Asian dramas like
Rebound 2011

Picture yourself as a single woman at the age where people typically consider getting married. What qualities would you want in a potential husband? In the past, it was often said that a man should have a high salary, a good education, and be tall. Nowadays, the focus has shifted to qualities like respect for women, low risk, and independence. But let's save that discussion for another time. The real dilemma arises when a young, wealthy, and attractive celebrity suddenly appears before you and asks for your hand in marriage. How would you react? Hasegawa Kyoko portrays Shiraishi Suzuko, a talented and confident female chef, while Koide Keisuke plays Katsuragi Haruki, a naive celebrity businessman. Join these characters in a comedic drama filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Kanbayashi Megumi, a self-employed writer, has been single for the past five years and is starting to worry about not being married by the time she turns 30 in three months. One day, a friendly magazine editor offers her a proposal. The proposal involves going to restaurants recommended by single men and trying to attract their attention while dining. Since Megumi frequently eats out alone and knows a lot of restaurants, she sees this as an opportunity to enjoy free meals and potentially meet someone special. Excited by the chance to meet men and possibly start a relationship, Megumi agrees to the proposal. She even plans to let herself be won over if she finds someone interesting. Megumi begins to search for men to participate in the project titled "Pick-up meals ~ Take me to a meal!"

Jirou Tamiyamaru, the main character, has a unique fascination with the art of eating that sets him apart from others. The comedic drama humorously showcases his struggles and quirks when it comes to dining etiquette compared to those around him. (ANN)

Lee Da Hae portrays Wang Xiao Xia, a gifted chef who juggles multiple part-time jobs to support her nephew Yang Guang. When a mistake by real estate agent Chen Hao Jie leaves Xiao Xia homeless after being swindled by her landlord, Hao Jie offers her temporary shelter at his home. Unbeknownst to Xiao Xia, the Chen family owns a prestigious restaurant chain. Misunderstandings lead to Xiao Xia being mistaken as Hao Jie's girlfriend, leading to suspicions from Chen's other son, Hao Feng, about their true relationship.

Happy Noodle follows the story of En Ying, a talented noodle chef, and Zhang Lin, a skilled Chinese fencer. Despite a major misunderstanding, they find themselves falling in love while pursuing their dreams of culinary excellence.

Ye Qing, on the verge of tying the knot with her partner Lu Wen, manages a flower boutique. As she busily arranges flowers for a celebrity wedding, an unexpected issue arises with the shop's flowers. This leads Ye Qing to unintentionally offend a wealthy individual. In order to resolve the situation, Meng Qing is summoned by Liang Shi to assist. Consequently, Ye Qing ends up missing her planned outing with her partner. Once the work dilemma is resolved, she discovers that her partner's belongings are mysteriously missing, setting the stage for the unfolding story.

A sequel to Kudoki Monku showcasing Kou's imagined partners preparing breakfast for her and the pair enjoying a meal together

Ueno Hana, aged 29, is employed at a small hotel

Satsuki, a working woman, has a habit of visiting snack bars regularly

The plot revolves around Gung Yan-tung, an ordinary vegetable market worker, who undergoes a mysterious transformation into the famous cantopop star Gan Lik-shun after consuming chocolate. As Gan Lik-shun, he becomes the top-selling celebrity in Hong Kong. However, once the effects of the chocolate wear off, Gung Yan-tung reverts back to his normal self. He eventually forms a romantic relationship with Tse On-fei, who is unaware of his true persona.

