Asian dramas like
Step Brothers

Taking place in Beijing from the 1960s to the 1990s, this family drama portrays the everyday challenges and experiences of the families residing in a shared siheyuan (courtyard).

During the spring season, Munakata Ikujou went to an ancient temple to admire a 1000-year-old cherry blossom tree. It was there that Ikujou came across a young girl of 3 years and decided to take her in as his daughter. Fast forward 16 years, the girl named Sakurako has blossomed into a stunning woman. This is when Sakurako crosses paths with Takanashi Hiroto, and their love story begins to unfold.

Liu Bi Yun and Jiang Tian Huai, a couple who have been married before, both have children from previous marriages

Taking place from the 1930s to the 2000s, "Qian Jin" follows the story of Ling Qian Jin, a young girl who lost her parents at a young age. Years later, she discovers her family and heritage as a young woman. Despite facing mistreatment from her step-grandmother and being entangled in a love triangle, Qian Jin must decide whether to accept her circumstances or change her destiny. This series is a remake of the Singaporean TV show "The Little Nyonya" from 2008.

Three decades ago, Qiao Zu Wang's wife passed away following the birth of their fifth child, leaving him to raise their children on his own

The story takes place in Taiwan during the 1950s to 1970s, with a projected conclusion in the year 2000 as per the screenwriter's plan. It centers around a specific village where themes of love and friendship are prominent. Every family in the village has a unique tale to share.

Spanning from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, this narrative centers on a group of educated young people whose friendships develop during their time spent in rural areas. As they return to urban life, confront the pressures of college entrance examinations, and adapt to the shifts brought about by China's reform era, each individual embarks on a unique journey. Among this group, Yu Leshan and Sheng Xuezhu endure fifteen years filled with challenges, love, and aspirations, while others either thrive or struggle amidst the changing landscape. The drama vividly captures this historical period, highlighting themes of resilience, bravery, and the quest for one’s dreams, while also cautioning against the pitfalls of succumbing to temptation and desire.

The highs and lows, happiness and sadness experienced by a family from northern China during the economic restructuring of the 1980s.

Yu Yang, a well-respected former school principal, has a strong love for traditional Chinese culture and values family above all else. His oldest child, Jack Wu, earned a degree in journalism and now works as an editor for a magazine. Jack is known for his inquisitive nature and occasionally disagrees with his father on social matters. With a 40-year age gap, Yu Yang and his daughter, Zoie Tam, struggle to connect due to their differing perspectives shaped by different generations. Yu Yang also finds it challenging to adapt to the fast-paced changes brought by modern technology. Luckily, his daughter-in-law, Elaine Yiu, effectively manages the household as a devoted mother and wife. As their son grows, the family faces tough decisions regarding his education, leading to heightened emotions for all involved. The show delves into key issues affecting Hong Kong residents, such as education, housing, an aging population, youth competitiveness, Mainland China relations, and immigration trends. Through each episode, the series realistically portrays these challenges, striking a chord with viewers.

Three women, each at a different point in their lives, are looking to start fresh in a new country for various personal reasons. Faye, who got married young, recently discovered her husband's infidelity. Seeking a change of scenery, she pays a visit to her closest friend in Taipei with the intention of finding a new partner to settle down with. Meanwhile, Lydia and Leo, a married couple who were both successful in their careers, decided to leave their high-paying jobs in Hong Kong and relocate to Green Island to manage a hotel. Despite their initial admiration for the laid-back lifestyle on the island, they face challenges as Lydia's perfectionism clashes with the business setbacks caused by the pandemic, leading to tensions with local partners and conflicts with Leo. Lastly, Yvonne, an art teacher working on a temporary basis in Taipei, receives news that her contract will not be renewed. Worried about readjusting to the fast-paced life in Hong Kong, she is determined to find a way to stay in Taiwan with the help of her colleagues Shun Wan and Yu Shan. However, Yvonne must confront her true motivations for wanting to remain in Taiwan.

The central theme of this television series revolves around the connections between parents and children, as well as between spouses. It delves into the complexities of love, the essence of life, and the pursuit of genuine happiness. The protagonist is taken by surprise when his wife suddenly expresses her desire for a divorce, despite his belief that he was a devoted husband. Without providing a reason, she packs her things and leaves, leaving behind their 7-year-old daughter. This leaves the man to navigate life as a single parent to Rin, their daughter, amidst an uncomfortable atmosphere at home. Struggling with unfamiliar household responsibilities and the care of Rin, Tetsuro grapples with feelings of anger and stress, all while being unsure of his daughter's emotional state.

Hiraki Asuka has been given a terminal cancer diagnosis with only three months to live. She decides to reconnect with her daughter and ex-husband, whom she had previously left behind, in order to make the most of her remaining time and rekindle their relationships.

