HBO Asia won two awards at the inaugural Asian Academy Creative Awards that took place over two nights on December 6 and December 7 at the Capitol Theatre in Singapore. HBO Asia bagged the coveted “Best Drama Series” award for MISS SHERLOCK, the regional network’s first co-production with Hulu Japan, and also won “Best Documentary Series” for THE TALWARS: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, HBO Asia’s first original documentary produced in association with Star India.
The Asian Academy Creative Awards are the region’s version of the International Emmy Awards and celebrate quality broadcast and media content from Australia & New Zealand, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
About MISS SHERLOCK
MISS SHERLOCK, an eight-part, hour-long Japanese drama series, is a bold interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, re-envisioned in Japanese and set in modern day Tokyo, the iconic characters – Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson are played by women. A co-production with Hulu Japan, watch the award-winning HBO Asia Original Series on HBO GO.
About THE TALWARS: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
THE TALWARS: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS is a gripping documentary that examines the double murder of a teenage girl and her family’s household servant in Noida, India, that quickly became one of India’s biggest murder mysteries, capturing worldwide attention. Produced in association with Star India, the four-part hour-long HBO Asia Original Documentary Series is available on HBO GO.
HBO is available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (For Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (For Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD. HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or visit www.mysky.com.ph.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
Movie details provided by HBO in a recent press release.
On long road trips, did you ever wish that you can keep your kids entertained? Well, with these new additions to HBO GO’s line up of programs, the little ones will be happy and content at the backseat of the car or wherever your family is as they join their animated friends on merry adventures.
These new shows are part of HBO Asia’s commitment to provide quality content and programs to viewers of all ages. New family-friendly content – from animated series to children’s puppet series, as well as educational live action series – will be available to viewers, both young and old, at their convenience anytime on HBO GO.
Starting this December, HBO GO users in Asia will be able to stream and download popular and beloved family-friendly series including Cartoon Network hits ADVENTURE TIME, BEN 10: OMNIVERSE, DEXTER’S LABORATORY, FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS, REGULAR SHOW, STEVEN UNIVERSE, THE POWERPUFF GIRLS and WE BARE BEARS, as well as FRAGGLE ROCK and SESAME STREET, anytime, anywhere.
These well-loved kids programs join HBO GO’s roster of content which also include blockbuster movies and HBO Originals from the U.S. and Asia available for video streaming.
These programs include:
ADVENTURE TIME (Seasons 1 – 5)
Finn, the human boy with the awesome hat, and Jake, the wise dog, embark on a series of bizarre and unique exploits as they explore the kooky land of Ooo. Whether it’s rescuing a princess from an Ice King, or de-corpsenating dead candy people, one thing’s for sure: it’s always adventure time.
BEN 10: OMNIVERSE (Season 1)
Ben will have a new character design that pays homage to his past and he will have a whole new batch of aliens to battle. Ben explores the quirkier side of things in the alien underground and discovers enemies from his past looking for a re-match, while a mysterious hunter is hot on his trail.
DEXTER’S LABORATORY (Seasons 1 – 2)
Dexter is a typical 8-year-old boy – other than the fact that he is a genius with an enormous secret laboratory, complete with computers, experiments and machines hidden beyond his bedroom wall. Despite sneaking to the lab when he can, he still cannot get away from his big sister, Dee Dee, who loves to dance her way into Dexter’s well-ordered world, disrupting his inventions and annoying him beyond belief.
FOSTER’S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS (Seasons 1 – 2)
8-year-old Mac discovers Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends when his mum tells him he is too old for his trusty imaginary friend Blooregard (aka Bloo). Full of fantastic creations outgrown by children, Mac takes Bloo to Foster’s to provide him with a safe place to live, while still being able to visit every day.
FRAGGLE ROCK (Seasons 1 – 4)
This wonderfully inventive program was designed to entertain while encouraging an understanding and embracing of diversity. Through the fun adventures of the Fraggle gang – Red, Gobo, Wembley, Boober, Mokey and Uncle Travelling Matt – the show features a unique mix of music that includes a number of genres, from folk, blues and gospel to country and rock.
REGULAR SHOW (Seasons 1 – 2)
The series revolves around the lives of two working-class friends, a blue jay named Mordecai and a raccoon named Rigby – both employed as groundskeepers at a local park. They usually try to solve a simple problem, but it often leads to surreal, extreme and supernatural misadventures.
