Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is all about celebrating everything that makes us special – and what brings us together as a community. From heartfelt dramas to thrilling adventures, explore even more must-watch Asian shows and movies that highlight the richness of our cultures and experiences. Whether you're watching by yourself or with family and friends, keep the celebration going with a great watch.

Curated Collection of Iconic Asian Stories

Channel 3

Bangkok cardiothoracic surgeon Purim (James Jirayu Tangsrisuk) has a successful career, but he struggles with loneliness and pressure from his controlling father. When he gets a new neighbor in the form of bubbly, spirited Matalada (Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat), he's not entirely sure what to do, as their personalities seem so different. Despite Matalada's lighthearted exterior, she cares deeply for her loved ones, and has actually come to Bangkok to try and convince her paternal grandparents to reconnect with her father, who they broke contact with after he revealed that he wasn't straight. After a misunderstanding between Purim and Matalada brings them closer together, they bond over a shared love of baking and begin to fall for each other. Can Matalada help bring light and love into Purim's life? This drama was adapted from the novel “Matalada” by Natnara.

To the Moon and Back

🥰 Over the Moon 🌛Team

Through animating eight traditional Chinese stories – "The Little Monster's Summer," "Goose, Goose, Goose," "Linlin," "The Country Bus Takes Away Wang Hai'er and the Immortal," "Xiaoman," "Birds and Fish," "The Convenience Store," and "The Jade Rabbit" – classic tales blend with modern technology to understand the human experience. Featuring supernatural beings and spirits that serve as both reflections and foils to humanity as a whole, these stories span the past and present, and look towards the future. While the genres span romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and more, the deep connection to people remains the same, bridging the gaps between those who may have different lived experiences.

YAO-Chinese Folktales

The Storytellers

During a total solar eclipse, Go Ha Jin (IU), a 25-year-old woman from the 21st century, finds herself transported back to the Goryeo Dynasty where she awakens in the body of Hae Su, a 16-year-old girl. There, she finds herself entangled with ruling Wang family and the princes' rivalries as they fight for the throne. Hae Su develops feelings for the eighth prince Wang Uk (Kang Ha Neul), whose gentle countenance hides his deep ambitions and willingness to make ruthless choices. She also builds a relationship with the feared fourth prince Wang So (Lee Joon Gi), whose cruel and aloof reputation precedes him. However, Hae Su soon recognizes that his coldness is just a front to hide his pain, and helps bring out his true self, falling for him in the process. Will Hae Su's love end up changing history? This drama was adapted from the 2005 Chinese novel of the same name by Tong Hua.

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Tencent Video

Through a strange series of events, Shen Shao Guang (Wang Ying Lu) and her family find themselves transported to their ancestral home of Yong'an City – a thousand years in the past! The Shens are understandably out of place, drawing the attention of Lin Yan (Li Yun Rui), a royal official and one of their distant ancestors. In order to gain Lin Yan's trust, Shao Guang claims to be his long-lost fiancée. Lin Yan eventually believes her, and the two strike up an unlikely romance. At the same time, the Shen family decides to make the most of their experience in their new home, starting up a street stall with unique eats inspired by their modern-day favorites. Will the Shens find their place in the past, or will they try to return to their own time? This drama was adapted from the web novel "Chang’an Small Restaurant" by Ying Tao Gao.

Yummy, Yummy? Yummy!

Love @ First Pancake 🥞Team

In this poignant exploration of love and missed connections, Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), childhood friends from South Korea, are reunited in New York after 24 years apart. Their unexpected encounter brings to light the complex emotions of what could have been, as Nora, now married to Arthur (John Magaro), navigates the delicate balance between her past and present. As they spend a week together, they delve into their shared history, cultural identity, and the profound impact of their interrupted relationship. Their reunion becomes a tender meditation on fate, immigration, and the paths not taken. This is a 2023 American romantic drama film written and directed by Celine Song, exploring the nuanced landscape of love across time and continents.

Past Lives

A male chef who works at the South Korean presidential residence is transported from the present day to Korea’s past, where his soul ends up in the body of queen-to-be Kim So Yong (Shin Hae Sun) shortly before her marriage to King Cheol Jong (Kim Jung Hyun)! As Queen So Yong gets acquainted with her new life, she realizes that conspiracy is afoot in the kingdom, as the real Kim So Yong had an mysterious accident before the wedding and a scheming matriarch is trying to take advantage of King Cheol Jong’s kind nature, although he has secrets of his own. Can So Yong help right the wrongs going on in Joseon? This 2020 South Korean period drama series was directed by Yoon Sung Sik and Jang Yang Ho.

