catstreet

Well I guess it's too early to say as we're only just hitting the halfway point but as of this moment I can honestly say it's one of the best dramas I've seen this year, in terms of cinematography, story, its individuality, and the setting. I don't know if Netflix are broadcasting Memories of the Alhambara in Korea there too, as well as TVN, or if it's just one or the other, as I imagine that can impact ratings some. I think for me the romance is a secondary aspect too, I went into this not really expecting much, so to me I've just been swept away by the intense interesting storyline! I think the romance in this is somewhat more realistic, instead of instalove. A slow build can sometimes be so much more satisfying :p

That's a shame! I hope I haven't put you off from watching this :) It's definitely one to keep an eye on, maybe you'll be more interested in watching it when it's wrapped, as it's always hard to judge halfway through~ <3

You're right, I think if it starts to alienate the audience by becoming too geared towards the gamers, I think it'll start to lose people's interest. But as of now, I'm sure there are a good number of people who don't game very much that are intrigued by it! Plus there's a lot of other stuff that's not related to the game that keeps it exciting.

And it definitely helps to generate conversation, especially if you have friends who are non-gamers who start to get interested ;)

yeah I felt that too, I'm a little worried it'll lose the charm it had, but I have some faith that it'll keep things interesting, we'll have to see! (I've yet to watch the eps from this weekend but I'm so glad they started off in a European setting, it was so unique!)

haha I didn't get around to seeing this weekends episodes yet but am super hyped! Hopefully the story will stay exciting!

hey!! :) I just wanted to say sorry I haven't been around on LINE or anything, life got super busy and I've not been able to be around as much as I'd like ;A;

This drama is so interesting and unique, I love how they're managing to keep things suspenseful and how it's always held my interest episode to episode. I'm sure the romance will get going soon seeing as we're heading into the halfway point, I think it's definitely more realistic and I kind of love a slow-burning romance :)

Also hoping it doesn't go the same way as W, which was really fantastic in the beginning! I too am surprised it didn't pick up so well in Korea, considering how huge the gaming community is there and how many people play e-Sports and all sorts. Hopefully Korea will wake up to it! :p

haha, it's great that you can appreciate and enjoy it as someone who is a non-gamer! I obviously see things a little differently, being someone who plays games a lot, but I think to this point the writers have done well without making it super confusing and boring for those who might not partake in it. I forget what his last drama was haha, I think I've only seen him in a number of things (and although I thought Secret Garden was okay, I still think he's miles better here!)
PSH is doing well, I've not always been particularly fond of her acting but I think this role suits her :)

Maybe so he could feel less alone haha? idk, that's the only logic I can think of.. more strength in numbers and allies?

I wondered if it was a glitch or bug in the game too haha, that was kind of a theory I had. I'm interested to see where they're going to go with this, I love how each episode has me feeling super tense haha

idk if I'm the only one enjoying this but MY GOD EP 5, THE SUSPENSE!!! i'm so hooked by this, it may be my favorite airing drama rn

Best Japanese Drama of 2018:
1) Chugakusei Nikki
2) Dele
3) Kyou Kara Ore Wa

Best Japanese Movie of 2018:
1) My Little Monster
2) Inuyashiki
3) Sakamichi no Apollon

Best Screenwriter (and for which show?)
Kaneshiro Kazuki, Watanabe Yusuke, Tokunaga Tomihiko (Dele)

Best Director(and for which show?)
Tsukahara Ayuko, Toshio Tsuboi (Chugakusei Nikki)

Best Romance Drama:
Chugakusei Nikki

Best Comedy Drama:
1) Kyou Kara Ore Wa
2) The Confidence Man JP

Best Romantic/Comedy Drama:
Survival Wedding

Best Family Drama:
Stepmother and Daughter's Blues

Best Action/Thriller/Suspense Drama:
1) Dele
2) Todome no Kiss

Best Mystery Drama:
1) Todome no Kiss
2) Unnatural

Best Manga/Anime Adaptation:
1) Chugakusei Nikki
2) My Little Monster
3) Inuyashiki

