TV & Film Anyone into eastern dramas? Arthdal Chronicles and other things...

[LunaLovitt]

So I've been getting into more eastern media lately (no, I don't mean Japanese manga/anime) and I've come across Arthdal Chronicles on Netflix as well as some Chinese shows. AC is still in the process of being released, so I'm looking forward to more episodes coming out. In the meantime I've been watching some Chinese dramas on Netflix to bide my time (also holy cow these "seasons" with 60+ episodes are a binger's dream). So far I fully watched Ice Fantasy, and now I'm on to Ashes of Love. As someone who has had the opportunity to explore various different cultures, I find Chinese dramas to be fascinating (although I'm always mixed on the tragic endings that usually come with them). Anyone else got a soft spot for shows like these? Just seeing the way they differ from western cinematography is worth observing, and just seeing how Korean, Taiwanese, and Chinese all differ as well is really interesting to me. (Even Chinese anime is so different.)

I kinda wish I had more people to talk to about these shows, haha. Unfortunately given the style and language differences, along with the shear length of the shows, I have trouble really finding anyone who has stuck them out.

Also if anyone has suggestions for other shows I haven't seen, I'd love to hear what I should watch next.

 

[Jabu]

I like Korean and Chinese dramas! I did watch a chunk of Ice Fantasy but I never got around to finishing it.

Have you seen or heard of Princess Agents? It’s a Chinese drama that I realllly enjoyed and have yet to finish watching yet. But it’s definitely one of my favorites that I’ve seen so far.

 

[LunaLovitt]

I like Korean and Chinese dramas! I did watch a chunk of Ice Fantasy but I never got around to finishing it.

Have you seen or heard of Princess Agents? It’s a Chinese drama that I realllly enjoyed and have yet to finish watching yet. But it’s definitely one of my favorites that I’ve seen so far.

I really liked Ice Fantasy for the most part. It did take forever to finish though. XD

I have not. Is it on Netflix?

 

[weldherwings]

I’m a biggg ollllld sucker for kdramas. I’m watching Missing 9 (about a plane that crashes and the survivors are stuck on this island) and dokgo rewind (about gangs - based on a WEBTOON)

 

[LunaLovitt]

I’m a biggg ollllld sucker for kdramas. I’m watching Missing 9 (about a plane that crashes and the survivors are stuck on this island) and dokgo rewind (about gangs - based on a WEBTOON)

The first one sounds pretty interesting. I'm mostly a sucker for the romance dramas. XD They're so long and drawn out with so many love triangles and angst. They're definitely my guilty pleasure.

 

[weldherwings]

The first one sounds pretty interesting. I'm mostly a sucker for the romance dramas. XD They're so long and drawn out with so many love triangles and angst. They're definitely my guilty pleasure.

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh damn don’t get me started on romance dramas! I’m currently also watching What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (on Netflix) and 100 Days My Prince which are also romance shows. Memories of Alhambra is also a good one which my husband also loved to watch because it’s full of mystery about a VR game - also on netflix

 

[LunaLovitt]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh damn don’t get me started on romance dramas! I’m currently also watching What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (on Netflix) and 100 Days My Prince which are also romance shows. Memories of Alhambra is also a good one which my husband also loved to watch because it’s full of mystery about a VR game - also on netflix

I'll have to check those out once I'm done with Ashes of Love. Right now, though, I'm only on episode 24. 39 more to go. XD All this drama and love mess makes me want to do a really angsty RP, lol. But idk if I have the patience for the slow burn that these romance dramas have. They are basically the definition of a "long haul" kind of story.

 

[Fable]

LunaLovitt You know about the site MyDramaList? If not I highly suggest it to find new stuff! I'm currently watching Princess Weiyoung and have about 20-ish more eps to go. I am nearly done with quite a few, but because I stopped watching them and they are so long I worry I've forgotten details.

My top suggestion for KDrama is Mary Stayed Out All Night.

Most Chinese dramas are long I've noticed as well, ranging in the 50-60+ eps mark. I started Ashes of Love, but the main female lead kinda bothers me a bit? Not sure why or what.

 

[LunaLovitt]

LunaLovitt You know about the site MyDramaList? If not I highly suggest it to find new stuff! I'm currently watching Princess Weiyoung and have about 20-ish more eps to go. I am nearly done with quite a few, but because I stopped watching them and they are so long I worry I've forgotten details.

My top suggestion for KDrama is Mary Stayed Out All Night.

Most Chinese dramas are long I've noticed as well, ranging in the 50-60+ eps mark. I started Ashes of Love, but the main female lead kinda bothers me a bit? Not sure why or what.

It is easy to forget things when you're fifty episodes in and have spent literally days of your time watching a show. XD I've heard of MDL, but I've never really looked into it. I'll have to give it a look. It's hard finding shows with good translations as well, so I've been mostly stuck with Netflix.

