I have disliked almost all of the dramas on this list :( now I feel sad. BUT, in all seriousness, one of the best…
Honestly, you are the very first person I've ever seen that liked the Taiwanese version of H&C. I fought through half of it before I quit. I'm not a big fan of the anime, but the Japanese movie and drama are ok in their own right.
I think your best choice for a beginner is Down With Love mainly because of it's length. Also, Jerry is at his best playing the somewhat unlikable until you love him lead male character. Titles like Mars are too old and dated. Black and White or maybe Sweet Relationship (both starring Vic Chou) would have been better beginner choices. B&W would also give the mystery and cop drama lovers something grittier to watch.
Yessss!! His lustrous man mane. Adorkable! So, so true. I love Taku, but that hair makes.... (self edit to keep it PG). I love him curly. I'm surprised you didn't post a pic from Mr. Brain. His hair was a separate character. LOL Thanks for quoting me by the way. I basically looked at the photos and read it from the bottom up. I was surprised.
Great article. I would say the Japanese don't film using digital. Or that the filters make their cinematography look that way. Too me it's like daytime vs. primetime here in the US. I stopped checking out the Hallyluback vlog. That chick irritates the hell out of me. She says some of the most biased idiotic bs I've ever heard as if she's an expert. How is Japan stuck in a time warp when much of Asias dramas (especially) the ones that are approx. 8 years + are based on Japanese light novels, manga, etc? Even those 2 sisters (forget their name) have copied Japan. Korean's don't give the Japanese writers credit which I think is horrible. Also, the Japanese are expert storytellers. They really don't need 20 episodes. They don't rerun the same scenes over and over and there aren't songs being sold in their dramas. Kdramas also have an overabundance of idols as do Taiwanese dramas. People come up with the silliest reasons not to watch Japanese dramas. I don't understand why.
I just finished Boku Unmei and I couldn't recommend it more. I've seen most of your list. Pretty good choices. I wish your list was a little more well rounded. I think Rich Man Poor Woman and Zettai Kareshi should be included.
I think there will be a special. I was surprised at the low ratings, too, so I checked their time slot. It came on at 10pm. I think the ratings were pretty good for that time slot. I was shocked it didn't come on between 7:30 - 9pm.
I thought it was me, but Kimura did resemble Maki at times. I think they cast her for that reason. I also think her hair was style to look like Maki.
LOL I'm not sure, but I think you may have soft balled it. I was expecting to see a title like Goblin in the list. Yes, I have truly unpopular views. I've only seen City Hunter and Playful Kiss. I agree with you wholeheartedly. TBH I've seen or attempted to watch 4 versions of Itazura na kiss and for the life of me I don't know why. The story is horrible. The lead female is confounding.
"Shit just got real," as they say. JH is going to be very hurt, but in the end he'll be family anyway probably. I'm worried about the poor baby. Episode 36 belongs to Mal Bom (Grandma).Her speech was awesome.
Definitely looking fwd to Chihaya and Kids on the Slope!
I thought it was me, but Kimura did resemble Maki at times. I think they cast her for that reason. I also think her hair was style to look like Maki.