Netflix rings in the Chinese New Year with a roar, with eight abundant titles to keep you entertained while you laze in front of the television in a post reunion-dinner stupor.
The Year of the Tiger brings excitement, tears, laughter, romance and action, from a cheeky buddy comedy to an all-too-familiar scenario involving being quarantined during the pandemic.
Check out these eight “huat” shows that will keep you entertained this festive season.
1. ‘Once Upon A Time’ (series)
In this romantic fantasy drama, Liu Yi Fei stars as a goddess from the Heavenly Realms, Bai Qian, who is sent to the mortal world to undergo a trial to become a High Goddess.
She, however, falls in love with her master, Mo Yuan, despite her best efforts to resist the charms of the great God of War. Sadly their union is not fated to last as the only way to defeat the Tribe of the Demon King is for Mo Yuan to sacrifice himself.
This leaves Bai Qian alone through all of eternity – until fate intervenes… (cue suspense-filled end of summary.)
2. ‘Bleeding Steel’ (film)
This 2017 action flick stars Malaysia’s favourite martial-arts star, Jackie Chan, who is notorious for bringing his infectious “huat” energy to the big and small screen.
The Hong Kong and Hollywood legend returns as special agent Lin Dong, who is assigned to protect a scientist and his invention from falling into the hands of a deranged, genetically enhanced villain, but soon learns his missing daughter may be involved in the dangerous biochemistry experiment.
3. ‘Buddy Cops’ (film)
This Hong Kong action comedy will surely make you split your sides with laughter with its raunchy and goofy tone.
Starring Bosco Wong, comedian King Kong Li, Kate Tsui, and Charmaine Fong, “Buddy Cops” follows two bumbling police officers who loathe each other but suddenly become stepbrothers and must now work together on a new case.
4. ‘Zero to Hero’ (film)
The heartwarming film is based on the true story of record-breaking Hong Kong runner So Wa-wai, who won 12 Paralympic medals between 1996 and 2012 despite having cerebral palsy.
The film chronicles the athlete’s relationship with his mother (Sandra Ng) as they overcome hurdles, figuratively and perhaps literally, sending the powerful message that you can still come out on top despite starting at a disadvantage.
5. ‘Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures’ (series)
This suspenseful period drama follows a determined Qing dynasty princess, played by Wang Herun, who has a vendetta against her family as she navigates the treacherous terrain of romance.
With strong-headed women, elaborate costumes, and many plot twists and turns within the Forbidden City, this series will reel you in hook, line and sinker.
6. ‘Light the Night’ (series)
The year is 1988, and everything is big – from shoulder pads and perms to earrings the size of door knockers.
“Light the Night” tells the stories of the mamasans and hostesses of a popular Japanese night club and their paramours, whose entanglements turn out to be just as dramatic as the vintage fashion they sport.
Prepare for a unique genre mash-up of a murder-mystery thriller and an emotionally intense drama with captivating character backstories.
7. ‘Green Snake’ (film)
This one is for Tiger parents and their lovable cubs, aged 13 and above. With the help of a mysterious masked man, Verta the green snake-demon sets out to rescue her sister, Blanca the white snake, from the demon-slaying monk Fahai.
While trying to free her sister from Fahai’s clutches, Xiao Qing winds up in a dystopian city and meets a mysterious man who can’t recall his past life…
8. ‘The Falls’ (film)
Starring Alyssa Chia and Gingle Wang, this gripping movie focuses on the relationship between divorced mother Pin-wen and her teenage daughter Xiao Jing, which takes an unexpected turn when they are forced to quarantine together during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Their dynamic shifts as they confront their inner demons and personal tensions within the bounds of home confinement. Definitely a must-watch if you’re keen to relive the stress of the pandemic.
Check out the full range of Netflix’s Lunar New Year titles here.