jdoramas.

Posted by Cheryl Ng.

Ahh…who can resist the J-Dorama!

A page-long write-up alone would not do it justice! I know this might be abit much to ask of you at the moment but… trust in the impartiality of my commentaries! And no! I have not been secretly recruited by some Japanese Tourism Board! (which, you see, I am sure is named something else)

And I’m sorry, but are they underrated and overshadowed (by Kdramas) or what?

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1 Litre of Tears (2005)

As its title perhaps not so subtly suggests, it’s a damn depressing drama. It is…depressing. But that being said!It is also…

Noope, there’s just…that. It’s…depressing. It just makes you want to creep away, huddle up in some corner with some Kleenex and cry that 1 Litre of Tears. Except, somehow, it is also riveting. Riveting and depressing. In its unflinching treatment of what is undeniably and unmitigatedly a horrible, horrible disease. I mean sure, there are some truly heartening displays of amazing human spirit…but doesn’t that just make it that much more tragic when she finally passes on? And yet, I recommend this drama for everyone…its a real…jolt to the soul.

(Oh yes, and that picture is their best publicity effort…I trawled the Internet. Jdoramas, what can I say?)

Quality: 10/10

Loveability: 9/10

***

14 Sai no Haha (2006)

In short, I think this was one of the most brilliant dramas (technicality-wise) I have ever watched. The acting deserves the kind of mad, raving praises you see all over Youtube and while I didn’t cry myself, I can see why male members of the audience admit publicly to sobbing over some of the scenes. The only thing that sort of…niggled at me was probably the overused Sad Music – it wasn’t even inappropriately used. It was, as some put it, beautiful – just…at some point, you get bored of things – beautiful Sad Music included. But I cannot get over its being opposed to almost every value and belief I hold dear. (It’s not that I’m dogmatic of bigoted – I’d like to think its just common sense raging up in fury at the drama’s brutal violation of all things common sense-ical) And I would definitely put up some disclaimer here to say that…I have been supremely biased in judging this drama and I will likely continue to be but I also think my biases as well-founded and logically justified, so. Maybe that’s good enough reason for you to catch the drama? It is a well-executed film and I’d wager, one of the more convincing and realistic ones we will see in a long time. There are few better dramas with which to truly challenge your worldview and rouse the culture skeptic in you.

Or if you aren’t feeling soooo intellectual – there’s Miura Haruma!

Quality: 8/10

Loveability: 2/10

***

Attention Please (2006)

It’s a deeply mediocre drama but then, in general, dramas can be counted on to entertain. And it does. Just don’t expect anything intensely hilarious, or exciting, or anything worth jumping about for. It does shed some light on an industry steeped in mystery (in Singapore’s context, anyway) so its fascinating that way and worth watching if you’re curious about Cabin Attendants/Stewardesses and all that. You won’t fall asleep but neither will it keep you up at night, riveted to the drama. Try and get past Misaki Yoko’s first few episodes – she gets (marginally) better towards the end what with her many Lessons Learnt. Watch this if you are really curious about the profession/ have got spare time to kill.

Quality: 5/10

Loveability: 6/10

***

CHANGE (2008)

As Jane Austen once succinctly put it in Northanger Abbey, “From politics, it was an easy step to silence.”

(Okay no, that quote isn’t particularly…literary or brilliant. But it’s been sticking around in my head like a spat-out wad of chewing gum to the sneaker. Anyway, this is digressing.)

CHANGE does a remarkable job in handling its tricky theme. No, it isn’t perfect – and don’t stick around if you are looking out for any particularly incisive or enlightening insights into the world of Politics. There is some ridiculous over-simplification of difficult concepts here that almost insults any Government today. But it is a drama in the truest sense of the word – it will leave you sleepless and at moments, breathless with a compelling plot and an even more compelling cast. And the moments that are so hard to buy? At least, you want to believe – and how much more can you ask for a drama, than to have it make you want to believe.

QUALITY: 9/10

LOVEABILITY: 10/10

***

Dragon Zakura (2005)

***

Gokusen (2002)

(and Gokusen 2 and Gokusen 3.)

Look, I swear, you will never find a more cruelly repetitive serial drama. Why they bothered making 10 episodes when 3 episodes would have concisely and effectively communicated everything they aimed to convey, I shall never understand. But let’s put it this way, if you found the first three episodes entertaining…you’ll love the entire Gokusen enterprise. No fan’ll ever complain of there being “too little” Gokusen, I suppose. Me? I thought it sufficiently entertaining to get through all three seasons while studying for the A Levels but then this was in comparison to Southeast Asian History and…(ew) Statistics (ew). Plus, hot guys! 😀 At least, yunno, the repetition’s kind of a treat to the eyes!

