This is a very interesting article so thanks for writing it. Like many viewers here I also started out with J…
Ratings in Korea also have been dropping. When it used to be getting a 20-30% rating is an indication of a popular drama, nowadays they struggle getting a 2 digits rating and a drama getting 15% is considered to be doing great.
I'm with you when it comes to choosing. I just follow my mood ;)
The j wave started first then the k wave got strong internationally. On the aspect of romance k dramas do it better.…
I agree they don't do romances often enough but they still have really good ones. I suggest watching dramas from the 90s they had great romances(Ice World, Love Generation, Rondo...some others just didn't get subbed unfortunately). There's also Orange Days, Slow Dance, Rich Man Poor Woman, Love Shuffle, Love That Makes You Cry, Love the Useless Me... And I think most recently there's been more focus on romance so you may find a bunch.
Each country has their forte but you can always find good ones when you want ;)
I’m generally mainly a Japanese drama fan, but I do watch a lot of Korean, and recently been watching Chinese dramas that I enjoy a lot. Each country definitely has its pros and cons, but I totally agree with the point you’re making, people aren’t giving Japanese dramas enough of a chance.
1. Well as you say, in the end it’s all about taste. I think when trying out a different country, people should put looks on the side for time. Reason is most of the time you’d be used to a certain look that you’d think of as “hot” but when exploring a different country, that view would have to adapt to that country’s taste, up to a certain point.
2. That point makes me wonder HOW they could think that. There are SO MANY extremely talented Japanese actors, that are actually given the chance to shine. With the amount of complicated characters and stories they have, some can only be handled by real talents. I’m not saying there aren’t bad actors, just that if you seriously want to watch real talent, it’s not hard to look unless all you’re looking for is idol dramas. Even then usually they are given the right role for the right time, making the watch still entertaining (there are exceptions). Have they tried out Eita and dared to say he’s bad? What about Tsumabuki? Yamada? Matsushima? Even Idol Okada Junichi? The new brilliant generation likes of Yagira, Ikematsu and Suda? I’d mention my fave Odagiri but as much of a brilliant he is, I know he may be seen as weird by those who do know know much about Japanese creativity.
3. Yea true Japan doesn’t spend too much on that, but the question is, how long will you keep being impressed with the quality of the cinematography when the story sucks or has no depth?
4. For me that’s a forte. Kdramas are notorious for draggy dramas with nonsense development *cough* noble idiocy *cough* to keep the time going until the end. Japanese dramas actually have no time to waste, so every minute is precious and has something better to add to the story development. I think the ultimate episode length is 45 minutes, but up to 60 minutes may be acceptable Anything longer isn’t. The shorter the drama, the more focused.
5. Well again another forte. Japan delves deeply into the subjects. They may not research their english, but topic they show actually is very well researched. Escapism is alright, but sticking to only one type may prove to be unhealthy and may cause people to be delusinal
6. Now here I can see where they’s coming from. Japan post 2k has become stiffer in that area. That doesn’t mean they don’t have any romances. They do have quiet a few, with a good dose of escapism. That being said true the 90s were the best at romance, and I’ve been seeing how most recently, there’s been an increase of Japanese romance dramas. And as many said, even though kdramas cater more to romance watchers, my fave romances end up being japanese.
7. First of all, there are as many idols in kdramas as there are in jdramas. The main difference is, kdramas through their idols right in the middle, as lead or second lead, without much support to develop them. Japanese directors actually make sure to put their idols in roles they can handle. If you tell me yamapi is a horrible actor, I’ll totally agree, but I’d still tell you to try his dramas because his lack of acting skills has been used effectively and makes the drama fun to watch (and I’m not even being sarcastic here.
8. Japan is not stuck, Japan is creative. Funny I follow that you tuber but haven’t seen her drama videos recently. I guess I’m getting bored and most only kdramas only :P I still find her interesting but yea I think she hasn’t really been checking enough of jdramas to make that call. If anything it is kdramas that have been stuck for a long while not, and only just recently, since 2015/16 they realize they need to change the way they make dramas because their usual ways is just not selling any longer. The reason I came back to kdramas IS because they finally started changing. They started looking into some subjects deeper, but it’s still shallow compared to Japan, and not that well researched.
First of all: Yay an article about Japanese dramas!