And I know, right? Jin Mi is kinda annoying at first, but she gets better after awhile. She's having to mature as time goes on, it's just it takes quite a few episodes to happen. Though at this point I don't even really care about her and Xu Feng (well, I mean, I do, but my favorite ships involve other characters, haha). She did bother me in the beginning, but I stuck it out because I thought the love triangle storyline had promise. It's getting pretty juicy 20 episodes in, so I'm glad I stayed with it.

 

[Fable]

Have you seen or heard of Princess Agents? It’s a Chinese drama that I realllly enjoyed and have yet to finish watching yet. But it’s definitely one of my favorites that I’ve seen so far.

I want to watch Princess Agents myself, it's on my to-watch list along with way too many others. XD

It is easy to forget things when you're fifty episodes in and have spent literally days of your time watching a show. XD I've heard of MDL, but I've never really looked into it. I'll have to give it a look. It's hard finding shows with good translations as well, so I've been mostly stuck with Netflix.

And I know, right? Jin Mi is kinda annoying at first, but she gets better after awhile. She's having to mature as time goes on, it's just it takes quite a few episodes to happen. Though at this point I don't even really care about her and Xu Feng (well, I mean, I do, but my favorite ships involve other characters, haha). She did bother me in the beginning, but I stuck it out because I thought the love triangle storyline had promise. It's getting pretty juicy 20 episodes in, so I'm glad I stayed with it.

They sometimes host the eps onsite, other times I use official streaming sites that have them, though the bloody ads. >_O There are a few sites where you can pay to access them as well or well, used to. Drama Fever is dead. But: The Best Alternatives to Dramafever: Where to Watch Asian Dramas Now?

I plan on going back to watch Ashes of Love from the start because I am not too far along in it that restarting is going to be a massive time consumption. If you join MDL I can stalk you add you as a friend on there, lol. You'd be the first I add since I don't really know of anyone else who uses the site. Everyone else is into KPOP and I'm over here with my KDramas instead.

 

[LunaLovitt]

I want to watch Princess Agents myself, it's on my to-watch list along with way too many others. XD


They sometimes host the eps onsite, other times I use official streaming sites that have them, though the bloody ads. >_O There are a few sites where you can pay to access them as well or well, used to. Drama Fever is dead. But: The Best Alternatives to Dramafever: Where to Watch Asian Dramas Now?

I plan on going back to watch Ashes of Love from the start because I am not too far along in it that restarting is going to be a massive time consumption. If you join MDL I can stalk you add you as a friend on there, lol. You'd be the first I add since I don't really know of anyone else who uses the site. Everyone else is into KPOP and I'm over here with my KDramas instead.

I was so sad to hear about Drama Fever. I heard it was a great resource for K Dramas. I wish I'd been into it more, but at the same time after hearing how it went out, I'm kinda glad I avoided the pain.

I just joined MDL so I could take a look around. Used my same name as here, haha. Got any suggestions for what to watch first? Not that I can start right now. I'll need to finish AoL first, but I need to make a list of what to watch next.

 

[Fable]

I was so sad to hear about Drama Fever. I heard it was a great resource for K Dramas. I wish I'd been into it more, but at the same time after hearing how it went out, I'm kinda glad I avoided the pain.

I just joined MDL so I could take a look around. Used my same name as here, haha. Got any suggestions for what to watch first? Not that I can start right now. I'll need to finish AoL first, but I need to make a list of what to watch next.

I've sent a friend request just now. My top would be Mary Stayed out All Night for the KDrama side. I would also suggest watching the new Meteor Garden series as well. It was done well this time around (it's a story that has been done across multiple countries over the years under different names, China's version was originally my least fave version, but their remake was awesome!): Meteor Garden

 

[LunaLovitt]

I've sent a friend request just now. My top would be Mary Stayed out All Night for the KDrama side. I would also suggest watching the new Meteor Garden series as well. It was done well this time around (it's a story that has been done across multiple countries over the years under different names, China's version was originally my least fave version, but their remake was awesome!): Meteor Garden

I added it to my list! Also Meteor Garden's synopsis sounds pretty interesting. Adding that as well, though it will probably take me forever to get through all these, lol.

 

[weldherwings]

if you dont mind one or two popups before the video starts, i use kissasian mainly cause im in australia so even if used platforms like viki and even when drama fever was around, there are shows still unavailable (which i was super pissed with drama fever cause i paid for it and then realised afterwards that all the shows i wanted to watch were unavailable cause im in the land down unda!)

 

[Onmyoji]

I don't know what you're all watching when you can watch Nirvana in Fire. XDDD
Can't recommend it enough!

I recently started watching Listening Snow Tower and I quite like it so far. Still a lot of episodes to go.

 

[deer]

Oh my word. I absolutely love, love, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese dramas!

My favorite genre are usually historical ones for Korean and Chinese! My papa and I used to watch them together when I was little. So, I was first introduced to it from him.

