Shows that taught me about life
These shows are not ranked in any particular order. Over here, you will find a mixture of love stories, real family issues, fantasies, encouragement. These shows were curated because they have taught me at least one lesson to enrich my life again.
Hope you get to experience your own journeys through your own lens and create a wonderful list of memories of your own!
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1. Kazoku Boshu Shimasu
Japanese Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
Taught me that familiies can be forged through shared experiences and a common sense of unity.
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2. A Little Thing Called First Love
Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes
When you just need to get away from the drill of reality and looking to relive your first crush/ first love memories :)
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3. 200 Pounds Beauty
Korean Movie - 2006
A bitter lesson on how society still values outward beauty more than talents.
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4. A Love So Beautiful
Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes
Another cute show to make you appreciate the power of sweet love ;)
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5. Alchemy of Souls
Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
Life is so much full of urgent requests and attention to your time. Should you need a little sobre magical journey, why not try this series? Get away from the brutes of reality, with a little magic and fantasy ?
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6. Another Miss Oh
Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes
Did you ever think that people have just too perfect lives? This show taught me to start appreciating my own blessings too!
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7. Black
Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes
The show revolves around the life of a grim reaper and a mortal. What I saw was how bitterness can make a person change, but love can also create wonders. Encourages me to continue loving people even when the going gets tough ??
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8. Black Cinderella
Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Is perfection really the main score in our life? Do we need to look perfect to live perfectly? Its so scary what we are conditioned to believe. This show is definitely very uplifting in telling us otherwise!
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9. Boys over Flowers
Korean Drama - 2009, 25 episodes
The show which taught me that girls need to be tough and look after themselves well too!
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10. Café. Waiting. Love.
Taiwanese Movie - 2014
Makes you wish for a great guy friend who's always there for you
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11. Cheese in the Trap
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
A great look into university life again. Taught me that sometimes we should not judge others by first sight.
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12. Cinderella and the Four Knights
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Dreamy show about a down in luck girl having the best guy friends around her!
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13. City Hall
Korean Drama - 2009, 20 episodes
A show about matured love. Sacrifices and ambitions are all part of reality. Which should come first?
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14. Coffee Prince
Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes
This show gives me hope that even the most undistinguished girl can have a break in her life as long as we have a positive and fighting spirit!
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15. Dream High
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
Gave a sneak peek into how idols are selected. Although I suspect reality is so much much more harder than what this show portrays!
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16. Do You Love Me as I Love You
Taiwanese Movie - 2020
A story about crushes and best friends. Sweet..
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17. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Taught me a little bit more on the world of the autistic community. But I know it's a lot more complicated than whatever was portrayed. A real call-out to those who are journeying on their lives handling all the unkind remarks and challenges of being different from others. Let's aim to make the world a better place bu understanding and appreciating each other
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18. Fated to Love You
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
Can someone as shy and introvert really have a break in their lives? A show about hope
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19. Flower Boy Next Door
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
Taught me about social anxiety disorder, or anthropophobia - fear of people. People with anthropophobia may avoid crowds, fear eye contact or worry that they are being judged.
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20. Go Back Couple
Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
A show which portrays the hardships of young families. It is so realistic that many families have to go through such difficult lives just bringing up their offspring and juggling work and discrimination.
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21. He Was Cool
Korean Movie - 2004
Whilst the show spoke about loyalty, it also silently discusses the discrimination against families suffering from HIV.
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22. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
A show about fantasies and old folklore such as goblins and grim reaper.
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23. Hello Monster
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
Made me think again, are serial killers born or conditioned to be as they were? Food for thought indeed
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24. Hotel del Luna
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
A little fantasy journey about what happens in the gap before we reach heaven or hell.
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25. Inseparable Bros
Korean Movie - 2019
Makes me appreciate the power of friendships and the hard lives by those physically challenged
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26. Love on a Diet
Hong Kong Movie - 2001
I always wonder if I can love myself if I am really obese or overweight. Whilst the show does not concentrate too much on the topic of discrimination, one does feel the pressure that society places on ladies being svelt and perfect
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27. Love the Way You Are
Chinese Movie - 2019
A simple story about crushes and loving someone since young
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28. Mary Stayed Out All Night
Korean Drama - 2010, 16 episodes
Its a really weird story about marriage of convenience versus marrying for love. Sadly, some girls in society still suffer from such arrangements
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29. The Master's Sun
Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
Can we be loved even when we are so different from the rest of the world? A look into the supernatural world of ghost seeing
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30. Miss Granny
Korean Movie - 2014
If I were given a chance to turn back the clock, what would I do differently?
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31. Mr. Queen
Korean Drama - 2020, 20 episodes
A comical look at what may happen if one really switches body (and gender) with another person!
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32. Meteor Garden
Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes
Another cute story that taught me that a girl has to be strong too to look after oneself
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33. My Love Patzzi
Korean Drama - 2002, 10 episodes
A show that spells hope for all self professed ugly duckling and grumpy girls out there
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34. My Princess
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
Who have never dreamt of becoming a princess at least once in their lives? A small glimpse of what a princess life is like
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35. Pawn
Korean Movie - 2020
Makes me really appreciative of my own parents
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36. The Princess and the Matchmaker
Korean Movie - 2018
Makes me realise that one has to really make plans and do something to change our lives!
