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So Unnecessarily Melodramatic
Gosh! where do I start??? I guess I will start by saying I love this anime and I loved the 2019 version. The 2019 version is one of my favorite Cdramas period!!However, this 2008 version, that I desperately wanted to see sucked all the fun out of the story and characters for me. Not a single character was likeable, not even the lead. Like, seriously, how does that happen? Why the hell did they make this version so damn overly dramatic? Everyone is too damn emotional.
I started reading the manga b/c I was legit confused by the choices the writers, directors, producers chose to take/make for this series. I actually thought maybe the character development was more like the manga but it wasn't.
Long Ma (Ryoma character) was whiny and miserable from the start. That was never his disposition in the source material or anime. Guo Guang (Kunimitsu character and one of my favorites) was again nothing like the source material and was not a good leader in this series. He was just as whiny as Longa Ma. They have completely changed the Kaido character (another favorite of mine) and he is super obnoxious.
That being said every character whined so much it was hard to deal with. Another weird choice director/producers made was having them constantly yelling and screaming at each other even when they were in close quarters. Total drag. Also, hardly any of the matches were exciting.
Funny enough the only person I like in this series is the Sakuno character (Coach's niece) who is quite annoying in all the other versions I've seen. The Tomoko character is a nightmare and still super annoying!!
Anyway, I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS to anyone who likes the anime, manga or even the 2019 version. It will just make you angry or if you are better than me you can push your prior knowledge aside and possibly enjoy, I guess.
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Very Enjoyable Movie
So happy I stumbled upon this movie a few months ago on dramacool. I really enjoyed it.Tha cast was really good and I can see how and why Abe Hiroshi is/was one of the biggest stars in Japan. He's so good and a natural actor. His character here, Hikaru is very likeable and inspired/based on a real person. There's a scene in the movie where his wife ask him why he's doing all this for the kids as they are stangers and he tells her it's b/c they are strangers and people used to just do things for each others b/c that was the way. I wish we could all get back to just being kind and good to one another.
Sakuraba Nanami, plays the young FL, Higa Aya and I really liked her as well. She has a great voice.
The film is not really a tearjerker but I cried my eyes out when Hikaru dies.
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Choi Min Soo is fantastic
I really wanted to love this series. Kind of reminded me of Vincenzo but more than that I was lookin for another lawyer show to watch. ML was also new to me and I'm quite fond of him now but the best part of the series ended up being the 2ml played by Choi Min Soo. To be honest I hated his character, Ahn Oh Ju and his mannerisms and voice affect were bothersome but over the course of the 16 episodes he grew on me plus his character had some of the best dialogue in the series and some legitimately funny scenes.I was really digging the show until around the 7/8the episode and at the point all credibiity plotwise went out the window. I was so effing annoyed by the plot changes that while I continued to watch inquiring minds wanted to know WTF were the writer's thinking when they came up with the drastic changes to series in episodes 7 and 8??
I also, need to find shows without a romantic element for some reason lately these romantic entaglements between the ML and FL almost always make a show go down hill.
Overall something to watch once but nothing to write home about!
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Unexpected Tears
OK the ending shocked the hell out of me and maybe I should have seen it coming but I thought someone else was the mastermind behind all of the drama. At any rate, the death of one of the characters crushed me and I bawled my eyes out on this stupid thing.That being said this was another drama that started off really well and then went downhill fast knocking massive amounts of sense out of the way!!
I really like the actress who plays Detective Yukihira and had not seen her in anything except a romcom and a movie about friendship that I adore. So I figured this would be fairly good too. I liked the idea of a badass female detective showing the boys hows it's done. We get that for the most part especially in the first 5-6 episodes. The series differs from the standard perp of the week formula that a lot of cop/detective shows have. (Well here in the US anyway, haven't watched many Japanese shows like this so bear with me).
The first few episodes were about a serial killer, then a kidnapping and then a finalized revenge plot thrown in for good measure. It all ends up tying together at the end so it was one long full circle story; which thematically went from good to bad to worse.