SESAME STREET (Season 40 – 41)
It’s another sunny day on Sesame Street, with its famous furry cast, celebrity guests and trademark mix of live-action, animated and wondrous fun. Sesame Street addresses the spectrum of children’s learning: ABCs and 123s, health, mutual understanding and more. Here, children build essential skills, use their imaginations, and respect people’s differences. It is a proven recipe for success in school and life. Sesame Street is the world’s most honored children’s television show and has captured over 150 Emmy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
STEVEN UNIVERSE (Seasons 1 – 2)
Steven is the proverbial “little brother” to a team of magical guardians of humanity, the Crystal Gems. Steven may not be as powerful or as smart as the Crystal Gems and he may not have any control over the magical powers that come out of his belly button but that doesn’t stop him from joining Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl on their magical adventures, where Steven always finds a surprising way to save the day.
THE POWERPUFF GIRLS (Seasons 1 – 6)
When Professor Utonium set out to create the perfect little girls, he mixed in all the right ingredients: sugar, spice and everything nice. But when a fourth ingredient, Chemical X, was accidentally added, he created The Powerpuff Girls – three of the cutest, little kindergarten superheroes. Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup dedicate their lives to fighting crime and the forces of evil, all before bedtime.
WE BARE BEARS (Season 1)
The Bears are an adoptive family of three bears doing their best to try and fit in with human society in America – no easy task for bears! Set in the San Francisco Bay area, the series follows Grizz, the oldest of the three, and definitely the most fun-loving, Panda, a social media enthusiast who is easily embarrassed, and Ice Bear, who is the youngest bear but of the strong, silent type. Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear may seem like an unlikely trio, but their friendship is strong to the core.
So on your next road trip when you find your kids harassing you with “Are with there yet?,” just whip out your mobile device and stream these shows for their entertainment, and your own peace of mind.
About HBO GO
HBO GO is an internet-based service that allows subscribers unlimited access to stream and download anytime, anywhere, a wide range of Hollywood blockbusters, all-time favourite kids’ programmes as well as unedited original versions of all HBO Original content from the U.S. and Asia, at the same time as they premiere. Live TV streaming of HBO Asia’s bouquet of channels are also available. The service is accessible on all mobile devices through the HBO GO App and on computers.
In the Philippines, HBO GO is exclusively available to SKYcable subscribers. For more information, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo.
Show details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
HBO Asia announced recently that the brand-new HBO Asia original documentary, THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, inspired by the network’s award-winning coming-of-age series, THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, will premiere on Sunday, 16 December at 8pm exclusively on HBO GO and HBO.
The documentary follows the success of HBO Asia’s first Mandarin original drama series, THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, that premiered in 2017 with positive ratings and received recognition at the prestigious Golden Bell Awards. Filmed entirely in Taiwan, the one-hour long Mandarin documentary, THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC, seeks to delve deeper into the traditions and culture that THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC is based on.
THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC follows different characters from various locations in Taiwan, as they explore how the distinct blend of Taoist, Buddhist, Chinese folklore and indigenous belief systems continue to flourish in modern Taiwan. Featuring anecdotes and stories told by an 18-year-old medium in the Sanchong district, a family of Taoist priests from Keelung city and an award-winning actress and singer whose family runs a funeral business in Nantou county, as well as a practicing priest and teacher of religious studies at Fu-Jen Catholic University, the documentary explores the rituals and beliefs surrounding the afterlife and Ghost Month in Taiwan.
Sanchong District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Ming Yi Zhang is an 18-year-old female medium (known locally as a jitong) who acts as a vessel for the Taoist God, the Lotus Prince, at the Sanchong Xiesheng Temple in New Taipei City. In the documentary, she shares her view on the culture and practices involved on being a jitong, including self-flagellation, and how she juggles her temple and personal life. During the shoot, the crew managed to speak with the Lotus Prince through Ming Yi and sought his opinion about his young vessel.
Nantou County, Taiwan
In light of a passing in her family, the documentary also follows Golden Horse award-winning Taiwanese actress, Qian Na Lee (“The Teenage Psychic”), as she returns to her hometown in Nantou County. Having spent her childhood years in an environment bound by traditional folk practices, Qian Na offers an insight into Taiwan’s contemporary perspective of life and death.
