Asian dramas like
The Airport Diary

In May of 2020, Yukiko is enjoying her life as an independent woman. She ended her marriage with Motoo four years ago and currently holds a job at a large grocery store. On the other hand, Motoo is also single following his divorce from Yukiko. He is employed as a sales representative at a medium-sized design firm. Despite not communicating for the past four years, Motoo accidentally dials Yukiko's number.

Matsugaya Kaname is a police officer who went through a divorce with his ex-wife, Toko, due to her controlling behavior. Their daughter, Konami, now lives with Toko after the divorce. Kaname later remarries a woman who is very different from Toko. The couple relocates to a new town, only to discover that it is the same town where Toko and Konami reside.

Haneda Airport in Tokyo is the most bustling airport in Japan, witnessing one airplane taking off and landing every two minutes. Annually, the airport sees a staggering 6 billion travelers, averaging around 170,000 individuals passing through daily. Kaori Shinoda, portrayed by Fukada Kyoko, embarks on a challenging new role as an air traffic controller. This position demands unwavering focus and precision, as a split-second error in judgment could lead to a catastrophic event. Despite initially working as ground staff at the airport, Kaori harbored a deep-seated aspiration to become an air traffic controller overseeing flights for various airlines. Motivated by a particular incident, she decides to resign and undergo the national exam. Following intensive training at the air navigation security college, Kaori is appointed to the Air Traffic Control Centre at Haneda Airport just before her thirtieth birthday. Upon entering the control tower, a mix of nerves, excitement, and anxiety washes over her as she encounters a team of composed professionals adept at managing crises and safeguarding lives. Kaori receives guidance from seasoned air controller Hiromi Takeuchi, played by Seto Asaka, during her on-the-job training. A minor oversight on her part leads to a near-miss incident, leaving her disheartened. Despite her feelings of inadequacy, Kaori finds solace in the advice of fellow air traffic controllers Noboru Yuki, portrayed by Tokito Saburo, and Yukihiro Kondo, played by Kaname Jun, gradually regaining her composure and resolve.

A young man uncovers the origins of his transplanted heart.

Created through a collaboration between the Buildings Department of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), these stories are based on actual cases faced by the Buildings Department

The plot revolves around a group of creators striving to keep producing their series "Gilgamesh Battle", recognized for its provocative themes and nudity

In the plot, we witness the journey of Yukari Ichiko, a young woman working as an announcer, as she faces a significant setback in her career

A clandestine tale of intrigue unfolds within the hidden gambling dens of Roppongi, Tokyo

Connected to traffic signs on the road, this piece explores the journey of an individual who takes on the role of a substitute driver following a job loss.

Mutsumi is a new designer working for a small design firm called Lemon Design. She is currently focused on preparing for magazine photo shoots, such as finding suitable locations and collaborating with photographers. Despite her role, Mutsumi feels uncertain about her abilities as a designer. Tetsuko picks up on Mutsumi's emotions and reassures her by stating that she is a valuable employee. Mutsumi is puzzled by Tetsuko's comment.

A theatrical piece centered around the romantic relationships of two couples.

In a lingerie boutique, a woman assists customers of all ages, ranging from young girls to women in their forties, in this collection of five stories. Each individual finds herself at a pivotal moment in her life as a woman.

The setting of the story is the Meiji era, where Matsuzaka Kurenai lives as a typical wife and mother. While her husband is at work, she stays home to care for her son and manage the household. However, Kurenai has a dark past - her father was a mercenary who carried out killings for justice and profit. Witnessing her father commit a murder when she was young, she harbored resentment towards him. Over time, she honed her skills in short knife fighting. In the first episode, Kurenai becomes entangled in a troubling situation involving a female friend who hired mercenaries to eliminate a target. Tragically, the friend and her family were killed by the mercenaries before they could carry out the job. The leader of the mercenaries is Ebisuya Bunzo, along with members Oaki, Kagenosuke, Akane, and Ryuji. When Kurenai offers to assist, Bunzo, who was once her father's partner, insists she either take a share of the payment or leave. Ultimately, Kurenai decides to accept the money and follows in her father's footsteps as a hired mercenary.