The acting is really good from Shinohara Ryoko and Nagayama Eita. In fact the best thing about the series is Nagayama. He was great as Ando the young detective who has our heroine's back from all the other testoterone filled cops who don't like her or her methods and I can't wait to see him in other things.
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Sunday Matinee Vibes
I love this story of girlfriends, friendships losing it and yourself and finding both again. Another great cast and both leads are great I love Shinohara Ryoko and I look forward to see the rest of her tv shows and movies. I loved Yuka Itaya as well and the young actresses who played their counter parts. Loved the scene where they got revenge for Yuko and I LMAO at the scene where Nami has beer for the first time.There are a few slight changes from the Korean version and I like the Korean version better but all in all a really good movie. I cried at the ending like I did at the end of the Korean version.
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The Young Leads are Awesome!
This is a really good movie. It was fun, light and quite charming. I immensely enjoyed, mainly due to the leads, Vivian Sung as Lin Truly and Darren Wang as Tai Yu. Very beliveable in their roles and excellent chemistry. What I also really liked was that it didn't become some love/hate nonsense. They really becomes friends who enjoy each others company. The supporting cast is really good to and it was a nice surprise to see Jerry Yan at the end as the adult Taiyu (I didn't look ast the cast before I watched).Of course what I didn't like was the new Director of the school. I am never a fan of an educator saying people don't have a right to learn or judging students based on negative perceptions. So glad that wans't the focus.
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Another Disappointing Action Thriller
I really wanted to love this drama. This was my second action thriller (City Hunter was the first) and the first show I've watched with Ji Chang Wook (really enjoyed him first few episodes then his character becomes super annoying too).I was really excited after watching the first 4 episodes. By the 7th episode everything became cliche and boring and the romance aspects started to kick in which I hated. (that was 10 months ago, I just came back to finish the series). At any rate, the main reason I continued to watch is for Song Yoon Ah. Brilliant and beautiful actress and she was a great villian, as believably sympathetic as she is ruthless. She carried the show. Makes me want to see everthing else she has played in.
Overall I would not recommend.
Can someone recommend a really good action thriller without a stupid romance element that inevitably gets the ML doing stupid shit and ruining the show? I really would like to see one.
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Not What I Expected or Wanted
Whenever I pick a movie I go into it expecting to love it otherwise why pick it?The plot was my type; jerk rich guy who ultimatey falls for the girl he's treating like crap. The cast was ok but I actually didn't find the ML that attractive and the FL was actually too good for him IMO. That being said, I also feel like there was no real development for the 2 of them to actually fall in love. It seemed like the FL was in love with him from the get go and I did't like that. When she found out he was scamming her she challenged him and then immdiately backed down. I didn't like that either!! The ending was rushed and still didn't lead me to believe the relationship was real.
The disappointment ultimately falls on me. I thought the movie was going to be way cuter and I was going to root for the 2 leads but I really didn't like either one of them.
There are also, way too many gross out scenes 2 of the most agregious were the teacher and the booger and the girl who spit in 2 peoples face. That girl would have been dead where I come from!!!
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I was expecting more
This movie was just ok for me. I really wanted to love it. The plot was really intesting and it reminded me of this American movie called The Girl Most Likely to... he similiarities end with the main characters being fat/ugly and then becoming skinny/pretty and end there.I did like the cast and the music in the film but overall I think I was looking for something with more substance. It's a shame that if you are fat you ae considered ugly and don't deserved basic respect from the people around you. I hate this idea and it's a common theme in so many movies and tv series. So obnoxious but I digress. The movied wants trying to speak for all situations and was really about a woman finally realizing she is worth more than her size or a pretty face.
I really liked the best friend played Kim Hyun Suk but I was kind of annoyed when her character wanted plastic surgery too!!
