Asian dramas like
Shin Botan To Bara

The anguished existence of young individuals who desire to end their lives, yet also yearn to continue living.

Kang Ha Ri, known for her cheerful demeanor, has a part-time job at both a stationery shop and a nail salon. Min Deul Re was once a well-known actress, but she has seen a decline in her popularity recently. Kim Eun Hyang previously served as a secretary before welcoming her daughter, but now she dedicates her time to parenting. These three women experience the loss of their beloved ones simultaneously. Despite not being family, they support one another as they navigate their challenging times.

An incident has altered the destinies of five individuals. In contrast to typical romantic tales filled with beautiful moments and stories, their affection is met with disapproval and disdain. Nonetheless, despite the negativity surrounding them, they are unable to restrain their deep feelings for one another. Bad Love is a poignant romantic drama that captures the essence of love that causes pain. (Viu)

Aspiring to study in France, Goo Eun, who studied make-up at her university, becomes a victim one night after a drinking spree

A touching and brave story of love that follows three women across different generations, showcasing their genuine joy as they navigate life's obstacles. (Koreandrama.org)

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.

Baek Sae Hoon and his spouse, Lee Sun Young, are fervently attempting to have a child but face repeated failures. Sae Hoon's mother approaches Sun Young, suggesting that she explore surrogacy as a means to conceive without informing Sae Hoon. Enter Go Eun Nim, who becomes their surrogate, expecting their baby. However, the situation becomes more complex when she unexpectedly develops feelings for Sae Hoon's younger brother, Kang Ho.

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)

The tale revolves around the romantic aspirations and dreams of Soon Jung, a girl with a pure heart, who remains hopeful despite facing challenging situations.

Jang Ha Na is the youngest daughter of the eldest son in a family that has been producing soy sauce for centuries. Due to their financial constraints, she must disguise herself as a male. The family requires a male figure to represent their soy sauce business. After having four daughters, they ceased their attempts to have a son, so the fourth daughter must take on the role of a boy and behave like a son within the household.

The story centers on Bong Seon Hwa and her family's involvement in a confectionery business. Despite a difficult upbringing, she overcomes challenges with her resilient and optimistic attitude. Seon Hwa, who grew up in the same neighborhood as Moon Sang Hyuk, had a deep connection with him. However, after experiencing a tragic loss of her family caused by uncontrollable greed, she vows to seek revenge amidst a complex mix of fate and love.

Yeo Jin visits Eun Woo, who is dressed in a prison outfit, tears streaming down her face as she confesses her love for him. Ji Heon then assists Yeo Jin in standing up. One year prior, Yeo Jin led a typical life as a devoted wife alongside her husband, Ji Heon, an employee at an orthopedic university hospital, and her boisterous, irritable mother-in-law, Mrs. Shim. Meanwhile, Eun Seo pays a visit to her son, Min Hyung, who is in the hospital, bringing him some encouragement.

Kang Han Geol is the father of three daughters. The eldest, Keum Pa, is married to a lawyer, and they share a son, enjoying a life of happiness and comfort. However, her husband is unfaithful with a younger colleague. The youngest, Eun Pa, is a college student who is enthusiastic about romance. She breaks up with her first love, Yun Taek, and decides to move in with Jeon Seong Ki, a charming con artist known for his womanizing ways. After discovering she is pregnant, she eventually gains her parents' approval to marry him, but he fails to appear on their wedding day. Despite the challenges, Eun Pa is determined to work hard for her child's future, and a new romantic interest may soon come into her life as well.

"Is it possible for a daughter, separated from her family for two decades, to discover joy upon reuniting with her parents?" In an intricate turn of events, a young woman from an affluent background disappears and is brought up by a foster mother in place of her biological parents. Concurrently, her wealthy family chooses to adopt another girl in an attempt to cope with the absence of their original daughter. The conflicts that emerge when the daughter reconnects with her biological family lead to a path of comprehension and reconciliation. (MBC)

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)

The narrative revolves around a woman’s offspring who are unable to care for their mother suffering from Alzheimer’s due to certain circumstances.

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.

Marco, a psychiatrist grappling with the emotional scars left by the loss of his girlfriend, provides support to students residing on 88th Street. The narrative explores Marco's efforts to assist these students in overcoming their personal traumas and in rebuilding their connections with both others and the world around them.

