What to watch, what to watch… Fretting over how to entertain yourself while on your end-of-year leave? We got you covered. From dramas about prostitution to documentaries about journalism to period dramas about palace rivalry and shows about the seedy workings of the mafia underworld in Hong Kong, these are all the best, binge-worthy shows (and movie anthologies) that you are going to be looking for this December.
Now playing: On Netflix
An odd culture trip that has you boning up on what’s #trending. Buzzfeed reporters delve into fascinating topics, from the impact and proliferation of fake news, to the potentially therapeutic uses of sexbots. Released this year, the docuseries is split into three parts, and offers 20 fascinating episodes to view.
Photo: Netflix
Now playing: On streaming sites like here.
Where have you been if you haven’t heard of this period drama that took the world by storm? The storyline is predictable and cliched, but its characters are not – the female protagonist, for instance, is spunky, empowered and does almost everything under the sun to get what she wants. Production values are high as well – the cast’s wardrobes have been painstakingly created to mimic history and have had critics raving about them, so much so that there’s now a wave of Yanxi-related fashion (not to mention beauty looks and nail art as well).
There are 70 episodes, so you’d be well occupied during your leave. But consider yourself warned: The show is utterly and completely addictive.
Photo: Instagram/styleslicker
Now playing: On Netflix
If Yanxi has stirred your desires for all things Chinese period, here’s another drama you should dive into. This highly-rated series follows the ambitious sixth prince Ning Yi’s road to becoming the ruler of the Tiansheng Kingdom, and is an explosion of dazzling extravanganza of carefully styled costumes and set pieces not unlike Yanxi. It stars Chinese actor Chen Kun and Chinese actress Ni Ni, both familiar names of the silver screen.
Beyond the slow pacing of the show is a complex and intricate plot with attention to detail (the actors’ real voices are used in the show) that’s sure to get you binge-watching. Romance, politics, revenge, betrayal — what’s not to like?
Photo: Instagram/ hxxpxxkai
Now playing: On Viu
South Korean variety show Running Man’s popularity took off in a massive way, in part due to the cast’s tight camaraderie and unscripted scenes which are full of slapstick and physical comedy. Eight years on and more than 400 episodes later, after forever changing how students look at name tags (long story short, they engage in intense name tag tearing battles among other missions), some things have changed but the cast members’ humour remains. The latest season is still hilarious and thigh-slapping.
Photo: Instagram/ sbs_runningman_sbs
Now playing: On Netflix
This highly rated gothic drama is gonna give you night frights. The grief-ridden story of the Crain family is addictive in a way that nothing else has been this year. Fans discuss every last detail of the show, from episode breakdowns that answer the burning question “WTF just happened?!!”; to ghosts you might’ve missed (director Mark Flanagan likes to plant out-of-focus creepies in screen corners). Based on a 1959 novel, this is a slow-burn ghost story rife with tension and the best jump scare tactics. Ten episodes are available, with season 2 unconfirmed for now.
For more ghostly suspense fixes, check out other titles available on Netflix. Victorian horror show Penny Dreadful, starring Eva Green and Josh Hartnett, is an excellently spooky watch and three full seasons are online, while Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980) is one of the best big-screen adaptations of a Stephen King story.
Photo: Instagram/_haunting
Now playing: On Viu
Based on the webtoon of the same name published by Naver, this highly-rated series explores the idea of inner beauty through its two leads in a university setting. The female lead, played by Im Soo Hyang, is ugly and undergoes plastic surgery in hopes to lead a normal life. However, her classmates continue to mock her, calling her a “Gangnam beauty” — a derogatory term to describe someone who looks unnatural after going under the knife.
Needless to say, she is still uncomfortable with who she is and has to learn the hard way what true beauty is. The electrifying chemistry between the two leads is worth watching out for, not to mention the hilarious scenes over the love triangle between Cha Eun Woo and Kwak Dong Yeon.
