The Asian Guilt Code

Across Asia, guilt is more than a feeling, it's a force.

Shaped by centuries of philosophy, power structures, and cultural expectations, guilt calibrates our moral compass and sets social norms. It’s both familiar and intangible at the same time. Where does guilt come from and how does it steer us forward?

Social psychologist Elaine Fernandez travels across India, China, Japan and the Philippines to uncover the hidden architecture of guilt across Asia. How is it taught, wielded, resisted, and reimagined? She explores these questions and the impact they have on the region with journalists, academics and content creators.

The stakes are high, as guilt invisibly directs our family dynamics, national identities, legislation, and even seeps into the future of AI.

Episodes: 2 x 60 minutes

Languages: English

Production year: 2026