20 Best TV Shows Featuring All-Asian Casts You Must Watch

This collection showcases outstanding TV series from across Asia, spanning everything from grand historical tales to gripping modern stories. You’ll find shows from Korea, Japan, China, India, and beyond, including thrilling historical dramas, realistic contemporary series, and epic costume sagas. Each listing provides a brief summary, highlights the main actors or creators, and tells you where the show originally aired. Explore this list to discover critically acclaimed Asian series that have captivated viewers around the globe.

‘Pachinko’ (2022– )

This sweeping family saga tells the story of a Korean family who moves to Japan over several decades. Based on the novel by Min Jin Lee, the show stars Kim Min ha, Youn Yuh jung, Lee Min ho, and Jin Ha. The series is filmed in Korean, Japanese, and English, and includes subtitles and captions for all languages. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, launched on a major streaming service and has received critical acclaim and numerous international awards.

‘Kingdom’ (2019–2020)

This historical thriller, set in Korea’s Joseon dynasty, follows a mysterious disease outbreak and the power struggles surrounding the crown prince. The series stars Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-ryong, and Kim Sung-gyu. It consists of two seasons, plus a special episode called ‘Ashin of the North,’ and was one of the first big Korean shows created specifically for international streaming.

‘Reply 1988’ (2015–2016)

This heartwarming drama centers on five friends and the people around them, all living in a Seoul neighborhood in the late 1980s. Starring Hyeri, Ryu Jun yeol, Park Bo gum, Go Kyung pyo, and Lee Hye ri, the show beautifully captures the experience of growing up alongside iconic moments from that time period. It originally aired on Korean cable TV and later gained popularity through streaming platforms.

‘Crash Landing on You’ (2019–2020)

A wealthy South Korean woman unexpectedly finds herself in North Korea and falls for a North Korean officer. Their story explores themes of loyalty, family, and the weight of responsibility. Starring popular actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, the series features a large Korean cast and was broadcast on tvN in Korea before becoming available on streaming platforms worldwide. Filming took place in various locations, including Switzerland, for some important scenes.

‘Mr. Sunshine’ (2018)

This historical drama takes place in the early 1900s and centers on a Korean man who comes home as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Featuring Lee Byung hun, Kim Tae ri, Yoo Yeon seok, and Byun Yo han, the series depicts the fight against occupation and important events before Korea’s annexation. It originally aired on tvN and became available worldwide through streaming.

‘D.P.’ (2021– )

This intense military drama centers around a team dedicated to tracking down soldiers who desert. Starring Jung Hae in and Koo Kyo hwan, with supporting roles from Kim Sung kyun and Son Suk ku, the series delves into serious issues like bullying, the strict chain of command, and the legal processes surrounding military service. Two seasons are currently available to watch on a major streaming platform.

‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ (2022)

Woo Young Woo is a legal drama about a new lawyer on the autism spectrum who begins her career at a major law firm in Seoul. Starring Park Eun Bin, Kang Tae Oh, and Kang Ki Young, the show combines individual case stories with the ongoing power dynamics within the firm. It first aired on Korean television (ENA) and quickly gained international popularity through streaming platforms.

‘Itaewon Class’ (2020)

A young man, wrongly convicted in the past, starts a bar and restaurant in Seoul’s Itaewon and ends up fighting against a large and influential food company. The show stars Park Seo Joon and Kim Da Mi, with Yoo Jae Myung and Kwon Nara also appearing. It’s based on a popular webtoon and was originally broadcast on JTBC before becoming available for streaming worldwide.

‘Midnight Diner’ (2009–2019)

This series takes place in a cozy, late-night Tokyo diner. Each episode features a new customer and the meal that connects to their personal story. Kaoru Kobayashi stars as the Master, a chef who prepares simple dishes to order. Originally airing on TV Tokyo, the show continued as ‘Midnight Diner Tokyo Stories’ with new seasons created for streaming platforms. Because it’s an anthology, each episode tells a complete, individual story about a different person.

‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020–2022)

Okay, so I just finished watching this incredible show! It’s about three friends who suddenly find themselves in a totally deserted Tokyo, and they’re forced to play these insane, life-or-death games based on playing cards. Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya are fantastic in the leads, and the whole cast is great. The first season covered the beginning of the story, which is based on a manga by Haro Aso, and the second season wrapped everything up. It was released worldwide as a streaming exclusive, which is how I got hooked!

