As Rotaractors, it is in our blood to look for new adventures everyday but unfortunately, this lengthy quarantine has been blocking us from doing things to hype us up. Admit it, at some point, you became so bored that you began looking online for things that you can do.
Luckily, we have *drum roll* Netflix! Full of movies, documentaries, and series to binge-watch on, it surely became an avenue for us to immerse ourselves in different worlds, depending on the show we are hooked on. I, myself, am a victim of the quarantine boredom and within a year with Netflix, I have watched some action-packed series from our Asian neighbors that gave me heart-thumping and spine-tingling excitement. I am here to share them with you!
The Uncanny Counter
Country: South Korea
The Uncanny Counter is a Korean action-thriller series that tells us a story of disabled teenager So Mun (played by actor Jo Byung-gyu) and his journey as a Counter or Demon Hunter and finding out what really happened to his mysterious past.
Anyone can be easily hooked by its superb special effects and great acting. It is so action-packed that you can almost feel that you are fighting with them! But if you think that this is just another action series, you have to think again as its story gets deeper and deeper as you go through each episode—discussing family, faith, revenge, and corruption.
The first season is readily available on Netflix and rumors of a second season are currently circulating. I am deeply wishing that it has a second season!
Sweet Home
Country: South Korea
Sweet Home is one of those series that is ‘innocent’ at first until it turns into a roller coaster ride full of punches, kicks, and weapons. The South Korean apocalyptic horror series tells the story of suicidal teenager Cha Hyun-soo (played by Song Kang) who moves alone in a new apartment complex after his entire family’s death. His world turns upside down when monsters begin taking over humanity and his once suicidal thoughts get replaced with the will to survive.
Another Korean series I personally love, Sweet Home will not leave you hanging if you are looking for action and its dark color palette will surely send chills on your spine. The pacing of its scenes from subdued to monster-fighting is perfect to get you hooked and asking for more.
Alice in Borderland
Country: Japan
If you have a ‘stronger’ heart, then I think Alice in Borderland is for you. This Japanese manga-turned series has one of the craziest plots I have ever seen. Like Sweet Home, it starts as an innocent series where Ryohei Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and his friends Chota Segawa (Yuki Morinaga) and Daikichi Karube (Keita Machida) decide to meet-up until they are forced to participate in a set of deadly games that will test their wit, strength, and trust.
It has a similar vibe to the Japanese classic Battle Royale but in a more modern set-up. Prepare yourselves though as this series will surely give you a lot of OMGs and it is not for the faint of heart! Also, Netflix renewed it for a second season, so you definitely need to catch up!
Sisyphus: The Myth
Country: South Korea
Buckle up, this series will surely make you forget time. The South Korean science fiction series tells the story of a young woman named Kang Seo-hae (Park Shin-hye), who went back to the past to save the carefree technology mogul Han Tae-sul (Cho Seung-woo), an act that can save the future from an imminent total destruction.
The entire series is set-up in multiple timelines, so do not expect a chronological order of events. It has an almost similar plot to the American classic The Terminator, with the “future” looking a lot like the setting of award-winning video game The Last of Us. One of its unique features is that every single moment has a significant impact on the series’ events and will be shown in a chain of shocking revelations. Prepare to see action scenes and experience kilig moments in this series!
