Participants in the psychological survival game are forced to trick each other while on their quest to win 10 billion won ($8.4 million). It follows the story of student Nam Da-jung, who is invited to the reality show “Liar Game” after passing a hidden camera audition.
The 2014 live-action “Liar Game” television series also adapted from the original “Liar Game” manga. “Liar Game: The Final Stage,” released in 2010, continued Kanzaki’s story, while “Liar Game: Reborn” follows new protagonist Yu Shinomiya. More reasons to watch: The 11-episode series became so popular in Japan that it was followed by a second season and two more films. Why it’s on this list: It follows a compelling premise that sees a naive protagonist in a battle of wits that rewards cheaters. The series follows a college student named Nao Kanzaki who becomes a participant in the Liar Game Tournament, where contestants are encouraged to cheat and lie to obtain other contestants' money. “Liar Game” is a 2007 live-action television series adapted from a popular manga of the same name.
More reasons to watch: Playing the films’ protagonist is star Tatsuya Fujiwara, who many Japanese movie fans know as Shuya Nanahara in the “Battle Royale” films, Light Yagami in the “Death Note” films and the villain Shishio Makoto in the live-action “Rurouni Kenshin” films. Why it’s on this list: The quest to clear one’s debt is a motivation any viewer can relate to. The 2009 film “ Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler ” was based on the first part of the manga series called “Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji” while its 2011 sequel “ Kaiji 2 ” was based on the second part of the manga series called “Tobaku Hakairoku Kaiji.” The third and final film, titled “ Kaiji: Final Game ,” featured a completely original story and a new supporting cast.
The “Kaiji” film series is a trilogy of live-action films based on a popular manga that revolves around a young gambler who enters a deadly gambling competition to clear his debts. The film takes the viewers through several twists and turns, up until the final nail-biting scenes. More reasons to watch: The movie features an ensemble cast, with veteran actors Park Hae-il, Park Hee-soon, Lee Min-ki and Shin Min-ah in lead roles. Why it’s on this list: Come for the stars, stay for the thrills. The characters find themselves in deadly situations while trapped on an isolated Australian island.
In the 2009 South Korean thriller film “A Million,” eight reality TV show contestants must fight to survive in order to win 1 billion won (around $845,000). So if you can’t wait, here are some titles to tide you over until the next “Squid Game” season comes around. With the show ending its final episode with a massive tease for a potential second season, viewers have been left wondering what comes next in the series.įortunately, there are a wealth of Asian films and shows that take the intriguing game-to-the-death concept in varied directions. It’s a compelling theme that stokes audiences’ empathy as they watch protagonists facing overwhelming odds. These questions are at the center of “ Squid Game ,” Netflix’s latest hit and the newest entry to the “deadly game” genre. Could Ishak be next on the list, or is he the man responsible? Tracking down his more ‘unsavoury’ allies, Serena is shocked to encounter a familiar face: that of her grieving ex-partner, former Malaysian ICD officer Megat Jamil (Bront Palarae).How far would you go to win a large sum of money? Would you betray a friend, endanger loved ones, risk everything? As Serena and Heri work together to catch the killer, their inquiries lead them to industrialist/kingpin Datuk Ishak Hassan (Wan Hanafi Su), whose prominent family and known associates all have some connection to the victims. Seeking answers, Heri finds a way to insert himself into the Malaysian investigation. Meanwhile, in Jakarta, for ICD Lieutenant Heriyanto Salim (Ario Bayu), the case turns personal when his brother is found murdered in similar circumstances.
Called in to investigate, Singaporean International Crimes Division (ICD) officer Serena Teo (Rebecca Lim) takes charge of a case across the border where a family has been slaughtered aboard a luxury yacht in Johor. A series of brutal murders, each sharing a signature MO, takes place across Malaysia and Indonesia.