‘Hanzawa Naoki’ (2013–2020)

This compelling series dives into the world of Japanese finance, following a clever banker as he battles corruption and intense power plays. Starring Masato Sakai as Hanzawa, the show features a large cast over its two seasons and became a huge ratings success on TBS, leading to additional special episodes. Each storyline focuses on things like internal investigations, recovering lost loans, and the strategic battles fought in corporate boardrooms.

‘Nirvana in Fire’ (2015)

I was completely captivated by this historical drama from China! It centers around Lin Shu, a compelling character who comes back with a new identity to restore his family’s honor and skillfully maneuver through the complex world of the imperial court. The actors – Hu Ge, Liu Tao, and Wang Kai – are all fantastic. What really struck me was the incredible attention to detail – the costumes were stunning, the sets were lavish, and the story was full of clever twists and turns. It originally aired on Chinese television, but it quickly found a huge audience all over the world online, and I can totally see why!

‘The Untamed’ (2019)

This fantasy series, based on a novel by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, follows the story of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji as they investigate secrets and power struggles within influential families. Starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo alongside a talented Chinese cast, the show was filmed on location and features impressive martial arts sequences. It became hugely popular throughout Asia and internationally after streaming on Tencent Video.

‘Story of Yanxi Palace’ (2018)

This historical drama takes place during China’s Qing dynasty and centers on Wei Yingluo, who enters the Forbidden City seeking justice for her sister. As she investigates, she climbs the ranks within the imperial court. The series stars Wu Jinyan and Nie Yuan, alongside Qin Lan and Charmaine Sheh. It aired on iQIYI and various television networks, becoming incredibly popular and sparking additional related content.

‘Three-Body’ (2023)

I was completely captivated by this Chinese series! It’s based on Liu Cixin’s incredible novel and tells the story of what happens when China makes first contact with an alien civilization. What’s really fascinating is that the story unfolds against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, showing how scientists and government officials grapple with this monumental event. The acting is superb, especially from Zhang Luyi, Yu Hewei, and Chen Jin. It originally aired on CCTV and Tencent Video, and you can really tell they invested a lot in making the science and the historical setting feel authentic. This series covers the beginning of the epic ‘Remembrance of Earth’s Past’ trilogy, and it’s a truly impressive adaptation.

‘Sacred Games’ (2018–2019)

This crime thriller, set in Mumbai, centers around a police officer who gets a mysterious warning from a dangerous gangster, kicking off a desperate attempt to stop a disaster. The series stars Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, with Radhika Apte playing a significant role. Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane oversaw the show across its two seasons, making it one of the first big Indian series created for international streaming platforms.

‘Paatal Lok’ (2020– )

A Delhi police officer delves into a major assassination attempt, revealing connections to powerful figures in politics, the criminal underworld, and the media. The series stars Jaideep Ahlawat, alongside Neeraj Kabi and Abhishek Banerjee, and initially premiered on a global streaming service to widespread critical acclaim both in India and internationally. A second season continued the investigation and further developed the characters.

‘The Family Man’ (2019–2021)

This thrilling series centers on Srikant Tiwari, a secret agent juggling dangerous missions and his everyday family life. Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Priyamani, and Sharib Hashmi, the show has released two seasons on a major streaming platform and was filmed in various cities throughout India. It expertly blends personal stories with high-stakes counterterrorism and the complexities of regional politics.

‘Girl From Nowhere’ (2018–2021)

The Thai series follows Nanno, an enigmatic new student who uncovers secrets and exposes wrongdoing at various schools. Kitty Chicha Amatayakul plays Nanno, and each episode features a different set of Thai actors. The first season originally aired on Thai television (GMM 25) before becoming available internationally through streaming platforms. The second season was created specifically for streaming. Each episode tells a self-contained story dealing with issues like bullying, abuse of power, and social media controversies.

‘Delhi Crime’ (2019–2022)

This compelling series, based on actual police investigations, follows the Delhi Police as they solve challenging cases, emphasizing careful police work and how it affects the community. Starring Shefali Shah, along with Rasika Dugal and Rajesh Tailang, the first season explored the fallout from a major crime, while the second season presented a new set of investigations. The show launched on a popular streaming service and has earned significant awards and praise internationally.

Let us know your favorite shows and any recommendations you have in the comments – we’d love to help everyone find something new to watch!

2025-10-23 03:49