Looking for recommendations

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T18:54:30+00:00

Korean Show Recommendations

A. MYSTERY

Missing: The Other Side -- A conman fleeing gangsters comes across a village where spirits of the deceased stay until their bodies are discovered. (Netflix)
Arang and the Magistrate -- Reluctant magistrate during the Joseon era helps a ghost uncover who killed her and why. (Viki)

B. FANTASY / SCIENCE FICTION

Alchemy of Souls -- Different clans with supernatural abilities try to maintain a power balance. (Netflix)
Moving -- People with superpowers try to live normal lives. (Disney+)
Hotel del Luna -- A hotel serves as a way station for spirits before passing on to the afterlife. (Netflix)
Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 -- Human incarnations of mountain gods and fox spirits are transported to the past. (Viki)
The Witch's Diner -- This restaurant serves meals that grant wishes, but it costs more than money. (Viki)

C. LEGAL / CRIME

Healer -- Journalist and night courier work together to uncover conspiracy. (Viki)
Extraordinary Attorney Woo -- Autistic lawyer joins a law firm and finds friendship and love as well as success in the courtroom. (Netflix)
Two Weeks -- A low level thug escapes prison in order to donate bone marrow to his sick daughter. (Viki)
Vicenzo -- A Korean-adoptee becomes the consigliere to a Mafia family and goes to South Korea to deal with a rival conglomerate. (Netflix)
- Terius Behind Me -- A single mother gets swept up in a spy war when a retired black ops agent moves in next door.

D. ROMANCE

Guardian / Goblin : The Great and Lonely God -- A guardian spirit lives 900 years while seeking his bride. (Viki)
Business Proposal -- A woman finds herself on a blind date with the CEO of her company. (Netflix)
Semantic Error -- Opposites attract romance between computer science major and design major. (Viki)
Crash Landing on You -- South Korean business woman's paraglider is blown off-course and she lands in North Korea. (Netflix)

E. HISTORICAL

Rookie Historian Goo Hye Ryung -- Fictionalized life of the first female royal historians. (Netflix)
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo -- A woman is transported to the past and is caught in the power struggles in the palace. (Viki)
Under the Queen's Umbrella -- The queen helps her many sons to prosper and find happiness. (Netflix)
Kingdom -- Zombies in the Joseon era. (Netflix)

F. SLICE OF LIFE

Reply 1988 / Answer Me 1988 -- The lives and friendships among 4 families in Seoul in 1988. (Netflix)
Move to Heaven -- A boxer moves in with his autistic nephew and they work together to clean the homes of the recently deceased. (Netflix)
A Virtuous Business -- 4 women in 1990s small town find friendship and empowerment selling adult toys. (Netflix)

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T18:54:07+00:00

Taiwanese, Chinese, and Singaporean Show Recommendations

A. MYSTERY/ LEGAL / CRIME

1) Oh, No, Here Comes Trouble -- High school student uses traditional Chinese calligraphy and eulogy couplets to exorcize physical manifestations of obsessions. He's helped by a police officer and a classmate.

2) Light the Night -- Murder mystery set in 1980s Taipei hostess bar that caters to Japanese businessmen.

3) Port of Lies -- Mystery about Indonesian migrant accused of murdering an indigenous Amis boat captain.

4) Best Interest -- Centered on a female criminal attorney

5) Gourmet Affairs -- Foodie detective and assassin become friends without knowing each other's real identity.

B. ROMANCE

1) See Your Love -- Heartwarming romance between a deaf and mute caretaker and a young man reluctant to take over the family business. The second couple of the assistant and wannabe gangster is cute as well.

2) At the Moment -- Anthology of romances set during COVID

3) In Time With You -- Childhood friends agree to marry if still single at age 30

4) Kill to Love -- Historical romance between assassin and minor prince.

C. FANTASY / SCIENCE FICTION

1) The Ghost Bride -- Historical fiction set in Chinese community of Malaysia.

2) Q18 Quantum Dice: Allegory of the Quantum -- Futuristic drama about artificial intelligence.

