Characters with Disabilities
These drama/movies include someone (as a main character or very nearly main side character) who has some sort of disability; physical or mental. I am NOT including the "disability" of those faking it for some amount of plot... You know the type. A toxic twist trope that leads people to believe if someone is not 100% of the time in their wheelchair, that they're not disabled.
I'll be listing what the disability is (or as much as the show gives), and how "main" the character is.
Order - Alphabetical (not including "a" or "the")
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1. Isa Pa with Feelings
Filipino Movie - 2019
Physical
DeafnessI'm leaving this in first because I absolutely love how it portrays deafness, and brings awareness about what it's like but doesn't make you pity him at all. (Main Character)
It's also one of my favs so... >.< It's such a wholesome movie <3
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2. Always
Korean Movie - 2011
Physical
BlindnessMain character - She happens to walk in while he was at work, and the two's relationship grew from there. They're so cute together <3 (Also one of my favorite movies... I've watched it so many times ><)
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3. Brother
Chinese Movie - 2019
Mental
Unspecified - stuck as a 5 year oldFollows family struggling with the care of a family member who has a more severe disability.
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4. Good Doctor
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
Mental
Autism - SavantMain Character - There are a few ways of thinking of autism in this show that we now know better about, but for it's time and knowledge it was good.
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5. Hope
Korean Movie - 2013
Mental... and Physical
TW: Rape
After being brutally raped, a young girl and her family try to find a way back to life before as much as possible. This movie made me cry A LOT. -
6. Hot Stove League
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Physical
Wheelchair... Sports injury I believe?Okay... he's not that main of a character, but he gets fair screen time as the main character's younger brother and an expert baseball knowledge. (Side Character)
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7. Ichi
Japanese Movie - 2008
Physical
BlindnessBut that doesn't stop her from kicking behind in swordfights. (Main Character)
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8. Keys to the Heart
Korean Movie - 2018
Mental
Autism - SavantMain Character - is brother to our other main character, and they learn to be together.
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9. Kimi ni Sasageru Emblem
Japanese Special - 2017, 1 episode
Physical
Wheelchair - Car Accident
Inspired by a Real PersonMain Character - After an accident, an athlete has to give up his sport, but finds another that gives him hope.
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10. Lovers of the Red Sky
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Physical
BlindnessUm... So... They like to pass off blindness to each other in this fantasy drama...
She was born blind, due to a curse, and he ends up becoming blind in childhood. It's not exactly great with portrayal... but that's also not what it's going for >< -
11. A Man who was Superman
Korean Movie - 2008
Mental
UnspecifiedI'm going off of memory here... and honestly I don't remember too much...
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12. Move to Heaven
Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Mental
Autism - SavantIs the main character who works for his father's trauma cleaning business, and meets his uncle who ends up becoming his guardian.
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13. Mute
Korean Drama - 2020, 4 episodes
Physical
Hearing-Impaired - Misophonia... and magic >.<
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14. My Palpitating Life
Korean Movie - 2014
Physical
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria SyndromeFrom what I know, this movie does a good job of portraying the syndrome with heart.
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15. One-Armed Swordsman
Hong Kong Movie - 1967
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16. Return of the One-Armed Swordsman
Hong Kong Movie - 1969
*Continuation of One-armed Swordsman*
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17. One Armed Swordsman Against Nine Killers
Taiwanese Movie - 1976
*Continuation of One-armed Swordsman because the movies did well*
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18. The New One-Armed Swordsman
Hong Kong Movie - 1971
*Continuation of One-armed Swordsman because the movies did well*
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19. Swordsman
Korean Movie - 2020
Physical
Blind/Partially BlindBut my goodness can he fight.
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20. You Are Too Precious to Me
Korean Movie - 2021
Physical
Blind and DeafDue to some circumstances our main character happens upon a young girl who is both deaf and blind. After sometime the two learn to understand and communicate with each other.
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21. Uncle
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Mental
OCDThe little boy has OCD and asthma but it doesn't play too large of a part honestly.
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22. Until Rainbow Dawn
Japanese Movie - 2018
Physical
DeafnessThe main couple is deaf, and they meet a lot of other deaf people/communities. The movie is also completely in sign with sound being occasionally ambient noises / occasionally ambient music.
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23. Mr. Perfect
Korean Movie - 2014
Muteness
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24. New Year's Eve
Korean Movie - 2021
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25. Innocent Witness
Korean Movie - 2019
Mental
Autism -
26. Only You
Korean Drama - 2022, 2 episodes
Mental
Agoraphobia -
27. Where Stars Land
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
Physical
Amputee -
28. One Shot Scandal
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Mental
Autism -
29. Miracle in Cell No. 7
Korean Movie - 2013
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30. Twinkling Watermelon
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Physical
Deafness -
31. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Mental
Autism - Savant