Nagasaki: Memories of My Son
Top 25 Japanese Actresses on MDL
Welcome to the new revamped version of the Ask an Ahjummah column, now called Ask MDL: And Now For something Different... In this column, we will put out suggestions from our assigned countries based on a theme and we will try to do it monthly. The theme will be one we choose OR one you suggest to us.
We will choose one theme per month and post 3 recommendations and one "Favourite Actor" or "Idol Pick". The Idol pick is just that, we watched for the actor, it may or may not be as good as the other 3, but fits the criteria. This ensures the integrity of the first three picks.
So on to our first theme which is "Award Winning". These will fit the criteria of the 2018 watch challenge from the forums. We didn't get asked a question but if we did, it would look like this:
"I am on the 2018 Watch challenge forum and I don't know any award-winning shows for my country of choice. Can you help?" --- by Unable to use Google
Here are our recommendations from each of our countries:
 |  | IDOL PICK  | |
This showcases the threads that we create with other people and the impact we have on those around us. Ripples in the pond. | Love, growth, how society values friendship and intelligence. Just everything. | A dying girl teaches a man to live. | Robin hood meets Japan and you had to know I would pick a Kame-chan work for this. |
Idol Pick | |||
Biopic of General Antonio Luna during the Philippine-American war. | Two people meet and mend their broken hearts together. | An ordinary boy touches the lives of everyone around him. | A girl claims to be a visionary. See Superstar Nora Aunor at her best in this award-winning classic. |
 |  The Rose |  Secret | |
| Awards Two best friends fall in love. | Awards Complicated relationships and perspectives. | Awards A piano, a secret, a relationship clouded by mystery. | Awards From Pink Panther to Black Panther. Da Lang! Da Lang! Da Lang, Da Lang, Da Lang, Da Laaaang~~ |
Bonus (for those that have already watched the above shows):
- dramas: Wake Up, Fated to Love You, Mars, Year of the Rain, Who's the One, Wayward Kenting, The Way We Are, The Fierce Wife, Sun After the Rain, Scent of Love, Princess Pearl, Falling, Endless Love, Dear Mom, Crystal Boys, Bump Off Lover, Boys Can Fly, Black & White
- movies: Yi Yi, The Wayward Cloud, Tattoo, Lust Caution, The Wedding Banquet, Vive l'Amour, The River, The Boys from Fengkuei, A Summer at Grandpa's, The Time to Live and the Time to Die, The Terrorizers, Daughter of the Nile, A City of Sadness, Monga, Au Revoir Taipei, Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale, Girlfriend Boyfriend, Paradise in Service, The Silent Wife
 |  | Idol Pick | |
A dwindling actress, a cooking show, a chef, clashing personalities. Will they fall in love? | Based on the life of the most revered Thai music master, this movie shows the story of the Thailand's classical music from its golden age to near extinction. | A movie that reminds you of your first love and all the crazy and little things you did back then. | Touring Korea together with a stranger, not even knowing each other's name: what could go wrong? |
Bonus (for those that have already watched the above shows):
- dramas: Nang Tard, Silamanee, Phloeng Phranan, Khun Chai Ronapee, Nuer Mek 2, Duang Jai Akkanee, Game Rai Game Rak, Kleun Cheewit, Lilawadee Plerng, Torranee Ni Nee Krai Krong, Sawan Biang, Qi Pao, Mue Nuea Mek
- movies: By the Time It Gets Dark, Home, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Ladda Land, Bangkok Traffic Love Story, Hormones, Syndromes and a Century, Me... Myself, Love of Siam, Bangkok Love Story, Alone, The Memory, Dorm, 13 Beloved, Midnight My Love, Buppah Rahtree Phase 2, The Letter, Last Life in the Universe, Tropical Malady, Beautiful Boxer, Citizen Dog, Mekhong Full Moon Party, Blissfully Yours, Transistor Love Story, Bang Rajan, The Iron Ladies, Koo Gum
 |  | Idol Pick | |
Romance, tragedy, family events and past memories intertwined with medical cases. | This drama revolves around the human nature, family bonds, and love of two families. | Late Ming Dynasty, corruption, secret police and a fight for the throne. | Because nothing compares to a Jackie Chan movie that makes you laugh and go 'wow' at the stunts he does. |
Bonus (for those that have already watched the above shows):
- dramas: Just Love II, Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion, Life Art, Life Made Simple, Line Walker, Lives of Omission, Madam Cutie On Duty, Square Pegs, Steps, Storm in a Cocoon, The Mysteries of Love, The Master of Tai Chi, The Last Steep Ascent, The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow, The Drive of Life, Witness Insecurity, Young Charioteers, Yummy Yummy
- movies: Crossing Hennessy, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, Echoes of the Rainbow, Perfect Wedding, Life Without Principle, A Simple Life, Dragon, Love Off the Cuff, Chasing the Dragon, 29+1
 |  |  | Idol Pick  |
This is a great story about a very strict mother and a down to earth father and a child caught between the two extremes. It reminds me of Kahogo no Kahoko. | This drama deals with mysterious and violent crime cases. | Based on the historical character Wu Zhetian - the first and only female emperor in Chinese history. | Making friends, learning and growing together, finding love and fighting for their dreams. And also Yang Yang. What more can you ask for? :D |
Bonus (for those that have already watched the above shows):
- dramas: The Imperial Doctress, Nirvana in Fire, In The Name of People, Ode To Joy, To Be A Better Man, The Journey of Flower, The Disguiser, The Legend of Mi Yue, Red Sorghum
- movies: Double Exposure, Mr. Six, Dearest, The Bullet Vanishes, Mermaid, The Golden Era, Fallen City, The Piano in a Factory, Afterschock, Song of the Phoenix, Night Peacock
Disclaimer: There are more award-winning shows out there. For the bonus round, I tried to pick both popular and unpopular shows. Who knows? Maybe you will find a gem out there.^~^
 |  |  |  |
This movie is about finding strength and overcoming trauma with the help of those who love you. Sexual assault of a young child and how her family tries to return a normal life to her. | It is a story about an autistic savant who beats all odds to accomplish his dream of being a doctor. | A love story between an alien living on Earth for 400 years and a famous actress and their intertwined fate. | You're Beautiful is the first drama that comes to mind as an Idol Pick. It introduced Jung Yong Hwa of CNBLUE and Lee Hong Ki (F.T. Island). With Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye, it has one of the most amazing OSTs. |
As you can see, we are missing representatives from a few countries. If you would like to claim the ones we are missing, please let us know. The ones we are missing right now are: Thailand and Hong Kong.
Update: China has now been taken. Welcome aboard, Hylia.
Please let us know what you think of the new format in the comment section below. Feel free to suggest next month's topic. We will take any topic suggestions for 1 week after publication, then we will start preparing the next month's article.
Let us know about your favourite award-winning show in the comments below!
Thank you and see you next month!
Banners by: Yuanwei & Anelle ^~^
