship with a man who is already married. The two women, along with Fiona, a successful professional who returned to her home country, Bi Ran, a headstrong English teacher, Catherine, a prominent figure in the media industry, and Li XiaoYi, a taxi driver who is divorced, have come together to form a close-knit group of friends.

A tale about a group of young hopeful idols who train together to pursue their aspirations, and a mysterious encounter that transforms Lu Fei into Lu Xiang. Lu Xiang, Bai Ying, Zhang Han, and Wei Chi are part of the newly-established band A.C.E. Lu Xiang serves as the adorable and naive lead vocalist, Bai Ying is the passionate rapper with a cool exterior, Zhang Han is the primary dancer, and Wei Chi is the kind-hearted boy next door. Following an accident, Lu Fei undergoes a magical change into Lu Xiang, becoming a handsome trainee during the day and a convenience store worker at night. The arrival of a nurse named Wu You You adds unexpected excitement to his life.

With the Spring Festival approaching, the security guards at Aiwei Commercial Building have all gone home for Chinese New Year. In their absence, Zheng Da Shui, the deputy captain of the security team, is working tirelessly to recruit new members. Despite their initial reluctance, Yin Fang, Shuai Guo, Huo Xiao Ni, and Wang Tie Zhu temporarily join forces, each with their own aspirations and talents. Through a series of challenges and experiences, they learn to value their roles as security guards, building a sense of unity and camaraderie. Despite their differences and shortcomings, they work together to improve and achieve success, earning respect and recognition from all around them.

Fate unites two contrasting individuals on stage. The story opens with a romantic ballad. He is the charming "oppa" Detchana Khunkhaen, while she is the stunning and affluent Eknari Damrongthai. She has recently been abandoned by her boyfriend, and he has faced rejection from his mother.

"Over the Rainbow" explores both the bright and dark aspects of the tumultuous lives of dancers and singers. This drama realistically portrays the aspirations of dancers who dream of becoming vocalists. Kwon Hyeok Jo is a determined and affectionate dancer who develops feelings for Jeong Hee Su, a fellow dancer aiming to transition into singing. Together, they embark on their journey toward fame. Meanwhile, Rex, a charming young man with exceptional talent and a key asset to Pride Ent., seeks to break free from his label and pursue his own path. Ma Sang Mi is a kind-hearted yet awkward girl who is still in search of her true passion. This emotionally charged narrative delves into the struggles and triumphs of achieving popularity as a singer, featuring themes of betrayal and the constant cycle of reunions and separations. It provides a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of striving for stardom.

He may appear as a popular and attractive celebrity on the surface, the top choice for women in Japan. In reality, he is a sensitive and kind-hearted individual. Yuichiro Sakuraba is making a comeback! Despite his status as a major star, Yuichiro Sakuraba is a sentimental person who easily gets emotional. He has now fallen in love with Minami Ishihara, an older woman with a child from a previous marriage and a large family of only female members. Despite facing various challenges, Yuichiro and Minami eventually tie the knot. Yuichiro must now navigate between his roles as a celebrity and a husband in his new extended family.

Struggling musician Joon Hyuk, who was betrayed by his close ones, decided to cut off contact with his sister Joon Hee

If you could rewind time and rectify a single event, what would you select? Win, a 44-year-old office employee, leads a life lacking direction after the loss of his dear friend Nut and the dream they once envisioned together. One day, destiny grants him the opportunity to revisit his seventeen-year-old self. This time, Win is resolved to realize the aspiration documented in Nut's diary by reviving the band they had formed and guiding them to the stage of the Star of Band competition. However, as Win strives to change the past, the clock relentlessly counts down to Nut's demise, intensifying his fear of facing the loss again. Will he finally find the courage to express the emotions he has harbored in his heart for the last two decades?

The plot centers on Usa Shijimi, a 38-year-old high school teacher specializing in classical literature. Despite facing hostility from her students, they are unaware of her secret double life. Outside of school, she assumes the persona of Watanabe Mayu, a widely adored 17-year-old idol, by lying about her age. (Tokyograph)

Lee Hyun Wook works as a composer and producer for an entertainment firm. Following the tragic loss of his girlfriend in an accident, he encounters and develops feelings for her younger sister, Yoon Se Na, who aspires to be a music producer.

Yu Jie Qi unintentionally rose to fame after his dreams fell through. Disliking the celebrity lifestyle due to lack of privacy and constant paparazzi attention, he found solace when he met nurse Xiao Ya. The two secretly tied the knot, escaping the public eye. Living with his new wife and her family, he felt at ease and used his wealth to assist them. However, his happiness was disrupted when a person from his past resurfaced, causing turmoil.

