Asian dramas like
Wakaba

When Haruka was nine years old, she moved from Osaka to Yufuin with her father, Yosuke, and younger sister, Asuka. Yosuke wanted to start a restaurant in the town. Haruka's mother, Yuko, stayed in Osaka, leading to her parents getting a divorce shortly after. Yosuke opened a restaurant but had to close it down not long after. Fast forward ten years, Haruka is working part-time while attending junior college to support her family. Yuko, concerned about Haruka, invites her to Osaka and offers her a job. Despite not forgiving her mother, Haruka decides to work in Osaka to help Yosuke reopen the restaurant. Haruka's experiences in Osaka help her to better understand her mother and she excels as a tour planner, utilizing her knack for pleasing people.

The 81st NHK Asadora introduces a new series titled Welkame. The plot follows Nami, a young woman who grew up in a minshuku. After moving to Tokyo for a job at a magazine company, she unexpectedly loses her position and is forced to return to her hometown, where she must navigate relationships with her family and old friends.

Hikari asks her mother, who is grieving the loss of her husband, to join her on a trip to Kyoto in order to alleviate her mother's feelings of isolation.

The 67th NHK Asadora Drama follows the story of Manten, a young woman who grew up on a small island in southern Japan surrounded by nature. Inspired by her father, who disappeared at sea when she was eight years old, Manten holds onto his dream of space exploration. At eighteen, Manten faces pressure from her mother to decide on a career path or start paying rent, while also dealing with a declaration of love from a childhood friend. Despite these challenges, Manten remains determined to pursue her dream of joining Japan's National Space Development Agency, NASDA. However, she realizes that achieving this goal will require hard work and dedication, including obtaining a college education and gaining three years of experience in the field. As Manten navigates the complexities of life and love, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of space travel, making unlikely friendships along the way.

Akari's biological mother hails from Osaka. In order to delve deeper into her roots, she relocates to Osaka to reside with her grandmother. It is revealed that Akari's grandmother shut down the okonomiyaki eatery following the departure of Akari's adolescent mother. Subsequently, Akari takes it upon herself to revive the okonomiyaki restaurant and launch the business independently.

The 62nd NHK Asadora Drama titled Watashi no Aozora is set in Oma-cho, Aomori and Chuo-ku, Tokyo. The series follows the journey of Kitayama Nazuna, a young mother, and her son Taiyo from Ohma, a small town in Aomori. Taiyo's father, Murai Kento, had dreams of becoming a professional boxer but had to give up due to a detached retina. Unaware of Nazuna's pregnancy, Kento left for America with another woman for eye treatment. After a successful operation, he returned to boxing but faced challenges in achieving success. Meanwhile, Nazuna gave birth to Taiyo and moved to Tokyo in search of Kento. Their paths cross by chance, leading Kento to try to reconnect with his newfound family. The series delves into their journey as they navigate the complexities of forming a family together.

The 75th NHK Asadora is titled Imo Tako Nankin and is set in 1962 Osaka. The series is inspired by an essay written by Tanabe Seiko, an acclaimed writer, which reflects on her own life. The main character, Hanaoka Machiko, is a 37-year-old single woman who works at a hardware store in Osaka City and also pursues writing. After falling ill from overwork, Machiko meets and falls in love with Tokunaga Kenjiro, a doctor who treats her. They eventually marry, but Kenjiro comes with a large extended family, including his five children, brother, sister, and parents. The drama follows Machiko as she navigates her new family dynamics while continuing to pursue her career as a novelist in a humorous and heartwarming manner.

The narrative revolves around a girl named Jun Kano, who grew up in Miyakojima, Okinawa. After securing a job at a prestigious hotel in Osaka, she crosses paths with a man named Itoshi Machida (Itoshi meaning love in kanji), whose sibling has recently died. Despite their contrasting personalities, they develop romantic feelings for each other.