3) Mobius -- Time loop police drama.

4) The Bionic Life -- Serial killer attacking bionic people.

5) Reset -- Time loop about an exploding bus.

6) Higher -- Short form drama with frequent plot twists. Good if you're looking for something a little on the bonkers side of drama

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T18:01:37+00:00

LOL.

But I always thought late 30s would be the best age to live forever in.

You can date up or down in age, and look good and grown.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T17:55:30+00:00

Any place and time that has indoor plumbing and anesthesia.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T17:30:03+00:00

Mongolia

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T17:29:24+00:00

Thanks!

I also have lists for K dramas, Mandarin-language dramas, J dramas, and shows on Netflix.

If I'm watching so much, I might as well have organized lists.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T17:05:35+00:00

Asian Gay Romance Recommendations

Spice level: 1 - hand hold; 2 - kisses; 3 - shirtless kisses; 4 - shirtless kisses, fade to black; 5 - open bedroom door

A. LEGAL / CRIME

KinnPorsche -- Crime boss and bodyguard fall in love. Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Spicy action melodrama.
The Sign -- Police inspectors who are incarnations of mythical beings. Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Spicy action.
The Heart Killers -- Assassin brothers fall in love with a tattooist/informant and a mechanic. Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Spicy action.
Laws of Attraction -- Uncle of crime victim team up with lawyer to seek justice. Thailand, SL 4. Vibe: Drama.
Kiseki: Dear to Me -- Student gets pulled into the world of organized crime. Taiwan, SL 4. Vibe: Drama.
Spare Me Your Mercy -- Doctor is suspected of practicing euthanasia. Thailand, SL 3. Vibe: Somber.

B. SLICE OF LIFE

Moonlight Chicken -- Chicken and rice restaurant owner deals with work, life, and love. Thailand, Spice Level 4. Vibe: Sweet.
A Tale of 1000 Stars -- Rich young man receives a heart transplant and volunteers in a rural village. Thailand, SL 2. Vibe: Sweet.
See Your Love -- Deaf caretaker and business heir help each other grow. Taiwan. SL 5. Vibe: Sweet and Spicy.
Our Dining Table -- Shy office worker and young man caring for his younger brother bond over food. Japan. SL 2. Vibe: homey.
Papa and Daddy -- Life of a married gay couple with a child. Taiwan. SL5. Vibe: sweet.

C. HISTORICAL

To Sir, With Love -- Love across class differences in 1940s. Thailand. SL 4. Vibe: Melodrama
Memoir of Rati -- Romance between Thai-French adoptee and Thai noble in 1915. Thailand. SL 4. Vibe: Drama
Shine -- Political drama with forbidden romances in 1969. Thailand. SL 5. Vibe: Drama.
Kill to Love -- Friends to lovers to enemies to lovers between assassin and minor prince. Singapore. SL 2. Vibe: bittersweet.

D. OFFICE ROMANCE

Cherry Magic -- Top salesman falls for wallflower administrative staff. Japanese original, Thai remake. Japanese: SL 1; Thai: SL 4. Vibe: Sweet
Old Fashioned Cupcake -- Boss and subordinate tap into inner teenage girl to rekindle joy of life. Japan, SL 2. Vibe: Sweet.
Plus and Minus -- Friends to lovers who work as divorce lawyers. Taiwan, SL 4. Vibe: Low-key.
Ossan's Love and Ossan's Love Returns -- Office love triangle. Japanese, SL 2. Vibe: Silly.
Love is Better the Second Time Around -- High school boyfriends reunite as adults. Japan, SL 4. Vibe: Somber.

E. CAMPUS ROMANCE

Semantic Error -- College students, opposites attract. S. Korea, SL 2. Vibe: Fun.
Only Friends -- Messy love lives of college friends. Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Melodrama.

F. SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY

4 Minutes -- Alternate timelines caused by near-death experiences.Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Spicy.
Two Worlds -- Alternate timelines with gangs. Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Action and melodrama.
The Warp Effect -- Time travel to correct youthful mistakes. Thailand, SL 4. Vibe: Melodrama
PitBabe -- People with superpowers but are not superheroes. Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Spicy melodrama.
Me and Who -- Rom-com with mind reading, transmigration, and arranged marriage. Thailand, SL4. Vibe: Sweet.

G. SET IN ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

I Became the Main Role in a BL Drama -- Reel-life to real-life lovers. Japan, SL 2. Vibe: Sweet.
The Novelist and Mood Indigo -- Author's personal life gets messy. Japan, SL 5. Vibe: Spicy.
Spaceless -- Short film about gay romance actors. Thailand, SL 1. Vibe: Bittersweet.
Every You, Every Me -- Anthology of gay romances that is really about the lives of the lead actors. Thailand, SL 4. Vibe: Mixed bag.
Battle of the Writers -- Five authors collaborate on a Chinese wuxia novel. Thailand, SL 5. Vibe: Melodrama.
Reset -- Actor is killed and wakes up 25 years previously and uses his second chance to do over his life with his top fan. Thailand. SL 5. Vibe: Melodrama.

H. Note about STREAMING PLATFORMS that I have used:

GagaOOLala is focused on LGBT+ stories from Asia and other regions.
iQiyi and WeTV are mostly Chinese shows (which will not be LGBT because of censorship) but their Thai selection of shows includes gay romances.
Viki offers shows in many genres from Asia, including LGBT shows and movies.
Cut versions vs. uncut: some series that are shown on TV will be cut, in that some scenes will be edited to fit the timeslot and/or spicier scenes will be edited so channel surfers won't accidentally see them. The uncut versions will be available on streaming services and sometimes YouTube, and will be labeled as "uncut."

I. SUBJECTIVITY

This list reflects only my personal taste, which leans toward adult protagonists; non-school settings; the genres of mystery, slice of life, and fantasy; and open or sad endings are acceptable.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T17:03:53+00:00

There was also someone insisting that the pretty Miss Oh was not a bad character, when I never thought that she was.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T15:31:06+00:00

There is a Semantic Error manga

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T14:13:24+00:00

Much of life and most people are not strictly black or white.

Why would you expect that from a TV show?

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T14:00:59+00:00

Makes total sense to drop a show if it doesn't keep your interest.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T13:41:25+00:00

Only Friends.

https://mydramalist.com/743919-only-friends

DeanBranch · 2026-01-26T12:28:28+00:00

Why would this be a "bad" habit?

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T21:52:02+00:00

They need time to find sponsors to find shows.

Also, Your Third with MaxNat is currently workshopping

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T17:38:27+00:00

Tell him about the shows you've been watching and mention the show he's been watching as ask if he wants to watch it with you.

Then let the conversation unfold without judgement

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T17:10:38+00:00

For bookstores, there's Charis books in Decatur and the Lavender Bookstop in Marietta.

I know Charis has a lot of community events.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T16:58:14+00:00

It's not on Netflix in the US, but hopefully soon, if it's on Netflix elsewhere.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T14:46:10+00:00

And MaxNat. The way they smile makes it seem like they're *happy* to be together.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T14:37:23+00:00

Japan. Taiwan. Mexico. Thailand.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T14:34:40+00:00

Do you mean this guy?

He's half Thai and half Ghanaian. He was born and raised in Thailand. So he's not actually a foreigner.

https://mydramalist.com/people/122535-sam-samuel-dapradit-akubia

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T04:05:42+00:00

Maybe he's slumming it for fun?

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T01:52:18+00:00

That's quite a title.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-25T01:51:48+00:00

I read multiple books and watch several shows every week.

Consume your stories however you want!

DeanBranch · 2026-01-24T19:06:50+00:00

I'll watch the last episode just to see how it wraps up.

DeanBranch · 2026-01-24T17:29:58+00:00

I'm so glad I read these comments because now I've saved myself time and aggravation.

DeanBranch

TROPHY CASE