2024 Manga Adaptations (January - June)
Hi, dear MDL'ers and Happy New Year!
2020 was very difficult due to the global pandemic but also had some really interesting moments that I would like for us to remember.
Please also check out:
A Year in Dramaworld: The 2016 Wrap Up
A Year in Dramaworld: The 2017 Wrap Up
A Year in Dramaworld: The 2018 Wrap Up
A Year in Dramaworld: The 2019 Wrap Up
So let's take a look at the most surprising, exciting, and shocking moments that marked the Asian entertainment world over the last year. What has happened to our beloved actors, actresses, and dramas during 2020?
If there is anything that you believe should find its place on this list, feel free to share it in the comment section below and I'll make sure to add it.
2020 was the year when... |
Parasite made history with four Oscar wins
Parasite was one of the biggest films of 2019, and it has made history being nominated for the Oscars and is in development as an HBO series. The film took home four Academy Awards:
- Best International Feature Film
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Director
- Best Picture
For the list of all awards Parasite has won until now, go HERE.
The global pandemic affected the production of Asian films and dramas
In January, almost all studios stopped filming in China due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Many award shows got delayed, just as the release of numerous Japanese dramas went on hold in May.
Actress Erika Sawajiri was sentenced to jail for MDMA and LSD possession
Actress Erika Sawajiri went to trial at the Tokyo District Court on January 31. Japan’s Drug Control Law for possession of illegal drugs is stringent. Erika confessed in the interrogation to have been using cocaine, marijuana, MDMA and LSD for the last 10 years and pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecutor sentenced Sawajiri to one year and six months in prison on the grounds that she has been addicted to illegal drugs since she was 19 years old.
Yusuke Iseya got arrested for possession of cannabis,
& accused of being a potential dealer
Veteran actor Yusuke Iseya was recently booked in Tokyo on September 8th for possibly violating Japan’s strict Cannabis Control Law. The cannabis was said to be found in his home, according to reports over 20 grams of cannabis was found separated into four separate bags hidden inside of his living room desk.
Backlash erupted after actor Masahiro Higashide cheated
on his wife Anne Watanabe
Popular Japanese actor Masahiro Higashide and his wife, fellow actress Anne Watanabe, have been held in high regard by the public ever since they got married in 2015. They starred together in Asadora Gochisousan and were regarded as a perfect couple. They have three children together. However, it was revealed that Higashide has been having a secret affair with the young actress Erika Karata.
So Ji Sub and Cho Eun Jung got married
On April 7, famous Korean actor So Ji Sub revealed that he got married to TV presenter Cho Eun Jung who is 17 years his junior.
Ikuta Toma and Seino Nana got married
Ikuta Toma and Seino Nana announced jointly through Johnny's office to which Mr. Ikuta belongs and issued a statement through her Instagram account.
Tori Matsuzaka and Erika Toda got married
Top actors Tori Matsuzaka and Erika Toda have announced that they are married! The two shared the news on their official Twitter accounts. It’s unknown when the two officially started dating, but Matsuzaka and Toda did star in the 2015 film Eipuriru Furuzu together, leaving many wondering if that is where the connection started.
Koji Seto and Mizuki Yamamoto got married
It has been announced that actor Koji Seto and actress Mizuki Yamamoto are married! They were married on August 7th, and released their own statements simultaneously on their social media profiles.
Satomi Ishihara got married
Top actress Satomi Ishihara has announced that she is married! Ishihara has married a non-celebrity man the same age as her (33), making the announcement on October 1st through her agency HoriPro.
Ito Kentaro got arrested after a hit and run accident
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the accident happened a little before 6 PM on the night of October 28 in Sendagaya section of Shibuya. Kentaro was making a U-turn in his car at an intersection when he hit a motorcycle, injuring the two people. Kentaro then left the scene of the accident.
Marie Broenner named ‘The Most Favorite Thai Actress of 2020’
Marie Bronner garnered a total of 104,421 votes in a poll which was held on Instagram and online poll.
Ren Ozawa dropped by his agency after startling allegations
from his ex-girlfriend
Actor Ren Ozawa has been dropped by his agency after startling allegations from his ex girlfriend were reported by infamous tabloid Bunshun. The now 29 year old Ozawa began dating his ex girlfriend when he was 23, she was only 16 years old.
...We lost many beloved actors and actresses who passed away.
May you all rest in peace.
(36, infection) | (70, COVID-19) | (24, chronic illness) |
(31, cancer) | (30, suicide) |  (36, suicide) |
(63, COVID-19) | (59, COVID-19) | (87, heart failure) |
(71, heart failure) | (40, suicide) | (69, cancer) |
(80, suicide) |  (43, suicide) |  Oh In Hye (36, suicide) |
 (82, illness) |
KoiTsudu became the most popular and
Cherry Magic! the best-rated Japanese drama of 2020 on MDL
 |  |
Overall score of 8.5 / 10,695 watchers
It's Okay to Not Be Okay became the most popular and best-rated
South Korean drama of 2020 at MDL
Overall score of 9.1 / 47,924 watchers
The Romance of Tiger and Rose became the most popular and
Go Ahead the best-rated Chinese drama of 2020 at MDL
 |  |
Overall score of 9.0 / 12,381 watchers
Because of You became the most popular and
Lost Romance the best-rated Taiwanese drama of 2020 at MDL
 |  |
Overall score of 8.4 / 9,334 watchers
Gameboys became the most popular and
Like in the Movies the best-rated Filipino drama of 2020 at MDL
 |  |
Overall score of 8.5 / 6,652 watchers
2gether became the most popular and
The Gifted: Graduation the best-rated Thai drama of 2020 at MDL
 |  |
Overall score of 8.6 / 21,343 watchers
