For the new J-drama watcher a little advice I can give is; 1. Don't be fooled by low rating, mostly of low rated Jdrama are gems, so try to read the comment, just be alert on spoiler, because jdrama are full of twist and turn so reading a spoiler will take away half the joy in the journey of watching. 2. Don't be turned off by a drama being old. Jdrama specially those on romance genre are better made in 90's. 3. watched them with an open mind and don't compared them to gorgeous Korean because eventually in a strange way you will love them.
It's the 2nd drama that made me depressed after watching it (the 1st one is Tokyo Love Story)... I still can't believe how "HE" ends up with Duk Seon eventhough I already got the hint from that "dream". Poor other guy... I'm still rooting for him till the end even with all the facts and reason why that guy ends up with Duk Seon. And I hate the ending not because it doesn't go with my expectation but because they totally abandoned the other friends and family!!! But what makes this drama dear to me is because of the whole neighborhood! I'm reminded of the neighborhood I grew up. And it saddened me that they all decided to leave that wonderful place. :(
Nice review! And the news is I binged watched it. kekeke!!! I loved the series because it's more family oriented, and I loved the families and their stories which makes me cried and laugh. And I think it's the bigger reason of this season's success. Just like how I liked the drama, I also hated it that it makes me depressed after knowing who duk seon ended to. Since knowing Taek I know the fact that Duk Seon might be the best partner for her, but I'm still on Jung Hwan side, but how can they cast aside him at the end!!!! And all the families!!! Until now even with reason and much reason floating in my head on how Taek is the best partner for her, I'm still on JH side....
Jiro is good and hot but Jang Geun Suk is much much more cooler, specially in the last scene I preferred the Korean one, that scene in Korean version is truly shriek worthy. :)
I like both dramas or maybe any other countries drama because they are unique on their own. They have appeal which you can't find in other countries. But between K and J I'm more into Jdrama because I love how their drama unfold. I love the story, they have so many unique dramas and have so many genre to choose from. And I think Korean per se love Japanese drama because they remake some of them. But I haven't seen a Korean drama being remake by Japanese, or maybe they have but I just don't know.
It's worth watching drama. I like the lesson it wants to deliver, and that you can actually apply it in your own. And I love how sassy my Lee Yo Won as Ok Da Jung. I don't think her being that sassy is innate in her, as she said on the ending episode she just learn them from experience, she don't take her experience and down fall as a bad thing, but she takes the lesson in each and every heartache she experience. Which is some of us don't do.
Thumbs up for this article! I agree with all your recommendation, watched them all. I really love Japanese drama, it comes first for me, Korean drama is just second. I love how they unfold their story. Compared to Korean, Japanese drama is just too plain and simple, no overreaction, no over the top acting (unless it's a live action) no eye catching cinematography but after finishing it you will definitely love it. The actors/actresses don't bawled their eyes out, it's you who will cry a river for their character. And how I love that they have many genre to choose. And even those fall on same genre you can expect difference so even I watch the same genre continuously I'll never get bored.
My favorite drama Nodame Cantabile which I watched for the nth time still excite me like it the first time.
My favorite drama Nodame Cantabile which I watched for the nth time still excite me like it the first time.
And I think watching this either before or after the movie will be fine.
But maybe it's better to watch this after the movie? :)