“Paihere,” which means “to unify” in the Māori language, is a powerful word that will resonate deeply as you experience Korban Part II, a multilingual series that builds on this very theme. This is the highly anticipated follow-up to the original Korban which earned accolades such as Best Cinematography at the 2022 New Zealand Web Fest and Best Videography at Pesta Perdana 2023.

In Christchurch, Aisyah, a gifted chef who migrated to New Zealand in pursuit of the secret to her ultimate dish, faces an unexpected challenge when she loses her sense of taste. Her journey of self-discovery leads her to blend Muslim and Māori traditions, forging a distinctive culinary legacy that transcends borders and beliefs.

Jeevan Nathan, Executive Producer and Director of Korban, describes the first instalment as the ‘appetiser’ and Part II as the ‘main course.’ He expressed gratitude to viewers who shared positive feedback on social media, noting that their encouragement inspired him to take a more innovative approach for the sequel. With Mediacorp backing the team’s vision, the story evolved against the stunning backdrop of New Zealand, embracing the richness of its diverse culture.

Rae Saleha shared that the team instantly clicked when they finally met in person in New Zealand, despite coming from different countries; Singapore and Malaysia. Before the pandemic, scenes were filmed separately. “The unspoken support for one another brought the cast closer,” she said. Nurul Aini added, “We all stayed in the same building. During dinner, I cooked local Malay dishes like Lemak Ayam and Sambal Tumis, using spices I brought from home. We bonded over meals and felt more like family than colleagues working overseas.”

Besides the delicious Malay and Māori dishes prepared by Rae & Aaron at the restaurant, Korban Part II takes you on an emotional journey. It tells a story about love, life, and the struggles of starting over as a Singaporean working overseas to build a better future. Rae’s fiancé, played by Evander, said he shows respect for the culture by learning to speak Malay. He also shared that acting with Aiman Hakim was the hardest because Aiman is great at ad-libbing.

The drama is a great example of global storytelling, blending Muslim and Māori cultures through a mix of Malay, English, and Māori languages. “All cultures share similarities that bring people together,” said Hans. “They may face different challenges and views, but common themes like passion, love, and life’s struggles unite them,” he added. The six-episode series also features stunning cinematography, capturing the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand.

Catch Korban Part II every Thursday at 9.30pm on Suria or on mewatch and Mediacorp Drama on YouTube.