An undiscovered female chef named Seri, hailing from a rural area, comes to Tokyo with hopes of working at the renowned French restaurant, 'toile'. However, upon arrival, she learns that the restaurant has shut down after their head chef left. Joining forces with the former manager, Seri decides to open her own French restaurant called 'Petit toile'. She embarks on a journey to recreate the exquisite flavors passed down from her late father, a celebrated gourmet chef. To her dismay, 'toile' reopens under new management, leaving Seri in a difficult position. To add to the complexity, she discovers that the restaurant is actually owned by her long-lost birth mother living in Paris, whom she hasn't seen since childhood. Seri questions whether her talent and passion will be enough to overcome these challenges and thrive in the competitive culinary world. (TBS)

Kasuga Chieko is a woman in her middle years who owns a business selling lunch boxes. Her husband disappeared 27 years ago, causing her to avoid romantic relationships ever since. However, this summer, she finds herself falling in love for the first time in many years. Despite dealing with the challenges of managing her business, supporting her unemployed son, and contending with her sister-in-law who also has feelings for the same man, Chieko fights to maintain her newfound love.

Hana Sakai is a solo parent raising her 5-year-old daughter, Mimi. Their lives change when she encounters Tokumura Shuji, a producer from NTV, who recognizes her talent and offers her the opportunity to become the weather girl on his show "News No. 1." The series follows Hana as she navigates the challenges of balancing her job with her responsibilities as a mother.

The setting of the narrative is a department store, where Shizu-chan acts as an elevator attendant and Komoto portrays the manager of a bakery. The script will be penned by Osamu Suzuki, known for his work on the television program "SMAP x SMAP." (Tokyograph via Wiki)

Suwano Daisuke, a 40-year-old man, works hard to maintain his reputation as an exemplary father, husband, and boss to his admiring staff. Despite his calm and kind demeanor, he secretly stresses over his finances in the privacy of his bathroom. His wife limits him to a monthly allowance of 30,000 (US$270), a common amount for Japanese husbands. Daisuke compares himself to a swan gliding gracefully on the surface while struggling beneath the water. This heartwarming romantic comedy follows Daisuke and two other men as they navigate their daily challenges and unexpected romances with a young executive. Although life is difficult, there is always something valuable waiting in the end.

Rin is employed in the sales promotion division of a publishing company, but she is viewed as untrustworthy by both her bosses and her colleagues. During a visit to their friend Miho's divorce ceremony, Rin and her friend Nanako encounter three individuals: a dentist named Naoya, a flavor expert at a prominent food corporation named Kota, and an attractive young man named Shunpei. The narrative revolves around the connections among these six individuals.

Emi Komori (played by Mimura), a teacher at an elementary school in Nagoya, is a plain woman in her thirties who struggles to assert herself in her job and personal life. Her students look down on her, and she has recently been abandoned by her fiancé. Finding solace in social media, particularly Twitter, she vents her frustrations anonymously and finds comfort in the responses she receives. One day, Emi receives a message from a mysterious man named Shuji Yaegashi (portrayed by Toshio Kakei) in response to her posts. He challenges her to take control of her life and gives her a series of tasks to complete. Though initially resistant, Emi is gradually inspired by his guidance and undergoes a remarkable transformation.

The tale revolves around Takaraike Aoko, a woman in her mid-twenties who struggles in both love and work despite her efforts. She faces constant misfortune, yet remains candid, albeit a little disorganized. She often mutters to herself and enjoys sake. The story promises to be humorous yet heartwarming, inspired by Nakai Maasa's acclaimed love story, Stardust Venus.

Restaurant Report is situated in Sangen-Jaya, Tokyo. Following the passing of their dynamic chef and proprietor, the late chef's son Masaya has assumed control of the restaurant. Unfortunately, the restaurant is on the brink of bankruptcy, leading Masaya's sister Mineko and other staff members to lose hope. In a crucial moment, Date, a former apprentice of the late chef, makes a surprise appearance at Restaurant Report from Paris. Date brags to the staff about his success in Paris and presents a letter from the late chef to prove his credibility. Can Date rescue Restaurant Report?

Keisuke, a 28-year-old man, has never been in a romantic relationship. He often shares posts on social media about his fictional girlfriend, Haru. One day, his dream girl Haru comes into his life and surprisingly acts just like he had imagined. As Keisuke starts to feel the spark of romance, he questions whether this scenario is real or just in his imagination.

Risa has long been intrigued by her coworker, but she finds herself fantasizing about him having a secret relationship with a married woman she recently met, even though this scenario is entirely fictional. Her vivid imagination leads to numerous errors as she becomes lost in her exaggerated daydreams.