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Adorkable, Fun and Easy Binge Watch
I genuinely enjoyed the show. For all it's faults, the cast really worked well together and the international college/dorm setting was just what I needed.THE GOOD: The diverse cast. I came to watch b/c of Hyun-min and I was not dispappointed. He was really good in his scenes and I LOL'd a lot with his over the top antics and him being the one where nothing good was happening with him per se but Carson was the standout for me I really enjoyed her scenes and her being the person with the most maturity and really great converstaions she had about relationships and moving on. The 4th Wall breaking was a nice change of pace too.
and
THE BAD: That God awful laugh track. What the hell were the editors thinking?? As other's have metioned it wasn't even lighed up properly. It also was unnecessary. Humor is subjective trying to force laughter in a sitcom is ridiculous. People are either going to laugh or they are not; leave it at that. Also, anyone watching the dub I feel bad for. I couldn't even get through the first episode listening to the dub; very bad voice over some of the worse dubbing I have heard in my life and this isnt the first show on Netflix with bad dubbimg either. Aish!!
THE OVERALL: It's worth watching if you want something light and breezy. Quick for a binge watch and just a quick laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
I just have something to say about a comment b/c it really has been bothering me and YES people do have a right to their opinion about shows so go for it. Although S. Korea is a homgeneous nation, it is not a monolithic one. Just some food for thought!
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Quick, Likeable, Short Series
Lots of surprises in this one!! One of LMH earlier projects and you could see he was destined to be a star!WHAT I LOVED:
-The cast but especially Jung Yoon Jo as Class President Sae MI. She was really good and I just genuinely like the characters strength overall. Also glad they didn't make the character a hater after Gong Chan told her the truth. --Loved the LMH as Gong Chan. Always trying to do the right thing. Loved his relationship his bestfriend Bong and with his ohma too.
-The comdey was down right over the top but I loved all the 4th wall breaking. Very charming.
-THE ENDING OF THIS I DID NOT SEE COMING and honestly, I'm not mad about it at all. It was actually quite refreshing.
WHAT I HATED:
-The bullying Director, Teacher and Soccer Coach. But Teacher Ma took the cake. I hated even seeing him on screen.
-Pissed that Hyun was acting as if he owned Yoon Seo and she was pissing me off not sticking up for herself with her mother and him.
Overall a funny and likeable short series to enjoy once; and It gave me the LMH fix I needed. :)
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I loved the female lead. She was funny, clueless and adorable and a genuinely likeable person. I mean I know she supposed to be 40 (so old....God forbid) but she was really refreshing FL who was just living her life. Easy to see why Hiroto would fall for her. I loved the relationship she has swith Shima and Miki her 2 bestfriends and I loved the scenes with them just hanging out and being girlfriends. This is the first Asian drama I've watched with scenes like this maybe b/c it's an older drama or older cast? either way I really liked that.
The cast is really good and I liked both male leads but my obvious choice was Hiroto even though he lies you really can tell he loves Sakura. Tachibana is ok but I felt like he and Sakura were just really good friend and didnt undertsand why they couldn't just be friends insted of trying to make them lovers as well. Tachibana was too old school for my blood and some of the things he said were quite ridiculous. That being said Sakura gave as good as she got.
Loved the cameo by Yamamoto Yusuke with a nod to his Ouran High School character as a member of a host club!!
MAIN GRIPE:
I wish Shima didn't feel like she needed to be married or have children to have a fufilled life. I was rather enjoying the character living her best life and enjoying sex with whomever she chose. I didnt like the misfortune of her having a secret relationship with Miki's husband though.
The soundtrack was really nice and one of the songs I really loved and wish I knew the name of. Siri was no help!
Overall good series to watch at least once.
On another note, I am saddened to learn that the actor that played Hiroto passed away last year.