The story takes place in the heart of Tokyo, where Tamayo, a determined wife in the Aramaki family, resides with her mother-in-law Yoshie. Their relationship is marked by constant clashes and disagreements, creating a tense atmosphere in the household. Despite being caught in the middle of their disputes, Ryosuke, the family's provider, strives to unite the two women. However, their dynamic is put to the test when the man they both care for suddenly goes missing. Forced to coexist under one roof, these two women, who are vastly different from each other, embark on a journey to understand and bond with each other. This heartfelt drama is filled with moments of laughter and tears.

Fuji-TV dedicates its late-night time slot for innovative projects, providing opportunities for aspiring young writers, filmmakers, and directors to showcase their talents. Each series runs for a duration of four weeks, featuring a cast of emerging talents from the entertainment industry. The themes explored in these dramas are tailored to appeal to a younger audience. (DramaWiki)

A story unfolds around a teacher who educates children in hospitals. Junpei, a physics educator aged 32 working at a secondary school, is reassigned to a facility for children with disabilities. One of his responsibilities is to provide individualized instruction to children in hospitals. Through interacting with children battling life-threatening illnesses, he gains insights into the essence of education and life.

The story revolves around a female protagonist who transitions to a new career path and rises to the position of president at a car dealership in the male-dominated society of the 1970s. Hisako Makino decides to leave her position at a prominent textile company before the age of 25, the designated retirement age for women during that era, and embarks on a career as a saleswoman in the automotive industry. The narrative unfolds her journey to success, intertwined with the experiences of her peers from high school who belong to the baby-boom generation.

A story unfolds around an auditor torn between his obligations and his empathy. Miyazaki Kenji is employed at an auditing company, where he challenges his colleagues who overlook deceitful practices to help struggling businesses. While striving to adhere to regulations, he starts to question his stance as he witnesses clients being pushed to their limits by stringent policies.

Kanzaki Shimako, a 31-year-old single office worker, has been employed in the General Affairs division of a well-known company for 9 years. Known for her competence, reliability, strong sense of duty, and competitive nature, Shimako is tasked with training three Chinese individuals after her company decides to outsource some of its operations.

Amano Yoshihiko is employed at the large Mizunami Bank where he is entrusted by the president to handle the concealment of 700 million yen in bad debt. Despite facing numerous challenges such as a determined politician, the president's ex-mistress running a hostess club, and opposition from his coworkers, Amano dedicates himself to resolving the issue for the benefit of the bank and its president. As he becomes increasingly entangled in the situation, his personal life begins to unravel.

A tale of a woman who discovers a fresh start after a chance meeting with an American man and their eventual parting ways. Rika Kudo leaves her job at a bank to join UNHCR in Tokyo, where she crosses paths with Ed, who eventually becomes her spouse. Following their wedding, Ed departs for Sudan to work on a refugee aid mission, causing strain on their relationship. Following their separation, Rika discovers that Ed was tragically killed in Afghanistan, leaving a profound impact on her life.

Hitomi is a mother raising two young boys, Shun and Ryo, on her own. Her sons have always admired her beauty and are proud of her. But Hitomi's journey to motherhood was unique - she used to be a man named Hitoshi. Ten years ago, Hitomi underwent sexual reassignment surgery after being diagnosed with gender identity disorder, and transitioned to living as a woman.

A film inspired by actual events follows the journey of a young woman as she unravels her father's past as a Japanese orphan in China during the aftermath of World War II. Kido Hisae travels to China to delve into her father's tragic history and his deep connection with his foster mother. Through this exploration, she forms a bond with her father's foster family and gains a profound understanding of the enduring power of human relationships across different nationalities and generations.

Kana Aoyama, a 38-year-old television journalist at CTN, is recognized for her determination and strong-willed nature when it comes to seeking out the truth. Despite facing challenges, Kana has been unwavering in her quest to solve a long-standing case. Recently, she was tasked with leading a team of unconventional reporters, including the likes of Hiroshi Shiraishi, a reporter known for his difficult interviews, and Midori Okusawa, a TV announcer with a history of missteps. The team also comprises Shu Akasaka, a reporter focused on political news, Isao Koda, a cameraman who fancies himself a director, Ken Shimura, a camera assistant who is seldom seen handling the camera, and AD Yu Momoi, easily influenced by others. Their initial assignment involved covering the sudden reappearance of seals in the Tama River. However, Kana's attention is drawn to the mysterious disappearance of the Prime Minister during a confrontation with the U.S. Secretary of State. Upon reviewing footage of the Prime Minister before and after his disappearance, Kana uncovers a significant detail that goes unnoticed by others. Despite facing resistance and skepticism from her team, Kana boldly declares their focus on investigating the Prime Minister's disappearance, leading to their reputation being tarnished among their peers.

