I saw God Once When I Was Little

I bring the first of two end of the year videos. This one only used dramas/films that aired/that I watched in 2011.


Title: Better Than Love
Song: Better Than Love by HURTS
Disclaimer: I do not own the song or the clips used. I just edited the clips.
Details: 3:39 minutes. WMV format. 28.11 MB
Theme: A look at some of my favorites of 2011.
WARNING: Spoilers for all shows!
Vidder's Note: This video took forever, and I'm not sure I'm totally happy with it. But, I hope its enjoyed. And that the timing isn't messed up.



Links:

Megaupload


( dramas used )

Soredemo, Ikite Yuku is a Japanese drama. Hiroki Fukami (Eita) is a man haunted by the death of his younger sister. Futaba Toyama (Hikari Mitsushima) is the younger sister of the man that murdered Hiroki's little sister fifteen years ago. The two should never meet, but they do - fifteen years after the murder. The drama is unique in that it shows both sides of the aftermath - the victim's family and their struggle to move on and the murder's family and their struggle to find a place in society. Hiroki and Futaba shouldn't have a relationship, but they meet and are drawn together.

Every character has something going on and there are these twists that just make you catch your breathe and feel. That's this series strongest point: you feel for these people. They are broken, socially awkward, and even a little shady at times. But, it all feels very real and true.
This is a quiet human drama that grabs you from the get go and doesn't let go.

Episodes 1-2 have aired; both episodes are subbed.

I've now seen the first episode (or more) of most of the dramas I wanted to see. I thought I'd share some thoughts on each drama. So far I have to say that the drama season is going well.


( Romantic and cliched dramas )


So - so far I'm really enjoying this drama season!

Lately I've been thinking about the fact that the Asian Entertainment Industry seems to be relatively small. Or maybe its more that there are only a hand full of truly popular actors and actresses at any given time. Or, to be more correct, people tend to have their moments in the sun, and that means they work with the same people over and over again. Now, granted there are some actors and actresses that have made their living playing the 'Oh, it's him/her!' roles in dramas, specials, and films. And, there are the famous "Love Teams" in Taiwanese dramas - think Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng or Rainie Yang and Mike He.


All of this got me to thinking about the fact that many actors and actresses have worked with each other a few times throughout their careers and there are actors and actresses I'm dying to see work together. I thought I'd make a list and ask you guys who'd you'd love to see work together, either for the first time or the second or third or whatever. Because, with things the way they are in Asian Entertainment, your wish just might come true!


( My list )


Though, I think there could be more if I really stopped and thought about it, that's my list. I'd love to know whose on everyone else's list.

It seems countries like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Mainland China are always using mangas, manhwas, and manhuas as inspiration for their dramas. In fact, it seems like 90% of Japanese dramas in the last few years have been based on mangas. And, how many Taiwanese Idol dramas are based on Shoujo mangas? Too many for me to count, that's how many. Also, many films are based on mangas, manhwas, and manhuas: High School Debut, Usagi Drop, Kimi ni Todoke, Tazza: The High Rollers, Le Grand Chef, Duelist, etc.


Recently, I've also noticed that all four of these countries are adapting each others stories into dramas/remaking each others' works: Old Boy (loosely based on a Japanese manga), Xuan Feng Guan Jia (loosely based on a Japanese manga), Boys Before Flowers and Let's Go Watch a Meteor Shower (based on a manga), Maou (adapted from The Devil), etc.


And, it seems more adaptions and remakes are on the way for all four countries. They'll continue to adapt things from their countries and others, as well as remake others works. This lead me to an interesting thought, that I'm sure I've expressed before: What Manga/Manhwa/Manhua do you want to see adapted for the small or large screen? And what country do you want to make it - I ask this because there are lots of Japanese mangas I like that I know couldn't be told on Japanese television - the country or origin or another country? Finally, do you want any country to remake another drama/film from another country - like Maou did with The Devil?


For me I really do think Honey and Clover would make an excellent Korean drama. It has it all: drama, comedy, love triangles, close friendships, close family relationships. And, it's already been an anime, Japanese film, Japanese drama, and Taiwanese drama. So, why not a Korean drama? I could see it being 18-20 episodes since the original manga is ten volumes. It's set in an art college, so the visuals would be beautiful. I would have worries though: like, well, remember the second half of Boys Before Flowers? But, if the writing was good and the casting was right - I can't think of anyone right now, but I'm sure there are some 20-30 year old actors who would fit the parts - it could work.


There's apart of me that would love to see Nosatsu Junkie turned into a ten-twelve episode Japanese drama. The summary makes it seem a bit weird: Teenage boy cross dresses as a girl in order to model, and must keep it a secret. He befriends than falls for a girl who wants to be a model and knows his secret. But, it works because of the heart of the manga and the chemistry between the leads.


I'm sure I could think of others, if I had the time. But. . .I should get back to studying. Or go to sleep.