Fan reviews: Kou kou kyoushi

jdoramadotcom · 9 Sep 2011

A delicate subject: about the challenges and pitfalls of working at an all-girls high school. A new biology teacher (Hiroyuki Sanada) is falling in love with a lovely, possessive student (Sachiko Sakurai), while a fellow teacher (Maaki Miyamoto) blackmails the object of his affection (Noriko Watanabe). It's hardly light subject matter, but it's handled with sensitivity when it could have easily fallen prey to its potential pitfalls.

The acting is first-rate, and even the younger roles have surprising depth. That said, there's also a self-conscious seriousness that squeezes every bit of humor or brightness from the drama. The filmmakers knew they were making a controversial project, and seem to have done their best to show their seriousness - at the expense of a balanced mood.

What it does best is to show the varying standards or "moral" behavior in a culture what is still trying to weigh issues like honesty and dishonesty, purity and defilement, and youth vs. maturity. I don't believe that the drama was exploitative in the least, but certain cliches in doramas (like making characters silent only until dramatic exposition is needed) can be tiresome.

KOU KOU KYOUSHI is too serious for its own good; emotional breadth would have given this a dimension it almost always lacks.

MonsterZero65 · 15 Aug 2010

This drama is very dark. Don't let anyone tell you different. Don't think you will walk away from this in a cheerful mood because you won't (If you do get therapy!!!). The acting was incredible. Perfect performances by all. The music really stuck with me as well. This drama is packed with powerful emotions.

MonsterZero-65 · 6 Nov 2009

Some of the finest acting ever in this dark and interesting drama. A really important story and you can't help but feel conflicted while watching this. I highly recommend.

gizm092 · 22 Mar 2007

OK, you think it's a normal story, high school girls, high school girl crush on teacher drama, nothing new right? Well, imagine this one a step ahead of that. Predictability is how I judge dramas nowadays. After a haitus of over 2 or 3 years of not reviewing any, this one is a somewhat bitter welcome back into the world of jdrama. Strong points go towards those few moments where the drama leaves you hanging and wanting to know what happens and what happened. Sadly, it is mostly these plot points that keep you glued to the story and they conveniently happened mostly at episodes' end. I cannot refute the point that I stayed up late just to find out what happens next, however, maybe a few feelgood moments couldn't hurt and give me brighter dreams maybe. Dark, dark, dark. I'll watch the 2003 version, maybe the world would be a better place by then.

meowminx · 26 Jul 2006

I first saw this back in 1993, I think around winter time. I was still living in L.A. and Channel 18 (international) showed it every Sunday. At first I was shocked at the various storylines, but I was just fascinated, not only with how it was written, but it showed a bit of everyday life in Japan. My Japanese penpal has told me that this has caused much controversy in Japan at that time and I dont think she even watched it!
I think the actors did a wonderful job portraying their characters and I absolutely had a big crush on Sanada Hiroyuki!
I havent seen the 2003 remake, but I hope I will soon!

Miss Marty · 9 Oct 2005

When I got this drama, I thought it was going to be a very straight forward "girl has crush on her teacher" style story. And I wanted to gaze upon the lovely Sanada Hiroyuki. Instead, it is a much deeper story and contains some rather "shocking" events. The theme song, the lead girl- Mayu's- downright STALKING of her teacher, and the cartoon CATS she keeps drawing irritated me at first. The English teacher-- my first exposure to rock star-actor Kyoumoto Masaki--is beautiful... but only on the outside it turns out. His character's storyline continues over into the 2003 version of this drama. If you've only seen that one, you've gotta see this one! I grew up in the USA, so I didn't have much prior knowledge of Japanese high schools. I learned a lot of culture from this. I confirmed with some Japanese friends that things really were much like that 10+ years ago in terms of how open (or closed) girls were about their emotions and bad things that happened to them. Essentially a sad story, and of course over the top (hey, it's a television drama, how realistic could it be and still entertain?), but "Koukou Kyoushi" has some memorable characters. If you're used to Sanada Hiroyuki playing an action hero, like I was, you'll be shocked to see what a wimp he can play too. This is a pre-cell phone era drama centered on the lives of two best friends at high school. Both have dark secrets in their lives, and both turn to teachers to help them. The first time I watched this series, I did it all in two marathon sessions, one night until I fell asleep, and then continued as soon as I woke up. It's very addictive. You'll really want to know what happens next.

meruchan · 1 Oct 2005

It is unfortunate that some previous reviewers have bashed this dorama based on their obviously limited knowledge of Japanese high schools and their focus on select scenes instead of the entire storyline. This dorama was far ahead of its time in 1993--By 2005 it is nothing new for those who have actually worked in a number of Japanese urban secondary schools as I have. The writing, acting, and direction in this memorable dorama are all first-rate and performed with great sensitivity, unlike the cheap trashy movie by the same name. This well-known writer is also responsible the most recent version starring Ueto Aya.

The issues covered in Kou Kou Kyoushi are controversial (a rape by a teacher, an abortion, another relationship between a young teacher & student, incest, etc.) but these accurate depictions did much to bring such topics into public discussion in Japan during the 1990s. The situations portrayed here are quite realistic--Japanese teachers have a higher responsibility for their students than in many other countries, and unfortunately some have intentionally or unintentionally abused this trust. I have personally known of teachers involved with HS students in Japan, while the administration covered up the situation time and again. Kou Kou Kyoushi brings all of these issues to focus during one high school year for dramatic effect.

What is lost among uninformed criticisms here is that the plot and acting are superb. Unbiased viewers will come to understand and appreciate the primary characters in this dorama as they develop in classic Japanese style. Unlike many dramatizations, the students portrayed in Kou Kou Kyoushi look and act like real students. Main actress Sakurai Sachiko was much beloved by Japanese boys during the 1990s for her role here and in others such as NHK serial Ten Urara. If you were not offended by syrupy Majo no Jouken, you should NOT be offended by Kou Kou Kyoushi. The main plot and premise are basically identical--Yet some of the same reviewers are willing to completely overlook that obstacle because they are so smitten by their idols Nanako and Taki.

My only question is how Kou Kou's producers were able to find a Japanese high school administration willing to allow the use of their school & students for the filming of this dorama. Kou Kou's plots must have caused great embarrassment to the school district officials, resulting in the subsequent "retirement" of the principal.

contiki · 15 Nov 2003

The first drama I have ever seen, and the one that hooked me like a fish. Evidently one that had much controversy when realeased in Japan due to a father/daughter relationship plot (as if the student/teacher one wasn't enough). Well acted, good soundtrack and underappreciated. The tape I have of it is wearing out!

RedR8der · 17 Feb 2003

This is the second dorama I've ever seen and the most memorable and touching.