— Legend of the Condor Heroes - a wuxia martial art based historical Chinese drama that is close and dear to my heart. There’s been a lot of remakes and there’s a new one out right now that I believe? Haven’t had the chance to watch it.

— I love , loved Bu Bu Jing Xin - another historical Chinese drama where the female lead gets sent to the past and there she’s broiled into the lives of brothers who are vying for the throne.
[ There’s a korean remake / version of this and it’s called Scarlet Heart. I believe most enjoyed this one a whole lot due to the actors involved. ]

— I think, my last recommendation is Strange Hero Yi Zi Mei - another wuxia Chinese historical drama that’s sadly not on youtube anymore but it is in viki. Quite a few adds unfortunately and the quality is quite low. But, it’s one of my favorites since the romance isn’t in your face but it’s subtle and I love that especially since it fits the characters so well.

( I love anything with Wallace Huo and Cecilia Liu )

But, a historical Chinese drama that I have been meaning to watch is : Battle Through the Heavens!


Some Taiwanese dramas that I recommend ( they’re a bit older but still a favorite ):

— Bull fighting ( not actual bulls, it’s actually basketball. the whole series isn’t based on the basketball game itself, but it’s a theme between the two main leads )

— Pi Li MIT - a mystery Taiwanese drama that is really fun to watch because I really loved the actors and the storyline is whoa. Very intriguing!


Onto Korean recommendations!

Oh god, on Netflix, there’s a series called:

My Secret Love Song - a historical Korean drama where the female lead accidentally travels back to the past and it’s really good. 12 episode long and it’s just something light hearted and fun.

The Princess’ Man - I don’t think it’s on viki, but it might be on gooddrama or kissasian. By far, one of my absolute favorite historical Korean drama. You have betrayal, court intrigue, romance, and so much more! Follows real history to an extent but mostly fiction.

Six Flying Dragons and Tree With Deep Roots - these two go sort of hand in hand due to the historical timelines, however, they’re pretty long episodes and it’s a lot of betrayal, court intrigue, schemes, and romance! These two are really great Korean historical dramas as well!

( There’s a lot more but this is at the top of my head )

There’s a lot of good romantic Korean dramas such as City Hunters , Heirs , Her Private Life, and etc. !

Oh my gosh! Wait! How could I forget?
- Healer ( my favorite ! oh my god ! )
- Man to Man ( it’s on netflix and i absolutely love the chemistry ! )


— There’s a really good Japanese drama that I liked which was the original “Boys Over Flowers” and it’s called Hana Yori Dango.

— An oldie but a goodie, but Gokusen - it’s about a daughter of a mafia who wants to be a teacher and so she gets stuck with the delinquents and learns to take care of them as they learn to trust her as an older adult.

I think, I’ll stop here, goodnesss.

 

[LunaLovitt]

Lol, so many good recommendations. I'm definitely going to have a lot of shows to watch.

 

[NekoQueen49]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh damn don’t get me started on romance dramas! I’m currently also watching What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (on Netflix) and 100 Days My Prince which are also romance shows. Memories of Alhambra is also a good one which my husband also loved to watch because it’s full of mystery about a VR game - also on netflix

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim is on Netflix? I saw an ad for it on fb and I've been looking for it. To think it was underneath my nose this entire time?

 

[weldherwings]

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim is on Netflix? I saw an ad for it on fb and I've been looking for it. To think it was underneath my nose this entire time?

memories of alhambra? ya it is. im pretty sure its a netflix original production. but we 100% have it on netflix in australia

 

[NekoQueen49]

memories of alhambra? ya it is. im pretty sure its a netflix original production. but we 100% have it on netflix in australia

Oh no, I meant Secretary Kim. I realized that I didn't explain myself fully and edited my post so you may not have seen it haha

 

[weldherwings]

Oh no, I meant Secretary Kim. I realized that I didn't explain myself fully and edited my post so you may not have seen it haha

oh! hahah sorry yes! im watching it on netflix at the moment -- once again, australian netflix so not sure about the rest of the world haha

 

[NekoQueen49]

oh! hahah sorry yes! im watching it on netflix at the moment -- once again, australian netflix so not sure about the rest of the world haha

Well I'll look for in any case, just to make sure :3 Thanks a bunch!

 

[Moonshadow]

If this hasn’t been suggested yet, Strong Girl Bong-Soon is my fav so far. Nothing has come close to it yet and I hold it close to my heart. It’s the main reason I started to watch so many Kdrama’s. It’s a tiny bit cheesy sometimes but I love the romance and the characters so much by the end of it.

 

[Lullaby]

I haven't really been watching any eastern dramas, but someone did introduce me to Descendants of the Sun. It's pretty good! It's about the life of a soldier and surgeon surviving war. I think it's only 16 episodes long so it wouldn't be too long to binge watch. c:

 

[LunaLovitt]

I've been so busy lately that I haven't been able to watch anything. ;^; I need to just stay up tonight and binge stuff.