Best Japanese Actor(and for which role?):
1) Okada Kenshi (Chugakusei Nikki)
2) Masaki Suda (Dele)
3) Kaku Kento (Kyou Kara Ore Wa)

Best Japanese Actress(and for which role?):
1) Arimura Kasumi (Chugakusei Nikki)
2) Morikawa Aoi (Kakegurui)
3) Hashimoto Kanna (Kyou Kara Ore wa)

Best Japanese Supporting Actor(and for which role?):
Taiga (Kyou Kara Ore Wa)
Mackenyu (Todome no Kiss)
Shuhei Uesugi (River's Edge)

Best Japanese Supporting Actress(and for which role?):
Hashimoto Kanna (Kyou Kara Ore Wa)

Best Up and Coming Actor of 2018(and for which role?):
1) Okada Kenshi (Chugakusei Nikki)
2) Ito Kentaro (Kyou Kara Ore wa)
3) Kitamura Takumi (Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru)

Best Up and Coming Actress of 2018(and for which role?):
1) Kirohaya Kaya (Toumei na Yurikago)
2) Sugisaki Hana (Hana Nochi Hare)
3) Murikawa Aoi (Kakegurui)

Best Idol Actor(or Actress):
1) Hirano Sho (Hana Nochi Hare)
2) Nakajima Kento (Dorokei)

Best Couple:
Suenaga Hijiri x Kuroiwa Akira (Chugakusei Nikki)

Best Bromance:
Mitsuhashi Takashi x Ito Shinji (Kyou Kara Ore Wa)
Madarame Tsutomu x Kemuri Garasu (Dorokei)

Best OST:
1) Prologue by Uru (Chugakusei Nikki)
2) Sayonara Elegy by Masaki Suda (Todome no Kiss)
3) Otoko no Kunshou by Kyou Ore Band (Kyou Kara Ore Wa)

Thanks for writing such a wonderful article! Couldn't have conveyed the feelings better than you did :) People should definitely give the show a chance if they're on the fence, I too felt unsure when I first started it and wondered why everyone was raving about it but got too curious and decided to see what everyone was so in love with. (When I started it people were on ep 4 or something.) It's definitely one of my favorite shows I'm currently watching, it's a shame it's nearly finished!

I feel like a lot of people just assume this is your stereotypical awful representation of a forbidden student-teacher relationship with the teenager being only fifteen and all, but it's so much more than that. I've got my fair share of disapproval for watching this (which I can understand from their point of view but it's hard to explain to others what makes this show so special if they haven't seen it) so I totally respect you for being brave enough for writing this :p

Okada Kenshi is an amazing actor, and has blown me away considering it's his first role. :) I recently mentioned him in my article since he's such a great actor, I also hope he progresses on to even bigger roles and more people recognize him for the talented guy he is <3

Thanks, I'll keep watching and see what I think! Hopefully I'll get gripped by it as much as many others here :)

I haven't watched a lot of this at all yet, but I'm curious what exactly is causing people to rave about this? :D Is the story, the cast, the production? Just wondering as the synopsis doesn't really give me much to go on haha.

I MISS YOU. haha, but honestly, I'm gonna check this out tonight. So I should probably spam you my feelings on it right, right?! ;D

Yoo Seung Ho and Kwak Dong Yeon? omg count me in

Ahh yes Suzuki Sensei has been on my list for a while! :) I'll definitely be sure to check it out.

aww thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed my article! I tried to focus on actors who are really starting to break out on the scene, more than those who are established as such haha. I think I still managed to miss out on some though, as others have probably mentioned :(

Hirano Sho is great haha, I love his personality so much, he's so hilarious xD

Haha I knew you'd like the fact he's included :p Sakurada Dori is suuuuch a cutie! I love watching his dramas, I hope he gets some great roles in future. Perfect Crime looks great, I hope someone ends up subbing it :) <3

hahaha yeah that's quite a difference huh? He's definitely a mature young man these days ;)