Ariake and Ai are two lonely, damaged souls desperately trying to find the means to express an intense but asexual kind of love. They cycle through simulations of romance, sensuality, dependence and maternal love. Maybe none of them fit, or maybe all of them fit. Maybe it's less about love and more about the healing and destructive dual nature of human connection.
But I do think Makimura Koki's theory/outlook was correct, and it was revealing that Ariake was able to pick up on it. That scene was the turning point that allowed me to interpret the drama in a way that was personally satisfying. Nojima always manages to save himself with one scene, one line, one motif. I thought Lipstick was overwrought trash until that point.
I'm hoping this drama will make a turn for the better cause Kamiki is the only good in this drama..
You're all saying the same thing though? No one's claiming Japan is uniquely shy, but you'll find these observations in anecdotes from Japanese people reflecting on their own culture (as well as Baedekers and textbooks).
I once read some disgusting comments about Fujigaya's appearance from fans of the original You're Beautiful. It descended into petty insults about his eyes and skin tone. Wasn't on MDL though.
And I find it funny that it's always complaints about men's looks. Never seen anyone call a popular Japanese actress ugly. Hypocrisy.
Regarding feminist icon, I'd rather a well-developed housewife character than a female character whose only traits are her profession and being someone else's idea of badass. How hard is it to write a realistic woman doing a real job?
I lived with Chinese flatmates for a while and one girl used to make us noodles. I never thought to ask what it was called, but from the look of that picture it was jajangmyeon.
Self-degradation for survival, self-degradation for love... I think Naoko's reveal was very well-written. To see masochism through her eyes, so romanticised that it almost pulls you in, but then to see the reality of abuse through Nishizaki's eyes... Made me feel sick.
It's a Wonderful Life is my most hated film ever. I think it makes a mockery of depression (though not of suicidal…
I'm not going to disclose my mental health history here, but it is a topic close to my heart. Which is why you'll find my comments and replies all over anything remotely related to mental illness in drama. Accuracy is the key to education.
I will say I was, as an adult, diagnosed as autistic last year. Autism has always been a long-term interest of mine though. I don't identify characters as autistic lightly; there has to be clear evidence for such a "diagnosis", and nothing like "doesn't like people" or "obsessed with science/trains/video games".
Anyway, you're welcome and I hope you enjoy some of them.
It's a Wonderful Life is my most hated film ever. I think it makes a mockery of depression (though not of suicidal…
My heart ached for Shunsuke by the end of the drama. He was the only truly decent character. He simply loved and trusted his wife. Through no fault of his own he was oblivious to her feelings and felt strongly betrayed when she broke his trust.
It's a Wonderful Life is my most hated film ever. I think it makes a mockery of depression (though not of suicidal…
Many Japanese dramas deal with mental health/illness as a secondary theme. Mental health is pretty all-encompassing so I think it can bleed into just about any story without the drama being "about mental illness". There's also the fact that Japan's strength lies in the portrayal of human relationships, which are inseparable from good mental health.
I've only recommended dramas I feel have a fair/appropriate representation of mental illness and autism. Some mental disorders (DID in particular) are sensationalised more often than not.
It's a Wonderful Life is very effective in showing how "life gets you down", but the ending is guilt-trippy and manipulative. I feel bitter every time I see it. But that's my own issue. :)
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But I do think Makimura Koki's theory/outlook was correct, and it was revealing that Ariake was able to pick up on it. That scene was the turning point that allowed me to interpret the drama in a way that was personally satisfying. Nojima always manages to save himself with one scene, one line, one motif. I thought Lipstick was overwrought trash until that point.
And I find it funny that it's always complaints about men's looks. Never seen anyone call a popular Japanese actress ugly. Hypocrisy.
I will say I was, as an adult, diagnosed as autistic last year. Autism has always been a long-term interest of mine though. I don't identify characters as autistic lightly; there has to be clear evidence for such a "diagnosis", and nothing like "doesn't like people" or "obsessed with science/trains/video games".
Anyway, you're welcome and I hope you enjoy some of them.
I've only recommended dramas I feel have a fair/appropriate representation of mental illness and autism. Some mental disorders (DID in particular) are sensationalised more often than not.
It's a Wonderful Life is very effective in showing how "life gets you down", but the ending is guilt-trippy and manipulative. I feel bitter every time I see it. But that's my own issue. :)