The Asian Drama Remakes of Western Shows & Films

Hi, guys! I've noticed that there are not many Asian drama remakes of Western shows and films, so I've decided to compile a list of the ones I know about. In this article, I'm going to present eight official remakes and five unofficial ones. Feel free to post your own suggestions in the comment section. 

WARNING: minor spoilers!

NOTE: The unofficial remakes mentioned in the article are completely subjective and the result of my research. They are recommendations, which means that if you watched and enjoyed the "originals," you will perhaps enjoy the Asian "remakes" as well.

NOTE: This article is only about Asian DRAMA remakes because there are way too many film remakes.

The Good Wife

Official remake of: The Good Wife (2009) 

The story follows a housewife who must return to work and provide for the family after her husband gets arrested for corruption. The original American show is a bit more mature than the Korean remake, but both of them have amazing actors with outstanding performances. 

Check it out if you're into: politics, law, family drama.

Entourage

Official remake of: Entourage (2004)

Check it out if you're into: friendship, entertainment business.

Missing 9

Unofficial remake of: Lost (2004) 

They're similar because: they are both about a group of seemingly unrelated people who survive a plane crush and find themselves isolated on a mysterious island. Each one of them carries a secret or two. Missing 9 will probably go into another direction but the basic idea is still there. 

Check it out if you're into: mystery, suspense, stranded-on-the-island plots.

My Dangerous Wife

Unofficial remake of: Gone Girl (2014)

They're similar because: they are both about a husband and wife who appear to be a perfect couple in the public, but cannot stand each other in private. The husband is having an affair with his colleague until his wife mysteriously disappears and makes his life a living hell. The husband also has a sister. This is where the similarities end, and the Japanese remake becomes even crazier.

Check it out if you're into: crazy families, psycho wives and husbands.

Tower of Sand

Unofficial remake of: High-Rise (2015)

They're similar because: they both take place at a tower block where the residents are divided by hierarchy - the higher you live, the richer and more privileged you are. Of course, as you can imagine, that kind of system is bound to inflame jealousy, vanity and bitterness among the residents. The original American film, based on the novel of the same name, centers around a single man, while the Japanese drama is about one family and one crazy specific neighbor who is the main "villain".

Check it out if you're into: crazy neighbors, family/psychological drama.

Cold Case

Official remake of: Cold Case (2003)

The lone female detective played by Yoshida You will step into Kathryn Morris' shoes and try to solve the cases that have never been solved before - aka "cold cases". It has been reported that the first few episodes of the Japanese remake contain the same cases as the American show does, but later on they become more original.

Check it out if you're into: crime, investigation.

Hormones

Unofficial remake of: Skins (2007)

They're similar because: they both deal with the modern issues of high school teens, their sexuality, drug abuse, bullying, violence etc. Win Chaichana, played by Chirathivat Pachara, has been said to closely resemble Tony Stonem, played by Nicholas Hoult. There are also other characters that seem to be counterparts to the original British cast. 

Check it out if you're into: mature themes such as the ones mentioned above. 

Ugly Betty (Tdrama) / Chou Nu Wu Di (Cdrama)

Official remake of: Yo soy Betty, la fea (1999)

The original Colombian telenovela has been adapted into numerous international remakes, including the Thai and Chinese ones. The story of an unattractive but intelligent woman who falls for her boss and in the end transforms into a pretty swan has captivated many people around the world. I guess it gives us some kind of consolation that even wallflowers and unpopular people can get their HEA after all.

Check it out if you're into: ugly ducklings, melodrama.

City of Light

Official remake of: The O.C. (2003)

The Orange County, California is replaced with Bangkok (I think?) but the plot seems to be more or less the same. There are eight people who get involved with each other, and we get to follow their dreams, love relationships and daily drama.

Check it out if you're into: romance, melodrama.

The Underwear: The Series

Unofficial remake of: Undressed (1999)

They're similar because: it follows a group of adolescents, their love and sexual relationships. And I just couldn't help but associate this Thai drama with the American MTV show. 

Check it out if you're into: mature themes. 

Blind Date

Official remake of: Ciega a citas (2009)

Jiang Xin plays a young woman, who is still single. Her sister is about to be married and one day Jiang Xin overhears her mother talking to her sister, that if she will come to the marriage of her sister with a boyfriend, her mother will pay for the marriage. Jiang Xin has 258 days to find a boyfriend, in order to score off her bothersome mother and to enable her sister a wonderful marriage.

Check it out of you're into: romance, drama, family

The Last Cop

Official remake of: The Last Cop (2010)

A police officer reawakens from a coma that has lasted for 30 years. He has to find out how the world has changed.

Check it out if you're into: crime, detective, investigation

Couple or Trouble

Official remake of: Overboard (1987)

A cruel but beautiful heiress screws over a hired carpenter, who later is the first one to find her when she gets amnesia. Looking for a little revenge he convinces her that she's his wife.

Check it out if you're into: romance, amnesia plots, comedy

ANNOUNCED / RELEASE DATES NOT CONFIRMED:

• Suits, based on the American show of the same title
• Criminal Minds, based on the American show of the same title.
• Gossip Girl, based on the American show of the same title.
  

WHICH OFFICIAL / UNOFFICIAL REMAKES WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD TO THE LIST?

HAVE YOU WATCHED ANY OF THESE OR DO YOU PLAN TO?

WHICH WESTERN SHOWS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ADAPTED INTO ASIAN DRAMAS?