Hollywood, more so American movies and TV shows have had their fair share of dominating the entertainment scene but over the years, Asian movies and TV shows have steadily gathered the attention of large audiences all over the world with major streaming platforms like Netflix having dedicated sections just for East Asian content.
East Asian content has changed and grown over the last 4 years. Today, we take a closer look at the quality, quantity and most popular Asian movies and TV shows that have been dominating the scene for a while now based on statistics shared by JustWatch, which is one of the biggest international streaming guides with 25 million users across 115 countries.
The worldwide success of the Oscar-winning Korean movie “Parasite” began a new wave in entertainment. After the release of the phenomenon “Squid Game”, there was an explosion in Asian movies and shows – more than double than before as many flocked to the streaming platform looking for Asian content that suits their test.
Aside from the huge influx of Asian content in recent years, the quality has increased as well with movies and shows in 2023 averaging 0.55 higher ratings on IMDb than in 2019. It is expected that this trend will continue into 2023, with hit shows like “Physical 100” coming out regularly.
Gone are the days when many viewers thought of the Asian entertainment market as a glorified source for mostly high-octane action-packed martial arts movies and TV shows, including drama too. But now that has changed drastically over the years as Asian movies and TV shows are now some of the most creative and entertaining in the world with their ability to tell stories that are different from those found in Western media while doing it in a visually stunning and emotionally engaging way.
The prominent rise of Asian Movies and TV Shows Insights (Data Graphic)
The data graphic shown below that was compiled by JustWatch shows some interesting facts and data relating to how Asian movies and TV shows have continuously grown over the past 4 years.
The audience has also come to enjoy the way that Asian movies and TV shows often explore complex social and political issues in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. For example, the Korean drama “Pachinko” tells the story of a Korean family who immigrates to Japan, and it explores the challenges of living as a minority in a foreign country. The Chinese film “The Farewell” tells the story of a Chinese-American family who travels to China to visit their dying grandmother, and it explores the cultural differences between China and the United States.
Asian content is also often praised for how it features strong female characters. For example, the Japanese film “Shoplifters” tells the story of a group of Japanese families who live together in poverty, and it features a strong female protagonist who is determined to protect her family. The South Korean film “Parasite” tells the story of a poor family who infiltrates the household of a wealthy family, and it features a strong female protagonist who is determined to succeed in life.
Overall, Asian movies and TV shows are a valuable addition to the global entertainment landscape. They offer a unique perspective on the world, and they tell stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. They are also often more diverse than Western media. They feature a wider range of characters, stories, and settings, which can be refreshing for viewers who are tired of the same old thing. We highly recommend checking out some Asian movies and TV shows if you haven’t already.
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