Many Filipinos are opting to stay in the comfort and safety of their homes this holiday season. Imagine this: you’re lounging in your favorite spot at home while eating your favorite snacks or drinking a cup of hot coffee in the coldness of December. No school or office work is waiting for you, and you have nothing planned. This is an ideal break for people who are not keen on going out because of the current situation.
But, if you have nothing planned, why not make your holiday break even more exciting? Binge-watch an Asian drama you’re not familiar with or a drama you’ve heard of but never got the chance to watch because of your hectic schedule. The holiday break is a good chance to catch up on several good series and here are some suggestions to kickstart your holiday watchlist!
The South Korean drama stars actress Kim Tae Hee who plays the role of Cha Yu Ri, a woman who came back to life for 49 days, four years after her death due to an accident. While she came back only to watch over her daughter who is being haunted by ghosts, Yu Ri quickly realizes the huge impact of her death on her husband, even after he got married to someone else. As Yu Ri finds ways to get close to her daughter, she must also deal with the changes in the lives of the people she loves and help give them closure.
This 16-episode drama is perfect to watch with loved ones as it depicts the unconditional love of a mother for her child. But here’s a friendly warning, prepare boxes of tissues before watching this one!
The 40-episode Chinese drama revolves around three childhood friends who shared memories and experiences together but slowly grew apart as they grew up. Coming from dysfunctional families, Ling Xiao (played by Song Wei Long) and Zi Qiu (played by Zhang Xin Cheng) were treated and raised like real sons by Jian Jian’s (a character played by actress Tan Song Yun) father, a widower, until the two boys had to go back to their real families.
The heartwarming drama challenges the idea of what a family is while exploring interpersonal relationships in great depth. Get ready to have your heartstrings pulled by this drama and laugh your heart out over the comedic situations the three friends would get themselves into.
Buckle up! You’re in for a wild ride in this 10-episode psychological/mystery Japanese drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last episode. Suda Masaki plays the role of Mr. Hiragi, a homeroom teacher who gathered the 29 students of class 3-A and declared them as his hostages to find out the truth about the death of one student months before. Every episode gives the audience a clue about the suspicious death of Kagayema Reina, turning the spectators into detectives as they put the pieces of the puzzle together.
You don’t have to be worried about watching it alone. The suspenseful drama reminds the viewers that humans are much scarier than ghosts. So, if you feel like watching a drama that would put your brain to work, put on your detective hat because this one’s for you!
If you want to be mind-blown, this Taiwanese drama will surely leave you speechless after binge-watching all 13 episodes. Actress Ko Chia Yen plays the role of 27-year-old Huang Yu Xuan who still hasn’t moved on from her boyfriend’s disappearance and only wished to see him on her birthday in 2019. After receiving a cassette tape, Yu Xuan woke up as 17-year-old Chen Yun Ru (also played by Ko) who wishes for the boy she likes to like her back in 1998. Trapped in the past, Yu Xuan must figure out how to go back to the present after realizing that Yun Ru’s days are numbered, and someone wants her dead.
This drama has so many twists and turns that will leave you gasping and taking water breaks more than usual. It poses the question on whether love can bridge a gap in time. If you’re down for a romantic drama with a mix of suspense, then this drama will suit you best!
Put Your Head on My Shoulder 2021
Thailand’s remake of the popular 2019 Chinese drama is just as fun and sweet as the original with a more adult take on it. Accounting student Prapai had to live in the same house as genius Physics student Puppa. As their friendship grew, so did their fondness for each other, despite their differences. As they navigate their way into adulthood, the two had to choose between love and dreams.
The lighthearted drama will put you on cloud nine and make you reminisce about your own experience with young love. Get ready to have your heart fluttering while binge-watching this!
This socio-political series deviated from the traditional hundred-long-episode format of Philippine dramas with only 12 action-packed episodes. Arjo Atayde plays Benjo, a small-town barber whose life changed after his barber shop was affected by the local government’s road widening project. Benjo then became the barber of the governor but in reality, he worked as his “bagman,” an agent that handles all illegal transactions. Caught in the web of crime, corruption, and power struggle, Benjo decides to move out of the shadow and use what he has to gain power.
Bagman is that one drama that will open your eyes to just how corrupt the system is and the power imbalance between the rich and the poor. If you’re ready to watch a brutally honest drama, you can find this one on Netflix.
The holiday season is not only about celebrating Christmas but also taking the time to take care of yourself, recuperate, and enjoy the things you could not do while life demands more from you. So you could be playing games at a family reunion, enjoying a dip in the ocean with friends, or binge-watching new dramas alone, it doesn’t matter because the time spent doing what you love is a time worth spending.
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