Thanks everyone, for your many suggestions, thoughts and contributions on the Group Watch brainstorm!

Lots of worthy titles were floated, and as promised, I sifted through all of them, and shortlisted the most popular titles for this poll. I also made the executive decision to add 2 wild cards into the mix, which you’ll see in a bit. 😉

Except for Hikaru no Go, Mother and Stranger, I’ve seen the other shortlisted dramas, and I do believe they are each solidly worthy of your drama hours.

Some considerations

Before diving into the contenders who made the shortlist, here are what I think are the main considerations to keep in mind, while making your choice:

1. Availability

We want the Group Watch to be as accessible to everyone as possible, so free streaming options are always the best. If you know of other platforms where these shows are available, please do let us know in the comments!

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2. Commitment

I’ve broken down the commitment needed for each show below, so that you can easily tell at a glance, what kind of commitment each show would entail.

Contenders

Here are the shortlisted dramas in alphabetical order. The poll itself is at the end of the post. You may select up to THREE options! But if you just want to vote for one, you can do that too. You may also revote, if you change your mind.

Poll goes till end of Monday, 4 October 2021, my time (GMT+8).

Healer

One of my all-time favorites. This one’s got romance, action, melodrama; a bit of something for everyone. Plus, y’all know I just can’t help swooning, every time Healer casually parkours off a building. 🤩 Review is here.

Romance: Yes.

Commitment: 20 episodes. 2 eps a week = 10 weeks.

Availability: Available for free on iQIYI and Viu. Also available on Viki with Viki Pass Plus, or on Kocowa if you have a paid subscription.

Hikaru no Go [China]

This is one of the wild cards I added. Thanks Jiyuu for your enthusiasm on this one!

I haven’t yet seen this one, but I’ve heard very promising things, like Show has excellent production values, is a fantastic adaptation of the manga source material, is mostly well-paced, thought-provoking and even a bit educational, while featuring an affecting friendship. My mum watched this one, and she says she’d give it an A.

Romance: From what I understand, no. (Correct me if I’m wrong!)

Commitment: 36 episodes. 3 eps per week = 12 weeks. (Each episode is about 40 minutes long, so 3 eps a week works out to 2 hours per week.)

Availability: Available for free on iQIYI.

Mother

I haven’t seen this one, but am told that it’s a very solid watch. It’s not an easy topic, since child abuse is part of the story, but I’ve heard that it’s touching, warm, and beautiful, with fantastic acting by the cast.

Romance: From what I understand, no. (Correct me if I’m wrong!)

Commitment: 16 episodes. 2 eps per week = 8 weeks.

Availability: Available for free on Viki.

My Mister

A legit masterpiece that I think all drama fans ought to check out, at least once. It’s thoughtful, gritty, beautiful, dark and haunting, and celebrates so well, what it means to connect as humans. Also, the OST is ethereal and hauntingly beautiful. Review is here.

Romance: Debatable.

Commitment: 16 episodes. 2 eps per week = 8 weeks.

Availability: Available for free on iQIYI and Viki.

Secret Love Affair

Thoroughly absorbing because of our story, our leads, their soul connection, and an amazing OST that makes the watch even more immersive. Beautiful, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful. Review is here.

Romance: Yes.

Commitment: 16 episodes. 2 eps per week = 8 weeks.

Availability: Available for free on Viki.

Stranger / Secret Forest

I’ve heard so much about how fantastic this show is, that I’m quite curious to see whether I’ll love it like everyone else. Maybe a group watch – and the company that it provides – is just what I need, to finally commit to this one.

Romance: From what I understand, no. (Correct me if I’m wrong!)

Commitment: 16 episodes. 2 eps per week = 8 weeks.

Availability: Available for free on iQIYI.

Someday Or One Day [Taiwan]

This is the other wild card that I added to the mix. Thanks to Merij1 for suggesting it as a possibility!

I loved this one so much, when I watched it, and it turned out to be my drama of the year, in 2020. I found it really well-written, well-acted and well-executed, while remaining quintessentially Taiwanese. I loved that it managed to make me think and feel, at the same time, consistently. I personally think it’s best to go in as blind as possible with this one, so just know that our story has a fantasy twist, and it’s a romance. Review is here.

Romance: Yes.

Commitment: 13 episodes. 1 ep per week = 13 weeks. (1 episode is about 1 hour 12 minutes, so one episode a week makes the most sense.)

Availability: Available for free on Viki.

Poll

You may select up to THREE options! But if you just want to vote for one, you can do that too!  You may also revote, if you change your mind.

Poll goes till end of Monday, 4 October 2021, my time (GMT+8).