Keelung City, Taiwan
Shot mainly in in Keelung City, the documentary follows three family members of Taoist priests whose family have served as priests in Keelung City for over 150 years. Wu Ji Lee watches as his two sons, Ming Jun Lee and Cong Hui Lee, perform sacred rituals for the first time at the annual Keelung Zhongyuan Festival, the largest Ghost Festival in Taiwan.
THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC is developed and produced by HBO Asia and marks the second original documentary for the network, following their first documentary THE TALWARS: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS that premiered in 2017. HBO Asia started producing its Original productions in 2012 and have since expanded their range of Asian Original productions to include series, movies and documentaries. To date, HBO Asia has produced thirteen Asian Originals with more slated to premiere in the coming years.
THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC premieres on Sunday, 16 December at 8pm exclusively on HBO GO and HBO (SKYcable ch 54SD | ch 168HD).
Show details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
In “Mongdal,” Chae-Yeon plays Ok-Bin, a loving mother and a strict school principal to her son, Dong-Joo, who has anger management issues. Knowing her son’s situation, she tries to understand his moods and gives in to his demands.
All is well for the two until her son falls deeply in love with the new girl in school. He is determined to get the girl—even if it is against her will.
Up to what extent will Ok-Bin do in order to make her son happy? What is the significance of the bachelor ghost or popularly known as a Mongdal in the story?
Lee Chae-Yeon was the episode’s director Lee Sang-Woo’s only choice for the leading role because he saw in her the star quality that set her apart from the other actresses in their initial choices.
Episodes are helmed by different directors from various Asian countries, and are filmed in the local language of the country that the episode is based in.
Watch “Mongdal” on November 10, 10PM on HBO Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (For Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (For Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch on Ch. 22 HD. It is also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or visit www.mysky.com.ph.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
The ghost of an unborn infant haunts HBO viewers on SKY as the Malaysian flick “Toyol” airs this Sunday (November 4), the fifth episode of the horror anthology series, “Folklore.”
A Member of Parliament (Bront Palarae) of a fishing town seeks the help of a mysterious woman (Nabila Huda) with shaman-like powers in order to save the town from its dire economic situation. After she miraculously fixes the problem, the two fall in love. But the woman hides a deep, dark secret that will threaten to destroy everything as she could unleash the “toyol” upon the world.
According to Malay folklore, the “toyol” manifests itself as a newborn baby, only with blood-red eyes and sharp teeth. It is summoned through black magic by its owner and does their bidding no matter how gruesome the wish is.
Will the local politician know the real motive of the shaman before it is too late?
HBO Asia’s first horror anthology, “Folklore,” is a series that draws on the local myths from Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Following “Toyol” is the last installment, the Korean episode,“Mongdal.”
Episodes are helmed by different directors from various Asian countries, and are filmed in the local language of the country that the episode is based in.
Watch “Toyol” on November 4, 10PM on HBO Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (For Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (For Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch on Ch. 22 HD. It is also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or visit www.mysky.com.ph.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
HBO Asia’s brand new original period drama, GRISSE, is an eight-part hour-long series that is set in the mid 1800’s within the colonial period of the Dutch East Indies. The English language series chronicles the story of a group of unlikely individuals who lead a rebellion against a brutal governor and suddenly find themselves in control of a Dutch garrison town called Grisse. The story revolves around a number of unique characters, each from diverse backgrounds and creeds who unite for the chance to break the yoke of tyranny and write their own destiny.
Catch the series every Sunday at 9pm starting November 4 on HBO (SKYcable ch 54 SD | 168 HD). It will also be available for online viewing on HBO GO, HBO’s video streaming service that enables users to watch HBO’s channels live and HBO original productions and more on demand. In the Philippines, it is exclusively available to SKY subscribers.