Tsubokura Haruko, a manager at Saotome Accounting Software, a medium-sized IT company, is feeling down as her 35th birthday approaches. She is questioning the direction of her life and wonders if she is content with the way things are going. Haruko and her longtime boyfriend, Ninomiya Takashi, who is also her colleague, are considering marriage, but she is hesitant about settling into a life of predictability. Meanwhile, the company's president, Saotome Ranko, recruits a student named Ichijo Joe after meeting him at a company event. Ichijo had openly criticized the company's products for being outdated, showcasing his high self-esteem and self-promotion skills. Despite lacking actual abilities, Ichijo is placed under Haruko's supervision, much to her reluctance.

Sawada Michiko, a temporary employee at a trading firm, is feeling heartbroken. During one of her monotonous days at work, her boss, Kurokawa Atsuko, surprises her with a proposition. Let's swap lunches. Feeling pressured, Michiko agrees reluctantly. This simple act leads Michiko to discover the significance of food and sparks a transformation within her. Atsuko, also known as Akko-chan, is intimidating to those around her and has a wide network of connections. What lies beneath her tough exterior?

Toyoshima Anne, a 29-year-old ambitious team leader at Horizon, an online retail company with a vast selection of over 100 million products, is quite different from her colleague Harada Miki, a 38-year-old who has always been supportive of the sales team in a clerical capacity. Despite their contrasting personalities, both women are struggling to find personal happiness and have yet to meet the partners of their dreams. Anne is keeping her relationship with her boyfriend a secret, while Miki has recently been dumped by her long-term partner. To make matters worse, Anne faces the threat of losing her job if she fails to succeed in a new project within two months. Can they overcome these challenges and find true love in the end?

This tale follows a plain man and a rugged woman, both desiring to pursue a relationship with someone of exceptional beauty. They join forces to pursue their shared objective.

Morioka Kotaro, a 35-year-old man who is still single, is feeling the pressure from his family to settle down. He decides to entertain the idea of marrying a woman who agrees to never divorce or face a hefty penalty, believing that no one will agree to such terms. The story follows his journey with four women who accept his unconventional condition for their own reasons, as they undergo a rigorous testing period akin to a job interview to become his wife.

Megumi Kanbayashi, a 30-year-old freelance writer, has been single for the past six years. Her friend, Yuko Fushimi, a magazine editor, proposes a second season of a project where Megumi tries to get approached by eligible bachelors while dining at recommended restaurants. Can Megumi find her perfect match this time around?

Follow-up series to Renai Mangaka.

Yakushiji Momoko is a solo parent who makes a living as a driver for trucks. After relocating from Ibaraki to Tokyo, Momoko discovers that the primary school her daughter will be enrolling in is exclusive to children of celebrities. In order to help her daughter fit in, Momoko chooses to visit a salon owned by Madame Sally to find her sense of "grace".

The snow people, who had been peacefully residing in the mountains, were forced to leave their homes due to a catastrophe caused by a sudden shift in the global environment. They descended from the mountains and settled in the bustling city of Tokyo, where the Japanese government decided to offer them refuge. Yukio, a snow man with the ability to sleep in a freezer and possess supernatural powers, found employment at a supermarket owned by Akane, Midori's mother. As Yukio and Midori began living together, he developed feelings for her. However, Yukio encountered challenges such as prejudice, discrimination, government surveillance, and the materialistic nature of society. Despite these obstacles, will the two lovers be able to navigate their way to happiness?

In a tale of late-night indulgence, Tachibana Komugi, a wheat food enthusiast, embarks on a culinary journey to explore different restaurants in pursuit of tasty dishes, unconcerned with calorie counts. Komugi's interest is piqued when she receives sweets from a friend, leading her to Takasaki City in Gunma Prefecture.

