I saw God Once When I Was Little

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.

This is a drama that I've had mixed feelings on for a long while. While I liked the premise: fusion-period drama with a touch of Hana Kimi; plus, the previews made me think of Hong Gili Dong, Hana Kimi, and even a little bit of Goong. Still, I wasn't sure if this drama was for me. I wondered if it would take itself too seriously or it it would focus too much on comedy and forget its historical aspects. The fact that the male lead, Micky Yoo Chun, hadn't really acted before didn't help matters. Despite my nervousness, I watched the first two episodes with English subtitles Friday afternoon.


The first episode was. . .a disappointment. I found myself rather bored throughout the episode, and ended up fast forwarding quite a bit. I had several issues with the episode, and wasn't sure if I should go on with episode two. But, since I already had the episode and subtitles, I decided to keep going. After all, I do try to give a show four to six episodes to impress me. And, I liked the second episode a bit more. It had a bit more comedy and I was really seeing the Hana Kimi-ness of it. I don't love the show, but I'm enjoying it.


( some spoiler-filled thoughts )