Developed and produced by HBO Asia and together with Singapore-based Infinite Studios, GRISSE will feature an ensemble cast of actors who are based in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, Australia and the U.S.. They include Adinia Wirasti (HBO Asia’s “Halfworlds Season 1”), Marthino Lio (“Sayang You Can Dance”), Michael Wahr (“City Homocide”), Edward Akbar (“Air Terjun Pengantin”), Jamie Aditya (“Sync or Swim”), Toshiji Takeshima (HBO’s “True Blood”), Joanne Kam (“Kopitiam”), Zack Lee (“The Raid 2”), Tom Dejong (“Medisch Centrum West”), Ully Triani (“Stay With Me”), Rick Paul Van Mulligen (“A’dam E.V.A.”), Alexandra Gottardo (“Tanah Air”), Hossan Leong (“The Forbidden City”) and Jimmy T (“Robocop 3”). Creator and Showrunner for GRISSE is Mike Wiluan (“Buffalo Boys”) who directed alongside Tony Tilse (HBO Asia’s “Serangoon Road”, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”) and Ler Jiyuan (“Gone Case”, “The Love Machine”).
HBO has also recently announced that select HBO Asia Original productions will be available to audiences in HBO Europe’s territories. These HBO Asia Original titles include the period drama series GRISSE; horror anthology series FOLKLORE; Japanese drama series MISS SHERLOCK; and the first two instalments of the Chinese language martial arts anthology movie series, MASTER OF THE DRUNKEN FIST: BEGGAR SO and MASTER OF THE SHADOWLESS KICK: WONG KEI-YING. These titles will be available in territories including Spain (on HBO España), Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark (on HBO Nordic), and in Central European territories including Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Croatia (on HBO Europe). GRISSE will also be available to HBO’s U.S. subscribers across the channel’s platforms, including HBO GO®, HBO NOW®, HBO On Demand®, and participating television and streaming partner platforms.
“With an array of diverse cultures and rich histories, Asia has proven to be a melting pot of storylines that we are excited to bring to life and captivate our audiences in the region and beyond,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia. He further adds, “With five more HBO Asia Original productions being available in HBO U.S.’ and HBO Europe’s territories, we are proud and delighted to be able to share some of what Asia has to offer with the rest of the world through our global network.”
HBO Asia started producing its Original productions in 2012 and has since expanded their range of Asian Original productions to include series, movies and documentaries. GRISSE marks the network’s thirteenth Asian Original to date, with more slated to premiere in the coming years and further strengthening its commitment to producing more compelling and relevant local content for the Asian and global audience.
Show details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
TRUE DETECTIVE will return for its eight-episode third season same time as the U.S. on Monday, January 14 at 10am, with a same day encore at 10pm, exclusively on HBO GO and HBO. New episodes will premiere subsequent Mondays at the same time.
TRUE DETECTIVE is anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law. The cast of the critically acclaimed first and second seasons include Matthew McConaughy, Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Rachel McAdams, Michelle Monaghan, Taylor Kitsch and Vince Vaughn.
The new season tells the story of a macabre crime in the heart of the Ozarks, and a mystery that deepens over decades and plays out in three separate time periods. Academy Award® winner Mahershala Ali stars as Wayne Hays, a state police detective from Northwest Arkansas. Carmen Ejogo and Stephen Dorff also star. Created by Nic Pizzolatto.
Catch the series every Monday at 10am starting January 14 on HBO (SKYcable ch 54 SD | 168 HD). It will also be available for online viewing on HBO GO, HBO’s video streaming service that enables users to watch HBO’s channels live and HBO original productions and more on demand. In the Philippines, it is exclusively available to SKY subscribers.
Show details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
Jennifer Garner (“Love, Simon”; Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner for “Alias”) and David Tennant (“Jessica Jones,” “Doctor Who”) headline the cast of the brand-new HBO Original comedy series CAMPING. The first of eight episodes of its debut season will air in Asia same time as the U.S. on Monday, October 15 at 10am, with a same day primetime encore at 11pm, exclusively on HBO GO and HBO.
To celebrate her husband Walt’s 44th birthday, the obsessively organised and aggressively controlling Kathryn gathers together her meek sister, her holier-than-thou ex-best friend and a free-spirited tagalong – and what was supposed to be a delightful, back-to-nature camping trip quickly becomes a weekend of tested marriages and woman-on-woman crime that won’t soon be forgotten.
