Asian drama update

[alexandral]

I have watched quite few different things recently:

Slow Dance. I gulped it in one go on Thursday which resulted in huge under-sleep on Friday. This is a lovely drama if you are a fan of the story how "an older woman helps a younger man to find himself and after that they marry in a very happy way". To be fair, the drama felt a little as if it was made to cater for the needs of over-thirty working ladies. But I didn't mind this at all because any drama that has both Fujiki Naohito and Tsumabuki Satoshi brooding, angsting and falling in love is wonderful by default.

I would appreciate recommendations of any dramas with Fujiki Naohito and Tsumabuki Satoshi very much.

Money's Warfare I have almost finished it, I just don't want to watch the last episode because I don't want the drama to finish. I have fallen in love with it's crazy ways completely. It scooped Baeksang awards for the best drama and the best male perfomace by Park Shing Yang. I must do a full post on "Maney's Warfare" to try to lure others into watching it :D, but at this time I have to mention that the episode 13 had the best kiss in the history of Asian drama. :D

Powerful Opponents (Kangjeok) I loved the first two episodes for the sake of the female herouine who is the cutest thing and the secondary guy, Yoo Gwang Pil who is wonderfully gloomy. He rocks my socks with his reserve. On the other hand, this drama has the ugliest lead male I have ever seen up to date. The President's Son has: Rabbit Teeth, Scared eyes, Bad dress sense and the haircut of Hong Gil Dong. I intend to call him Rabbit Teeth (or RT in short) from now on.

See what I mean: (Update: I watched more of "Powerful Opponents and Rabbit Teeth is improving on me).



One question: Do female bodyguards wear high-heels? Wouldn't this interfere with the duty? Don't they have "sensible shoes" dress code??????

Zettai Kareshi Love, pure love. If anyone have read the manga, please spoil me - Whom will the herouine (Riko) will choose at the end? The Robot? The Cheeky Manager Guy? I am rooting for the Cheeky Manager.. because he is human and the Robot (a gorgeous looking guy, no doubt!) is not and Riko won't be able to have many cute babies with the Robot, right?

Around 40.
Big plus: Fujiki Naohito!
Big minus: He plays a militant ecologically conscious guy and this self-righteous type annoys me to no end. I have personal reasons. :D
Some more big plus: I have only seen two episodes but so far I like the way the drama is dealing with the questions of "What is more important for a woman? Her career? Her family? Her friends? And should a woman marry and live in her marriage without love, just for the sake of the social acceptance?". The main female herouine is awesome and absolutely free of any stereotypes.
The result: I would recommend this to any fan of grown-up range of Japanese dramas.

Comments

[amandioka.livejournal.com]

*puts Slow Dance on list of to watch doramas*

I watched with a lot of fastfowarding the first two episodes of Powerful Opponents. I didn't like the leads so I think I'll just give it up. The girl kinda annoys me and the president's son is a rebel without an angst act that attracts me. Hehe.

The Zettai Kareshi manga is about Riiko, a highschool girl, her robot boyfriend and her neighbor-childhood friend Soshi. Other than those simple facts, the dorama remains true to the manga, so perhaps the ending will be the same: Riiko chooses Night over Soshi, but for some reason Night stops working overnight (he keeps getting more and more sleepy, than one morning he doesn't wake up). After some time of "mourning" Soshi comes back from a trip he took so he can get together with Riiko because Night, who knew what would happen to him, asked Soshi to take care of Riiko. Kind of a sad/happy ending.

One thing I don't like about the dorama, though, is that dorama!Night is too stupid. Didn't Riiko select the "inteligent" option? He acts way too much like a robot, which is obvious, but contradicts the manga, which shows a very much human Night to the point of actually confusing the main character. Other than that, I love the dorama :) And those creemy things Riiko cooks look delicious!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I watched with a lot of fastfowarding the first two episodes of Powerful Opponents. I didn't like the leads so I think I'll just give it up. The girl kinda annoys me and the president's son is a rebel without an angst act that attracts me. Hehe.

I agree, apart from the fact that he doesn't look good, the President's son doesn't play the angst well and it just looks as if he is a whiny baby. He must have a good reason for his behaviour but so far I don't see it. ;D And the way he looks! This haircut wasn't particular good even on Hang Ji Hwan who is dead handsome! It certainly doesn't do any favours to the President's son.

I like the girl v. much. I think I just relate to her experience of working in male-dominated environment. But she does act as 12-year old. I hope she will change.

Thank you very much for the update on Zettai Kareshi. I thought for some reason that the ending will be something as what you described.

I also thought that Night could have been a bit more intelligent, but I think he will adapt. Imagine – he is a self-teaching machine and at the start he is just like a clean sheet paper and adapts better as the time progresses.

