If you haven’t checked out local dramas in a while and you’re wondering what’s good these days – we’ve got you covered.
We round up some homegrown TV shows that have made a buzz for going against the grain. Best of all, they’re free!
Budak Tebing is currently the hottest thing happening on local TV right now. The coming-of-age series begins with a group of children who spend their free time playing by a muddy stream.
One day, tragedy strikes one of the boys and Arif, the series’s protagonist is accused of his death. He spends the rest of his childhood at a rehabilitation school for young offenders. After his stint there, he returns home. But his mum is less than welcoming.
Life is also tough for Ira, who lives on the streets. Her mum is a sex worker and she never knew the identity of her dad.
People have taken to Twitter to praise the series for fleshing out its characters to great effect besides addressing pressing societal issues. Starring Adam Lee and Eyka Farhana.
Budak Tebing is available on YouTube.
Within the first few minutes of KL Gangster Underworld alone, viewers know they’re in for an entirely different viewing experience.
First things first, to ensure an accurate depiction of the life of gangsters on screen, characters can be seen spewing expletives - a rare occurrence in the local TV landscape.
The storyline, acting and cinematography also effectively capture the realities of life in a gang. Starring Zahiril Adzim and Ezzaty Abdullah.
KL Gangster Underworld is available on iflix.
If you’re looking for something a little more light-hearted, Kampung People is a good place to start.
A whistleblower and his family from the big city are forced to take on a new identity and live in the countryside as part of a witness protection programme.
Hilarity ensues when the city folks must give up all the comforts of their former life and try to adapt to their new environment.
The series has been lauded not just for its entertainment value but for its observations on issues like materialism. Starring Elly Mazlein and Rashidi Ishak.
Kampung People is available on YouTube.
I’m well aware that Gegar Vaganza isn’t a drama at all but a reality singing competition featuring seasoned singers who have stepped away from the spotlight.
But I can assure you, there is no shortage of (real-life) drama here. For one, the results of the show completely took audiences by surprise (avoid Googling as spoilers abound). Let’s just say it was a tight race.
Truly, the season’s success hinged on the quality of the talents themselves. Almost every contestant brought something different to the table, from Wann’s to-die-for smokey vocals to the impeccable vocal and dance arrangements delivered week in, week out by hip hop group One Nation Emcees.
I also loved Indonesia’s Hetty Koes Endang as a regular judge on the show for her thorough and passionate feedback on the contestants.
If you haven’t seen a Malaysian reality talent series in a while, Gegar Vaganza Season Six is a good place to start.
Gegar Vaganza Season Six is available on YouTube.
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