Asian Drama

In 1970s Korea, when both art and dreams are censored, a film director dreams of a masterpiece.

After his successful debut, Director Kim endures scathing attacks from critics who call him a specialist in trashy dramas. After finishing his latest feature ‘Cobweb’, he has vivid dreams over several days of an alternative ending to the film. Sensing that if he can just shoot those scenes as he envisioned them, a masterpiece will surely emerge, he tries to arrange just two days of additional shooting. However, the rewritten script fails to pass censorship, and his actors can’t make sense of the new ending. Between the tangled schedule, the opposition of the producer, and the collision between these fantastic scenes dancing before his eyes and the harsh conditions of reality, Director Kim feels he is about to go insane, but he pushes on regardless…

“If I can just change the ending, a masterpiece will emerge. All I need is two days!”

(Source: Festival de Cannes international press kit)

Can you trust an AI to write for you “the story of your life”?

In a hair salon in an alley, apprentice Fen practices day and night in the hope of becoming a fully-fledged hairdresser soon. On a stormy night, Tai, a wounded gang boss, rushes into the salon to hide from his rival. With Fen’s help, Tai manages to escape. Smitten by Fen and to repay her kindness, Tai brings his underlings to have their hair cut in the salon and passionately pursues Fen. When Fen and Tai, who come from such different backgrounds, gradually come to understand each other and fall in love, Tai’s rival shows up and challenges Tai. Could the couple work together to overcome the difficulties and start a new life?

Release dates: Jun 22, 2023 (Festival) || Jul 28, 2023 (Cinema).

A detective who is solving a murder mystery and uncovers some secrets of the past. It's a thriller film about serial murders & deals with social theme of military violence.

(Source: Soompi)

Duration: 1 hr. 50 min.

"Persona: Sulli" is split into two parts: A short film titled "4: Clean Island", and a feature-length documentary film "Dear Jinri" (Sulli's real name), which includes the star's final interview.

"4: Clean Island" is a short film about a main character named Nezzi (Sulli) who dreams of immigrating to the cleanest place in the world, 'Clean Island'. In order to pass through an immigration checkpoint to the island, Nezzi needs to confess a sin. Her sin involves a story about a special pig. This narrative presents a remarkable canvas for the viewers to appreciate Sulli's profound and emotive performance.

"Dear Jinri" is a documentary which features the diverse concerns and thoughts of 25-year-old Choi Jinri (Sulli) in the form of interviews. The documentary conveys Sulli’s wish for the public to see her and like her for just the way she is.

(Source: Korea herald, Soompi, Laika Cinema, BIFF website, NME, Naver, Allkpop, Kbizoom)

Episodes: 2

Duration: 1 hr. 5 min.

Content Rating: 13+ - Teens 13 or older

Aired On: Monday

N/A

To win the three-year agreement with Nalan Yanran, the chief disciple of the Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan and Medicine Elder journeyed to the Snake Clan Desert to seek the legendary Heavenly Flame—the Green Lotus Core Flame, in order to enhance their strength. In the Snake Clan Desert, they became unexpectedly involved in the racial conflict between the human race and the snake people. The Snake Clan Queen, Medusa, was in seclusion to advance to the Dou Zong realm, providing Xiao Yan with an opportunity. Xiao Yan, together with Qing Ling and Mu Li, infiltrated the Snake Clan's underground palace. Coincidentally, Medusa fell into demonic possession due to absorbing the Heavenly Flame, allowing Xiao Yan to effortlessly obtain the coveted "Green Lotus Core Flame." Meanwhile, outside the city, a monumental racial war between the human race and the snake people was unfolding. With Xiao Yan's greatly enhanced strength, he thwarted the long-planned conspiracy of the snake people. After some arrangements, Xiao Yan embarked on his journey to the "Jianan Academy."

Episodes: 27

Aired On: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Step into the thrilling world of high school student Kang Jin as he fights against debt collectors and the oppressive harassment of Nam Young, who masquerades as a model student. With each day feeling hopeless and bleak, Kang Jin's life takes a dramatic turn when he stumbles upon a lost envelope of money belonging to Rang.