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37. Our Times
Taiwanese Movie - 2015
Another show for ugly ducklings with hearts of gold! Also a glimpse into how tragedy can change or break a person
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38. Goong
Korean Drama - 2006, 24 episodes
A fictional look at the life of royalty and the hard rules they have to abide by. Watching this makes me realized and appreciate my own freedom daily!
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39. Queen of the Ring
Korean Drama - 2017, 21 episodes
A show which again spoke about the high values of being beautiful versus just normal
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40. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
A show which taught about the advantages of having true friends with you in your journey
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41. School 2013
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
Taught me about the hardships that Korean children have in their school life
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42. Splash Splash LOVE
Korean Special - 2015, 2 episodes
Taught me abit about Korean history
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43. Switched
Japanese Drama - 2018, 6 episodes
A scary show about switched identities and being bullied for our looks
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44. Sunny
Korean Movie - 2011
Another great show about friendship
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45. Successful Story of a Bright Girl
Korean Drama - 2002, 16 episodes
A simple show which taught me the importance of working hard even when everything is lost
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46. Temptation of Wolves
Korean Movie - 2004
Showed a glimpse into the underground world of the gangs
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47. The Beauty Inside
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
Taught me that beauty is never forever, but inner beauty and our strength should be cultivated to remain
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48. The Dude in Me
Korean Movie - 2019
Another show about mixed identities. Also spoke about high school bullying
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49. The Greatest Love
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
A glimpse into the hardship of Korean showbiz
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50. The Sound of Your Heart
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
A gem of a show. Never thought I would be so engaged with the series. Down to earth characters brought into a comical light. Taught me not to take life too seriously sometimes
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51. The Last Wish
Chinese Movie - 2019
Taught me about the importance of friendship. Also taught me about muscular dystrophy
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52. King2Hearts
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
A glimpse into life between North and South Korea
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53. The Producers
Korean Drama - 2015, 12 episodes
A glimpse into the lives of Korean show producers
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54. The Secret Life of My Secretary
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
Another show which taught me about the symptoms of facial blindness
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55. Till We Meet Again
Taiwanese Movie - 2021
A story about predestination and the myth about the 'red string' tying us to our destined partners
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56. Kore wa Keihi de Ochimasen!
Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes
A glimpse into the structured life of a Japanese office worker
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57. Wonderful Nightmare
Korean Movie - 2015
This show helps me to remember that I need to take care and grow myself so that I can also be a contributing resident to the family and society
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58. True Beauty
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Yet another series which showcases the brutal treatment one has to face if we are not perfect
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59. You Are the Apple of My Eye
Taiwanese Movie - 2011
I never knew Taiwanese students have such difficult student lives also. I appreciate the scenes which shows the cramp living quarters yet the carefree spirits of the youth
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60. You're Beautiful
Korean Drama - 2009, 16 episodes
Sometimes I wonder how it is living like a boy too...:)
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61. Because This Is My First Life
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
A gem of a story. Not syrupy.sweer, but portraying the realities of how struggling working class people have to make sacrifices and decisions in their lives in order to survive. Whilst the story may be abit over the edge (not everyone can have sucb happy endings!) it does make me appreciate the lives of us working class and how we can manipulate our minds in times of need.
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62. My Best Summer
Chinese Movie - 2019
When things do not work our way, we work hard to strive for it! A lovely story about grit, perseverence and loyal love. Especially liked the 2 leads chemistry.
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63. Doctor Cha
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Who says we can't love past 25 years old? This story relates to all who have poured their lives for their family but realized too late that they have not loved nor lived for themselves. A story of hope and understanding that age is definitely no barrier when it comes to loving oneself again!
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64. Yesterday Once More
Chinese Movie - 2016
The epitome of always remembering to be true to ourselves. A lovely story about friendship and understanding oneself better and never being afraid to chase after our passion.
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65. What Happens to My Family?
Korean Drama - 2014, 53 episodes
At first I thought I might not survived a 52 episode show (too long!) but I was proved wrong! The story was s about a strong family ties, how to approach death and dealing with issues calmly. It also showcases how we shouldn't take our life for granted since we will never know what comes tomorrow. The last 2 episodes really moved me, especially when the Auntie cried her heart out over the devastating news. It was startlingly realistic how fragile life can be, gone in a blink of an eye.
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66. 18 Again
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Made me think, what if I were given a chance to be young again, would I have made the same choices?
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67. Hello, Me!
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Is it always too late to change for the better? Sometimes all we need is to overcome our own self critic and believe that we have our own lovable selves too! Whilst I may never have my younger self come look for me anytime soon, it does remind me to always be on my best so that I can be proud of what I have achieved. No time to compare with other people ya!
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68. Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Matchmaking in the olden days? Something I had never thought existed. But apart from that enlightenment, this show also taught the importance of knowing someone from the inside. "You smell nice, so you must be a good person." A real, genuine person radiates his or her personality from within and brightens up the entire room with their brightness.
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69. Miss Night and Day
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
What if we are given a chance to live life as another person? This show talked about the difficulties of living as a 30 year old, down on luck career girl versus a 50 year old. Reminds us that life is just as fleeting, and we should be on our best daily no matter what the age or circumstance.
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70. Love Next Door
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
A cute love story between friends who grew up together and began to have feelings for one another. Reminded me the importance of having a strong bond of friendship around us to support our journey in life.