CAMPING follows a group of old friends as they arrive at the underwhelming Brown Bear Lake campsite to celebrate a landmark birthday, sparking heightened emotions, latent tensions (sexual and otherwise) and memories they’d rather forget. Other series regulars include: Juliette Lewis (Oscar nominee for “Cape Fear”), Arturo Del Puerto (“Independence Day: Resurgence”), Ione Skye (“Fever Pitch”), Janicza Bravo (directing credits include “Lemon” and HBO’s “Divorce”) and Brett Gelman (“Stranger Things”). The recurring cast includes Bridget Everett (“Trainwreck”).
The show is written and executive produced by Lena Dunham (creator and star of HBO’s “Girls”), Jenni Konner (executive producer of HBO’s “Girls”) and John Riggi, and is based on the British series of the same name created by Julia Davis and produced by Baby Cow Productions.
The Characters
Kathryn McSorley-Jodell (Jennifer Garner) is a controlling LA mom who is far less cheerful than her Lululemons imply. She directs the weekend’s proceedings with an iron grip, until she’s faced with a woman who undoes all her best-laid plans. Walt (David Tennant) is an obedient husband and a loving father, the reliable lynchpin of his male social group, but below that reality lurks a subtle but growing discontent about what he’s just signed up for.
Jandice (Juliette Lewis) is a woman of many talents: a DJ, a reiki healer and a certified public accountant. Her life may seem ideal, but the reality is far less. Smack dab in the middle of a midlife crisis, the recently separated Miguel (Arturo Del Puerto) now expresses his instability through a youthful wardrobe and very strange life choices.
Carleen (Ione Skye) has spent her life in the shadows as Kathryn’s sister. Timid and terrified, she must rely on her own strange passions, such as crocheting, to get her through the lonely days. Nina-Joy (Janicza Bravo) is the friend you go to for everything: best massage, best jeans, best oatmeal. But her tension with Kathryn over a breach of confidence threatens to topple the weekend.
George (Brett Gelman) is loyal, goofy and infinitely game. He’s as obsessed with his best friend, Walt, as he is with his wife, Nina-Joy, and just under the surface of this affable boom operator simmers barely repressed rage that can stop any singalong.
Harry (Bridget Everett) is the tough-talking, nature-loving queen of the campsite; her passion for her wife, Nan, is surpassed only by her passion for all other women and an assortment of arms.
“When we saw Julia Davis’ hilarious U.K. ‘Camping,’ we knew this was the most fun concept for writers and actors,” observe Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner. “We are so excited by our cast. We are so excited by this story. We are so excited to make you never want to go to the woods again.”
CAMPING is written and executive produced by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner for A Casual Romance; written and executive produced by John Riggi; executive produced by Julia Davis for Hush Ho; Christine Langan for Baby Cow Productions; executive produced by Ilene S. Landress and Tom Lassally; co-executive produced by Adam Countee; pilot directed by Jenni Konner.
Series details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
HBO has renewed the comedy series INSECURE for a fourth season, it was announced today by Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming.
The series follows the friendship of two African American women as they deal with their own real-life flaws while attempting to navigate different worlds and cope with an endless series of uncomfortable everyday experiences. Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Lisa Joyce, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales and Y’lan Noel star in the hit comedy series. New episodes of the latest season is currently airing same time as the U.S. every Monday at 10.30am, with a same day encore at 11.30pm, exclusively on HBO GO and HBO. Catch up on all past seasons on HBO GO.
In the Philippines, access to HBO GO is exclusive to SKYcable subscribers.
INSECURE was created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore; executive produced by Issa Rae, Prentice Penny, Melina Matsoukas, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky, Jonathan Berry, Jim Kleverweis and Dayna Lynne North.
Series details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
In recent years, Asian horror has emerged as major player in the horror movie genre. With stories based on deeply-rooted myths and folklore passed down across generations in various Asian cultures, these movies have entranced and terrified global audiences.
On October 7, HBO Asia will premiere its very first horror anthology original series entitled FOLKLORE (#FolkloreHBO). It is comprised of 6 hour-long episodes that takes place in six Asian countries – Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand – featuring supernatural beings and occult beliefs in their respective regions. The episodes are also helmed by local directors and filmed in the local language.
FOLKLORE is produced and created by Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo, with the aim of modernising Asian horror by showcasing the brand of horror that each country is known for while exploring societal dysfunctions in a manner that is specific to the country but possessing themes that will resonate to a global audience.
