TV shows coming to Singapore in June: Black Mirror S5, Arthdal Chronicles, and more
Every month, we’ll tell you about new comedies and dramas to hit terrestrial and cable channels, as well as streaming sites in Singapore. We’ll also highlight the television shows that you’ve got to be home (or on your phone) to catch every month.
Overview of June shows
Korean shows hit in full force this month, with multiple channels screening Korean dramas. You've got Netflix's Arthdal Chronicles, Search: WWW out on Viu and tvN, Partners for Justice S2 out on Viu and OhK!, and assorted others. Of particular note is Black Mirror S5, which is going to finally debut on Netflix this month (production was delayed thanks to the mammoth task of shooting last December's Black Mirror feature Bandersnatch). It's going to be a good month.
Arthdal Chronicles (1 Jun)
Netflix
Arthdal Chronicles is a Korean fantasy drama series set in the titular city of Arthdal, an ancient city in the mythical land of Arth. In land of cursed signs, warrior tribes, and non-human races, four characters find themselves fighting for power and love – conqueror Eun-seom (Song Joong-ki), war hero Ta-gon (Jang Dong-gun), politician Tan-ya (Kim Ji-won), and Empress Tae Al-ha (Kim Ok-vin).
In case you're wondering — yes, that's the same Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won from Descendants of the Sun. The new drama looks slick and polished, with the slight exception of the laugh-inducing curly locks of Eun-seom (Song Joong-ki). That aside, the production values look excellent and the story looks believably epic enough that it could be a mythical legend. As long as it steers clear of melodrama and keeps its stakes high, Arthdal Chronicles could be a hit.
Black Mirror (5 Jun)
Netflix
A science-fiction anthology series in the vein of Twilight Zone, Black Mirror explores a dark and twisted future with advanced technology. But no matter how high-tech the world becomes, humans will always twist technology for their darkest instincts. Season 5 of Black Mirror will be no different.
Although what little CGI is in the trailer isn't great, the fifth season of Black Mirror looks promising, especially since it features bigger names like Anthony Mackie, Miley Cyrus, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Topher Grace. It's only three episodes long (just like in the original seasons), but we had Bandersnatch late last year, remember? We're excited, but a little bit nervous, about the horrors that technology will birth in this new season of Black Mirror.
Search: WWW
Viu (6 Jun)
tvN (Singtel Ch 518, Starhub Ch 824) (6 Jun, Thursdays and Fridays 9.45pm)
Search: WWW is a drama focusing on the tumultuous lives of career women in the tech industry. Competitive and confident Bae Ta-mi (Im Soo-jung) is the director of leading Korean Internet portal site Unicorn who finds her life turned upside down when she crosses paths with music company CEO Park Mo-geon (Jang Ki-yong). But before sparks can fly, she must contend with the stunning Cha Hyun (Lee Da-hee), the manager of rival company Baro. Which will Bae Ta-mi put first — career or love?
An Internet company named "Unicorn" is incredibly on-the-nose, so let's hope that the rest of Search: WWW doesn't clobber viewers with more attempts to show how hip and woke it is (also, who keys in "WWW" into a search bar?). Still, a Korean drama about career women in the chauvinistic tech industry is a refreshing concept, even if it is anchored by the typical romantic dalliances that every Korean drama has to include. If Search: WWW can truly depict the struggles and challenges of being a working woman in the tech industry, then we've got a winner on our hands.
The Last O.G. (Season 2) (21 Jun, Fridays 8.35pm)
Warner TV (Starhub TV Ch 515, Singtel TV Ch 306)
The Last O.G. is a comedy that centres around Tray (Tracy Morgan), an ex-convict who returns to Brooklyn only to discover that everything has changed, including the fact that his ex-girlfriend Shay (Tiffany Haddish) and children now live with her affable white husband, Josh (Ryan Gaul). Season 2 of the series follows Tray's journey to become a chef while Shay embarks on an exciting business journey.
The real joy in seeing Tracy Morgan's performances nowadays is seeing him play characters who squirm and struggle in uncomfortable situations, like Tray. Fortunately, he's buoyed by strong co-stars and a feel good undercurrent which actually seems to give meaning to his (fairly) uncomfortable situations. The Last O.G.'s second season also sees a mini 30 Rock reunion with guest star Jack McBrayer appearing in one of the episodes.
Cable
Warner TV (Starhub TV Ch 515, Singtel TV Ch 306)
The Last O.G. (Season 2) (21 Jun, Fridays 8.35pm)
Oh!K (Singtel TV Ch 525/611, StarHub TV Ch 816)
Partners for Justice (Season 2) (4 Jun, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 7.50pm)
Secrets and Lies (6 Jun, Tuesdays to Fridays 9.00pm)
Feast of the Gods (11 Jun, Mondays to Fridays 11.00pm)
Love in Sadness (24 Jun, Mondays 7.50pm)
HBO
Big Little Lies (Season 2) (10 Jun, Mondays 9am and 10pm)
Deadwood (movie) (2 Jun, Sunday 9pm)
CINEMAX
Jett (15 Jun, Saturdays 10am and 10pm)
tvN (Singtel TV Ch 518, Starhub TV Ch 824)
Search: WWW (6 Jun, Thursdays and Fridays 9.45pm)
Save Me (3 Jun, Mondays and Tuesdays 11pm)
Streaming
Viu
Partners For Justice 2 (4 Jun)
Perfume (4 Jun)
Search: WWW (6 Jun)
Netflix
Arthdal Chronicles (1 Jun)
Oh Romana! (movie) (1 Jun)
A Thousand Goodnights (1 Jun)
Black Mirror (Season 5) (5 Jun)
I Am Mother (7 Jun)
Rock My Heart (7 Jun)
Jinn (13 Jun)
Murder Mystery (movie) (14 Jun)
Beats (movie) (19 Jun)
Dark (Season 2) (21 Jun)
Mr Iglesias (21 Jun)
Shaft (movie) (28 Jun)