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...

Lee Ji Yeon possesses an inherently positive and cheerful demeanor and works as a jewelry accessory designer. She is wedded to Choi Joon Ho. Meanwhile, Kim Tae Seop, a detective known for his reserved nature, becomes deeply attached to Ji Yeon after falling for her. Ji Yeon finds herself in a dilemma involving two men.

Kyoko, a nurse, experiences betrayal from her husband, Toyoki, leading her to kidnap Mayo, the baby born to Toyoki and his girlfriend Tokiko. Renaming the baby Botan, Kyoko raises her in secret while the couple mourns their loss. Tokiko later gives birth to a daughter named Kayo, whom they love dearly to move on from their painful past. Mayo and Kayo grow up unaware of each other until fate brings them together, living in the same household. As they discover their true connection, they both fall for the same man, Yukio. The story unfolds over four parts, covering Mayo and Kayo's birth, their high school years, their reunion as adults, and events five years later. This epic saga spans three decades, filled with love and animosity.

Oh Dal Nim is wrongfully charged with homicide. She chooses to seek vengeance against those who have caused her suffering.

The series revolves around Lee Tae Young, who develops romantic feelings for his stepsister, Han Ji Min. Their innocent yet taboo romance faces challenges due to the interference of others, each motivated by their own self-interest.

Two contrasting men become enamored with Jang Mi Ri, a woman entangled in a complex network of deceit driven by her avaricious aspirations rooted in a troubled childhood. Jang Myung Hoon is a driven hotel executive who exercises meticulous control over his personal and professional life, whereas Yutaka is the kind-hearted heir to a Korean-Japanese hotel empire. Their affection for Mi Ri and her hopeful yet tragic ambitions ultimately lead them toward ruin. This story is inspired by the true case of Shin Jung Ah, a university professor and art curator at Dongguk University, who was found to have falsified her qualifications to secure employment, aided by her boyfriend at the time, Byun Yang Kyoon, who was a presidential secretary, and misappropriated funds from the art gallery's corporate sponsorship.

Han Jung Im is a married woman with a teenage daughter who has recently relocated to Seoul from Jeju along with her husband, Moo Yeong, and their family. Despite the challenges posed by her in-laws, Jung Im strives to fulfill her roles as a wife and mother. In Seoul, she reconnects with her friend Do Hye Bin, who is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy family. Hye Bin, also a mother to a teenage daughter, is married to Park Hyeon Seong, who is employed at her brother Do Jun Tae’s company. While Park Hyoen Wu has a passion for filmmaking rather than practicing law, he holds a deep affection for his older brother, Park Hyeon Seong. Han Jung Im's modest yet content life begins to unravel when Hye Bin unexpectedly arrives with shocking news.

In 2009, Deng Cao Cao faces the kidnapping of her three-year-old son, leading to her husband Guan Hao blaming her for negligence and the subsequent decision to divorce. Despite the passage of five years, she continues to struggle as a single parent while on a relentless quest to locate her missing child. Along the way, she crosses paths with Gong Jian, a former military serviceman turned entrepreneur, who aids her in the search for her son and forms a deep bond with both mother and child. As Cao Cao and Gong Jian grow closer, complications arise with the return of Guan Hao and the interference of Gong Jian's mother. The question remains whether a new marriage is on the horizon or if familial and friendship bonds will be irreparably damaged.

The plot centers on Makoto, a 24-year-old with aspirations of becoming a pilot. Due to his social anxiety, he has isolated himself from the outside world for an extended period. However, his life takes a turn when a hidden camera prank and a chance meeting with a girl who shares his name come into play.

Eun Sol is the sole daughter of the CEO of a footwear manufacturing firm. She enjoys a joyful existence, but an unforeseen event leads to her amnesia, prompting her to adopt the name Dal Soon. With her cheerful demeanor and passion for shoes, Dal Soon uncovers her history and achieves success as a master shoemaker.

A wealthy family that operates a substantial business faced the heartbreaking loss of their son due to an unfortunate accident

The story revolves around Oh Eun Soo and Kim Bit Na, a former teacher and her student, who reunite years later after marrying siblings Yoon Soo Ho and Yoon Soo Hyun. Their families blend even further when their parents remarry, making them stepsisters.