Using this newfound wealth, he takes a stand against Nam Young's girlfriend Da Young. But when Nam Young discovers Kang Jin's actions, he strikes back by stealing his money and issuing dangerous threats. With nowhere to turn, Kang Jin confides in Rang, who reveals a secret knowledge of the debt-collecting world.

Together, they embark on a thrilling journey of power and control, as Kang Jin takes his first steps into the world of loan sharks.

(Source: HanCinema)

Duration: 1 hr. 45 min.

It features three different spooky tales loosely inspired by international folklore. While attending the birthday celebration of the scion of some record company, an ex-hair model who aspires to make a comeback in the entertainment business gets her tresses burnt by a spoiled brat. She walks into a hair salon to salvage her sole pride and joy, only to meet her most macabre end.

(Source: chiswickcinema.co.uk)

Duration: 1 hr. 33 min.

Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Jeong Min, a rookie lawyer, becomes Yoon Ah's public attorney, as she is accused of murdering her husband. Against a nasty prosecutor, a mysterious judge, and all the suspicions surrounding the defendant, Jeong Min seeks to unravel the truth behind the conspiracies of the case.

(Source: HanCinema)

Hirayama works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. He seems content with his simple life. He follows a structured everyday life and dedicates his free time to his passion for music and books. Hirayama also has a fondness for trees and photographs them. More of his past is gradually revealed through a series of unexpected encounters.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Co-production with Germany.

Duration: 2 hr. 3 min.

Ah Wei, who is tired of his life and desperate for death, finds that his many suicide attempts are continuously being thwarted by four ghosts. Unexpectedly, these ghosts, which refuse to let Ah Wei die, bring into his life new meaning through an unbelievable and moving adventure.

(Source: Chinese = helloghostmovie on Instagram || Translation = olivestulip)

Kuno Totono is a college student with naturally curly hair. He is extremely smart and loves curry, but doesn't have any friends or a girlfriend. Kuno Totono loves to talk and he can often solve difficult problems simply by talking it through. One day, Kuno Totono visits the city of Hiroshima. There, he gets involved with a mystery involving the succession of the Kariatsumari family’s property.

(Source: AsianWiki)

Adapted from the manga "Mystery to Iunakare" (ミステリと言う勿れ) by Tamura Yumi (田村由美).

Depicts the love story and conflicts of a couple in a long-distance relationship in the modern, tech-obsessed era that is glued to their screens. Do Ha is a 28-year-old beginner in love and relationships. He goes from being a fan of an indie band to dating its vocalist for five years. During the process, he struggles to balance work and his relationship. Tae In is Do Ha’s lover and the band’s vocalist. While in her twenties, Tae In lived an exciting life, but in her thirties, she finds herself at crossroads between dreams and reality and struggles to cope.

Nozomi Kuroda is in the 2nd grade of high school. One day, she finds a letter in a classroom desk. The letter has only the word "like" written on it. The person who wrote the letter is Jun Setoyama. He happens to be the most popular boy at the high school. Nozomi Kuroda feels embarrassed, but she eventually leaves a reply in a shoe closet at school. This is how their secret exchange diary begins. Nozomi Kuroda soon learns that the intended recipient for the first letter was her best friend. Nevertheless, Nozomi Kuroda is attracted to Jun Setoyama, who expresses his thoughts and feelings unlike her. She's unable to tell him the truth that the person exchanging messages is her and not her best friend.

Fukazawa Kaoru is a manga artist who had just finished an 8 year run for his manga Sayonara Summer. He has no ideas for his next manga, he thinks his editor is giving up on him, and his relationship with his wife Machida Nozomi has hit several bumps. In his depression Kaoru visits a brothel and meets prostitute Chifuyu. He instantly becomes attracted to Chifuyu for her cat-like eyes. After spending time together and building a relationship they decide to head to Chifuyu’s hometown together.

(Source: Panap Media)

Adapted from the manga series "Reiraku" (零落) by Asano Inio (浅野いにお).

Content Rating: 13+ - Teens 13 or older

Former actress Sang Won is staying with her friend Jung Soo. One afternoon, a woman visits her, wanting to learn about pursuing a career in acting. Poet Hong Ui Ju has a heart condition, which has driven him to quit drinking and smoking. A young filmmaker who wishes to make a documentary about the poet is staying with him. An earnest young man who admires the poet visits him and asks a number of questions. "In Our Day" intertwines snippets of a single day that Sang Won and Ui Ju experience separately. The characters’ attitudes toward life resonate in some ways—Sang Won values honesty; Ui Ju, fleeting moments rather than right answers or truths.