[amandioka.livejournal.com]

Let me know if there are any changes in that dorama. If it gets more interesting, I might pick it up again. :)

I hope I didn't spoil it too much for you ^^' But really, we never know how much similar to the manga it's going to be until we actually see it, right? I'm kind of rooting for Soshi too. (Isn't it weird that he was playing a high school student in Hana Kimi, just last year, and now he's a manager? Though he still looks young.)

he is a self-teaching machine and at the start he is just like a clean sheet paper and adapts better as the time progresses.
That makes a lot of sense! I hope he gets better and stops saying "I'm her ideal boyfriend" all the time ;P hehe

Oh btw, Night is supposed to read Riiko's emotions using the bracelet, but it seems that in the dorama the bracelet is used for the Khronos Heaven's research, or something.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Let me know if there are any changes in that dorama. If it gets more interesting, I might pick it up again. :)

Subs for the episodes 3 and 4 of Powerful Opponents are out. I'll keep you posted. :D

I hope I didn't spoil it too much for you ^^' But really, we never know how much similar to the manga it's going to be until we actually see it, right? I'm kind of rooting for Soshi too. (Isn't it weird that he was playing a high school student in Hana Kimi, just last year, and now he's a manager? Though he still looks young.)

Oh, no! I love spoilers. Not knowing what the ending is always unsettles me terribly. I think the ending will be more or less the same as in the manga.
Soshi looks young, but considering he is the president's son it seems believable because he would not have to work his way upwards.

Oh btw, Night is supposed to read Riiko's emotions using the bracelet, but it seems that in the dorama the bracelet is used for the Khronos Heaven's research, or something.

The way I understood it (I could be wrong) that night is connected to the bracelet and when Riiko is unhappy it makes him "unhappy". Remember, when she become frustrated with him at one time Night stopped function all together because the readings on the bracelet were so "blue".

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Fujiki Naohito: Hotaru no Hikari. Also GalCir, though that one's incredibly cracked out.

On the Zettai Kareshi front...I don't know who she ends up with, but in the end, I stopped following the manga because it seemed to have Riko and Night as the big epic love, and I just couldn't swallow that.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Fujiki Naohito: Hotaru no Hikari

This has become must-see. Thank you for the rec! YAY!

BUT !! GalCir!! "Kitajima Shinnosuke, a cowboy from the USA who goes to Shibuya to find a group of girls to dance Para-Para. Along the way, he becomes a new type of hero, helping to solve problems that afflict Shibuya-Gals. ". I am very tempted. :D

I stopped following the manga because it seemed to have Riko and Night as the big epic love, and I just couldn't swallow that.

I din't mind this turn of events as it reminds me of "The Silver Metal Lover" (one of the books I loved long time ago) but still - I would like Riiko to end up with a functional relationship.

[amandioka.livejournal.com]

Sorry to butt in, but I second the Hotaru no Hikari rec!

I'm not a huge fan of Fujiki Naohito (he's okay to me) but I LOVE him in HnH :D And Amemiya Hotaru is a wonderful character too, so funny and charming.

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I will watch Hotaru no Hikari definitely now :) Thanks for the rec!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Sorry to butt in, but I second the Hotaru no Hikari rec!

EEEEEE! Thank you! I am definitely watching this!

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've noticed(and heard) the SML comparison before. I think, though, that the difference is that in ZK, he's programmed to love her. In SML, he's programmed to pleasure whoever owns him at the time, or whoever they tell him to pleasure. The love part hard nothing to do with programming.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've noticed(and heard) the SML comparison before. I think, though, that the difference is that in ZK, he's programmed to love her. In SML, he's programmed to pleasure whoever owns him at the time, or whoever they tell him to pleasure. The love part hard nothing to do with programming.

I noticed this too. But I have a feeling that Night's affections for Riiko will also develop beyond "the call of duty". I could be wrong, but I don't see her falling in love with him just yet.. he is too robot-y.

I must say, if I don't see Night changing and falling in love with her for real and not just because he is programmed, I will share your position. It will be then as if Riiko going to fall in love with someone who drank a love portion , or something similar.

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

I really liked Slow Dance too, eventhough it was slow in some parts. For some reason I always think that there is a resemblance between the actress and Zhang Ziyi ^^ I don't know if you've watched Itoshi Kimi e, but Fujiki Naohito is supposed to be real hot there. ah_chung told me that Itoshi Kimi e is about a photographer that will go blind in 3 months and a pediatrician in training who ends up falling for him and the obstacles that they have to overcome to be together. She also recommended Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003, despite Fujiki playing a dark character. She says that "Naohito plays a teacher who learns that he has a terminal illness. Because of some misunderstandings, one of his students ends up thinking she has the disease instead of him. And Naohito's character instead of correcting things lets her believe that she will die when in reality it is him. There's also taboo stuff like teacher/student relationship, etc. It's a really good drama but definitely not a feel good fluffy one."