Yamanaka Konoha, an 18-year-old girl from the rural Kumano area of Wakayama prefecture, comes from a family that relies on forestry for their livelihood. Konoha's mother, Senri, is a teacher of traditional farming methods and local history to tourists, while her father, Ichiro, dreams of opening a restaurant in Osaka. Konoha was raised in the forested hills by her grandfather, Sadamichi, who taught her ranger skills and meditation techniques. With a natural talent for tasting food, Konoha decides to pursue a career as a chef after her grandmother's passing. She joins her father in leaving Kumano for Osaka, where she plans to learn the art of cooking while Ichiro works towards opening his own restaurant.

The narrative focuses on the experiences of a married couple, as narrated by Mura. (Tokyograph) Based on the memoir "Gegege no Nyobo" penned by Mura Nunoe, the spouse of manga artist Mizuki Shigeru. Presented as the 82nd NHK Asadora.

Sumire, a girl born in the affluent area of Kobe during the early Showa era, dedicated herself to creating children's clothing as a means of livelihood following the destruction of war. Eventually, she went on to open the first children's goods store in Japan.

The narrative follows Tenka, a 17-year-old girl born and raised in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture. When her father changes jobs, her family relocates to Tokyo. Tenka stays briefly with her grandfather, a passionate rice farmer residing at Igune, a forest surrounded by vast rice fields in the Sendai plains. Upon completing high school, she moves to Kichijyoji in Tokyo to live with her family in a residence situated on the grounds of a temple owned by her grandfather's longtime friend, Suzuki Shozo. Also on the property is a small nursery school operated by Shozo's wife, Yoshiko. Tenka begins to contemplate a career as a pediatric nurse. Over time, it is revealed that Tenka's family and the Suzuki Shozo family have a deep-rooted connection spanning generations. Tenka discovers that she is betrothed to Shozo's grandson, Ryunosuke, as per an agreement between her grandfather and Shozo. (DramaWiki) Notable locations in the story include Sendai, Miyagi and Musashino, Tokyo.

The narrative centers around Tsubasa, a 20-year-old woman who prioritizes her family and their business. Her world is shaken when her long-lost mother returns home. In order to repay her mother's debts, Tsubasa takes on a job as a DJ at a local radio station.

Yatabe Mineko, a 17-year-old girl, was raised in a family of seven in a mountain village located in northeastern Ibaraki Prefecture. Her father, Minoru, left for Tokyo to seek employment and earn extra income, but failed to return for the New Year. Determined to find him, Mineko convinces her family to allow her to go to Tokyo and promises to send money back home. In the autumn of 1964, Mineko, along with her childhood friends Tokiko and Mitsuo, secures jobs at a small factory in a working-class neighborhood of Tokyo. Despite facing challenges and moments of disappointment in her search for her father, Mineko starts to build a life in Tokyo through various encounters with locals, friends, and colleagues. The question remains: will she succeed in reuniting with her father?

Kawahara Kimiko, the oldest of three sisters, was born in Osaka in 1937. When she was nine years old, her family relocated to Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Surrounded by the local Shigaraki pottery, Kimiko developed a passion for ceramics and aspired to become a ceramics artist. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she persevered and built a groundbreaking career in ceramic arts, from her early years to her marriage.

During the mid-to-late 1980s, Xiao Zhan, Cong Xiao Qing, and several other talented college students with diverse backgrounds and personalities set out to chase the American dream. Initially regarded as stars in China, they faced numerous challenges upon their arrival in the United States. Despite obstacles such as academic struggles, emotional setbacks, financial difficulties, and interpersonal conflicts, they persevered through hardships and eventually achieved success in their respective careers. Eventually, they made the bold decision to return to China and collaborate on a business venture, marking a new chapter in their journey. Over the course of more than three decades, their group transitioned from China to the United States and back again, demonstrating remarkable achievements in fields such as scientific research and finance on a global scale.