Shogo, a man who has gone through a divorce and has a daughter, used to be part of a band when he was younger. However, the band disbanded quickly, leading him to start working at a record company. At 60 years old, he develops feelings for Kaede, who is 35 years old, but they have differing careers and beliefs. To complicate matters further, Kaede is already in a relationship with an attractive man.

The story revolves around a group of aspiring idol trainees determined to overcome obstacles in their quest to perform on stage. Gu Yang, a talented pianist since childhood, had secured a spot at the prestigious Julliard School of Music. However, due to his family facing financial difficulties, he is unable to attend as planned. To pursue his passion for music and ease his mother's worries, Gu Yang joins a talent agency as a trainee. Lacking experience in pop music, he is placed in the backup team. Through the help of fellow trainees Zhao Zhengnan and Lu Xinghao, Gu Yang improves his skills and earns a spot in the debut group. Meanwhile, Gu Yang's former companion, Lin Chen, undergoes a transformation and now views him as a rival, determined to outshine him at all costs.

New version: As a new detective, Tatsuya Sumire aspired to emulate the passionate detectives seen in detective shows. His superior's first assignment for him was to go undercover as an idol to investigate cases within the entertainment industry. This led to the creation of the impromptu idol group, Deka Dance. Initially overwhelmed by the unique world of entertainment, Tatsuya gained popularity each time he solved a case. Eventually, he began to embrace his identity as an idol.

Haruka Shinomiya, a 27-year-old woman, finds herself inheriting a management firm following her father's unexpected death. The company represents only one singer, the 48-year-old Ryuji Sakuraba, who is not well-known. Together, they embark on a tour to promote Sakuraba's CD, visiting different regions of Japan and staying at various inns along the way.

A young woman named Go Ha Neul embarks on a temporary teaching position at a private institution, motivated by a teacher who once played a crucial role in her survival. As she faces the demands of a highly competitive educational environment, she aims to nurture her students' aspirations while evolving with them. She is supported by Park Seong Sun, the head of career counseling renowned for her unwavering commitment to students, as well as her colleagues Bae Myung Soo and Do YeonU, who collaborate to address the obstacles encountered in the ruthless atmosphere of private schooling.

Fueled by his aspirations of achieving stardom, Han Yo Han decides it is time to shift from being a talented dancer to a well-rounded idol. In order to chase his dreams more effectively, he enrolls in Hanbit Art High School. Unfortunately, things do not go smoothly for Yo Han at his new school, especially after a tragic incident shatters his lifelong ambitions. Despite the setback, Yo Han is determined to find a new path to realize his dreams. By chance, he frequently encounters the members of the dance club called Villains. Spending time with the dance club opens up a whole new world for Yo Han. As he delves into this exciting new world, he meets On Ji Min, a model student destined to become an idol. With her family constantly pushing her to excel, she is accustomed to striving for perfection. However, everything changes for both Ji Min and Yo Han when their relationship takes an unexpected turn. With new opportunities ahead of them, Yo Han and Ji Min begin to gain the confidence to pursue fresh dreams. Yet, will they be able to chase those dreams amidst the obstacles that surround them?

Love narratives involving individuals in their twenties and thirties utilizing a range of social media features like direct messages, stories, comments, likes, and hashtags. (Naver)

He Ting Yu is a renowned violinist who recently completed a tour abroad. Chen Hai Jie is an ambitious individual who relocated to the city with hopes of becoming a top-tier violinist. Lan Die Fei possesses a captivating voice and a talent for pitch. Alice, a enigmatic individual from Japan, roams the city streets in pursuit of her past. Their aspirations have taken root in the city, and now they eagerly await the day when those aspirations will come to fruition.

Wi Mae Ri, the optimistic daughter of a struggling entrepreneur, forms a friendship with indie musician Kang Moo Kyul after almost colliding with him. At the same time, her father's former associate, Jung Suk, rescues him from creditors and suggests that Mae Ri wed his son, Jung In. In a bid to escape this arrangement, Mae Ri persuades Moo Kyul to act as her spouse. The situation intensifies when her father insists that she spend 100 days alternating between Moo Kyul and Jung In to choose her future husband.

