Undercover Asia

CNA's award-winning investigative series Undercover Asia uncovers the hard truths in the underbelly of Asia, and exposes the unintended fallout of change in the fast-moving continent.

Cast & Crew

CNA's award-winning investigative series Undercover Asia uncovers the hard truths in the underbelly of Asia, and exposes the unintended fallout of change in the fast-moving continent. In this season we investigate: 1.The outcome of rules prohibiting maids from getting pregnant in Singapore 2.How profit is driving millions of women in India to undergo unnecessary c-sections 3.The hidden dangers of Mukbang videos 4.The unintended fallout of policies to destress kids in China 5.The impact of delisting of Cannabis as a narcotic in Thailand 6.The vaping invasion in Southeast Asia.

Ep 1 Prohibited Pregnancy (Singapore)
47 mins

In Singapore, about 170 pregnant domestic helpers are sent home every year, but actual figures could be higher because many turn to illegal abortion methods to avoid losing their jobs. Is there a better way to deal with maid pregnancies?

Ep 1 Prohibited Pregnancy (Singapore)

In Singapore, about 170 pregnant domestic helpers are sent home every year, but actual figures could be higher because many turn to illegal abortion methods to avoid losing their jobs. Is there a better way to deal with maid pregnancies?

Ep 2 A Million Cuts: India’s C-Section Epidemic
46 mins

In India, nearly half the deliveries in private hospitals are done through C-sections. That's 3 times the rate that the WHO recommends.Are millions of mums being forced into unnecessary C-sections?

Ep 2 A Million Cuts: India’s C-Section Epidemic

In India, nearly half the deliveries in private hospitals are done through C-sections. That's 3 times the rate that the WHO recommends.Are millions of mums being forced into unnecessary C-sections?

Ep 3 What’s Really Up With Mukbang?
46 mins

Highly celebrated in South Korea. Empowering poor women in India. Banned in China. Why have Mukbang eating videos caused such a stir?

Ep 3 What’s Really Up With Mukbang?

Highly celebrated in South Korea. Empowering poor women in India. Banned in China. Why have Mukbang eating videos caused such a stir?

Ep 4 Double Reduction, Triple The Stress?
46 mins

To score well in China's exams, students had to go for hours of tuition until a ban was imposed. Kids should be enjoying carefree childhoods now. Except tuition never disappeared.

Ep 4 Double Reduction, Triple The Stress?

To score well in China's exams, students had to go for hours of tuition until a ban was imposed. Kids should be enjoying carefree childhoods now. Except tuition never disappeared.

Ep 5 Cannabis Cowboy Country
47 mins

Cannabis is now legal in Thailand. As research show the impact of cannabis use on the growing brains of minors and young adults, is the kingdom trading its future while cashing in on the Green Rush?

Ep 5 Cannabis Cowboy Country

Cannabis is now legal in Thailand. As research show the impact of cannabis use on the growing brains of minors and young adults, is the kingdom trading its future while cashing in on the Green Rush?

Ep 6 Smoke And Mirrors: Southeast Asia’s Vaping Crisis
47 mins

Some herald it as the ultimate solution to the tobacco crisis. Others believe that it could trigger a new public health crisis of its own. Why has vaping, the purportedly safer alternative to smoking, caused such polarising views?

Ep 6 Smoke And Mirrors: Southeast Asia’s Vaping Crisis

Some herald it as the ultimate solution to the tobacco crisis. Others believe that it could trigger a new public health crisis of its own. Why has vaping, the purportedly safer alternative to smoking, caused such polarising views?

Ep 7 Inside The Exotic Butterfly Trade
47 mins

Every year, more than 100,000 butterflies are shipped across the globe, sold as collectibles. What drives this obsession? How do protected butterfly species make their way across borders, undetected?

Ep 7 Inside The Exotic Butterfly Trade

Every year, more than 100,000 butterflies are shipped across the globe, sold as collectibles. What drives this obsession? How do protected butterfly species make their way across borders, undetected?

Ep 8 Lombok's Poisoned Gold
46 mins

In Indonesia, informal gold miners are relying on mercury to extract gold from its ore. Fueled by crime and corruption, we reveal how the toxic metal and its illegal trade is poisoning miners slowly.

Ep 8 Lombok's Poisoned Gold

In Indonesia, informal gold miners are relying on mercury to extract gold from its ore. Fueled by crime and corruption, we reveal how the toxic metal and its illegal trade is poisoning miners slowly.

Ep 9 Dirty Drugs
47 mins

CNA's award-winning investigative series Undercover Asia uncovers the hard truths in the underbelly of Asia, and exposes the unintended fallout of change in the fast-moving continent.

Ep 9 Dirty Drugs

CNA's award-winning investigative series Undercover Asia uncovers the hard truths in the underbelly of Asia, and exposes the unintended fallout of change in the fast-moving continent.

Ep 10 Inside Indonesia's Ultras
47 mins

The Kanjuruhan stadium tragedy of October 2022 killed 135 people. We investigate Indonesia's ultra football fan clubs to see why they're the most extreme in Asia, and the reasons behind the disaster.

Ep 10 Inside Indonesia's Ultras

The Kanjuruhan stadium tragedy of October 2022 killed 135 people. We investigate Indonesia's ultra football fan clubs to see why they're the most extreme in Asia, and the reasons behind the disaster.

Additional Information

Premiered2023
Genrescurrent affairs
Seasons8
Suitable For All Ages