April is upon us, bringing with it a torrent of new releases sure to excite and intrigue. Should you be feeling a tad spoilt for choice, fret not—Vogue Singapore has you covered with our curation of shows to binge out to from streaming platforms in the vein of Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+ this month.
First up: Our Blues. The South-Korean drama has been garnering buzz since its cast list was released; a star-studded showing comprising big names within the industry such as Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin. The multi-part series is touted as an exploratory piece charting the tangled lives of a select group of citizens living on Jeju Island, with each episode touching upon a specific character’s story and how it interweaves into a larger plot centering upon the thrills, triumphs and tribulations experienced in a person’s life. If anything, we say keep a box of tissues handy—the performances in the trailer alone serve as a testament to the troupe’s emotional range.
Then there’s Roar; an Apple TV+ anthological series conceived from the visionaries behind women’s professional wrestling series, Glow. Expect eight varied episodes exploring a multitude of themes ranging from ambition, love and lust, with the common thread being the complex and enthralling women serving as the lead to each story. Nicole Kidman, Issa Rae and Alison Brie star, alongside a diverse set of talents comprising actresses making their debuts to veterans harbouring storied portfolios.
Beyond the above selections from Apple TV+ and Netflix, there are also a heart-wrenching documentaries to look at from Disney+ in celebration of Earth Day. Explorer: The Last Tepui proves to be the most noteworthy of the lot; a chronicle of Free Solo climber, Alex Honnold, on his journey through and up a 1000-foot sheer cliff in the Amazon jungle in a bid to help distinguished biologist, Bruce Means, reach the famed massive “island in the sky” (a.k.a. tepui) to complete his life’s work.
Below, the full list of our top streaming picks of the month.
1 / 8
Ronny Chieng: Speakeasy
The follow-up to Chieng’s debut Netflix special, Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America has arrived. His characteristic wit and humour shines through in the recording of this intimate set conducted at Chinese Tuxedo bar and restaurant in New York City; an invigorating look at social issues as of late ranging from race relations, cancel culture and the pandemic as told through Chieng’s unique viewpoint. Then again, we expected nothing less from Vogue Singapore’s first-ever Mr Vogue.
Watch Ronny Chieng: Speakeasy on Netflix from 5 April.
2 / 8
The In-Between
Rom-com alum Joey King shows off her acting chops in The In-Between; a story centering on themes of love and grief in the aftermath of a tragedy that tears two lovers apart. King plays Tessa, an aspiring photographer who begins to receive signs and messages from her paramour after his death. This leads her to believe that he can return to the world of the living—no matter the consequences. Heart-wrenching and twisted in equal measure, it’s a far cry from the saccharine sweetness of King’s previous work, The Kissing Booth.
Watch The In-Between on Netflix from 8 April.
3 / 8
Yaksha: Ruthless Operations
An action-packed spy thriller to set your hearts racing—revolving around a black ops team from the NIS, with the involvement of a special prosecutor played by Squid Game’s Park Hae Soo. Expect the espionage to escalate with a mind-bending operation, carried out by adept members from the squad, featuring a star-studded cast with the likes of Sol Kyung-gu and GOT7’s Park Jinyoung.
Watch Yaksha: Ruthless Operations on Netflix from 8 April.
4 / 8
Our Blues
The one-of-a-kind experiences of small-town living are highlighted in this gripping South-Korean drama following the lives of specific inhabitants living on Jeju Island. They include disillusioned salesman, Lee Dong-seok (Lee Byung-hun); newly-arrived resident Min Sun-A (Shin Min-a); cheerful ship captain Park Jung-joon (Kim Woo-bin) and more. Each episode zooms in on a specific story while also providing a macro-perspective on the village as a whole, logging the multitude of fascinating ways said inhabitants intertwine.
Watch Our Blues on Netflix from 9 April.
5 / 8
Roar
Black Mirror fans are sure to enjoy this anthropological series that spotlights a different genre and story per episode. Brimming with heart, intellect and razor-sharp observations, it encompasses absorbing plotlines such as on a woman who gets in a relationship with a duck, as well as one who eats photographs—literally. Catch Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, and Issa Rae star in this take on darkly comedic feminist fables based upon the best-selling book by Cecelia Ahern.
Watch Roar on Apple TV + from 15 April.
6 / 8
Selling Sunset Season 5
Drama has descended upon our front doors once more. Season 5 of the real-estate reality series sees some shocking new twists in the form of an unexpected coupling between Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim; Christine Quinn’s ongoing rivalry with just about everyone; and the possible return of old favourites while also welcoming new agents into the fray.
Watch Selling Sunset Season 5 on Netflix from 22 April.
7 / 8
Explorer: The Last Tepui
This must-see documentary follows climber, Alex Honnold of Free Solo fame leading a team up a 1000-foot cliff located within treacherous jungle terrain; a venture to assist National Geographic Explorer Bruce Means to the top so he is able to observe and record the many undiscovered animals dwelling within the Amazon jungle. The one-hour special is a part of the streaming platform’s Earth-Day festivities, of which will commence on 22 April and will include many other compelling documentaries.
Watch Explorer: The Last Tepui on Disney+ from 22 April.
8 / 8
Shining Girls
Emmy-award winner Elisabeth Moss brings her nuanced abilities to Shining Girls; a thriller-mystery series based upon a novel of the same name. The story is told through the eyes of Chicago newspaper archivist, Kirby Mazrachi (Moss), whose life takes a shocking turn after she is assaulted. A recent murder with remarkable similarities to her own attack draws her attention, leading her to partner up with a reporter Dan Velazquez to put the pieces together.
Watch Shining Girls on Apple TV+ from 29 April.