Quality: 5/10

Loveability: 5/10

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Galileo (2007)

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Good Luck (2003)

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Gira Gira (2008)

Giragira is a solid drama that holds is own. It is well-paced, offers insight into a world that is truly fascinating and (most importantly, I always feel) has the capacity to move and to the persuade. (Certainly, when it comes to Kosei’s family’s dynamic). There is nothing worse than a cold, limp fish of a drama that one might…simply spectate with glazed eyes. And this is not one of those dramas. It just doesn’t seem like the sort of drama anybody would want to catch – pinned as it is, on one of those themes people find so unfashionable and patently staid, “Family”. It might feature elements of Japan’s exciting night-life but it’s not difficult to imagine why one might be turned off by the middle-aged star of the show. And this is such a waste, because it really is a technically accomplished drama…with alot of heart.

QUALITY: 9/10

LOVEABILITY: 8/10

***

Hana Kimi (2007) aka Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

(Sorry, I just had to do that…I’m very very proud I remember its full name.)

KYAAAAAAA~!!! OHMYGOD! MIZUSHIMA HIRO, OGURI SHUN, IKUTA TOMA, YUSUKE YAMAMOTO AND MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY MORE!!! *hyperventilates and dies*

Okay, no. Seriously, I’ll do up a proper review later. 😀

Quality: 9.5/10

Loveability: 10*/10

***

Hana Yori Dango 2 (2007)

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Kimi wa Petto (2003) aka You’re my Pet

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Kurosagi (2006)

…Did not dig this series, yo.

Kurosagi is listed officially (well, on DramaWiki, anyway) as a “Crime Investigation”/ “Romance” drama but fails to live up to either. “Crime Investigation” wise, the drama consists of a series of feeble ploys to thwart doofus criminals. “Romance” wise, the drama is – without giving too much away – plain unsatisfying. Structurally, the drama covers several overarching themes and plotlines beyond the worthless episodic con jobs Kurosagi faces/commits. You will therefore, find the drama “improves” (in the sense that it actually engages your attention) as it goes along. Said overaching themes and plotlines (including the Romance bit of the show) are, admittedly, very intriguing indeed – the much hyped romance bit between Yamashita Tomohisa and Horikita Maki, in particular. These might be somewhat redeeming – but I say “redeem” only because it clearly does not actually “disguise” the formulaic and simplistic swindle-the-swindler ploys that is Sheer Boredom Epitomised. Watch it if you’re a huge fan of the Yamapi-Maki pairing (as I am), but don’t expect to be…entertained by the other 90% of the series.

Quality: 4/10

Loveability: 4/10

***

Last Friends (2008)

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Liar Game (2006)

OH MY GOD?! LIAR GAME IS F*CKING RAD! IT’S SO F*CKING GOOD, I AM T*LKING F*NNY! Go Watch it! Go Watch it! Go Watch it! (If it’s the only favour you do for me…and yourself!) It is intensely exciting and it is (at points) laugh-out-loud funny and there’s the odd bonus of an artistically genius set. You will tear your hair out in nervousness – if you aren’t already gripping the edges of your seat in excitement and you will shout very loudly “HOW F*CKING CLEVER!” – if you aren’t already stunned into silence by the kind of intellectual acrobatics of the show. And you will like this show very much indeed – if you aren’t so shamed by your own humble inadequacies or…if you don’t have bad taste. And who knew the Invisible F4 Member, Matsuda Shota, would be such Hot HOT Stuff here?!

Quality: 10*/10

Loveability: 9.5/10

(Minus 0.5 for the worst Special Episode I have seen EVERRRR!)

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Majo no Jouken (1999) aka Witch’s Requirement

Mei-Chan no Shitsuji (2009)

It’s like a super excellent Disney classic – triumphant and uplifting in its celebration of the best bits of humankind and so enjoyably escapist in its fantastical premise and its Mizushima Hiro. It’s simple but it’s sincere, and so compellingly likeable. I mean, if you liked Hana Kimi and Hana Yori Dango – and hello, I am sure you did – then you’ll completely love this cross between the both. LOVE it. Despite the filmsy prop and weak lead actor. I actually missed it alot when it ended, always a sign of an excellent must-watch.

Quality:7/10

Loveability: 10/10

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My Boss My Hero (2006)