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for all these recs!!!

I rewinded some parts of "Slow Dance" .. :D Wasn't the ending wonderful? I was rooting for Richi so much.

ah_chung told me that Itoshi Kimi e is about a photographer that will go blind in 3 months and a pediatrician in training who ends up falling for him and the obstacles that they have to overcome to be together.

This sounds totally yummy. I love stories about "the love against all odds". I don't like terminal illness stories (unless they involve Hyun Bin) but any story where a disadvantaged person finds his/her haplinness is a total win. They make me feel better about the unfair world we live in. :D

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Yes, the ending of Slow Dance was great! It's a slow but feel good drama :) Re: Fujiki Naohito. I just bought a DVD of his live concert performance from a few years back. Am keen to see whether or not I will like his music ^^ I thin for a first drama of his, I will try Hotaru no Hikari.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh, they all sing, don't they? I am not a huge fan of Asian pop at all, but I am generally not a fan of pop.
I think for my next Fujiki Naohito's drama I am sold on the "photographer goes blind" one.. :D


But I am watching Aishiteiru to Itte Kure now. So great. It is like "Silence" without dying.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

ZK. She ends up with boss. Night dies.

Re: powerful Opponents. Awww, I adore the President's Son with unholy love. Aww, well, more for me :)

Fujiki Naohito dramas? I am sure everyone will rec Hotaru No Hikari, and it's very good, but I want to rec Itoshi Kimi E (just look on that tag in my LJ). He is a photographer going blind and falling for a pediatrician. It's my second fave jdrama ever.

As to Satoshi, he starred in Orange Days, which I haven't seen but is widely loved.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

ZK. She ends up with boss. Night dies.

I like the boss, my shippings seem to have gone all wrong recently.

Re: powerful Opponents. Awww, I adore the President's Son with unholy love. Aww, well, more for me :)

Oh, please take him whole. I don't remember anyone from Korea seem so ugly to me. I need to find some better pictures of this actor, I think. May be he is good and it is all in the way he wears his pajamas?..

Fujiki Naohito dramas? I am sure everyone will rec Hotaru No Hikari, and it's very good, but I want to rec Itoshi Kimi E (just look on that tag in my LJ). He is a photographer going blind and falling for a pediatrician. It's my second fave jdrama ever.

Oh, I am going to watch Itoshi Kimi E first, I think.. Dian liked it too and then I can have a double of "disadvantaged person finds his happiness and love" (with Zettai Kares) . I am a terrible fan of these stories. Our world is so unfair I like it be better in fiction, at least.

As to Satoshi, he starred in Orange Days, which I haven't seen but is widely loved.

Thank you ! I like him already! He has dimples!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I like the boss, my shippings seem to have gone all wrong recently.

Not in case if ZK, clearly. I have to say, I adore the manga this is based on, but in one way the drama is superior. In the manga I liked Soshi. But in the drama? I adore him with mad passion.

Oh, please take him whole.

ROFL. I must admit I like him mainly for two reasons, neither of which is applicable for you (though yes, I do find him attractive).

1. I am a sucker for older woman/younger man, bratty bad boy who is rich, strong lady who is poor type stuff. I'll swallow anything with this premise.

2. I loved him as secondary guy in Smile Again so much. He was just so aweet and awesome. So I am happy he might get the girl.

But I admit, I also find this (http://photonews.paran.com/newsphoto/2006/06/08/en/en200606061634511001_0.jpg) hot, and you do not :) Might like him better this way? (http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/1645/08fm.jpg)

Itoshi Kimi E is just amazing. It made me cry from the sheer quiet beauty of some scenes. And Fujiki Naohito is just unbearably beautiful in it.

I loved Satoshi in Dororo, a movie about a samurai who is missing most of his limbs (it's a fantasy, don't ask) but I don't think it's your thing.

I really need a FN icon, but don't have one so will use Pride icon instead.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

But in the drama? I adore him with mad passion.

Me too. :D But I am trying to fight it ! Remember what happened with Hong Gil Dong?? :D But yes, Soji is rather awesome. It is great to see a guy who is has brains enough to recognize how awesome Riiko is.

1. I am a sucker for older woman/younger man, bratty bad boy who is rich, strong lady who is poor type stuff. I'll swallow anything with this premise.

Actually, I am a great fan of these stories too. :D Only I go only so far in the "bratty" direction. A guy who is whiny in his 20s (whatever happened to him, it doesn't matter) doesn't make my heart beat faster. I rather get "Oh, naughty child!" motherly response. :D

But I admit, I also find this hot, and you do not :)

This is a step in the right direction. May be he'll spike his hair soon and keep his moth closed??

