in this day and age
some modern dramas/movies i really like and actively recommend
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1. A Love So Beautiful
Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes
this was one of my first dramas, so i have a total soft spot for this. it's a cute little youth drama that follows a group of friends from high school shenanigans to university struggles to work life.
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2. A Love So Beautiful
Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
all the best parts of the original cversion, plus some great adjustments that made me like the drama better. short, sweet, and lighthearted
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3. A Sun
Taiwanese Movie - 2019
a crushing story of the dichotomy of two brothers, and how one family is affected by their actions
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4. All I Want for Love is You
Chinese Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
a cute youth drama with a badass but adorable fl. you get to see some empowering scenes from her, and i def recommend watching just to see them
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5. De Heks: Deel 1. De Ondermijning
Korean Movie - 2018
just a total badass sci-fi drama. lots of action and gore, and the plot keeps you hooked every minute
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6. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
probably the most progressive Mainland China drama i’ve seen. reminiscent of Reply 1988, this is a family and slice-of-life drama where all the characters go through their own struggles in life. characters have such brilliant complexity, and each personal arc has depth and impact.
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7. Go Go Squid!
Chinese Drama - 2019, 41 episodes
highkey recommend just to see li xian and hu yi tian killin the game (acting and gaming). you should definitely keep an eye on the wonderful performance from lee hong chi (my favorite of the drama)
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8. Hospital Playlist
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
a hospital drama that isn't 100% gory surgeries and perpetual "we're losing him" moments. there's a perfect blend of hospital life, family life, and personal life working together to show the lives of these five best friends
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9. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
if you love (or even moderately like) fairy tales, you'll get to see a bunch of them cleverly entwined into each episode of this drama. you also get to see a complex and deep dive of familial relationships that engrosses you in the characters' mindsets.
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10. Itaewon Class
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
this is 100% a redemption drama. it reminds you that you can move past difficult times in your life and move on to better things. you get a taste of different social issues in modern societies and how the characters have to deal with/overcome them
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11. Kobold
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
you gotta watch this for grim reaper and goblin. those two are so iconic. and with deok hwa in the mix? you've got trouble.
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12. Lawless Attorney
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
action-packed, gripping, and swoon worthy. the mains are bad*ss, hot-tempered, and just plaineye-catching. if you’re looking something that will keep you hooked, this is a perfect pick. binged this in about 3 days.
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13. Lost Romance
Taiwanese Drama - 2020, 20 episodes
a parallel universe story in which one woman falls for two overbearing CEOs: one in real life, and one in a teen romance novel. makes fun of the general romance genre tropes while still giving sweet and romantic vibes
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14. My Mister
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
a pain-staking story about a girl who fights to pay off her debts by doing whatever it takes, even if it means sacrificing her pride. a crippling story about a middle-aged man who deals with marital issues, work issues, family issues. they understand each other in a way that only people who share the same pain do, and they help build each other up in the face of their individual hardships.
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15. Mystic Pop-Up Bar
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
a shorter drama that has a lot of silly and fantastical moments. while it's mainly lighthearted and warm, there are moments of depth that make this drama all the more worthwhile
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16. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
a sweet youth drama surrounding a group of friends and their families. this drama goes really in-depth with the complex relationships between all the characters. just a piece of art
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17. Secrets in the Hot Spring
Taiwanese Movie - 2018
all i have to say is that this is funny af
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18. Someday or One Day
Taiwanese Drama - 2019, 13 episodes
just utterly and completely refreshing. the plot isn't filled with all the standard cliches of most dramas nowadays, and the story keeps you hooked with all its twists and turns.
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19. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
the best mix of aegyo and intentional overacting i've seen yet. do bong soon is the superhero you didn't know you needed, ahn min hyuk is the non-coldblooded chaebol you always wish you had, in gook do is the tsundere that you want backing you up in your life
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20. The King’s Avatar
Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
this is a gaming drama without (imo) unnecessary romance. you get to see some beautiful teamwork and friendship, and some exciting simulated gaming
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21. The Last Wish
Chinese Movie - 2019
a sweet movie about best friends who will do anything to make their bedridden friend happy
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22. The Uncanny Counter Season 1
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
an action/fantasy drama filled with amazing friendships, comedy, and justice
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23. Thuis best
Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
fast paced, filled with action, makes you think about what makes people human and how sometimes monsters can be more humane than the people around you
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24. Youth
Chinese Drama - 2018, 26 episodes
this drama is kind of weird ngl, but it's super fun to watch. you see five different stories that become intertwined as the housemates learn how to become friends with each other
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25. Zoeken: WWW
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
powerful. women. all. day. long.