Meari21

You are shaming and judging. Have a nice laugh.

And so what?! I enjoyed the cooking scenes and secondary characters. I could say the same for you, you rated K-pop Demon Hunters 8.5 but I didn’t like it as much. Are we shaming each other’s taste now?

That’s why I thought they had great chemistry because I felt something even though there weren’t enough kisses. Great chemistry to me is when they’re just sitting next to each other and yet you can tell they’re in love. No need for I love yous, hugs, or kisses, or even them staring longingly at each other’s eyes. Their pairing, to me, is akin to Tsuchiya Tao and Yamazaki Kento’s chemistry in Orange. Those two didn’t even have a single kissing scene in that movie.

Not a fan of the FL either. She’s quite manipulative and scheming, very similar to Lu Yuxiao’s other role, Shangguan Qian, which I also wasn’t fond of.

Agreed. I also dropped that drama. It just wasn’t for me.

I preferred Minghao with Zhou Ye though. They have great chemistry on and off screen. They’re also just a year apart. But this drama has a more interesting premise in my opinion. The first episode got me hooked and intrigued immediately.

Wait, this is based on Colorcloud Palace?! I'm looking forward to this! I really hope they'd make a live action drama of The Apothecary's Diaries. I really enjoyed the anime because it felt like watching a historical C-drama.

Not sure if this will be available in my region, though.

He became popular for Overprotective Kahoko, Kamen Rider, and Love You As The World Ends, those appeal to the younger crowd. Yakusho Koji is the star of Rikuoh, he plays a supporting role there so I don’t count it. What I mean by serious works is the likes of Shoplifters or Perfect Days. He hasn’t starred in movies like that where he’s the lead. 10Dance is not an idol movie. The themes in that alone are not for teens, there’s nudity too. You don’t see that sort of thing in his popular works. Him choosing to star in a film like that is basically him telling everyone he’s an adult actor who is more than ready to do more mature roles.

In Japan, they don't need proof, they will crucify an actor for simply being involved in a scandal. Many lose projects over something as trivial as a rumor.

I believe the reason he hasn't gotten significant accolades yet is because he hasn't done a lot of serious films that become blockbuster hits in Japan. His popular works are what I would categorize as "idol" dramas because they appeal more to the younger audience. I think that's why he accepted this role. It can propel him to greater heights and offer him more opportunities as a mature actor. The director is Otomo Keishi, a renowned Japanese filmmaker known for his Rurouni Kenshin films and Ryomaden series, any actor would want to work with him. After all, this is the same director who gave Sato Takeru his biggest break.

I think it's high time J-dramas appeal to a wider crowd. It's not Netflix's fault that K-dramas have evolved into what it is now. This is a conscious decision made by their local producers and filmmakers to appeal to a larger market. There wouldn't have been a Korean cultural invasion if they hadn't done that. What Netflix can do to J-entertainment is offer them a vehicle for worldwide exposure and give them the budget they need. Local TV networks don't spend a whole lot of money on their shows hence the production value is not quite as good as K-dramas or C-dramas. The typical Japanese-style of making J-dramas may appeal to the local viewers and avid fans of J-ent, but they almost always don't attract the general audience. They want what K-ent and C-ent are enjoying right now that's why local networks like TBS and Fuji TV have signed deals with Netflix. I believe NHK have signed a deal with Amazon Prime Video. Disney+ will most likely follow suit. J-ent needs this to stay relevant.

I can say the same about those who don't like it, though. Some of them feel the need to validate their opinions by posting the same criticisms again and again as if their lives depend on it. It's alright to have differing opinions but there are people from each side that can't handle both negative and positive views about this movie and that is why comment sections such as this become a war zone. lol But then again, I can't blame them, some people are just passionate about what they like or dislike.

That’s true but breakout roles also mean critical acclaim. He hasn’t gotten that yet. This might. This is currently the number 1 movie in Netflix Japan. If they had released it in theaters, it would’ve probably become a hit. He may have done some notable projects before but nothing that has brought him critical acclaim and more serious roles. I believe he wants to be taken more seriously and a lot of Japanese stars these days are trying to get international recognition as evidenced by dramas like Last Samurai Standing and Romantics Anonymous. J-entertainment has fallen behind in comparison to their East Asian neighbors and they’ve been playing catch-up. This movie can help with that and they know it. Also, he has been facing backlash from his cheating scandal, affecting his reputation and popularity in Japan, so he needs this win.