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Kamenashi Kazuya is the Standout - LOVED HIM
I preface this review by stating I am a huge fan of the anime and only watched b/c of this fact. I have never read the manga but that's usually the case for me. I watch the anime, live action and if i like both enough I sometimes read the manga. After the first episode I was a little annoyed by the changes including the addition of Takeru. I just didn't think having a little kid in the series was necessary.I also didn't like the fact that the series makes Sunako's character seem weaker and less fierce than in the anime. She was a way tougher customer in the anime. That's not to say I didnt like her here b/c I found actress Aya Omasa extremely likable and relatable; I was just disappointed.
What I love about this series and what makes it worth a watch is Kame as Kyohei. He is so good and really carries the show. He's the conscious of the series and he does a great job with his advice and care for Sunako and the others even when he is being stubborn to his own issues. Epsiodes 8 and 9 had me in tears and he was just so great in those scenes with his mother and his interactions with Sunako.
The theme song Love Yourself is ok. It's an earworm and at first I hated it but it grew on me plus i loved how the cast sing it in the opening credits.
I'm really giving the music a 10 b/c of the music playing in the bar b/c it was a lot of rock music I enjoy especially the Guns-n-Roses, Led Zepplin and the Ramones.
Overall, I enjoyed the series even with the crazy ass last episode; worth watching at least once.
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Diamond in the Rough
I added this to my to watch list b/c I recently watched Ouran High School Host Club and fell head over hills for Yusuke Yamamoto. He is even more attractive in this even when all of his screaming and yelling got on my nerves. I genuinely liked this series and cried my eyes out most episodes even when shits got super annoying like Akabane. Totally loved the cast of cute boys. I know that's shallow but that how I pick and watch shows. Now I have a new crush, Miura Shohei. This was a nice, easy sports drama to watch and enjoy.I really loved the relationship between Wataru and Kaachan. This was the best parent/child relationship I have seen in an Asian drama since I started watching. The only thing that annoyed me was the lie she told him about his father. It's something I hate no matter what genre I'm watching or reading. Loved the guys getting to know each other and getting past preconceived notions.
Overall enjoyable series. I would not watch again b/c like I've said before that's not my ja. I really enjoyed the theme song but cannot get on Spotify - so sad!!
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Watch because Yaya is that Good!
This like many many other reviewers was my first Thai Drama.THE GOOD:
Yaya!!! I can't stress enough that along with her beauty she is an amazing actress. She carries this show with her acting abilities. After the male lead got on my last nerves at about episode 6. I only continued to watch b/c Yaya is that good and I also was curious to know how the 2 could ever end up together.
The chemistry between Yaya and Mark is off the charts. I didn't find Mark all that attractive he definitely has an adorable smile and we get to see that in the last episode a lot.
The characters of Wadee and Dao were great. Suki was a good character too with his one liners and I died most of the time he was on the screen.
The catfight between Yarija (Jee's mother) and the Housekeeper (Sitta's right hand) had me on the floor one of the best catfights I've seen in a very long time. Reminded me of Crystal Carrington and Alexis Colby Carrington's fight on the original Dynasty!
THE BAD:
These episodes are way too long. They clock in at an hour and 50 minutes each and the majority of that is just nonsensical filler. I may not watch another Thai drama for a while unless someone can recommend one that is an hour or less with 20 or less episodes!!
The final episode was such a let down. Boring, slow no great kiss between the leads!!
THE UGLY:
Piak is a hot ass mess!! Girl needs to grow the fuck up and Chaiyan needs to get a backbone and separate from her for a while. She needs serious help and a long stay at a mental health hospital. She is the worst antagonist I have seen in a while. I was so annoyed that her father and Thit acting as if her actions have no bearing on the reason her husband finally wants nothing to do with her. Chaiyan was hurt by her ridiculous actions. Piak has no redeeming qualities.
OVERALL:
Watching once was enough for me. Will not watch again but may try to find other things that Yaya was in. The cast is good for the most part. The soundtrack was only 2 songs I remember and they were not good enough to be the kind of songs I don't mind hearing repeatedly thus they were annoying b/c they were played in almost every episode.
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