9 of the Most Exciting TV Shows and Films to Watch this Fall
This roundup of Asian diasporic entertainment is sure to make the long dark hours of autumn more promising
Bae Suzy in "DOONA!"
Still frame from "DOONA!"
Words by Daniel Anderson
To ease the burden of finding something to watch, we’ve curated a magnetic list of trailers that have us pumped, featuring kinetic anime, swoon-worthy K-dramas, and compelling award-show contenders.
A spin-off of the 2017 rom-com series Strong Girl Bong-soon. This latest iteration follows orphan Kang Nam-soon, played by Squid Game star Lee Yoo-mi, to find her birth family. A sixth cousin of Bong-soon, Kang is also gifted with super strength. It’s a family affair as she teams up with her mother and grandmother Gil Joong-gan to take down shady drug rings in Seoul.
Strong Girl Nam-soon will premiere on Netflix on Oct. 7.
K-pop icon Bae Suzy once again teams up with Netflix for an art-imitates-life mysterious K-drama. Suzy plays the role of a retired K-pop idol, who ends up sharing a house with well-mannered university student Lee Won-jun (Yang Se-jong). Based on a webtoon and directed by Lee Jung-hyo, known for his work in popular dramas like Crash Landing on You, this sweet series is sure to give us all the feels.
DOONA! will premiere on Netflix on Oct. 20.
Based on the original manga from Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki, PLUTO takes inspiration from Osamu Tezuka’s legendary Astro Boy series. This futuristic anime adaptation is one part mystery, one part crime thriller, and one part fighting robots. PLUTO will be helmed by Masao Maruyama, who was a part of the original Astro Boy production team.
PLUTO will premiere on Netflix on Oct. 26.
This one is a special treat for cinephiles. Yellow Door: ‘90s Lo-fi Film Club is a documentary celebrating the 1990s and formative years of Korean filmmaking legends. Directed by Lee Hyuk-rae, the film delves into the vibrant film club culture that emerged on Korean college campuses during the time. The documentary retraces the memories of the Yellow Door Film Club, featuring now-renowned Parasite director Bong Joon-ho as a pivotal member.
Yellow Door: ‘90s Lo-fi Film Club will premiere on Netflix on Oct. 27.
Jessica Yu directs a quirky comedy starring the dynamic duo of Awkwafina and Sandra Oh. The story revolves around Anne (Awkwafina), a brilliant but slightly unhinged gameshow enthusiast, and her estranged sister Jenny (Oh), who must team up to tackle their mother's gambling debts. After Anne’s dog is kidnapped, the pair set out on a cross-country trip and attempt to turn Anne into a game show champion for the prize money. What could go wrong?
Quiz Lady will premiere exclusively on Hulu on Nov. 3.
Speaking of Strong Girl Bong-soon, series star Park Bo-young plays a young, sanguine nurse named Jung Da-eun. Based on a Kakao webtoon of the same name, Jung is transferred to the department of psychiatry. It promises to be a heartfelt and touching look into stories of mental health.
Daily Dose of Sunshine will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 3.
The cast of Edgar Wright’s cult classic live-action comedy flick Scott Pilgrim vs. the World reprise their characters for this new anime series adaptation. Fans can expect similar story beats from the Bryan Lee O’Malley graphic novel series. Scott Pilgrim pines after Ramona Flowers, but must do battle with her seven evil exes.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 17.
Receiving positive award-show buzz at Cannes and the New York Film Festival, Todd Haynes’ May December lets trio Charles Melton, Julianne Moore, and Natalie Portman shine. Portman plays actress Elizabeth Berry, who is researching the life of Moore’s Gracie Atherton-Yoo. Yoo was involved in a licentious scandal 20 years ago with Melton’s much younger character Joe. The pair is married now, but their peaceful life begins to shake with the arrival of Berry. Piper Curda, Elizabeth Yu, and Gabriel Chung help round out the cast.
May December will premiere in theaters on Nov. 17 and on Netflix Dec. 1.
Fawn Veerasunthorn makes her directorial debut with Disney’s animated musical fantasy Wish. In this very Disney plot, teenager Asha (Ariana DeBose) tries to save her kingdom from impending darkness. Asha makes a wish to the stars, which manifests a star companion named Star, who has the ability to grant wishes.
Wish will premiere in theaters on Nov. 22.
Published on October 5, 2023
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.