Masuda Suzu, a researcher at a health food company, possesses exceptional observational abilities and a deep fondness for the world of manga, anime, and video games. While she typically has no interest in romantic relationships, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her new neighbor, Katori Shun. Katori's adept communication skills and infectious smile quickly endear him to those around him. Suzu is puzzled by Katori's inability to move on from a rejected confession to Itsuka. Seizing the opportunity to live together, Suzu decides to study Katori as her latest research subject. What secrets will Suzu uncover about the true nature of Katori?

The narrative follows four women with varying ages, professions, and beliefs who, despite living in a time where romance is not necessary, are determined to find love

Do Eun Soo is a single woman in her 30s leading a monotonous and predictable existence as an office employee, navigating through difficult times with the survival skills she has acquired over the years. She copes with her work-related challenges by indulging in delectable food. The situation becomes complicated with the introduction of the attractive new coworker Lee Ji Yong and the unexpected shift in behavior from her long-time colleague Yoo Woong Jae, thrusting Eun Soo into a romantic triangle at the workplace.

A man from the year 1600 in the Chosun Dynasty unexpectedly arrives in Korea in 2004.

In addition to just swapping the male lead from the original film, My Boss, My Hero, for a female counterpart, this drama explores significant themes of personal development and familial connections in modern society. It does so through a humorous lens that focuses on gangsters and the evolving camaraderie among the three central characters.

The sincere and direct fitness instructor Zhu Da Hai struggles to find a life partner, whereas the impulsive gossip journalist Luo Chun Xiao has a string of misfortunes in her romantic life

Hamasaki Densuke is a recent addition to the workforce at Suzuki Construction, a prominent construction firm. With the construction industry booming in anticipation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Hama-chan's passion for fishing often distracts him at work, much to the frustration of his boss, Sasaki Kazuo. Through his shared love of fishing, he forms a bond with Suzuki Ichinosuke, unaware that he is actually the company's president.

Hamasaki Densuke, a third-year employee at Suzuki Construction, is known for his passion for fishing which adds to his endearing personality. He has a unique mentoring dynamic with the company president Suzuki Ichinosuke, whom he affectionately refers to as Su-san. As tensions rise between Densuke, his boss Sasaki Kazuo, and other colleagues, a new, attractive rival enters the scene and complicates Densuke's relationship with his girlfriend, Kobayashi Michikole. This narrative is adapted from the manga series Tsuribaka Nisshi by Yamasaki Juzo and illustrated by Kitami Kenichi.

Yano Shohei, a 26-year-old assistant producer at a television network, lacks confidence in his job but excels in snowboarding. When he meets the alluring Hirose Yuki at the bar "Romance," he is instantly smitten. Despite his shyness, Shohei seeks advice from Furui Kami, known as the "God of Romance," and musters the courage to ask Yuki out. Their date takes an unexpected turn when they visit a ski slope recommended by Yuki, leading to a surprising and delightful culinary adventure.

This narrative revolves around a fusion dining establishment and three individuals who discover both employment and romance within its walls.

Television series from the year 2000.

A tale of two individuals who connect through their shared love for cooking and managing a guesthouse. Zhao Xiao Xin, a 24-year-old woman with a passion for food and aspirations of becoming an artist, finds herself at a low point in her life. Feeling lost, she stumbles upon an article promoting the healing power of running a homestay. Intrigued, she decides to visit a uniquely themed guesthouse in hopes of finding solace. To her surprise, she learns that the owner, Fang Da Zhao, is considering shutting down the business. Determined to help, he convinces Xiao Xin to stay and work as a chef to save the guesthouse.

A romantic fantasy unfolds between the offspring of a royal cook and the CEO of a high-end restaurant group. Gu Cong Lai, born into a lineage of cooks, possesses a unique ability to perceive the flavors of food and manipulate emotions through various tastes. By a stroke of luck, Cong Lai crosses paths with Liu Shang Jun, the authoritative head of a prestigious dining empire. Despite Shang Jun's desire to enlist Cong Lai, their conflicting personalities and divergent beliefs lead to a tumultuous love-hate dynamic between them.

Saeki Kou is employed in the sales division of an architectural company