Second: Great first article ;) I really enjoyed reading it. Not only did you make great points, it opens up a lot of topics for people to talk about. I enjoyed your arguments and can’t help but put my 2-cents here. (In the next comment until spoiler tab not because it’s spoilt, but just ended up being too long :P
Great article really enjoyed your article :D I agree we are all guilty of that, but sometimes some viewers overdo…
I know it feels like it's becoming a trend. I was like come on! I get it. You don't like him, you don't want them to end up together, just shut up and watch how things go, or simply drop it! The rest of us want to see what happens. In any case at least we can turn in off :P
I find him annoying , He was annoying THAT FOOL drama. Just can't tolerate his mannerism. For me he destroyed…
Oh my we have different opinions, yes humans are strange people. You have here a whole list of works of a veteran actor yet you decided to stick to your opinion after only 1 work. That is up to you and I have no problem with that. What annoys me in your comment is that you call people, who are more familiar with the actor and like him after investing a lot of time watching him, strange. Well no they aren't strange they just have a different opinion and if it doesn't sit well with you then you're strange.
I love the cast here, and none disappointed me in any way, but I didn't get what the movie is all about. The ending was worst, since I had no clue what each's motivation was. Actually the only one I understood Matsuda Ryuhei character's, he made sense.
I liked your review I enjoyed most of it (except for the last paragraph). IMO it gives away how things will end…
lol yup I'm the other extreme (too insensitive to spoilers... if others don't spoil it for me I might spoil it for myself XD) In any case I also like it better this way it expresses better what I was trying to say. Most of my reviews I write them in the middle of the night half asleep (that's when I'm inspired :P) so they always need editing later
I agree we are all guilty of that, but sometimes some viewers overdo it. Like when I was watching Ode to Joy on Viki. I generally enjoy seeing what people think of certain scenes on the spot, but many times I found myself having to just turn off the comments for this drama. They just go on insulting characters because they have flaws and aren't perfect, and they hate on somebody for being "old" and make everything he said to be creepy while the good looking guys get a free pass for doing worst. It takes out the enjoyment of seeing how these flawed characters go about their day and their lives.
As for me I have seen people in RL do the same mistakes over and over and never actually grow, and because I know that's reality I get impatient when I see it in dramas. I always know it's my issue but I can't help complain. It's like seeing my friend's life going on in drama while I'm trying to escape it because I'm just sick and tired of the RL drama.
I didn't get to read it last night just skimmed through it but finally got the chance to read it fully now and WOW you nailed it Ana!
There are a number of titles I'd like to add to my list and hopefully get to watch in the near future, but Gimme Heaven I couldn't wait finishing reading the article I had to add it RIGHT AWAY! Seem like my type of movie and I'M totally in the book right now XD Can't wait to get hope after work and look it up. I'm supposed to meet up with my friend tonight but now I hope she cancels :P
So happy you gave so much love to Kanbei. I may be bias but it is still my fave taiga right now! And Eguchi Yosuke is a big reason. Wow if he isn't the most AMAZING Oda Nobunaga you can meet! I can guarantee anyone they won't find anyone who can beat that perfomance when it comes to that complicated historical figure! And the rest of the cast did an amazing job as well ;)
And yeah he was the definition of cool in the Rurouni Kenshin trilogy ;) I need to worry and watch White Tower and Roosevealt Game already! Tobosha seems intriguing I might try that one first :P
Again AWESOME guide I really love that guy he's one hell of an amazing actor and still going strong so, like you I can't wait to see more of him ;)
I can't seem to evaluate my enjoyment of this movie, but one thing is for sure, as much as the story is typical, the characters and setting felt authentic.
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I'm with you when it comes to choosing. I just follow my mood ;)
Each country has their forte but you can always find good ones when you want ;)
1. Well as you say, in the end it’s all about taste. I think when trying out a different country, people should put looks on the side for time. Reason is most of the time you’d be used to a certain look that you’d think of as “hot” but when exploring a different country, that view would have to adapt to that country’s taste, up to a certain point.
2. That point makes me wonder HOW they could think that. There are SO MANY extremely talented Japanese actors, that are actually given the chance to shine. With the amount of complicated characters and stories they have, some can only be handled by real talents. I’m not saying there aren’t bad actors, just that if you seriously want to watch real talent, it’s not hard to look unless all you’re looking for is idol dramas. Even then usually they are given the right role for the right time, making the watch still entertaining (there are exceptions). Have they tried out Eita and dared to say he’s bad? What about Tsumabuki? Yamada? Matsushima? Even Idol Okada Junichi? The new brilliant generation likes of Yagira, Ikematsu and Suda? I’d mention my fave Odagiri but as much of a brilliant he is, I know he may be seen as weird by those who do know know much about Japanese creativity.
