A Taiwanese political drama on Netflix set off a #MeToo wave across the island that embroiled politicians, diplomats, academics, activists, celebrities, and many others. Half a decade after the movement swept through the U.S. and beyond, Taiwan was finally having its own moment of reckoning. But more than a year later, has anything changed?
Read MoreNot sure what to watch and looking for suggestions? Here are a few of my recommendations.
Read MoreA Time Called You is a Korean remake of the 2019 Taiwanese series, Someday or One Day. With a story this unique, making it as fresh and original the second time can be a challenge. The elements of suspense and surprise are gone, along with the initial magic of discovery. Any remake is already at a disadvantage right from the start; making comparisons somehow feels a bit unfair. Read my full review here.
Read MoreAt just eight, intense and fast-paced 60-minute episodes, the drama is an effortless binge despite the relentless violence and absolutely ferocious fighting. With breathtaking build-ups, ridiculous tension-filled cliffhangers, superb pacing, and stunningly choreographed fight scenes and brawls, getting sucked into this drama and leaving some logic at the door is easy.
Read MoreTwo television series productions of the award-winning science fiction trilogy Remembrance of Earth’s Past by Liú Cíxīn (刘慈欣) (more popularly known as The Three-Body Problem, the name of the first novel in the series) are being released this year: a 30-episode adaptation produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and Tencent Video, and a Netflix version helmed by the same showrunners behind Game of Thrones. Here, I introduce the Chinese production, Three-Body, and recap the first episode.
Read MoreSince I started watching Asian dramas, I’ve become increasingly curious about the world of subtitles, translators, and voice dubbing. In China, many dramas will employ separate voice artists to dub over the original voices of the actors. Some actors also dub their own voices. Ever wonder why?
Read MoreI wasn’t planning on writing anything about Falling Into Your Smile, but the particularly high rating it’s gotten on MyDramaList and Rakuten Viki by a statistically significant enough number viewers compelled me to offer a counterpoint.
Read MoreThis drama left a bittersweet ache in my heart other campus dramas never managed to pull off. Infused with a sense of nostalgia for the early 2000s where much of the story takes place, the drama centres around a group of five (later six) friends and their trials and tribulations from youth to adulthood over the course of a decade.
Read MoreIf you love the soundtrack as much as I do, and also love going down mini rabbit holes and getting nerdy about behind-the-scenes production details, my friend Wuulongcha’s latest blog post is for you. I loved the post because it’s exactly the kind of informative deeper dive into C-drama pop culture that is not always accessible to non-Chinese readers, making it a unique and valuable bridge for international fans who want to learn more.
Read MoreThis was an exceptional series with a truly wonderful cast of characters. A quick review from August, 2019.
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