HBO Asia heralds slate of Asian originals
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Rebecca Hawkes
| 18 March 2019

HBO Asia has unveiled its next slate of Asian originals, including an anthology drama series, a crime drama, a sci-fi thriller and coming-of-age drama.

HBO Asia’s first science fiction drama, Dream Raider, is an eight-episode hour-long series that brings together production expertise from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Set in the near future and staring Vivian Hsu , David Wang, Jason Wang and Weber Yang, Dream Raider features a misfit team of scientists and cops that are trying to get to the bottom of a criminal conspiracy that exploits human consciousness.

The series opens with a criminal police officer that is investigating a case of missing girls and uncovers a mysterious cutting-edge technology that enables them to enter the dreamscapes of others to find the truth.Made by renowned filmmaker Cheang Pou-Soi, Dream Raider is produced with the support of the Taipei Film Commission and Taipei Cultural Foundation.

Food Lore is an eight-episode hour-long anthology series that explores the human condition with narratives inspired by and showcased through the perspectives of Asian cuisines, weaving tales of the tastes and aromas that have filled the Asian souls – tales of longing and forbidden passion, of connection and loss, of childhood memory.

Helmed by award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo, Food Lore is shot in eight countries across Asia and directed by some of Asia’s most talented storytellers including Don Aravind (Singapore), Billy Christian (Indonesia), Takumi Saitoh (Japan), Ho Yuhang (Malaysia), Erik Matti (Philippines), Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Thailand) and Phan Dang Di (Vietnam).

HBO Asia’s coming-of-age Tawian drama series The Teenage Psychic is returning with a second season. In the eight episode series, Kuo Shu Yau reprises her lead role as Xiao Zhen, a psychic born with the ability to see spirits and learning to use her abilities to help others. New cast members include two-time Golden Bell Award-winning actress, Wen Chen-Ling and rising star, Fandy Fan.

“Over the past seven years, we recognise the significance and importance of locally produced programming. Since 2012, the number of Asian original productions we have done has been increasing and they have all proven to be very effective for us. We are encouraged to learn that our Asian productions are working well across the region, especially those in local languages,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia.

“We maintain our commitment to producing outstanding programming and will continuously aim to present our content to our audience in the region, in an easily accessible way. We will continue to produce the highest quality content that the HBO brand represents and showcase to the world the best Asia has to offer.”

So far HBO Asia has produced and aired 15 original productions, and said it is committed to ramp up its Asian productions for both regional and global audiences.

Its next original, which debuts on 24 March, is The World Between Us – a ten-part hour-long Taiwan drama series that follows the aftermath of a mass-shooting where the fates of all parties involved – the killer, the victims, the victims’ families, the media and the defence teams – are intertwined.Shot entirely in Taiwan, the series stars Alyssa Chia, James Wen and Wu Kang-Jen.Produced by Taiwanese broadcaster, Public Television Service (PTS), it will be jointly distributed by HBO Asia and CATCHPLAY outside Asia.

All upcoming HBO Asia Originals will be available on HBO Asia’s network of channels including HBO, HBO’s online streaming platform HBO GO, and the on-demand service, HBO On Demand.