But that’s what a breakout role means, widespread recognition for their work and fame. He also hasn’t won major acting awards except for newcomer awards when he first started out. This movie might get him more than just nominations this time around. Most international viewers have heard of Machida Keita in some shape or form but they’re not familiar with him. They are now. Someone in the comments said that when 10Dance is released, it will draw more people to this page. They are right. The BL fandom is huge and he’s attracting attention from them as well.

I still haven’t watched Winter Begonia although it is on my watch list. Yes, you’re right. The setting is what’s hindering me from starting it because I’m not fond of republican era dramas. Winner is King would never see the light of day, I’m afraid. But I hope it can be released in another platform outside China like what happened to Spirealm.

Nope, not like this. 10Dance is an internationally released movie that’s produced by Netflix. Like I said, I’ve known about him for years, I’m familiar with his work. He’s popular in Japan, but not many people outside of Japan has heard of him until Like A Dragon. This movie is giving him significant international exposure not just for his looks but acting as well. That is what I mean by a breakout role.

I’ve been watching Ryoma for years but 10Dance is definitely his breakout role. Opposite Machida Keita, he is simply magnetic! He deserves more meaty roles like this.

I love Word of Honor!!! That drama is practically scandalous by C-drama standards. I still don’t know how they passed censorship. 😆 I totally agree with you. To me, the scene when Zhou Zishu thought Wen Kexing had died and you can see the shock and grief in his eyes and when he told him he was going to stand by him no matter what when Wen Kexing was being hunted down by his enemies. There was no touching, no “I love yous” but those clearly meant he loved him. I think I found similar moments in Fangs of Fortune between Zhuo Yichen and Zhao Yuanzhou. To this day, I still believe that was supposed to be a BL drama that was censored. 😂

Exactly! I am also familiar with the works of the screenwriters and director and a lot of the dialogues they write have underlying meanings. One of the screenwriters is the same one who wrote My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday, which was, to me, a beautifully poignant story about a doomed romance. They barely have any interactions either as their romance span across decades with just them spending a few days or hours with each other. She has a penchant for poetic writing. But that kind of writing is not for everyone especially for those who want clear indications of budding romances and displays of affection. But this style is totally right up my alley. The fact that they actually have kissing scenes in this is more than enough. I’m used to Chinese BL (bromance) after all and I rather like trying to pick things apart and find their hidden meanings. Besides, their growing affection for each other was clear as day to me. I would even think it corny if they had gone the usual lovey dovey route often seen in Thai BL’s. From my personal experience with Japanese men, the characterization is definitely on point. 😆

Like I said, it comes down to personal preference. You simply didn’t like it. I did. And that’s okay, we’re here to exchange our opinions about it. Personally, I didn’t think it needed more dialogue, interactions yes, and perhaps a sequel, but more dialogues up until their first kiss? Not really. It’s not a stretch when you think of it as an artistic approach to romance. Some people may feel that it needed more “literal” show of romance because that’s what they want to see, but it doesn’t mean the storytelling needs it when it’s meant to be figurative. And realistically speaking, people have fallen in love with fewer conversations and at an even shorter period of time. Whirlwind romances do exist. For Sugiki and Suzuki who have never fallen deeply in love before and are not exactly expressive of their own emotions, do you really think they would talk openly about their feelings? This is also a classic “gay for you” trope between two men who must’ve felt confused about their growing attraction for each other. While women generally scream and argue when they’re angry, most men show rage with their fists. It’s the same when they love. They simply acted on what they felt. That’s it. I saw that kiss as raw unadulterated desire that accumulated over years of rivalry and finally made sense when they danced together. That’s how I see it.

The dancing in this movie is the romance. Them dancing together represents the stages of romance from the courtship phase to the consummation of their love. It’s a kind of metaphor so to speak. Actions do speak louder than words and the actors have palpable chemistry so they used that to its full effect. I think the scene when Sugiki tells Suzuki to give in to his lead while they dance the waltz is where they both start to feel something for each other. I believe that is the goal of the writers here since they had to cut out many scenes from the manga and had to cram a lot into a 2-hour run time.