Might like him better this way?

OH!NOOOOOOOOOO! Rabbit Teeth!

Itoshi Kimi E is just amazing. It made me cry from the sheer quiet beauty of some scenes. And Fujiki Naohito is just unbearably beautiful in it.

I am d-ling as we speak. :D

I loved Satoshi in Dororo, a movie about a samurai who is missing most of his limbs (it's a fantasy, don't ask) but I don't think it's your thing.

IS he attractive??? :D

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Actually I haven't watched any Fujiki Naohito drama except Slow Dance (sorry I said earlier that for a first drama of his I'd watch Hotaru no Hikari - I'd forgotten that I saw him already in Slow Dance!). I have seen him in a very brief movie titled Jams Film S (it was a collection of Japanese festival dramas), in which I thought he looked like Takuya Kimura (!!). I'd love to watch Itoshi Kimi e but they aren't sold here in Indonesia/Jakarta yet. So I wil have to wait :D

His latest drama, Around 40, sounds interesting, too. http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Around_40 Wikipedia says:

39-year-old Ogata Satoko is a highly capable psychiatrist who is single. She's forthright, a caring older sister and reliable in her job and in private. Her interests are staying in luxurious Japanese inns and watching stand-up comedy videos. Satoko hasn't had a boyfriend in the past five years. Nevertheless, she derives satisfaction from work and isn't worried about her finances. Among her good friends that she hangs out with are 35-year-old Morimura Nao, her junior who proclaims that she won't marry, and 39-year-old Oikawa Sadao, her peer since high school. Satoko is happily enjoying the single life. At an alumni reunion as everyone is on the verge of 40, Takeuchi Mizue, her good friend since high school who is now a full-time housewife, rushes Satoko into action. "If you want children, you should marry now" and "It's women's happiness", but both are lost on Satoko, who isn't convinced. One day, Satoko attempts to cheer up Nao, who is downcast over a shocking incident, and goes to her favourite hot-spring inn. There she coincidentally encounters a breakup between a handsome but somewhat odd man, Okamura Keitaro (Fujiki Naohito), and his girlfriend...

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

I avoided this post because I didn't want to be spoiled for anything! :)

I just have to say though that (as you know), I also love Fujiki Naohito, and you should try out Hotaru no Hikari, which was one of my favorite dramas from last summer. It was just fun and cute and quite adorable. I also like Itoshi Kimi e, and I am definitely enjoying Around 40. I would not suggest that you watch Proposal Daisakusen because I really didn't care for it overall, but Fujiki isn't bad. I'm hoping that we get complete new subs for Antique, an old drama that Fujiki did with Takki which I have, but it seems to be a very bad translation of Chinese subtitles so the English subs are horrible - I got through 2 episodes and gave up, but I hear that someone might be working on new subtitles now.

Re: Tsumabuki Satoshi, have you seen Orange Days - it's a wonderful drama, and he's one of the main leads, along with the always-wonderful Shibasaki Kou (Good Luck!, Galileo).

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I avoided this post because I didn't want to be spoiled for anything! :)

I am so sorry – my posts are usually ridden with spoilers in comments. It is better when the comments collapse, though. ;D

I just have to say though that (as you know), I also love Fujiki Naohito, and you should try out Hotaru no Hikari, which was one of my favorite dramas from last summer. It was just fun and cute and quite adorable.

I will definitely watch "Hotaru no Hikari" but at the moment I am also enjoying "Around 40" so I am quite sarisfied with "drama about working women" direction. I am goignt to find " Itoshi Kimi e" and " Orange Days" as soon as I finish " Aishiteiru to Itte Kure" (it is so great I want to finish it as soon as I can. What a lovely drama). Have you seen it? It seems as something that you can enjoy, very gentle and thoughtful.

I'm hoping that we get complete new subs for Antique, an old drama that Fujiki did with Takki which I have, but it seems to be a very bad translation of Chinese subtitles so the English subs are horrible - I got through 2 episodes and gave up, but I hear that someone might be working on new subtitles now.

This would be great – both Fujiki and Takki in the same drama!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It is about gay bakers, btw, so I think it doesn't sound too exciting (especially since they took the 'gay' part largely out of the drama, which is based on a manga where that angle is explicit).

They are making a Korean movie based on the same thing, with Joo Ji Hoon in Fujiki Naohito's role.

[joonni.livejournal.com]

I am looking forward to your post on money's warfare.

AS for Zettai kareshi, I love. and I am rooting for the manager guy but I totally love the robot too.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

AS for Zettai kareshi, I love. and I am rooting for the manager guy but I totally love the robot too.

They both are great and I also love the happy feel of the drama and the heroine's outfits. They are lovely.
I prefer Soshi because let's face it - love with someone who can have kids with you and grow old with you or life with a robot??