Following a dispute, an elderly couple with white hair find themselves in the midst of a divorce, while a romance unfolds over three generations. What led to the breakup of the white-haired couple? As they embark on a quest for truth spanning five decades, who will be the one to advocate for letting go? And when the storm passes, listen as I declare, "I love you." (ChineseDrama.info)

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.

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.

The NHK Asadora Renzoku Drama titled Churasan tells the story of Kohagura Eri, a young woman born on Kohamajima Island in Okinawa on May 15, 1972, the day Okinawa was returned to Japan from the U.S. When Kamimura Shizuko and her two sons, Kazuya and Fumiya, visit Eri's family's small inn, they are warmly welcomed by her fun-loving yet quirky family. Eri is surprised to learn that Kazuya is terminally ill, prompting Shizuko and her sons to spend their final days together in the beautiful Okinawan nature. After Kazuya's passing, Fumiya and Eri make a promise to marry in the future. Eventually, Fumiya and his mother leave the island to return to Tokyo. Years later, Eri works as a nurse and Fumiya as a doctor at the same hospital in Tokyo, where they are reunited.

The narrative follows Yuu, a fifteen-year-old girl whose family is torn apart following an incident at her father's spring factory. Despite facing numerous challenges, Yuu remains determined to overcome them with a positive outlook, eagerly anticipating the day when her family will be whole once more. (

The narrative revolves around the experiences of Koshino Ayako, a renowned fashion designer who died in 2006 at 92 years old. In addition to her thriving career in Japan, she also managed to raise three daughters who went on to achieve global recognition as designers themselves. These daughters are Hiroko, Junko, and Michiko.

Tsuneko Kohashi, the oldest daughter in the Kohashi family, was just 11 years old when her father, Takezo, passed away from tuberculosis. Embracing her father's belief in the value of everyday life, she took on the role of a parental figure for her mother, Kimiko, and her two younger sisters, Mariko and Yoshiko, earning her the nickname "Toto One-chan." Leading her family through challenging times, Tsuneko worked hard to support them as the head of the household. In the aftermath of the war, Tsuneko, Mariko, and Yoshiko collaborated to launch a lifestyle magazine in a war-torn Tokyo, catering to female readers. Named "Your Life," the magazine featured practical articles and quickly gained popularity. Thanks to the expertise of editor Hanayama Isaji, "Your Life" became an indispensable resource for women during the era of rapid economic growth.

Pu Tao is a resilient young woman who learned to be self-reliant from a young age. Her father abandoned the family, and her mother left her at a boarding school to care for her autistic brother. After 17 years of no communication, her mother reappears, leaving Pu Tao to care for two autistic children and dealing with her father's sudden return. She must navigate the challenges of her parents' betrayal while also managing her own family issues.

A tale of the Zhou family from Wenzhou, China, depicts their rise from destitution to prosperity following a series of challenges and triumphs.

Liu Mei Li (Jiang Meng Jie) is a young and determined girl with aspirations of becoming a well-known designer. She sets off on her journey by participating in China's "Dream" fashion show. Although faced with challenges, Mei Li also seeks to reunite with her long-lost sister. Along the way, she meets Zhou Xuan (Yao Yuan Hao), the general manager of a company, and the two become entangled in a complex relationship. Mei Li's childhood friend, Xie Jing Hua (Liu Yi Han), works for a rival company called Tian Yi and harbors feelings for the president's son, Ye Guang Yi (Chi Shuai). Mei Li finds herself caught in the midst of conflicts between her professional and personal lives. Despite the turmoil, she remains optimistic, holding onto her dreams and spreading warmth to those around her like a beacon of hope.