3. Yea true Japan doesn’t spend too much on that, but the question is, how long will you keep being impressed with the quality of the cinematography when the story sucks or has no depth?
4. For me that’s a forte. Kdramas are notorious for draggy dramas with nonsense development *cough* noble idiocy *cough* to keep the time going until the end. Japanese dramas actually have no time to waste, so every minute is precious and has something better to add to the story development. I think the ultimate episode length is 45 minutes, but up to 60 minutes may be acceptable Anything longer isn’t. The shorter the drama, the more focused.
5. Well again another forte. Japan delves deeply into the subjects. They may not research their english, but topic they show actually is very well researched. Escapism is alright, but sticking to only one type may prove to be unhealthy and may cause people to be delusinal
6. Now here I can see where they’s coming from. Japan post 2k has become stiffer in that area. That doesn’t mean they don’t have any romances. They do have quiet a few, with a good dose of escapism. That being said true the 90s were the best at romance, and I’ve been seeing how most recently, there’s been an increase of Japanese romance dramas. And as many said, even though kdramas cater more to romance watchers, my fave romances end up being japanese.
7. First of all, there are as many idols in kdramas as there are in jdramas. The main difference is, kdramas through their idols right in the middle, as lead or second lead, without much support to develop them. Japanese directors actually make sure to put their idols in roles they can handle. If you tell me yamapi is a horrible actor, I’ll totally agree, but I’d still tell you to try his dramas because his lack of acting skills has been used effectively and makes the drama fun to watch (and I’m not even being sarcastic here.
8. Japan is not stuck, Japan is creative. Funny I follow that you tuber but haven’t seen her drama videos recently. I guess I’m getting bored and most only kdramas only :P I still find her interesting but yea I think she hasn’t really been checking enough of jdramas to make that call. If anything it is kdramas that have been stuck for a long while not, and only just recently, since 2015/16 they realize they need to change the way they make dramas because their usual ways is just not selling any longer. The reason I came back to kdramas IS because they finally started changing. They started looking into some subjects deeper, but it’s still shallow compared to Japan, and not that well researched.
Again great article! Really inspired me :D
Second: Great first article ;) I really enjoyed reading it. Not only did you make great points, it opens up a lot of topics for people to talk about. I enjoyed your arguments and can’t help but put my 2-cents here. (In the next comment until spoiler tab not because it’s spoilt, but just ended up being too long :P
I agree we are all guilty of that, but sometimes some viewers overdo it. Like when I was watching Ode to Joy on Viki. I generally enjoy seeing what people think of certain scenes on the spot, but many times I found myself having to just turn off the comments for this drama. They just go on insulting characters because they have flaws and aren't perfect, and they hate on somebody for being "old" and make everything he said to be creepy while the good looking guys get a free pass for doing worst. It takes out the enjoyment of seeing how these flawed characters go about their day and their lives.
As for me I have seen people in RL do the same mistakes over and over and never actually grow, and because I know that's reality I get impatient when I see it in dramas. I always know it's my issue but I can't help complain. It's like seeing my friend's life going on in drama while I'm trying to escape it because I'm just sick and tired of the RL drama.
There are a number of titles I'd like to add to my list and hopefully get to watch in the near future, but Gimme Heaven I couldn't wait finishing reading the article I had to add it RIGHT AWAY! Seem like my type of movie and I'M totally in the book right now XD Can't wait to get hope after work and look it up. I'm supposed to meet up with my friend tonight but now I hope she cancels :P
So happy you gave so much love to Kanbei. I may be bias but it is still my fave taiga right now! And Eguchi Yosuke is a big reason. Wow if he isn't the most AMAZING Oda Nobunaga you can meet! I can guarantee anyone they won't find anyone who can beat that perfomance when it comes to that complicated historical figure! And the rest of the cast did an amazing job as well ;)
And yeah he was the definition of cool in the Rurouni Kenshin trilogy ;) I need to worry and watch White Tower and Roosevealt Game already! Tobosha seems intriguing I might try that one first :P
Again AWESOME guide I really love that guy he's one hell of an amazing actor and still going strong so, like you I can't wait to see more of him ;)