"Big Picture House" follows the lives of five individuals who were unsuccessful in their quest to become idols as they coexist in a communal living space. Their narratives revolve around aspirations and romance. The series delivers the message that experiencing failure does not equate to a worthless life, and it emphasizes the idea that the time and energy invested in chasing one dream can be redirected towards other pursuits. (Soompi)

A tale of an unsuccessful idol group's final adventure as they strive to avoid breaking up

Jang Joon Hyun is an accomplished and well-known artist who has a disdain for the traditional genre of trot music. On the other hand, Choi Chun Hee juggles several jobs to provide for her father and younger sister. Having inherited her mother’s talent as a trot singer, she dreams of achieving her own success in that genre. A romantic connection starts to develop between these two characters.

When the renowned global icon Piuno faces threats from individuals seeking to tarnish his image, he decides to take on an unexpected role at a pet care facility in order to protect his reputation and career. Despite his strong aversion towards animals, Piuno joins forces with the director of the daycare, Dae Byeol, who assists him in addressing the past trauma that fueled his dislike for animals. As Piuno gradually develops a softer attitude towards animals, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Dae Byeol. Will their professional partnership evolve into something more? (Viki)

Yoo Baek was once a member of an idol group. Currently, he has gained fame as a singer and actor. He does not pretend to be nice to win people over. Instead, Yoo Baek is quite self-absorbed and often speaks his mind, even if it causes pain to others. After creating significant problems for himself, he escapes to a distant island. There, he encounters welcoming locals, including O Gang Sun, who operates a small grocery store and dives for abalone and sea mustard. She is a remarkably strong woman physically.

The plot centers around a made-up boy band called A.N.JELL. The management team of A.N.JELL decided to recruit a new vocalist because Tai Jing's singing voice was suffering. However, the new member, Mei Nan, had to travel to the United States for corrective surgery on his eyes just before finalizing the contract. In a clever plan devised by his agent, Mei Nan's twin sister, Gao Mei Nu, a trainee nun, disguised herself as her brother and took his place in the group. Both siblings were raised in an orphanage, and Mei Nu, who was on the path to becoming a nun, agreed to the deception to support her brother's career and to aid in their search for their missing mother.

Saijo Akane, a drummer who was recently dismissed from her former band just prior to her debut, finds herself unexpectedly recruited by the reclusive and talented musician, Fujitani Naoki, to be part of his new ensemble, TENBLANK. Alongside fellow band members Takaoka Sho and Sakamoto Kazushi, the group rises to prominence thanks to Fujitani's unique compositions and their exhilarating live shows. As TENBLANK ascends to fame, they encounter various obstacles, and Akane's transformation from anonymity to celebrity unfolds amidst the revelation of Fujitani's hidden truths. Will the band endure the challenges ahead, and what direction will Akane's emotions take her?

On an otherwise typical day, high school educator Na Ae Joon never anticipates encountering his beloved celebrity in the school corridors. However, when his workplace transforms into a filming venue for a series featuring Choi Si Yeol, his favorite member of the idol group A-One, that's precisely what occurs! As if that weren't enough to send a dedicated fan into shock, Si Yeol expresses interest in Ae Joon and invites him to participate in the show as his “co-teacher.” Eager to keep his enthusiasm for Si Yeol under wraps, Ae Joon finds himself needing to employ his acting talents both in front of the camera and off-screen. Yet, as he spends increasing amounts of time with Si Yeol, maintaining the façade becomes increasingly challenging. Furthermore, he might not be the only one hiding something...

Now in their twenties, Hong Cheng Yi and Wang Ding Zhu continue to grapple with the repercussions of their past experiences and are facing challenges in finding their purpose in the world

Yoon Jong Shin aims to elevate an established idol group to new heights.

During a summer break, Amano Aki visits her mother Haruko's hometown in Kitasanriku. It is during this trip that she meets her maternal grandmother, Natsu, for the very first time. Natsu is a skilled woman diver known as an "ama", and Aki finds this profession fascinating. As a second-year high school student struggling to keep up with the fast pace of life in Tokyo, Aki is captivated by the rural town she explores during her visit. However, it is watching her grandmother bravely dive into the rough waves along the coastline that truly leaves a lasting impression on her. This experience sparks a desire in Aki to pursue diving as well.

Sad Sonata tells a tale of love involving two men and a woman. Young Joon Young, brought up by his mother who sold alcohol to American soldiers, crossed paths with blind Hae In, and they became childhood lovers. Later, Hae In moved to the United States with her aunt, who was married to an American soldier. There, she encountered Gun Woo, Joon Young's best friend and the son of a wealthy businessman. After receiving a letter from Hwa Jung informing her of Joon Young's death, she accepted Gun Woo's affection. Following a successful surgery, Hae In regained her sight. The narrative resumes when composer Joon Young, singer Hae In, and music producer Gun Woo reunite.

Byul is a female Grim Reaper tasked with escorting souls to the afterlife