Asian drama work not a likely failure (2-5)
I believe the answer is:
no-hoper
'likely failure' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'asian drama work not a' is the wordplay.
'asian drama' becomes 'noh' (type of drama in Japan).
'work' becomes 'opera' (musical work).
'not' suggests deleting specific letters.
'opera' with 'a' removed is 'oper'.
'noh'+'oper'='NO-HOPER'
(Other definitions for no-hoper that I've seen before include "One with no prospects" , "One with little prospect of success" , "definite loser" , "Person not expected to be successful" , "Person expected to fail" .)