The unique title "Panda" refers to a panda outfit worn by the main character, a 29-year-old woman known for her talent. She was once praised as a child prodigy actress and had successful songs as a singer, but her career took a different path after turning 20. Nowadays, radio DJs and TV show hosts wear panda costumes, while she remains attached to her favorite song. She falls in love with a younger man at a cake shop in her neighborhood and they marry, pledging to pursue their dreams as a singer and pastry chef. However, their newlywed bliss is disrupted when her older sister and three children move in, causing challenges in their relationship. The drama follows the couple as they navigate the early hurdles of marriage, exploring themes of family, love, and life through the eyes of a talented woman married to a bakery owner.

The narrative revolves around a pair of individuals with contrasting backgrounds who encounter challenges in their romantic relationship, personal lives, and professional endeavors

Madoka, a pregnant homeless woman, sought assistance from Takako Okada, the leader of "Smile Baby," as she approached her due date. While originally planning to give her baby to a man she met online, Madoka switched to another organization called "Online Adoption" after being offered money in exchange for the baby. Using the funds she received from Nonogaki, the representative of the new organization, Madoka paid for nursing school tuition in hopes of gaining independence. However, she grew concerned about Nonogaki's motives and attempted to cancel the agreement. Nonogaki demanded double the amount of money received in order to terminate the contract and coerced Madoka into signing away parental rights with a lawyer. Nonogaki operated as a middleman profiting from connecting babies with adoptive parents without considering the well-being of the children. Despite her reservations, Madoka ultimately delivered her baby to the elderly adoptive parents at the specified location.

The narrative focuses on four young women who were born in 1965 and resided on the same intersection, as they navigate the societal shifts resulting from Taiwan's economic prosperity in the 1980s.

Liu Han Xiao decided to step away quietly to fulfill her duty as a daughter. At the age of 40, she made the difficult decision to leave her career as a Realty Commissioner and reopen her parents' canteen to start anew. Qiu Luan, aged 60, remained indifferent towards her husband who had left their home years ago for another woman. However, when her father, Liu Gui De, returned home after years of abandonment due to dementia, brought back by the woman he had been involved with, how would Qiu Luan react to his return? How would Han Xiao, her brother, and Xin Hui, who had missed out on 20 years of love, adjust to this new situation?

Taking place in 1998, the plot revolves around a circle of friends who unite, experience love, and navigate various facets of life. This drama is yet another creation by Ruby Lin.

Taking place in the 1960s and 1970s, Yoon Soo In consistently achieves high marks in her studies. However, owing to her family's difficult financial situation, she opts to take a job at a factory rather than attend college. Despite this setback, she continues to chase her aspirations.

Divided into two sections, the initial segment is known as Ai Shan Liang with 33 episodes, while the latter part is titled Shan Liang Ai with 37 episodes. Pearl, also known as Zhen Zhu, was brought up by her grandmother after her mother abandoned her to marry a prosperous doctor. Her aspiration is to excel as a clothing designer, and she puts in a great deal of effort to make her dream come true. She falls in love with wealthy "Fu Er Dai" He Zhi Wei, and after overcoming numerous challenges posed by their families, they tie the knot. Zhen Zhu becomes pregnant, but tragically, Zhi Wei is involved in an accident, leaving her widowed and pregnant. Five years later, Zhen Zhu is looking after her child and her late husband's family. To support them, she secures a position at a clothing design firm. Through her determination and kindness, Zhen Zhu touches the lives of those around her and gradually moves closer to realizing her dream as a clothing designer.

After years of constant arguments and dissatisfaction, Tian Lan and Zhan Peng decided to end their marriage and pursue separate paths. They both found new partners and began to enjoy the happiness of being in a loving relationship. However, the well-being of their daughter has posed a challenge for their new partners. Will they reconcile to fulfill their daughter's desire for a united family or work together to address the issue appropriately?

Former college friends, now grown adults with varying paths in life, find themselves at a crossroads when their friendship is put to the test. Du Jian Feng, born into a humble family, excels in mathematics and is known for his reserved nature and strong principles. Zhao Hai Peng, on the other hand, is a wealthy and charming business elite with a romantic side. Lastly, High, a dreamer with a realistic outlook, is a self-centered egoist and the owner of a trading company.

The plot revolves around a group of diligent individuals who embrace life and confront the challenges of a rapidly evolving era with bravery and determination. Against the backdrop of pivotal moments in Chinese history, they set out on a journey to discover a path towards a fulfilling and joyful existence, realizing their aspirations through various transformative measures.

A contemporary family saga unfolds, portraying the individual struggles and concerns of each household member

A theatrical piece that explores the diverse individuals connected to a rural agricultural community.

