What I'm Watching in Asian Dramas (Winter 2010)

[walkwithheroes]

After a disappointing year (2009) of Korean dramas, I've decided to only try a handful. Most of the Korean dramas I watched this past year were older ones from the late 1990s. (Happy Together, Sandglass, etc)



The three shows for winter that I'm watching are: Chuno, Stars Falling From the Sky (which I thought was a remake of the Japanese one), and God of Study. Though, there are many Korean dramas coming out in March that I'm looking forward too.


I'm watching Chuno mainly for the cast. I loved the chemistry between the leads in Robbers, so I'm looking forward to seeing this one. Stars Falling From the Sky has an exciting cast and I like the idea of two people falling for each other while taking care of kids. As for God of Study - I never saw the Japanese version because I didn't like some of the cast, but I like the cast for this version. The adults have been awesome in the past. And, the younger cast are some of the best of their generation.






It was a disappointing year for Japanese dramas (at least for me.) It started out promising, but I didn't watch anything for the last three months. I watched several older dramas, though. I do plan to check out seven dramas this winter season.


- Massugu na Otoko - It stars two of my favorites. Sato Ryuta, whom I've always loved. And, Fukada Kyoko, whose a favorite. The summary of the drama sounds like it could be interesting. Sato Ryuta plays an honest salary man and Fukada Kyoko plays a self-centred impish woman. The two fall for each other while Sato Ryuta's character tries to bring Fukada Kyoko's character back on the right path. The two characters mature and I'm hearing that Fukada Kyoko's character may become pregnant.



- Naka nai to Kimeta Hi - It's a work drama, which I usually don't watch. But, it has Fujiki Naohito! He's such a crush of mine. Plus, Eikura Nana is a fairly good actress (when given the right material).


- Bloody Monday 2 - I recently caught the first series and enjoyed it. There was a lot of great character moments and suspense. Plus, the young cast is good.


- Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge - I adore the manga it is based on. Yes, the cast worries me. All those Johnny's! It worries me because I think that the male characters might over shadow the females. But, I really hope it does justice to the source material. Also, I think Kamenashi Kazuya can be good when he is given a great script.


- Sakuya Konohana - Mainly for Narumi Riko. I've adored her since she was the little sister in 1 Litre of Tears. It has Narumi Riko as a young woman who gets tossed into a contest. She falls for a young man, whose trying to use her to get revenge. Fun!


- Tokujo Kabachi!! - It's totally the cast. I dig Horikita Maki. And, the summary sounds fun.



As for a Chinese series. I can't even say, because they always announce a series a year before it airs. And, they also say a show will air but then postpone it for months at a time. I'm interested in Summer's Desire, Calling For Love, and Infernal Lover. God knows when they will air.

Comments

[mishane.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna do Chuno mostly because everyone on my f-list will be watching it and I'll feel left out, lol.

I've never been a fan of school dramas (teachers and students, etc) which is why God Of Study, despite a cast which I like, doesn't interest me.

Sakuya Konohana, by little sister, do you mean the youngest one or the older one? If it's the older sister, I'll definitely watch it, I loved her in 1 Litre.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

You know, aside from the fact that I loved two of the actors in Robbers, I'm also mostly watching Chuno for the f-list. I just have a feeling that love triangle is going to drive me insane.


For God of Study, I'm watching purely for the cast. It'll be nice to see those kids in a role for more than an episode or two. You now, they mostly play the child version of leads. I scanned the first episode, and it sadly appears to be nothing special. I've seen this drama before - maybe even done better.


The older one. The one who became a nurse in the SP. I just think she's an awesome actress. Better than a lot of girls in her generation. Her acting style is understated and quiet - I like that. You should check it out. It's just nine episodes.

[mishane.livejournal.com]

Re: God Of Study, yeah it seems like it's been done before. Once you see one drama/movie about a teacher who helps a ragtag bunch of students, you've seen them all. I think the first one I saw was the Michelle Pfeiffer, Dangerous Behaviors one and after that I said, "No more".

Oh I liked that sister! She was very pretty and a decent actress. I'll most likely watch that then. Do you know when it starts? And I'm not familiar with j-drama subbing, are they usually fast?

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

I thought it was Dangerous Minds? Or is that another show? :/ I agree with you, though. Once you've seen one 'Teacher helps a bunch of loser students' you've seen them all. Regardless of country or actors. That's not to say the show is bad - it's just full of stuff I've seen before.


All I know about that show is that it airs on Saturdays, will be ten episodes, and co-stars Yuta Hiraoka. Wait, it starts on January 9 and will air from 19:30-20:00.

[mishane.livejournal.com]

I think you're right, Dangerous Minds.

Awesome, I'm putting it on my list. I really should watch a lot more j-dramas, I think I watch one j-drama out of every 7 k-dramas.

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

J-dramas are good for me because they are shorter. It allows me to watch the drama with two or three days and be done with it With K-dramas, they can sometimes go off into different directions, which makes it annoying to watch.

[boycottbananas.livejournal.com]

Uwa, I'm not too fond of Narumi Riko but the revenge bit sounds kind of interesting. :'D And that's also an NHK drama, right? I normally enjoy the NHK dramas, even if their rating's are usually lower and they have less budget. XP

I'm still lukewarm about The Wallflower. Idk. I love Kame but I don't like the main actress (not that I'm fond of the source material itself >>). Idk. I'll probably watch the first episode for Kobayashi Ryoko. :3 ♥

The dramas in 2009 were pretty disappointing in general. :/

[walkwithheroes.livejournal.com]

Aw, you don't like Narumi Riko? She's one of the young Japanese actresses I like. It's supposed to be nine episodes on NHK. So, I'm guessing it will be short and good. NHK usually has interesting dramas.


I'm nervous about the show - simply because they rarely do mangas justice. But, I watch at least two -four episodes of shows, just to give them chances.


I'm just looking forward to a new start, because 2009 was so disappointing for me drama-wise. It really was a year where I went back and watched older dramas. Just because there was really nothing good on.