The drama portrays the journey of entrepreneurs Xiang Cheng Hui, Lin Yi Shan, Yang Bu Zhen, and their successors as they navigate the challenges of reform and opening up in the era of the "new normal." They engage in a conflict over the location of a new base but eventually reach a peaceful resolution. Zhang Lu, a Tsinghua University student, visits Wenzhou and learns about Xiang Cheng Hui and Lin Yi Shan's advancements in the new energy industry. She ends up marrying Lin Yi Shan. Yang Bu Zhen's fashion city project garners attention online, despite facing a cold war with his celebrity wife. Xiang Cheng Hui's son, along with Pan Xiao Yong and Ireland, establish the e-commerce platform "Pin Shanggu." Meanwhile, Yang Tian Zhen and Lin Dan Feng found the "Red Wine Castle" and encounter numerous challenges. Their internet philanthropy initiatives attract a wide audience, while their personal lives are filled with drama. The three entrepreneurs venture into private banking, creating ripples in the industry. Their descendants, including Xiang Xiang, benefit from the government's strong backing of the internet sector, propelling the new generation of Wenzhou residents to the forefront of the modern era.

Su Xing Nan, a student studying nutrition in college, is known as the campus beauty at Jiangzuo University. To complete a project on athlete nutrition, she collaborates with her classmate Shao Jing Yi. Shao Jing Yi faces challenges that seem insurmountable, but a younger student named He Sen appears and becomes a supportive figure in her pursuit of dreams, even helping her mend her relationship with her father. Meanwhile, Su Xing Nan discovers that her brother, Su Xing Ye, harbors a secret crush on his roommate Tong Yi. Su Xing Ye's decision to forgo higher education was driven by his feelings for Tong Yi. With He Sen's assistance, the Su siblings navigate obstacles and create their own stories of youth. As He Sen's own family secrets begin to unfold, the summer becomes a time of warmth, laughter, and passion, symbolized by colorful fireworks.

Crafted in honor of the 10th commemoration of Hong Kong's handover to China, this series delves into the intertwined past of these regions. The storyline will center on the expansion of China's automotive sector, a prominent car production corporation, and the family at its helm.

In a run-down shopping district, Shinoda Mariko stars as the owner of a clothing store with a unique talent for instantly knowing a customer's clothing size. The narrative will revolve around her interactions with various patrons. (Credit: JapanBullet)

Yoneoka and Fujiiwa collaborate on editing a novel in the tranquil office of the proofreading department while Etsuko is on her yearly break. The storyline of the novel starts to play out vividly in their minds, leading to continuous critique from the two proofreaders as the dramatic scenes unfold.

Isoyama Takeshi, a temporary worker at a company, receives news from his employer that he will remain on a fixed-term contract with no possibility of becoming a permanent staff member. At home, his wife Seiko and 12-year-old daughter Nanami often criticize him. Adding to his troubles, a real estate investment he made secretly ends up with unexpected consequences, leaving him struggling to keep up with mounting interest payments. Encountering a mysterious elderly woman, he hatches a plan to vanish for 7 years in order to be legally declared dead and start anew.

Arimoto Hikari, a 32-year-old woman who is married with a son, visits her father Taizo after he collapses from overworking. The doctor informs Hikari that her father only has 4 days to live. Despite her initial resistance, Hikari decides to take over her father's company as he had originally intended for her. However, she encounters challenges such as her husband traveling to America for work and facing opposition from some employees like Katsumata and Junzo. This story is inspired by Suwa Takako's novel "Machi Koba no Musume."

The Ikuta family starts their mornings with Father Kosuke, mother Sanae, and their two children, Mina and Satoshi.

This is a theatrical piece that tantalizes the taste buds with vibrant dishes and culinary creations.

Gong Ji Hoon, the Chief Executive Officer of a startup specializing in AI art collections, is set to take part in the final event for the company called "Constar IR Day." Meanwhile, Kim Jae Hee, the youngest director at Constar, forms both professional and personal connections with Gong Ji Hoon. As time goes on, their professional collaboration evolves into a romantic relationship.

One day your mother remarries, giving you three new sisters. However, tragedy strikes when your parents pass away in a plane accident, and it is revealed that they never officially registered their marriage. As a result, the legal bond of your family is called into question. Are your sisters still considered family?