This narrative centers around a woman groomed by her mother to serve as an instrument of vengeance, intertwined with her perilous romantic life. Carrie Jung has endured the loss of both her husband and child, and now her sole purpose is to exact revenge on those who caused their deaths. In pursuit of this goal, Carrie Jung trains Han Yoo Jin as a key player in her scheme for retribution. Han Yoo Jin is both intelligent and attractive, yet she finds herself in love with a man she should avoid.

One day, a man in his forties named Makoto Fujimoto stands on a train platform, contemplating jumping in front of an oncoming train. Kana Nakashiro and Shota Tasaki are also present on the platform, and they quickly intervene to prevent Makoto from harming himself. Kana and Shota were able to sense Makoto's intentions due to their own emotional turmoil that remains unspoken. Despite their past pain, the three individuals connect through a series of emails, leading to a mutual attraction and a gradual opening of their hearts once more.

Psychologist Zhou Wen is currently experiencing a mid-life dilemma as he works tirelessly to prevent his patients, career, family, and personal life from falling apart.

Comprised of 8 unique narratives that delve into the challenges and struggles experienced by women in contemporary society. Themes explored encompass single women deemed undesirable, the commodification of women, the expectations placed on housewives, instances of domestic abuse, pressures related to societal image, professional paths for women, challenges faced in midlife, and familial issues. (ChineseDrama.info) Influenced by BBC's Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives.

Aya, Julia, Michelle, and Himiko are strangers who share a common desire to end their lives. They come together online and decide to arrange a rock concert where they plan to die on stage. However, fate may have other plans for them. The manga adaptation was created by ObaraShinji and illustrated by Umino Yuko. The first volume coincided with the drama adaptation, while the subsequent two volumes were released the following year.

Maizu Tsukasa was raised by his renowned grandfather and father. He earned the nickname Sushi Ouji when he was just 10 years old. However, a tragic incident led to the development of his fear of fish eyes. Will he be able to overcome this phobia and continue his sushi-making journey with the assistance of Master Burusu Riri and Okudaira Kurage, and reclaim his title as the Sushi Ouji?

In 2007, one of the top-selling novels was centered on the concept of the "red thread of fate" that binds together Mei and Atsushi, a young couple, as they navigate various challenges.

Kazutaka is a young and shy psychiatrist with a talent for playing jazz piano. He enjoys collecting records and books, and is on a journey to find his purpose in life. When he meets Shuko, a cheerful woman who becomes his wife, he finally finds inner peace. After the birth of their first child, the Great Hanshin Earthquake strikes, impacting his family. As a psychiatrist, Kazutaka decides to help disaster victims by listening to their stories and helping them heal emotionally. He later writes a book based on his experiences in the disaster-stricken area, which receives recognition in the form of a social sciences prize. However, at the age of 39, he is diagnosed with cancer.

New Tales of Gisaeng explores the themes of love, sorrow, and the struggles faced by individuals connected to a gisaeng house, an exclusive venue accessible only to VIPs. Dan Sa Ran pursued a degree in classical dance during her college years. She lost her mother at a young age, and her father later remarried, introducing a new stepsister and a materialistic stepmother with whom she finds it difficult to bond. Although Sa Ran hails from a less fortunate background, she upholds her dignity around friends from affluent families. By either fate or chance, she encounters Da Mo, to whom she feels an immediate attraction, yet her awareness of her economic status prevents her from expressing it. The head gisaeng at Buyongkak notices Sa Ran's innate beauty, elegance, and talent for dance, suggesting that she consider becoming a gisaeng. On the other hand, Ah Da Mo is studying business administration at his father's company. He has a strained relationship with his father, who is emotionally distant and shows more affection for their pet dog than for his family. Da Mo has a cocky demeanor and often looks down on women, but his attitude begins to shift when he unexpectedly meets Sa Ran. He finds himself inexplicably drawn to her, marking the beginning of their relationship.

A theatrical piece centered on the daughter of a businessman who is battling a scheme to seize control of her father's company.

