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This week on the DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan discuss the passing of the martial arts torch with the 2026 Hong Kong film, "The Furious." We also discuss how much action is too much action and whether or not some of the film’s over the top sequences actually belonged in the movie at all. Cast: Wang Wei - Xie Miao Navin - Joe Taslim Rainy (Wang Yu Qing) - Yang En You Pak Lung - Iwanaga Joey

This week Mel and Ryan dig into Mel’s reading list with a discussion about dramas that are adapted from books. Find out what Mel is reading and how some dramas actually do a better job telling the story. Be My Player Two Mr. Fanboy Moral Decay Sammy's Children's Day The Missing Piece Lip And Sword A Mountain Can Hold Two Tigers Deep Within The Act

This week on the DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan discuss the integration of historic myth into modern cinema and we break down the 2026 Chinese animated film, "All Wishes Come True." We also question how many twists is too many twists. Characters: Zhongli Quan Lu Dongbin He Xiangu Cao Guojiu Tieguai Li Lan Caihe Han Xiangzi Zhang Guolao Yang Jian (Erlang Shen)

This week Mel and Ryan break down the 2026 indie scifi movie, "Sheep In The Box." We discuss how the film deals with the relationship between nature and man, as well as man vs machine. But do the emotions, the director was trying to convey, actually show through in the end? Cast: Komoto Otone - Ayase Haruka Komoto Kensuke - Daigo Kakeru - Kuwaki Rimu

This week on the DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan discuss why paramedics in Bangkok have such a bad reputation, while breaking down the 2026 Thai series, "A Dog And A Plane." We also give major props to an Instagram account @maxpasakorn that helped us decode the hidden meanings inside the drama, that we wouldn’t normally be able to appreciate fully. Cast: Toto - Tay Kanit - New Akki - Mond Veha - Ryu Lion - Oab

This week on the DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan discuss the reinvention of the Xian Xia genre with the 2026 transmigration series, "Pull Strings." We also debate whether a last minute twist to set up a subsequent season 2 is a good plan or poor execution. Cast: Li Chang Shou/Chang Geng - Ao Rui Peng Fairy Yun Xiao - Sun Zhen Ni Lan Ling E - Ai Mi Aο Υi - Aο Ζi Υi Jin Chan - Zhang Ya Qi

DramaMeans is back from summer break with an unconventional superhero filled story that left us questioning whether or not heroes actually need to be good at being heroes for it to be an entertaining story. Well, 2026 Korean drama, "WonderFools," put that exact premise to the test. Mel and Ryan also discuss how social media may influence how writers handle plot twists in a different way. Eun Chae Ni - Park Eun Bin Lee Un Jeong - Cha Eun Woo Son Gyeong Un - Choi Dae Hoon Kang Ro Bin - Im Sung Jae Kim Jeon Bok - Kim Hae Sook Ha Won Do - Son Hyn Joo

This week Mel and Ryan break down the rules to defeating bad guys in the 2026 supernatural Thai drama, "Wu." We also discuss how stacking big character moments all on top of each other is a pitfall, that writers must avoid if they want their stories to make an impact. Cast: Niran - Sky Pete - Nani Li Pou Saeming - Krist Lieutenant General - Bird Bao Cheng - Wave Khoo

This week on the DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan debate how much supernatural is too much in the 2026 Chinese drama, "Archives: The Nanyang Mystery." We also discuss how evil a character can get before the audience should stop cheering for their redemption. Cast: Zhang Hai Lou - Steven Zhang Zhang Hai Xia - Ryan Ding Zhang Hai Qi - Jiang Pei Yao Mo Yu Gao - Fu Da Long Zhang Qian Jun Wan Ma - Zhang Chen Xiao

This week on the DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan break down the 2026 work place KDrama, “Filing for Love,” and decide whether or not romantic chemistry can make up for a shows' weak plot. Ryan also comes clean about his true feelings about the genre of corporate office dramas. Cast: Ju In a - Shin Hae Sun No Gi Jun - Gong Myoung Jeon Jae Yeol - Kim Jae Wook Park A Jeong - Hong Hwa Yeon

Mel and Ryan dive into the final chapter of the Fourever You saga, while we discuss the 2026 Thai BL drama, "Lately, It’s Winter Season." We also debate whether this series following the book so closely was a good thing or a big mistake. Cast: Tiger/Suea - Pie Dueannao - Golf Dannue - Earth Field - Kade Mick - Ben Tul - Jay North - Bas

This week on the DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan discuss the strangest start to a relationship we have ever seen while breaking down the 2026 Japanese Drama, "Fake Fact Lips." We also talk about how comedy often gets put to the side when the romance of a show picks up, and question why we can’t have both. Cast: Shito Zen - Sato Yusuke Yotsuya Ryo - Hori Kaito Futami Yuya - Hirai Amon

This week Mel and Ryan discuss the relationship progression of the lead characters in the 2026 Taiwanese drama, "The Way Back to You." We also talk about how characters must be active and involved in the resolution of their own story, otherwise the ending risks falling flat. Cast: Ku Ching Sui - Chen Zhi Yi Shen Fang - Liu Xin Lei

This week on DramaMeans Podcast, Mel and Ryan discuss the time travel logic of the 2026 Thai BL, "Love Upon a Time." We also question whether or not it should be much harder for a character to be able to remember all of their past lives. Especially if the plot depends on it. Cast: Phop - Net Klao / Nakun - JJ Kaew / Pun - Kim Jom / Thee - Latte Cherd - Nont Harn - Victor

This week on DramaMeans Podcast, we discuss if the supernatural element is necessary in the 2026 Taiwanese Drama, "Wishing Upon the Shooting Stars." Mel and Ryan also discuss how we can often be blinded of a drama’s shortcomings by deeply effective acting performances. Cast: He Xiang Yong/Zhou Xiao You - Jed Chung Chen Hao Wei - Chu Meng Hsuan Li Wan Zhe - JN Yu Xiao Hai - Kagami Kota Xi Xi - Aiko Fang Brother Hong/celestial beast/dragon - Andy Wu God - Snoopy Yu