The individuals that comprise the Tokyo MER team rush to on-site disasters and accidents, performing life-saving treatment thanks to the OR equipped within their vehicle. Their one mission is simple: leave no one dead. But conflicts arise when an unprecedented event rocks Yokohama after a bomb explodes in Landmark Tower, leaving thousands fighting to escape. Although the chief doctor Kitami believes they should not wait and presses for a quick dispatch, the more level-headed Chief Kamoi of the elite Yokohama MER thinks otherwise — they need to wait until the area is safe to enter, or they won’t be able to save anyone.

Soo Jin and Hyun Soo are a newlywed couple. Their happy married life soon turns into a nightmare because Hyun Soo suddenly begins to behave abnormally during his sleep.

What starts out as some light sleep-talking soon escalates to unexpectedly grotesque behaviour. They consult a sleep clinic without success and as his nightmarish behaviour escalates, they desperately seek help from a shaman.

(Source: IMDb, Wikipedia)

Duration: 1 hr. 34 min.

Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

N/A

Jung Yeol and Na Ra fell in love with each other and got married. During their marriage, they have grown to hate each other due to their personality differences. They decide to get a divorce. A month later, their divorce will be finalized. But, on the day that they applied for a divorce, they get into a car accident. When they wake up at the hospital, they have both lost their memories and do not remember each other.

(Source: AsianWiki)

Duration: 1 hr. 59 min.

Content Rating: 13+ - Teens 13 or older

The movie "Dead Silence" is adapted from the fantasy novel "Zi Buyu". The movie tells the story of blacksmith Lu Li, who after several demon slayings, constantly gets rid of his inner entanglements and becomes a real night wanderer

Na Mi and Sun Woo, who have been suffering from bullying and school violence throughout their school days, attempt suicide while their classmates go on a school trip. After the silly yet ridiculous suicide failure, the two try to take revenge on Chae Rin, who bullied them most and now lives happily in Seoul. However, their plans go awry. Ridiculously, Chae Rin, the worst bully ever, has found religion and has turned into a genuinely good person. What should they do now?

(Source: BIFF)

Release dates: Oct 09, 2022 (Festival) | Aug 16, 2023 (Cinema)

Duration: 1 hr. 49 min.

Content Rating: 13+ - Teens 13 or older

A young ethnic Shan man moves from the war-torn Shan State buffering Thailand and Myanmar to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Refusing to return home to fight for the military yet undocumented as a refugee in the new country, he survives through sex work. To escape this bitter reality, he projects himself into the colourful lives of his clients.

(Source: seaficlab.com)

A romantic human growth drama about Na-eun who believes she is a cosmic being. She refuses to communicate with people because of her wounds, then she meets Seok-min who heals prejudices and wounds with care and love.

Having lost his colleague who was also his brother-in-law to a serial murderer two years ago, homicide detective Jae Hwan is unable to contain his hatred toward the murderer and dives headfirst into hunting the brutal killer. Jae Hwan finally comes face to face with the murderer Jin Hyuk but in the heat of the chase, they get into an accident. Waking up in a hospital, Jae Hwan realizes his body has been switched with that of the murderer. To protect his family and uncover the secret of this body switch, Jae Hwan begins a desperate chase.

Gu Wentong, a middle-aged living alone, meets a young photographer Ouyang Wenhui at work. By chance, Gu Wentong learns the whereabouts of his father, who has been missing for more than 40 years. With the encouragement of Ouyang Wenhui, Gu Wentong chooses to face his father and regains the long-lost father-son relationship.

Xiang Teng Hui puts his heart and soul into nurturing underprivileged children in the local area, giving them a glimmer of hope for the future. However, when past performance videos depicting "cruel and bloody" scenes are leaked, it triggers a reaction from people who are unaware of the truth.

Overnight, public opinion starts to escalate. Xiang Teng Hui's life and the children's future become entangled in a web spun by people claiming to be acting out of kindness, making it difficult for them to break free and return to the quagmire. As for their future, where will their "way out" lead them?

N/A