The First and True Home of Asianovelas

Programming block of ABS-CBN

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The First and True Home of Asianovelas

Official logo since 2023

Network| ABS-CBN
Launched| May 5, 2003 (2003-05-05)
Closed| May 5, 2020 (2020-05-05)[1]
Country of origin| Philippines
Key people|

* Rachel Simon-Palomar
* Evelyn Raymundo
* Macie Imperial
* Rissa Afable-Calinawan

Headquarters| ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, Sgt. Esguerra Avenue corner Mother Ignacia Street, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Original language(s)| Filipino (dubbed)

The First and True Home of Asianovelas is a programming block of ABS-CBN composed of Filipino-dubbed Asian dramas. On May 5, 2003, Meteor Garden was the first Asian drama aired on the network. The Asian drama block dissolved on May 5, 2020 after ABS-CBN ceased its free-to-air broadcast operations as ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and former Solicitor General Jose Calida.[1][2] On July 10, 2020, the Philippine House Committee of 18th Congress denied the network's franchise renewal.[3][4]

## History[edit]

Asian dramas are politically popular in the Philippines since the early 2000s. Huge demands from Filipino viewers prompted Philippine TV stations to import Chinese and South Korean programs.[5]

In 2003, ABS-CBN started airing Taiwanese dramas with the successful Meteor Garden and its sequel Meteor Garden II. In 2004, the network introduced the South Korean dramas to the Filipino viewers beginning with The Truth, Four Sisters, and Lovers in Paris. In the past decade, ABS-CBN has aired a numerous score of Korean dramas including Lovers in Paris, Save the Last Dance for Me, Memories of Bali, Green Rose, Only You, Princess Lulu, My Girl, A Love to Kill, Princess Hours, Which Star Are You From, Spring Waltz, Three Dads with One Mommy, Boys Over Flowers, He's Beautiful, Cinderella's Sister, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, Pure Love, City Hunter, Dream High, Two Wives, To the Beautiful You, Missing You, The Love Story of Kang Chi, Crazy Love, The Heirs, My Lovely Girl, Let's Get Married, and My Love Donna.[6] Korean drama Faith was also featured on the now-defunct ABS-CBN Mobile.[7]

During the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, ABS-CBN rapidly increased its South Korean programming with Love in the Moonlight, Goblin, Legend of the Blue Sea, Weightlifting Fairy, Hwarang, Black, The King Is in Love, I am Not a Robot, W, Doctor Crush, Go Back Couple, Hwayugi, My Time with You, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, Encounter, Gangnam Beauty, Codename: Terrius, 100 Days My Prince, I Have a Lover, and Hotel del Luna. A 2018 Chinese adaptation of Meteor Garden was aired on the network.[8] Meanwhile, CineMo! has also aired Blood, You're All Surrounded, Blade Man, Orange Marmalade, Doctor Stranger, Hyde, Jekyll, Me, Sensory Couple, Signal, and The K2. ABS-CBN TV Plus launched Asianovela Channel on July 30, 2018, and has aired Bubble Gum, High Society, On the Way to the Airport, Uncontrollably Fond, Woman with a Suitcase, Because This Is My First Life, Cheongdam-dong Scandal, Goodbye Mr. Black, Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter, Mother, Something in the Rain, That Man Oh Soo, The Good Wife, Tomorrow, with You, Two Cops, and Live Up to Your Name.

On the first quarter of 2020, ABS-CBN aired the final remaining Asian dramas: Flower Crew: Dating Agency, Story of Yanxi Palace, The Tale of Nokdu, and Love in Sadness. On May 5, 2020, both ABS-CBN and Asianovela Channel went off the air due to the cease and desist order by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and former Solicitor General Jose Calida following the expiration of the network's legislative franchise on May 4.[1] Love in Sadness and Story of Yanxi Palace were both cancelled as a result.[2] Asianovela Channel resumed its operations on June 1, 2020,[9] until the channel permanently ceased broadcasting on June 30 due to the NTC's alias cease-and-desist order (ACDO) against ABS-CBN TV Plus and all of its digital channels transmitted through Channel 43 frequency.[10] The NTC, under the leadership of Gamaliel Cordoba, was pressured by the House of Representatives of 18th Congress (led by Alan Peter Cayetano, Rodante Marcoleta, Mike Defensor, Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, and many more) who are all against the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.[11] The NTC finally recalled all the frequencies and channels assigned to ABS-CBN after the franchise renewal has since denied by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.[12] In January 2022, the NTC have transferred all the defunct frequencies of ABS-CBN and Asianovela Channel to Manny Villar's Advanced Media Broadcasting System (All TV) and Apollo Quiboloy's Swara Sug Media Corporation (Sonshine Media Network International) respectively.[13][14][15] On June 27, 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted using his presidential powers on the shutdown of ABS-CBN and loss of franchise and frequencies, saying that he "really targeted the network."[16][17][18]