In "Karyu no Utage," the plot revolves around a middle-class housewife named Kuroki who has instilled in her son the belief that hard work leads to success. However, their relationship becomes strained when her son's laziness causes conflict between them. Additionally, he meets a woman online who works as a part-timer like him and decides to marry her. As the mother grapples with the disparity between her expectations and the reality of her situation, the film delves into the broader theme of societal gaps in modern times.

In 2008, Kaido released "Madonna Verde" as a follow-up to "Gene Waltz," delving deeper into the controversial topic of surrogate pregnancy in Japan. Kuninaka portrays the character of Dr. Rie Sonezaki, affectionately known as the "Cool Witch" by her peers in the obstetrics division. Previously, this role was portrayed by Miho Kanno (33) in the film adaptation of "Gene Waltz." In "Madonna Verde," Rie and her husband (portrayed by comedian Jin Katagiri) desire to start a family, but Rie's previous illness has left her without a uterus. To fulfill their dream, they enlist Rie's mother Midori (played by Matsuzaka) as the surrogate, embarking on their journey discreetly. However, their secret is jeopardized when Midori's admirer Maruyama (played by Kyozo Nagatsuka) discovers their arrangement. Subsequently, a professor at Rie's university hospital (Hirotaro Honda) receives a damning letter, prompting Midori and Rie to fabricate the story that the child in Midori's womb is her own.

In 1980s Tokyo, prior to the economic bubble burst, Momoko is the second eldest of four siblings in the Mitamura family. When their father, Tadashi Mitamura, loses his job and disappears, Momoko, being sensitive, feels the need to step up and take his place. However, as their issues escalate, the family starts to fall apart. Mother Ayano struggles with her disappointment, eldest sister Sakura Shimizu grapples with her husband's infidelity, and the youngest sibling, Kentaro, faces challenges in finding a job and begins to question his own path in life. -DramaWiki

In 2141, Japan successfully creates a rudimentary time-travel device capable of sending information to the past. However, a malevolent group advances the technology, enabling them to transport physical objects back in time. This group devises a scheme to dispatch 5 terrorists to the year 2012 with the intention of assassinating the ancestor of a significant individual from their era. Upon learning of this plot, the future government employs their time machine to inform the 2012 government about the impending threat, instructing them to assemble a team of 5 individuals to track down the terrorists.

NHK tells the tale of a woman who escapes from her abusive spouse and departs from her residence with her son. Throughout her journey to independence as a single mother, she encounters the challenges that many others in similar situations face. With the support of experienced single mothers, she learns to navigate these obstacles and eventually becomes self-sufficient.

In his middle age, Yoshimoto Hajime, a hardworking businessman, relied on his wife Tamayo to take care of all household responsibilities, including raising their children. Due to a past incident, the couple rarely communicated with each other. One day, Yoshimoto unexpectedly collapsed and passed away while dancing at a company event. Concerned about his family, his ghost appeared at his own funeral, only to be shocked by Tamayo's calm demeanor. As he reflects on his life, he begins to suspect that she may be involved with the cafe owner where she works part-time. Meanwhile, Fuwa Hazuki is suspicious of her father Ichiro's actions. The Fuwa family runs a construction business that has been struggling financially. Despite their debts growing, Ichiro suddenly decides to take the family on a holiday, leading Hazuki to question his motives and fear for their financial future.

In this bustling city, there existed a secretive network frequented by many individuals on a daily basis. Known as the special spy zone, it was where spies hurriedly exchanged valuable information. Ryosuke Aono (played by Koji Seto) worked as a fortune-teller in a secluded corner of a Chinese eatery by day, while also operating as one of the city's undercover agents. Concealing his true identity from his childhood friend, Kimoto (portrayed by Tetsuya Makita), who worked as a bartender at his favorite bar, Aono had assumed the guise of another individual when he joined the espionage world. During a conversation with his daughter, Natsumi Kitagawa (played by Jun Yoshinaga), at the Chinese restaurant, Aono's friend's fellow spy, Tsushima (portrayed by Atsushi Oda), suddenly interjected with a distressed expression on his face.