• Best Asian Movies That Will Make You Cry

Every summer, I take the opportunity to watch as many movies as I can on the plane. My flights are 6 hours long, which is enough time to watch 3 movies. As I don't often go to the cinemas, nor do I have any subscriptions to watch movies online, the plane's movie selection is my best bet. I mostly choose Chinese, Japanese and Korean movies since I find them more interesting than western media.

I've chosen 3 movies that made me cry the most.. felt the most emotional!

• Let's Go Karaoke! (2023, Directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita)
  
  

"Wanna go karaoke?" is something your friend might ask you. But what if your friend is a yakuza gangster? 

Kyouji Narita, a strange yakuza member, begs Satomi Oka, a junior high school student and choir leader, to teach him how to sing in order to avoid getting last place at his gang's karoke competition.

I particularly love the unlikely-pair-turn-friendship trope. The comedic moments are fun until you are hit by a truck of emotions because of how much you care for the characters. I really enjoyed the friendship development as I personally prefer friendship stories over romance ones. It feels more heartwarming.   

Ah... I really wanna go karaoke now...

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/fCuwhgofxME?si=RHLONzTduBjTCvxF

• Hachiko (2023, Directed by Ang Xu)
  
  

You've probably heard of the true story where a loyal dog waited for his owner's return for almost 10 years following his death. That is the story of Hachikō, a Japanese Akita dog.

In this adaptation, the story is set in China and the dog's name is Baitong. Though the main story is about the bond between the professor and his newly found companion, the movie also focuses on the importance of family. Director Xu Ang said: "The story is not only about people and dogs but also about family and the changing times."

There are many other adaptations of Hachiko's story but I do really like this one. There are of course comedic moments and "awww" moments, but you'll definitely need a big box of tissues for this one.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/bUyTpXYkkFs?si=vipuYtxmAoNp_rVD
 

• Lighting up the Stars (2022, Directed by Liu Jiangjiang)
  
  

This is another movie featuring an unlikely pair: a funeral director just released from prison and a little girl who just lost her grandma. With no one able to take care of the little Wu Xiaowen, Mo Sanmei reluctantly brings her to his work on top of other difficulties he is facing.

Even though Xiaowen sometimes causes trouble, she helps Sanmei change his perspectives on his work and his life. The two start developping a special bond that is very heartwarming to watch. 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/Pgh3Ac8Hp1I?si=9BLJTN_lpPBtszTb

 ~

It can be quite embarassing to watch sad movies on the plane since you don't really want to be bawling your eyes out in front of other passengers and cabin crew. Luckily I had no one sitting near me.

Make sure to have tissues at hand and enjoy!

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