ABS-CBN continues to air Asian dramas on other platforms in a limited capacity. Kapamilya Channel aired Familiar Wife and The World of a Married Couple, while Love in Sadness and Story of Yanxi Palace resumed airing and completed all the episodes. iWantTFC streamed the boys' love drama 2gether: The Series and its sequel Still 2gether. Through a partnership agreement between ABS-CBN and GMMTV,[19] more acquired dramas were streamed on iWantTFC including Come to Me, I'm Tee, Me Too, Dark Blue Kiss, Theory of Love, The Shipper, A Tale of Thousand Stars, and F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers.[20]

In the current term of President Bongbong Marcos, Ever Night: War of Brilliant Splendours,[21] The Great Show,[22] and The Forbidden Flower[23] were aired simultaneously on the network's television platforms.

## Current program[edit]

Note: Titles are listed in alphabetical order.

* The Forbidden Flower (2023–present; broadcast on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z and TV5; also streaming on iWantTFC.)

## Previous programs[edit]

Note: The following is a list of Asian dramas that originally aired first on each platforms. Reruns are excluded in this section.

### ABS-CBN (defunct)[edit]

* Meteor Garden (2003)
* Meteor Rain (2003)
* Meteor Garden II (2003)
* Love Scar (2003)
* Girls Marching On (2003)
* Eternity: A Chinese Ghost Story (2003)
* The Truth (2004)
* Westside Story (2004)
* Fantasy (2004)
* Four Sisters (2004)
* Sunshine of Love (2004)
* Love in the City (2004)
* First Love (2004)
* The Promise (2004)
* Feel 100% (2004)
* Lovers in Paris (2004)
* Farewell Firefly (2005)
* Save the Last Dance for Me (2005)
* Memories of Bali (2005)
* Stained Glass (2005)
* Oh Feel Young (2005)
* Green Rose (2005)
* 101st Proposal (2005)
* Amazing Twins (2005)
* Only You (2005)
* Forbidden Love (2006)
* Outstanding Twins (2006)
* Spring Day (2006)
* Princess Lulu (2006)
* Wedding (2006)
* Wonderful Life (2006)
* Eternal Love (2006)
* My Girl (2006)
* A Love to Kill (2006)
* It Started with a Kiss (2006)
* Princess Hours (2006)
* Something About 1% (2007)
* Which Star Are You From (2007)
* Spring Waltz (2007)
* Wanted: Perfect Husband (2007)
* Marrying a Millionaire (2008)
* Hana Kimi (2008)
* Lovers (2008)
* Romantic Princess (2008)
* Artificial Beauty (2008)
* They Kiss Again (2008)
* Three Dads with One Mommy (2008)
* Basketball Tribe (2008)
* Why Why Love (2008)
* Precious Time (2008)
* Mischievous Princess (2009)
* Hot Shot (2009)
* Boys Over Flowers (2009)
* Love or Bread (2009)
* Miss No Good (2009)
* Honey Watch Out! (2010)
* He's Beautiful (2010)
* Down with Love (2010)
* Perfect Match (2010)
* Cinderella's Sister (2011)
* I Love You So, Autumn's Concerto (2011)
* My Princess (2011)
* I Am Legend (2011)
* My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2011)
* Marry Me, Mary! (2011)
* Pure Love (2011)
* The Fierce Wife (2011)
* My Fair Lady (2011)
* Three Brothers (2011)
* Helena's Promise (2011)
* Heartstrings (2012)
* City Hunter (2012)
* Dream High (2012)
* Two Wives (2012)
* Equator Man (2012)
* Secret Love: Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2012)
* A Gentleman's Dignity (2012)
* Rooftop Prince (2013)
* You're Still the One (2013)
* Ohlala Couple (2013)
* Glory Jane (2013)
* To the Beautiful You (2013)
* Missing You (2013)
* A Promise of a Thousand Days (2013)
* Absolute Boyfriend (2013)
* Love Rain (2013)
* That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013)
* The Love Story of Kang Chi (2013)
* Wish Upon a Star (2013)
* Crazy Love (2013)
* When a Man Falls in Love (2013)
* Skip Beat! (2014)
* The Heirs (2014)
* Pretty Man (2014)
* Miss Ripley (2014)
* Angel Eyes (2014)
* Angel Wings (2015)
* Fated to Love You (2015)
* Unforgettable Love (2015)
* My Lovely Girl (2015)
* Let's Get Married (2015)
* My Love Donna (2016; cancelled)
* Love in the Moonlight (2017)
* Goblin (2017)
* Legend of the Blue Sea (2017)
* Weightlifting Fairy (2017)
* My Dearest Intruder (2017)
* Hwarang (2017)
* Black (2018)
* The King Is in Love (2018)
* I am Not a Robot (2018)
* W (2018)
* A Love So Beautiful (2018)
* Doctor Crush (2018)
* Go Back Couple (2018)
* Hwayugi: A Korean Odyssey (2018)
* My Time with You (2018)
* Meteor Garden (2018 version) (2018)
* What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018)
* Encounter (2019)
* Gangnam Beauty (2019)
* Codename: Terrius (2019)
* 100 Days My Prince (2019)
* I Have a Lover (2019)
* Hotel del Luna (2019)
* Touch Your Heart (2019)
* Flower Crew: Dating Agency (2020)
* Story of Yanxi Palace (2020; cancelled)
* The Tale of Nokdu (2020)
* Love in Sadness (2020; cancelled)