FOLKLORE premieres on Sunday, October 7 at 10pm exclusively on HBO (ch 54SD | 168HD on SKYcable). New episodes will debut at the same time every Sunday. The series will also be streaming on HBO GO, HBO’s video-streaming service exclusively available in the Philippines to SKYcable subscribers.
Episode Guide:
Episode #1: “Folklore: A Mother’s Love”
Premieres: Sunday, October 7 at 10pm on HBO
Directed by: Joko Anwar (Indonesia)
Cast: Marissa Anita, Muzakki Ramdhan
A single mother and her young son discover a group of dirty and underfed children living in a mansion’s attic. Upon saving them and returning them to their families, she has unknowingly snatched these children from their adopted mother – Wewe Gombel – and must now beware her vengeful wrath.
Episode #2: “Folklore: Tatami”
Premieres: Sunday, October 14 at 10pm on HBO
Directed by: Takumi Saitoh (Japan)
Cast: Kazuki Kitamura, Misuzu Kanno, Daisuke Kuroda, Shima Onishi
A murder scene writer returns home to attend his father’s funeral and begins to experience constant flashbacks of his childhood. He then discovers a secret door in the house that leads to a room that hides a horrifying secret from his family’s past.
Episode #3: “Folklore: Nobody”
Premieres: Sunday, October 21 at 10pm on HBO
Directed by: Eric Khoo (Singapore)
Cast: Li Wen Qiang, Maguire Jian, Sivakumar Palakrishnan, Aric Hidir, Louis Wu, Dayang Nurbalqis
A Pontianak is awaked when a foreman and a construction worker attempt to bury the body of a dead girl instead of burning her. A series of unfortunate events begin to occur at the construction site.
Episode #4: “Folklore: Pob”
Premieres: Sunday, October 28 at 10pm on HBO
Directed by: Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Thailand)
Cast: Nuttapon Sawasdee, Parama Wutthikornditsakul, Thomas Burton Van Blarcom
A journalist meets with Pob, a Thai ghost, who confesses to a murder. Finally finding an outlet for complaint, Pob explains how the murder happened and requests for his story to be published. However, the journalist declines and the two make a deal of a lifetime.
Episode #5: “Folklore: Toyol”
Premieres: Sunday, November 4 at 10pm on HBO
Directed by: Ho Yuhang (Malaysia)
Cast: Bront Palarae, Nabila Huda, Redza Minhat
A Member of Parliament (MP) of a fishing town turns to a mysterious woman who possesses shamanistic powers in order to salvage his town’s dire economic situation. She fixes all his problems and the two soon become lovers. However, the woman has a dark secret that threatens to destroy his life.
Episode #6: “Folklore: Mongdal”
Premieres: Sunday, November 11 at 10pm on HBO
Directed by: Lee Sang Woo (Korea)
Cast: Lee Chae-Yeon, Jeong Yun Seok
A mother tries to appease the moods and demands of her borderline psychopathic son. When a new girl comes to town, her son falls quickly and deeply for the new girl and is determined to win her over possibly even against her will. When things take a tragic turn, his mother will stop at nothing to make her son happy even if it means finding a bride to join him in the afterlife.
“Folklore: A Mother’s Love” from Indonesian director Joko Anwar and “Folklore: Pob”, directed by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang from Thailand have recently been selected for the prestigious 43rd Toronto International Film Festival® (TIFF). This is the first time an Asian TV series has been officially selected since the inception of Primetime programme at TIFF since 2015. The Primetime programme channels the best international television fit for the silver screen, focusing on powerful, small-screen storytelling that pushes the boundaries of original scripted series and episodic programming.
HBO Asia started producing its Original productions in 2012 and has since expanded their range of Asian Original productions to include series, movies and documentaries. FOLKLORE marks the network’s twelfth Asian Original to date, with more slated to premiere in the coming years. Other upcoming Asian Original productions by HBO Asia include GRISSE – an eight-part hour-long period drama series set in the mid 1800’s within the colonial period of the Dutch East Indies and THE WORLD BEHIND THE TEENAGE PSYCHIC – an hour-long Mandarin documentary that seeks to delve deeper into the unique shamanistic practices during the Ghost Month in Taiwan.
Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.
Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.
Jellybeans in the City 