In order to fulfill her father's request and uncover her heritage, Dai Tian-qing sets off on a trip throughout Taiwan where she encounters love and redemption. (Netflix) Inspired by Taiwan's railway system.

In the city of Xing Hai, Meng Hao is a prosperous young billionaire who leads Kun Peng Real Estate. Despite being admired by many women, he has never shown any interest in romantic relationships. However, everything changes when he unexpectedly falls in love with Lin Yu Xin, who happens to be the girlfriend of his brother Meng Wei's best friend. Meng Hao's pursuit of Yu Xin causes tension with her boyfriend, Hao Liang, ultimately strengthening their bond. Tragically, Hao Liang suffers a severe injury at work and slips into a coma. Desperate to cover the medical expenses, Yu Xin turns to Meng Hao for assistance after exhausting all other options. He agrees to foot the bill on one condition: Yu Xin must be his partner or spouse for a year.

Sakura follows the journey of Matsushita Sakura, a fourth-generation Japanese American woman from Hawaii, who relocates to a quaint town in Gifu, Japan to work as a language teacher for middle school students

Suenaga Kokoro, an international flight attendant, resides in Tokyo with her mother and grandmother who run a traditional restaurant in a bustling downtown area where customs and traditions are deeply rooted, and residents have a strong sense of community. This narrative chronicles a challenging year in Kokoro's life as she transitions from a single woman to a wife, stepmother, widow, and entrepreneur deeply connected to her family and neighbors. Kokoro shares their challenges and aspirations as she faces her own hardships and prospers despite adversity. While the internet is replacing traditional communities, places like Asakusa and individuals like Kokoro strive to preserve their warmth and values. Though Kokoro's world is distinctly Japanese, people worldwide will relate to her emotions of joy and sorrow as they are captivated by this touching story of love and loss, resilience and perseverance.

During the late 1950s, the Republic of China, which had endured over fifty years of war, celebrated its tenth anniversary. Yang Xiao Yi, Liu Shi Jun, and their peers are young individuals of this new era embarking on a path to leave their mark on the world. Raised in a single-parent household, Yang Xiao Yi is resolute in uncovering the true identity of her biological father. As she navigates through challenges with her family, friends, and loved ones, she learns valuable lessons and remains resilient in the face of adversity.

In the late 1980s, the focus of the story is on the interactions among five families living in a neighborhood. Situated in a small city in southern China, the community is comprised of individuals spanning various age groups. Within this setting, Gao Xiao Min resides with her three sisters, along with four boys who each possess unique personalities. The parents of these children share moments of concern and joy over the simplest of matters. Gao Xiao Min shoulders the responsibility of her family's financial obligations and her father's lack of employment. Meanwhile, Bao Zi's father navigates through various challenges. The narrative provides a glimpse into the everyday lives of the residents in this special neighborhood.

Chen He Dong was raised as an orphan by Chen Jin Shui, who found him and brought him home. As he grew older, he learned different business tactics from the people around him. As an adult, he continues to develop his business skills by traveling across China. During his journeys, he encounters Lu Yu Zhu, who has a similar background, and Yang Shiu, a wealthy girl recently returned from overseas.

In the courtyard of a Beijing siheyuan, a blended family faces difficulties when Grandma becomes ill due to sorrow over her daughter's passing. In an effort to comfort her, the family tells a small untruth, which strengthens their relationship. Meanwhile, the family's traditional store, Meihua Handicrafts, has been struggling in the face of changing times, with son-in-law Jin Man Tang maintaining it through long-standing customer connections. Following his wife's death two years ago, Jin Man Tang is compelled to pretend to "marry" the nanny, Hui Lian, in order to honor Grandma's wishes. When Grandma regains consciousness, she no longer remembers her daughter's death, leading the family to uphold the falsehood.