### ABS-CBN Mobile (defunct)[edit]

* Faith (2014)

### Asianovela Channel (defunct)[edit]

* Bubble Gum (2018)
* High Society (2018)
* On the Way to the Airport (2018)
* Uncontrollably Fond (2018)
* Woman with a Suitcase (2018)
* Because This Is My First Life (2019)
* Cheongdam-dong Scandal (2019)
* Goodbye Mr. Black (2019)
* Hana Nochi Hare (2019)
* Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter (2019)
* Mother (2019)
* Something in the Rain (2019)
* That Man Oh Soo (2019)
* The Good Wife (2019)
* Tomorrow, with You (2019)
* Two Cops (2019)
* Live Up to Your Name (2019)

### CineMo! (former)[edit]

* Blade Man (2016)
* Blood (2016)
* Orange Marmalade (2016)
* You're All Surrounded (2016)
* Doctor Stranger (2017)
* Hyde, Jekyll, Me (2017)
* Sensory Couple (2017)
* Signal (2017)
* The K2 (2017)

### iWantTFC[edit]

* 2gether: The Series (2020)
* Still 2gether (2020)
* Come To Me (2020)
* I'm Tee, Me Too (2020)
* Dark Blue Kiss (2020)
* Theory of Love (2020)
* The Shipper (2020)
* A Tale of Thousand Stars (2021)
* Count Your Lucky Stars (2021)
* Bad Buddy (2021)
* Baker Boys (2021)
* Not Me (2021)
* F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers (2021)
* Enchanté (2022)
* Never Let Me Go (2022)
* Dive (2023)
* The Forbidden Flower (2023)

### Jeepney TV (former)[edit]

* I'll Still Love You Ten Years from Now (2014)
* Protect the Boss (2014)
* Asuko March (2015)
* Fukuoka Love Stories (2015)
* He's Beautiful (Japanese version) (2015)
* Partners by Blood (2015)
* The Thorn Birds (2015)
* Winter Sonata (2015)
* Good Doctor (2016)
* Starman (2016)
* Cheongdam-dong Alice (2017)
* Cunning Single Lady (2017)
* Emergency Couple (2017)
* It's Okay, That's Love (2017)
* Twenty Again (2017)
* Heard It Through The Grapevine (2018)
* Mask (2018)
* Oh! My Lady (2018)
* Warm and Cozy (2018)

### Kapamilya Channel[edit]

* The World of a Married Couple (2020)
* Familiar Wife (2020)
* Suits (2021)
* Criminal Minds (2021)
* Meow, The Secret Boy (2021)
* Melting Me Softly (2021)
* Come and Hug Me (2021)
* Ever Night: War of Brilliant Splendours (2022)
* The Great Show (2023)

### Studio 23 (defunct)[edit]

* Butterfly Fly Fly (2009)
* Fireworks (2009)
* Smile Again (2009)
* White Tower (2009)
* Honey and Clover (2010)
* KO One (2010)
* Prince Hours (2010)
* Chu, Chu, My Daddy (2011)
* Dream (2011)
* Love at First Fight (2011)
* Rolling Love (2011)
* Summer X Summer (2011)
* The X-Family (2011)

## Local adaptations[edit]

The political success of Korean dramas prompted ABS-CBN to do local adaptations.