Photo: Instagram/ myidisgangnambeautyofc
Now playing: On Amazon Prime Video
What’s it like to be the descendant of a tragic Russian royal? According to Matthew Weiner’s latest show, The Romanoffs, the answers would be: Fraught, crazy, and intent on keeping the bloodline alive. Each episode is a self-contained story, and follows the supposed descendants of the last Russian emperor Nicholas II, whose family ruled Russia for three centuries.
He was brutally executed – along with members of his family – in the Russian Revolution. With a budget of US$50 million, the show features a breathtaking list of names including Aaron Eckhart, Christina Hendricks and John Slattery. For another Prime must-watch, tune in to Sneaky Pete, a suspenseful and smart show about a con-man who hides from his debtors by assuming the identity of his cellmate. Stars Giovanni Ribisi.
Photo: Instagram/ theromanoffs
Now playing: On Netflix
Originally released as a web series, this Hong Kong Cantonese series (English subs available) reprises many familiar faces such as Jordan Chan and Brother Wai Man of the Hong Kong triad movie genre. About an former undercover cop (Chan) who rejoins the underworld during the final years of Hong Kong’s rule under Britain, this thriller is enthralling to watch if you grew up watching HK triad movies.
Plus, the veterans’ seasoned acting chops also carry the show through all the way to the end — in fact, viewership ratings for the finale in 2017 ended on a 1.3 billion high in China alone. If you’re still not convinced, they’re already filming season 2, with season 3 in the pipeline.
Photo: Instagram/ hkoctb
Now playing: On Netflix
If this title is familiar to you, it’s because this is a 2018 Chinese remake of the 2001 Taiwanese original. Apart from having the same producer and director who brought us the first F4 cast, everything else has changed. Shan Cai and the dashing F4 boys are played by relatively new faces — the latter is played by ingenue Chinese actress Shen Yue while Dao Ming Si is played by the charismatic Dylan Wang, for instance.
As dramatic as its predecessor, it has made plenty of viewers swoon. The drama’s wardrobe is also very fashion-forward (the 2010 iteration was produced on a shoestring budget after all). Coupled with eye-catching visuals, Meteor Garden is bound to leave your Chinese romantic drama craving satisfied.
Photo: Instagram/ xo.tannie
Now playing: On Amazon Prime Video
Handsome Japanese IT exec meets 20 Japanese women. He must decide who is The One. The format is the same as the addictive American original, but the Japanese take game-playing to a whole new level. It’s because they’re so darned polite. Thing is, it’s still a bunch of women clawing – politely, mind you – over one piece of meat. They have to be cute, too, while they’re delicately attempting to eat him alive. Rintaro, the bachelor, looks worse for wear from all the emotional haggling by episode 5. You feel sorry for him as he trudges up a sand bank to where one woman waits to – you know – talk. Champagne is served and chugged at every possible opportunity, proving that the Japanese are indeed good drinkers (or, that this is how they cope).
Watch for the over-eager receptionist Mariko; the ice queen, model (and Miss Universe Japan 2014 contestant) Ayaka; and the total biatch, pro-baseball cheerleader Azusa. It’s a 12-episode descent into madness, with lessons on how mean girls behave in Japan.
Photo: Warner Bros International Television Production Limited
Now playing: On Hulu
If you’re on vacay in the US and your Airbnb has Hulu, then stream this NOW. The scene: London. The year is 1763. The streets are filthy, life is cut-throat, and one in five women earn their living through prostitution. The story follows two warring brothels and the ruthless women who run them. So, one can expect plenty of saucy talk (and action), shifting alliances, and plot twists – not to mention pushed-up boobs, sky-high wigs, and shots of man bums.
There’s oodles of lavish visual style and snappy editing – enough for Variety to describe this show as Downton Abbey meets Game of Thrones. Two seasons are on offer, and season 2 stars Liv Tyler as an heiress with secrets she’s keen to keep hidden.
Photo: Instagram/ harlotsonhulu
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