Wu Lik Wung, a prominent financial expert, was given 240 hours of community service as punishment for drug-related charges. During this time, he crossed paths with children from troubled backgrounds, which led to a transformative experience. It was here that he encountered Lam Siu Mun, a compassionate social worker at the Children's Home who approached each child as a precious gift and every task as a sacred duty.

Mung Ka Ka, Cho Mei Ngoh, and Hilary Ding Mui Hong are close friends who have a deep understanding of parenting. They offer guidance to Ko Wing Kuen on raising his daughter, emphasizing the importance of actions over mere words. As they navigate through this journey, they uncover potential hidden activities by their spouses.

According to popular belief, having an older family member at home is considered a valuable asset. However, in reality, many seniors often experience discrimination. The five main elderly characters in this show exemplify this, as they are frequently underestimated by their relatives, friends, and colleagues. After a chance meeting, they band together and form The Wicked League to seek revenge on those who have mistreated them. Through light-hearted dark humor, this series sheds light on the challenges faced by elderly individuals in today's society, aiming to encourage viewers to show more compassion and respect towards the elderly in their own lives.

The sitcom portrays the weddings of the three daughters from the Takanabe family involved in tea cultivation, the challenges of passing down the family's tea business through generations, and the conflicts that arise between the couples. It captures the human drama within the family, showcasing moments of both joy and sorrow.

Nozomi, a Taiwanese woman, is married to Shinji, a Japanese businessman living in Taipei. Their relationship takes a turn when Shinji is required to go back to Japan to manage the family estate. This leads to a conflict between Nozomi and her mother-in-law. (groink)

Shu, Kotomi, and Keiko are former classmates from junior high school who are now navigating different challenges in their lives. Shu is a senior at a university with a low ranking, Kotomi is trying to make it as a model, and Keiko works a desk job at a small company. Despite their efforts, they are all unsatisfied with their current situations and are searching for something better. Facing the common struggles and uncertainties of today's youth, the three friends lean on each other for support as they try to discover the meaning they are seeking in their lives.

Misako Yoneda, a 56-year-old mother-in-law, continues to behave like a daughter-in-law despite her age. When her son reveals his plans to marry Natsuko Fujisaki, a 35-year-old woman who enters their family through marriage, the dynamics of the well-known rice cracker shop change. This is a tale of the joyous and emotional moments shared between the two women - the mother and her daughter-in-law.

The Ideal Journey for a Pair revisits the ordinary challenges faced by a married couple as they work to raise children and manage a small tea farm. It vividly portrays the various difficulties that arise between spouses, parents and kids, siblings, and community members. The storyline continues two years after three daughters left one after the other to get married. They have now come back home with a range of marital problems to address.

Thirty-four-year-old Yoshioka Toko was diagnosed with breast cancer two years after giving birth to her second child. Unfortunately, surgery is not an option due to her terminal condition, although her life expectancy remains uncertain. Toko is determined to stay strong for the sake of her son and daughter, despite facing moments of fear and anxiety. Shortly after Toko's diagnosis, her husband Kenichi learns that he has end-stage lung cancer. Despite their limited time left, the Yoshioka family continues to hold onto their dreams, never losing their sense of humor and their love for each other.

Tomikawa Yosuke is wedded to Mizuki. They share a daughter named Shiori and a son named Ko. Yosuke holds the position of general manager in the human resources department of a sizable corporation, whereas his spouse is employed as an educator at a private junior high school. Their daughter is employed as a creator of jewelry and their son is currently seeking employment. Although they may seem like a harmonious family, an unexpected event causes their familial unit to unravel.

Seven years after disappearing, Isoyama Takeshi has returned home and now runs a struggling bakery with his wife Seiko and daughter Nanami. The only bright spot is Nanami's engagement to Shirogane Masaya, the son of a wealthy family. However, Masaya's father disapproves of Isoyama's financial status and wants to end the engagement. One day, Isoyama reconnects with his old friend Kurebayashi, who asks him to deliver something to someone. During a night spent in his car, Isoyama meets Meguro Yuki, who is seeking to escape her father's abuse. To help her, Isoyama pretends they are father and daughter and together they flee Tokyo.

Tenko manages a guesthouse by herself, situated in a wooded area in Nagano abundant with Japanese larch trees

The Tachibana family is at the center of the story, residing in a 2.5-generation household. This unique setup involves parents and their children living together in a two-generation home, with the addition of a single sibling from the younger generation. The decision is made by the Tachibana family to renovate their old residence into a 2.5-generation household. As a result, the 40-year-old protagonist, Masaharu Tachibana, who is unemployed and reclusive, moves in with his sister and her family. Despite being a respected gaming expert in the virtual world, Masaharu encounters difficulties in his new living arrangement. His sister requests his assistance with household tasks, while his teenage niece views him as "weird." Accustomed to living life at his own pace, Masaharu gradually adapts to socializing with others and embracing a more interactive lifestyle in the midst of these changes.