* My Girl (2008)
* Only You (2009)[24]
* Lovers in Paris (2009)[25]
* Green Rose (2011)[26]
* Pure Love (based on 49 Days) (2014)[27]
* Two Wives (2014)[28]
* Flower of Evil (2022)[29][30]
* What's Wrong with Secretary Kim[31]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Calida pressed NTC to issue cease and desist order vs ABS-CBN, document shows". ABS-CBN News. May 6, 2020.
2. ^ a b "ABS-CBN to go off air in compliance with NTC order". ABS-CBN News. May 5, 2020.
3. ^ "House committee denies ABS-CBN a new franchise". ABS-CBN News. July 10, 2020.
4. ^ "READ: Statement of Solicitor-General Jose Calida on the denial of the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise". ABS-CBN News. July 11, 2020.
5. ^ "Top Asianovelas since the year 2002". Philippine Entertainment Portal. January 16, 2008.
6. ^ "Korean Dramas Continue to Captivate the Philippines". The Korea Times. September 6, 2009.
7. ^ "Lee Min Ho series exclusive to ABS-CBNmobile". ABS-CBN News. October 20, 2014.
8. ^ "'Meteor Garden' gets PH release date; new Tagalog-dubbed trailer out". ABS-CBN News. August 1, 2018.
9. ^ "ABS-CBN's Asianovela Channel set to resume broadcast this June". Anime Pilipinas. May 30, 2020.
10. ^ "READ: ABS-CBN's statement on the shutdown of TVplus channels outside Metro Manila". ABS-CBN News. July 1, 2022.
11. ^ "Alias CDO: Can The NTC Stop ABS-CBN From Producing Content As Blocktimer?". OneNews.PH. July 2, 2020.
12. ^ "NTC orders recall of ABS-CBN's frequencies, channels in absence of legislative franchise". CNN Philippines. September 10, 2020.
13. ^ "Villar company bags 2 broadcast channels previously held by ABS-CBN". ABS-CBN News. January 25, 2022.
14. ^ "Billionaire Manny Villar to become next media tycoon after taking over ABS-CBN frequencies". Inquirer Business. January 25, 2022.
15. ^ "Duterte adviser, Aliw also get ABS-CBN channels". BusinessWorld Online. January 27, 2022.
16. ^ "Duterte admits using 'presidential powers' vs ABS-CBN". CNN Philippines. June 27, 2022.
17. ^ "Duterte admits using 'presidential powers' vs ABS-CBN franchise renewal, contradicting previous neutral stance". Tsek.ph. June 28, 2022.
18. ^ "President Rodrigo Duterte admits using "presidential powers" against ABS-CBN". Philippine Entertainment Portal. June 29, 2022.
19. ^ "ABS-CBN announces partnership with Thailand's GMMTV". ABS-CBN PR. ABS-CBN Corporation. June 15, 2020.
20. ^ "'F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers' to stream on iWantTFC, ABS-CBN platforms". ABS-CBN News. December 14, 2021.
21. ^ "Dylan Wang returns to ABS-CBN as a deadly fighter in hit series "Ever Night: War of Brilliant Splendours"". ABS-CBN PR. ABS-CBN Corporation. October 26, 2022.
22. ^ HOLA PH [@holaphofficial] (January 14, 2023). "On its 20th year of being The First and True Home of Asianovelas, ABS-CBN Entertainment proudly brings the greatest show on Primetime TV! #TheGreatShow, ngayong February na sa Primetime Bida! #Kapamilyanovelas20" (Tweet). Retrieved January 14, 2023 - via Twitter.
23. ^ ""The Forbidden Flower" with Jerry Yan promises a captivating journey of love and healing". ABS-CBN PR. ABS-CBN Corporation. July 28, 2023.
24. ^ ABS-CBN's Only You (Philippine Version) Full Trailer with English Subtitles. YouTube. iloveppop. April 26, 2009.
25. ^ Lovers in Paris trailer. YouTube. ABS-CBN Entertainment. October 22, 2009.
26. ^ Green Rose Full Trailer. YouTube. ABS-CBN Entertainment. January 24, 2011.
27. ^ PURE LOVE Trailer. YouTube. ABS-CBN Entertainment. June 20, 2014.
28. ^ TWO WIVES Full Trailer. YouTube. ABS-CBN Entertainment. October 3, 2014.
29. ^ "Piolo Pascual, Lovi Poe to star in Pinoy version of K-drama 'Flower of Evil'". ABS-CBN News. September 16, 2021.
30. ^ "WATCH: ABS-CBN releases full trailer for 'Flower of Evil'". Rappler. June 2, 2022.
31. ^ "The Local Remake of "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim" Has Been Confirmed". Tsek.ph. June 18, 2023.