The holidays are now underway, and if you are a student, you might find yourself with a sudden abundance of free time on your hands. Upon opening Youtube, however, you see a similar abundance of red progress bars under the video thumbnails on your home page…
Fear not! If you find yourself running out of content to enjoy, read on for a list of this year’s shows you may not have watched—because they’re not in English. Spanning a variety of genres and themes, these ten shows (in no particular order) to binge over the break are bound to keep you busy.
1.Money Heist
Money Heist, or La Casa de Papel in the original language of Spanish, is currently the most-watched foreign language film on Netflix. A non-linear crime thriller about a group of thieves who take control of the Royal Mint of Spain, Money Heist is sure to keep you captivated with its rich storytelling and compelling characters. The second season of the show was released on Netflix this summer, and there are currently 23 episodes available on the platform.
Rating: TV-MA
Comments: I’ve only just started watching Money Heist myself, but so far it’s very interesting and well-executed. It’s a fairly intense watch that I would recommend for anyone who likes thrillers.
2. Osmosis
Osmosis is a French series that premiered earlier this year as a science fiction web series on Netflix. In Osmosis, a dating app developed in a futuristic Paris matches people with their soulmates by collecting information directly from their brains. The series has been compared to Black Mirror which, likewise, explores the darker, more disturbing side of technology and the delicate balance of its coexistence with humanity.
Rating: TV-MA
Comments: I have not watched Osmosis, but judging by the synopsis, if you enjoy relatively heavy shows that explore an interesting and topical concept, Osmosis is worth checking out.
3. SKY Castle
The highest-rated series of Korean cable television history, SKY Castle tells the story of families living in an exclusive gated neighbourhood for only Korea’s elite. SKY Castle gets its name from the three most prestigious universities in Korea—Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University—and the families living in the Sky Castle will stop at nothing to ensure that these are the schools their children will attend in the future. You can watch SKY Castle with English subtitles on Viki.
Rating: PG-13
Comments: SKY Castle is at the top of my watch-list because of how many good things I’ve heard about it from my friends! It has a 9.1 rating on MyDramaList and is strongly recommended for people who want a drama that explores a pertinent social issue. I also love the OST, We All Lie.
4. The Untamed
The Untamed, or Chen Qing Ling in its original language, is the first Chinese series to make it onto Tumblr’s top dramas of the year list, and it is for good reason. It is a historical martial arts fantasy that tells the story of two young men attempting to uncover the truth behind a series of murders that rock the cultivation world. Based on a popular BL novel, The Untamed is also one of the most daring LGBTQ pieces to come to Chinese screens and stars idols from the groups X-NINE (Xiao Zhan) and UNIQ (Wang Yibo) as the leads. You can find it with subtitles on both Netflix and Youtube.
Rating: TV-14
Comments: I started The Untamed this summer and also read the novel; other than some pacing and acting issues (and some laughably terrible CGI) in the earlier episodes, the story becomes very emotional and compelling and is also remarkably true to its source material. I’d recommend giving it a try if you have a good chunk of time on your hands (it’s fifty episodes and, as mentioned previously, sometimes the pacing has some problems) and you’re looking for something different to try.
5. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories
Midnight Diner is a series that has been around since 2009, but the miniseries Tokyo Stories started in 2016 and saw the release of its second season this year. It is a heartfelt show that explores the profound human connection formed in restaurants and is based on the manga of the same name by Yarō Abe. The customers of the “Midnight Diner,” which is open only from midnight to 7 am and serves whatever its patrons request, bond and share their unique stories. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories is available on Netflix with English subtitles.
Rating: TV-14
Comments: Midnight Diner reminds me of a quaint little mobile game I once played called “Oden Cart,” an idle game in which you operated an oden cart and collected stories from your customers. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I think anyone who likes deeply personal stories will enjoy Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories just as well!
6. Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Put Your Head on My Shoulder is the second Chinese language film to make it onto this list, and it’s perfect for those who are looking for a light-hearted, feel-good romance to enjoy this winter. It tells the story of two university students, an accounting major and a physics genius, who unexpectedly become roommates. Short and sweet, Put Your Head on My Shoulder is full of laughs and moments that will restore your faith in romance. You can also check out its sister drama, A Love So Beautiful. Both are available on Youtube and Netflix with subtitles.
Rating: TV-PG
Comments: I’m not quite done yet but I absolutely adore this drama. My favourite part is when the male lead tries to ask the girl out with a message she needs to decode by doing math; it doesn’t work because math is hard.
7. Dark
First airing in 2017 and picking up its second season this year, Dark is a mystery drama and the first German series created for Netflix originals. It follows the story of a small town as four families search for two children who have gone missing. The town has a troubled, supernatural history, and twisted relationships between characters. If you are looking for an intense mystery to string you along over winter break, Dark is the perfect show for you.
Rating: TV-MA
Comments: I just activated a Netflix gift card and Dark definitely seems to be something worth checking out. Vox calls it “not a show you watch” but “a show you solve,” and if that isn’t promising I don’t know what is.
8. Cable Girls
Cable Girls is the second Spanish language series on this list, and it follows the lives of the four “cable girls,” young women who find employ in Spain’s first national telephone company. Set in the 1920s, Cable Girls is a story of women gaining more equality with men and the compelling personal lives of each of the main characters. The show has a total of 4 seasons and 32 episodes and can be found on Netflix.
Rating: TV-MA
Comments: Like with SKY Castle, I’ve heard many good things about Cable Girls from my friends and plan to check it out if I have the time. It is definitely an enticing concept and will be on my list!
9. Hotel del Luna
Hotel del Luna, one of the most popular Korean series of the year, tells the story of a hotel in Seoul that caters exclusively to ghosts. The CEO of the hotel is cursed to manage it forever as punishment for a crime she cannot remember. First airing in July this summer, Hotel del Luna was an instant hit and stars the singer IU as the CEO, Jang Man Wol. In this show, mystery, drama, romance, and fantasy all intersect and is perfect for those looking for a rich, fantastical story. You can find Hotel del Luna on Viki.
Rating: PG-13
Comments: I have not yet watched the drama but from all accounts, it is a high-quality idol drama that deserves its place among this year’s most successful Korean shows. The original soundtracks for it are also amazing, so I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you’re interested in the fantasy-romance genre!
10. 3%
3% is a Brazilian dystopian series that welcomes its third season this year. Far into the future, most of the world lives in poverty and at utter odds with society’s elite. Each year, however, every twenty-year-old is given a chance to escape poverty to the elites’ paradise through a series of tests, and only three percent of the candidates do so successfully. 3% is highly rated by viewers and the 26 episodes can be found on Netflix.
Rating: TV-MA
Comments: Personally, I’m very interested in this premise and can’t wait for a chance to check it out. I would recommend it for people who are interested in a thriller which, like a few others on this list, explores a pertinent social problem.
This concludes our list; hopefully something on this list interested you, and happy watching!
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