Once I got bitten by the Asian drama bug, it was like opening a can of Pringles. I found myself drawn to the easy-going whimsy of watching awkward first love, overcoming emotional barriers, and indulging in fair doses of cringe and camp. I’ve never been into Rom Coms, but thanks to the crippling anxiety and depression that swelled during the pandemic, I finally opened my heart to all those shows that used to solicit eyerolls from me when I’d catch my mom watching them for the millionth time. Once I allowed myself to enjoy these shows and lean into chasing the kilig moments, I felt a genuinely transformative boost in my mental health.

Sometimes you just need to swoon. Or cry.