Dr. Koto Shinryojo

This was a very average drama. The story was quite normal: a doctor makes a mistake (which wasn't his fault at all), and as a result he runs to a remote island to "start" over. On the island he has to win over the hearts of the locals by doing a surgery every episode through which he manages to save every secondary character.

The plot was a bit fantastical. Most of the surgeries would have been impossible to do given the circumstances, and things went just a little too perfectly. Some events could have been heartwarming, but the incredulous quality of the event took away from the emotions.

The reason I'm giving this drama a rating of 7 is because I love the ending Theme Song, and also because I was completely captivated by Yoshioka Hidetaka. I've watched him in Kita no Kuni Kura, where he was just a boy of ten, and without knowing he was the one playing Dr. Koto, I recognized him right away. I also love Shibasaki Kou, which may also explain my rating, but also because the drama wasn't BAD, just not great.

I now consider this the best drama I've seen ever! No matter how many times I see it, I always get teary-eyed and touched by the good-naturedness of the characters. Call me old-fashioned but I find nothing wrong with this kind of worldview. Though, I doubt if anyone's as noble as Dr. Koto (he's just too kind and pure!)

As for the actors, I just love Yoshioka Hidetaka! He's amazing! I discovered this drama while looking for Sakai Masato dramas (only to find out later that he only showed up in the 2nd season). But with just the first ep. of Dr. Koto, i fell in love with him (Dr. Koto) in an instant! Some actors were just as convincing like Izumiya Shigeru (Shige), Sengoku Noriko (Uchi), and of course, Kakei Toshio (Wada). Even Tomioka Ryo (Takehiro) did amazingly well!

And who can forget about the OST! It's just perfect. I love the instrumental versions of Gin no Ryuu no Sei ni Notte and Omoide Dake dewa Tsura Sugiru. One of the best drama OSTs I've heard.

This drama isn't getting that much attention b/c the actors here are not the usual "idols", except maybe for Shibasaki Kou. And the story isn't the usual "love story" either. But I'm glad it was well received in Japan.

it's overall not too bad, at least something different, a clinic doctor, not a uni prof or something like tat which we commonly see in other medical-drama.