Mr. Queen

The Royal Team 👑

Xiao Qiao (Song Zu Er), a clever woman from the Qiao family, is arranged to be married to Wei Shao (Liu Yu Ning), the head of the Wei family, in order to create a strategic alliance between the two feuding clans. Initially, they struggle to lower their guards around each other due to years of bad blood between their families, but gradually begin to trust each other as they face issues that require working together. Over time, their opinions of each other start to shift – and before they know it, Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao begin to develop genuine feelings for each other. Will they form a lasting connection despite their early relationship qualms? This drama was adapted from the web novel "Zhe Yao" by Peng Lai Ke.

The Prisoner of Beauty

🔗Prisoners of Love ❤️

Prosecutor Haruto Tateishi (Yusei Yagi) just wanted to take a normal bus ride in peace... until he's mistaken as a groper on a crowded bus by Sakura Miyashita (Kyoko Saito), resulting in a humiliating incident for everyone. Haruto later encounters Sakura again, this time she's in the middle of dumping her unfaithful boyfriend, and the two end up spending an impulsive, drunken night out together. Unfortunately (or not), that's not the last time they meet: several days later, Sakura, an aspiring attorney, shows up for job training – at Haruto's office! Forced to work together despite their awkward past, Haruto tries to keep things professional, but can't help but feel drawn to Sakura. Was their chaotic first meeting really a sign of fate at work? This drama was adapted from the 2017 South Korean drama of the same name.

Suspicious Partner

Love & Lawsuits

Lin Qi Le (Zhao Jin Mai), also known as Cherry, grows up in the mountains of a small town. While her family isn't wealthy, she's surrounded by love from her parents and the broader community, who all look after each other. At nine years old, Qi Le meets Jiang Qiao Xi (Zhang Ling He), a new transfer student from the province's capital. Qiao Xi immediately stands out, as his gloomy demeanor and upper-class family background contrasts with the rest of the townspeople. However, Qi Le isn't deterred, and treats Qiao Xi warmly despite his cold first impression. Gradually, Qiao Xi begins to thaw, as Qi Le's family shows him love that his own parents rarely gave. As Qi Le, Qiao Xi, and the other children grow up, they begin to go their separate ways, but Qi Le can't let Qiao Xi go so easily. This drama was adapted from the web novel "Ying Tao Hu Po" by Yun Zhu.

Our Generation

✨ Fans for Fans ✨

Born from a tryst between a nobleman and a slave woman, Hong Eun Jo (Nam Ji Hyun) is no stranger to the plight of the average person, especially after her father fell ill. By day, Eun Jo works as a doctor, but by night, she assumes the identity of "Hong Gil Dong," a thief who steals from corrupt officials to spread wealth among those in need. Hong Gil Dong's antics attract the attention of Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang Min), who has a penchant for investigations and is personally intrigued by the mystery of the righteous thief, although most palace officials believe that he's just joking around. Amidst his search, Yi Yeol runs into Eun Jo, falling in love at first sight – but when Yi Yeol and Eun Jo happen to swap bodies, secrets they both try to keep hidden risk getting out.

To My Beloved Thief

🥷 Thief in the Palace 👑 

JTBC

Despite not being biologically related, Kim Sanha (Hwang In Youp), Yoon Juwon (Jung Chaeyeon), and Kang Haejun (Bae Hyeonseong) share a close bond with each other. The trio spent their adolescence raised by Juwon's father Jeongjae (Choi Won Young) and Sanha's father Daeuk (Choi Moo Sung), who did their best to give them a happy childhood as they healed from past trauma. Upon reaching adulthood, however, Sanha and Haejun sought out their biological families, leaving Juwon behind. Ten years later, the five members of their found family reunite, but things aren't the same as they used to be – Juwon holds some resentment after feeling abandoned by Sanha and Haejun, while the two boys are struggling with new romantic feelings for Juwon and their own familial issues. Can these chosen siblings work out their feelings with each other, and will romance form between them? This drama was adapted from the 2020 Chinese drama "Go Ahead."

Family by Choice

Heartfelt Family Team

As a newly married woman in 19th-century Korea, Park Yeon Woo’s (Lee Se Young) life should have been a happy one. But when her new husband dies shortly after their wedding, her life goes from bad to worse when she’s kidnapped and thrown down a well. What should have been the end of her story turns out to be just the beginning when her fall into the well lands her in a swimming pool in modern-day Korea. Fished out by Kang Tae Ha (Bae In Hyuk), Yeon Woo soon finds herself presented with a strange request: to join him in a contract marriage. Lost in a strange new world, will Yeon Woo agree to make a dying man’s wish come true? This 2023 South Korean historical romance series was directed by Park Sang Hoon.

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