News MDLers' "Hidden/Underrated Gems" & Recs
This is a list — in no particular order — of “hidden or underrated gems” suggested by other MDL Members through Feed posts or custom lists.
Nowadays, I try to add the name of the MDLer (and the timeframe) who recommended each show.
Nr. of shows watched from this list (so far): 6 of 38 shows.
More suggestions:
- Underrated Gems Worth Checking Out (103 shows) - kisskh
- Underrated Chinese dramas (9 shows) - kisskh
- Hidden Gems (8 shows) - kisskh
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1. Spirit Fingers
Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes
Started & Finished end January '26.
I loved it ! A good romcom without crazy storylines. It's super cute and very funny.
The cast's acting skills and chemistry are incredibly good.
Heartfelt healings and friendship, hilarious characters and moments, it truly had it all. Such a wholesome show !
BUT I personaly found the last episodes way too rushed.
Every fight and confrontation are clearly meant to happen but they just bombarded everything in the last 2 episodes. And everything just got magically fixed almost immediately after that.
I know it's fiction but there are so many real life aspects in the series that made it feel so relatable and "it all just magically and perfectly mending on its own" felt completely unrealistic and thus very unfulfilling to me. -
2. Zhang Gong Zhu Zai Shang
Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes
Short-episodes (2') Web drama. About 58' long in total.
Started in October '26. DROPPED after a few minutes.
Not bad acting but cheaply made show. Sound is atrocious. Difficult to continue watching on YouTube.
IMPORTANT: As a matter of principle, I don’t rate shows unless I’ve watched at least half of the episodes. -
3. A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You
Japanese Drama - 2025, 10 episodes
Started end February & Finished beginning of March '26.
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4. Look at Me
Korean Drama - 2026, 2 episodes
Watched on June 16, 2026.
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5. Sleep Therapist
Chinese Drama - 2026, 10 episodes
Recommended by emeraldarrows on MDL Feeds (November 2026).
Watched on November 1st, 2026.
Short-Length Web Series (10 episodes of 12 minutes each).I personally enjoyed this show until around episodes 6–7. The MLs' chemistry was great, the premise was interesting, and the actors' interactions were fun.
But then the original plot disappeared, and the story sadly became increasingly insubstantial and ridiculous. Disappointing. -
6. Between Complete and Incomplete
Korean Movie - 2021
Watched on November 1st, 2026.
Short Film (18 minutes). -
7. Forget You Not
Taiwanese Drama - 2025, 8 episodes
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8. Mad Unicorn
Thai Drama - 2025, 7 episodes
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9. Murderous Encounter
Japanese Drama - 2025, 10 episodes
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10. Dalah: Death and the Flowers
Thai Drama - 2025, 6 episodes
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11. Red Blue
Japanese Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
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12. Sudden Marriage
Japanese Drama - 2025, 12 episodes
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13. Escape
Japanese Drama - 2025, 10 episodes
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14. Wanna Be
Chinese Drama - 2025, 29 episodes
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15. Sandstorm
Chinese Drama - 2025, 12 episodes
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16. On/Off
Korean Drama - 2024, 2 episodes
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17. Unnatural Fire
Chinese Drama - 2025, 38 episodes
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18. My Husband in Law
Thai Drama - 2020, 15 episodes
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19. The Man of the Vineyard
Korean Drama - 2006, 16 episodes
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20. Mars
Taiwanese Drama - 2004, 13 episodes
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21. Supervisor Husband
Chinese Drama - 2023, 22 episodes
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22. Hotaru no Hikari
Japanese Drama - 2007, 10 episodes
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23. The Romance Manga Artist
Japanese Drama - 2021, 11 episodes
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24. To Kill a Songbird
Chinese Drama - 2025, 20 episodes
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25. Then You Try Making It!
Japanese Drama - 2025, 10 episodes
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26. Heroes Next Door
Korean Drama - 2025, 10 episodes
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27. Welcome to My Side
Chinese Movie - 2024
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28. Bureau of Transformer
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
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29. Love Shuffle
Japanese Drama - 2009, 10 episodes
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30. Koko wa Ima kara Rinri desu
Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
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31. Kataomoi
Japanese Drama - 2026, 2 episodes
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32. Kitchen for Singles
Japanese Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
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33. We're Not Trash
Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
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34. Memories of Matsuko
Japanese Movie - 2006
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35. Page Turner
Korean Special - 2016, 3 episodes
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36. HEHE&HE
Hong Kong Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
Recommended by Yellen (mid-August '26).
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37. Chicago Typewriter
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
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38. Chungking Express
Hong Kong Movie - 1994
Recommended by Grey (MDL Feeds, end October '26)
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