Kang Moo Yeol, a third-generation chaebol, appears to have everything one could desire—looks, wealth, and status. However, beneath this facade lies a troubled upbringing marked by family strife and the heartache of losing his former love, Han Yoo Rim. On the other hand, Han Yoo Jung is a hardworking, intelligent, and fiercely independent woman with a rebellious spirit that has helped her cope with the sudden death of her family. As the younger sister of Han Yoo Rim, she becomes entwined with Kang Moo Yeol a decade later. Both Kang Moo Yeol and his half-brother, Hong Soo Hyuk, find themselves captivated by Han Yoo Jung. Yet, Moo Yeol and Yoo Jung's relationship is doomed from the start, as their tragic romance is rooted in a calamity involving their parents. Will they be able to break free from their grim circumstances and find happiness together?

A theatrical piece centered around a woman who, through re-adoption, finally finds her place within a family, alongside a man who opts for love rather than familial ties.

Cheng Yue and Rui Shan are both talented musicians, with Cheng Yue being a pianist and Rui Shan a cellist. Despite being known as the most prominent couple in the music world, Cheng Yue's life takes a turn when he injures his arm while trying to save a girl named Xiao Lu from a car accident. This incident leaves him unable to play the piano, leading him to give up music and embark on a journey to escape his sorrow. Two years later, Cheng Yue finds himself living in Shanghai where he crosses paths with Xiao Lu, who is now his colleague. Through their work together, they develop a friendship that gradually deepens. Meanwhile, Rui Shan locates Cheng Yue and urges him to return to music, but it is Xiao Lu's encouragement and positivity that ultimately inspire him to rediscover his passion for life. Despite falling in love with Xiao Lu, Cheng Yue faces rejection from her, raising questions about the fate of their love story. Despite the challenges they face and uncertain future, Cheng Yue's love for Xiao Lu remains steadfast.

Sweet Yun Hwa finds herself as the unintentional stepsister of Yu Ra. While Yun Hwa dreams of a sisterly bond with Yu Ra, the latter rejects the idea entirely, caught in a complicated scenario where her longtime crush, Yun Jae, is actually Yun Hwa’s affectionate boyfriend. In a heartbreaking moment, Yu Ra snatches away everything that Yun Hwa holds dear: her bright future, her caring boyfriend, and the support of her family.

A woman, once as pure as a white swan, transforms into a black swan to seek revenge for her father and reclaim her child who was taken away from her.

Han Ji Sook is a single parent who becomes romantically involved with a man who is already married. This man, Kang Chul Soo, has a family with his spouse, Yoon Young Hee. When Young Hee discovers Chul Soo's affair, she begins to emotionally withdraw from him. Ultimately, they end their marriage, allowing Chul Soo to embark on a new journey with Ji Sook. However, fate takes a turn when Chul Soo gets into a car accident, resulting in the loss of all memories related to Ji Sook. Consequently, Young Hee must act as if she and Chul Soo are still together.

Shin Ae, raised by her single mother who worked as a maid, sacrifices her education to take a job as a sales associate in a department store. Mi Na, the sole daughter and heir of the store's owners, secretly envies Shin Ae's natural confidence. Shin Ae harbors feelings for Jung Min, a manager at her workplace. Intelligent and talented, Jung Min is in a covert relationship with Mi Na, but her parents disapprove of his modest origins. When Shin Ae discovers that Jung Min and Mi Na are an item, she feels profoundly let down. It is during this tumultuous time that she crosses paths with Yeong Min, a charming yet awkward young man, and they find solace in one another, eventually marrying. Tragically, their joy is short-lived as Yeong Min and his family perish in a plane accident, leaving Shin Ae heartbroken in the early days of their union. In a surprising twist, it turns out that Yeong Min's father was a significant investor and major shareholder in the department store. As a result, Shin Ae inherits the wealth she had always longed for, suddenly elevating her to the upper class. However, this newfound status does not bring her genuine joy. Additionally, Mi Na, unable to accept Shin Ae's rise, devises a plan against her, leading to conflict and intrigue over the store's ownership. Meanwhile, Shin Ae still has lingering feelings for Jung Min. This story unfolds as an epic saga of love and rivalry between two high school friends from vastly different backgrounds, each aspiring to become a true lady of distinction. (JTBC)