See below the apps for watching Asian dramas on your cell phone that are worth trying.
If there's one thing I enjoy doing in my free time, it's immersing myself in Asian dramas.
I don't know if it's the way they tell the stories or the care taken with every detail, but it's different from everything else.
Lately, I tested four apps to watch my favorite dramas directly from my cell phone, and I'm going to tell you here about my experience with each of them: Youku, Dailymotion, Netflix and Bilibili.
If you also enjoy a k-drama or a well-produced Chinese story, come with me and I'll give you the real deal about each app.
Some are free, others offer a trial period, and each has its pros and cons.
So check out the apps for watching Asian dramas on your cell phone.
Youku
I'll start with Youku, which for me was kind of a good surprise.
It's not the best-known app here, but when you go in, you'll come across a bunch of Chinese series, many with English subtitles.
The app has a very similar vibe to Netflix, but is aimed entirely at an Asian audience.
One thing I liked is that a lot of stuff there is free. Yes, there is a lot of content that you can watch without having to pay.
Of course, there is also a paid part, and some more recent episodes are only available with a subscription.
But, if you're just starting out and want to explore Chinese series without any commitment, Youku delivers well.
The only annoying thing is that sometimes the subtitles are not in Portuguese.
So if you know English or even Spanish, you can get by just fine.
Other than that, the image quality is great, and the player works super well, without crashing.
Dailymotion – Simple Alternative with Hidden Treasures
O Dailymotion It's like that old internet acquaintance that we forget exists, but that still holds some rare gems.
I used the app to watch some episodes of dramas that are no longer on the big platforms, and for that it is perfect.
It works like a more underground YouTube, you know? There are channels and profiles that post complete dramas or individual episodes, and most of them can be watched completely free.
You don't need to sign anything or create an account if you don't want to. Just open it, search and press play.
Of course, as it is an open platform, sometimes the quality of the videos varies a lot.
Some are great, others seem like they were recorded on TV. But for what it offers, free and easy-to-access content, Dailymotion does its job perfectly.
If you're patient and like discovering new things (including older dramas), this app might surprise you.
Netflix – The Premium Experience (with Free Trial, if You’re Lucky)
Now speaking of Netflix…well, this one isn’t much of a secret, right? It’s a favorite of many people, and it’s no different for me.
The catalog of dramas on Netflix is huge. It has everything from the most famous ones like “Crash Landing on You” and “A Business Proposal” to the most recent releases that are in the Top 10.
The quality is impeccable, the subtitles are great and you can watch it in various resolutions, including 4K if your connection allows it.
The only detail is that it is not free, but in some cases, the app still offers a free trial period, depending on your region or if you have never subscribed before.
If you can get the free trial, it's definitely worth it, especially for binge-watching the most talked-about dramas of the moment.
I, for example, signed up just to watch “The Glory” and ended up staying, because the algorithm started recommending me a bunch of other Korean series that I didn’t even know about.
Is it the most complete? Maybe. But it is also the most “demanding” when it comes to signatures.
Bilibili – The Darling of the Young Generation
Finally, the Bilibili. This app is well-known among anime fans, but I discovered that it also has several Asian dramas, mainly Chinese and Korean. And the best part: lots of free content!
The app's look is more modern and youthful, with a lot of interaction between users, comments on episodes and a kind of “community” atmosphere.
I thought this was cool because it feels like you're not watching alone. You can even see comments from other people on the screen while the episode is playing (but you can turn them off, of course).
The episodes are uploaded in good quality, and the subtitle system is usually in English.
I still miss Portuguese in some series, but overall, if you understand the basics of English, you can already enjoy it.
And the strong point: Bilibili has many free titles, you just have to watch some short ads.
But if you want to get rid of ads and access everything, then there is the premium option.
Even so, the free one has already served me very well.
In the end…
Whether you're just starting out in the world of dramas or have been a fan for a while, any of these four apps could be useful, depending on what you're looking for.
I like to alternate between them: I use Dailymotion when I want to relive a classic, Youku to explore Chinese series, Netflix when I want something more refined and current, and Bilibili when I'm in the mood for something lighter and different.
The cool thing is that you can try them all without spending a lot (or anything, in some cases). So just download, explore and see which one suits your style best.
If you want more tips on titles to watch on each app, just contact me. I'm always keeping an eye on the latest news!