cori wrote:

I noticed that a lot of people are mentioning Haikei, Chichiue-sama (Dear Father) and Yasashii Jikan and saying that it was good even though it was a slow-moving drama. I tend to get bored of some slow-moving dramas (Aoi Tori/Blue Bird, for one), but I'm still debating on whether to check these dramas out, I would appreciate some opinions. No Nino fangirl opinions please.

Yasashii Jikan is a dorama which will appeal to an older, more mature audience. It's quite different from the mostly fatuous, pop idol crap that has tended to dominate dorama in recent years. For one thing, much of the cast, including the lead, are older (40 and 50+) actors/actresses. This is a good thing because these veterans tend to be consummate performers. The themes which run through the show are best appreciated and understood by those who have led longer, more experienced lives: parenthood, mid-life crises, widowhood, loneliness, reflection, wisdom. While it deals with serious topics, it is not a depressing or dark series, but offers hope and redemption. Instead of "slow moving," I think "deliberately paced" would be a more accurate description as it mirrors the ebb and flow of the setting and its characters. Speaking of setting, the series does justice to the wondrous Hokkaido countryside, both in its splendor and harshness. And there's a beautiful, haunting theme song played at the end of each episode.

Thanks for posting, Garp_is_dead and shin2! I really appreciate your input! They both sound kind of interesting so I think I'll check these dramas out once I'm done with the others on my list.
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shin2 wrote:

It's quite different from the mostly fatuous, pop idol crap that has tended to dominate dorama in recent years.

Hear that Gokusen and Hana Yori Dango fans?

cori wrote:

Thanks for posting, Garp_is_dead and shin2! I really appreciate your input! They both sound kind of interesting so I think I'll check these dramas out once I'm done with the others on my list.

This fangirl is really looking forward to your review on both doramas

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Instead of "slow moving," I think "deliberately paced" would be a more accurate description as it mirrors the ebb and flow of the setting and its characters.

Nice summary of Yasashii Jikan shin2

cori wrote:

I noticed that a lot of people are mentioning Haikei, Chichiue-sama (Dear Father) and Yasashii Jikan and saying that it was good even though it was a slow-moving drama. I tend to get bored of some slow-moving dramas (Aoi Tori/Blue Bird, for one), but I'm still debating on whether to check these dramas out, I would appreciate some opinions. No Nino fangirl opinions please.

^
for Yasashii Jikan, like the reviews above.

but it is really slow beutifully slow paced? i enjoyed that one.

how can you tell whether it's a nino fangirl opinion or not? he did really good in it, trust me. i've seen his crap like Minamikun ni Koibito

i can still remember how he

Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler:

burnt his own arm

in Yasashii Jikan... very memorable
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oh, my school mag editor said she's gonna erase the anime section and she told me to do a dorama instead.


if you were about to poison 700 non-dorama-loving people to watch a dorama, what Winter 2007 dorama would you make a review on?

last time i did one on My Boss My Hero and it was a success, some poeple suddenly began doing the Agnes move
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how can you tell whether it's a nino fangirl opinion or not? he did really good in it, trust me. i've seen his crap like Minamikun ni Koibito

and i wished for his death in Handoku.. Nino was paired with a 15cm Kyoko Fukada in Minami. You can't blame him alone on that crappy (but oh so sweet ) performance.

monta wrote:

oh, my school mag editor said she's gonna erase the anime section and she told me to do a dorama instead. if you were about to poison 700 non-dorama-loving people to watch a dorama, what Winter 2007 dorama would you make a review on? last time i did one on My Boss My Hero and it was a success, some poeple suddenly began doing the Agnes move

must it be Winter 2007?
Can't you pick another season? Year?
I have only one pick for W2007.. Haikei Chichiuesama
ummm... the hot Meisa Kuroki was also in it...
Karei is too heavy & haven't seen Haken no Hinkaku.

Nodame might be good poison too and its current. The manga like quality + Chiaki senpai will be a hit for the masses. But you can also go for Hana.Yori.Dango :/

ainangst wrote:

Quote: how can you tell whether it's a nino fangirl opinion or not? he did really good in it, trust me. i've seen his crap like Minamikun ni Koibito and i wished for his death in Handoku.. Nino was paired with a 15cm Kyoko Fukada in Minami. You can't blame him alone on that crappy (but oh so sweet ) performance. must it be Winter 2007? Can't you pick another season? Year? I have only one pick for W2007.. Haikei Chichiuesama ummm... the hot Meisa Kuroki was also in it... Karei is too heavy & haven't seen Haken no Hinkaku. Nodame might be good poison too and its current. The manga like quality + Chiaki senpai will be a hit for the masses. But you can also go for Hana.Yori.Dango :/

the 'KF' word is taboo. yeah, she's the source of crappyness

yes, must be 2007, something pretty new.

Nodame Cantabile isn't that up to date. +, eventhough they haven't seen it, most of the people already know it (somehow).

Is Haikei Chichiuesama in the mainstream???

i was thinking of Hideaki Itou's new dorama , but i'm not gonna write on somethin i haven't even seen
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I think the important thing with Yasashii Jikan is that since it's so different from the typical jdrama with the father son relationship that people go in with the wrong mindset. If you want to watch a character drama it ranks up there with the best I have ever seen but if you're just looking to just have some fun there are plenty of other shows out there.

I was looking back on the 2005 dramas I've watched and Yasashii Jikan easily ranks in the top 3. Ninomiya is not only one of the best johnny's actors, but also one of the best drama actors currently in Japan IMO.

With Haikei, Chichue-Sama, I personally saw the writers weaknesses come out clearly. He is quite old now so it seems like he is out of touch with what youth today are really like, it caused the dialog for the most part to be some what unrealistic. It's still worth watching though, good direction, characters, music and just plain hilarious at times.

bmwracer wrote:

Hear that Gokusen and Hana Yori Dango fans?

I actually liked Hana Yori Dango! I'm definitely not a fangirl though (most of the guys in it were too young or not good looking imo).

ainangst wrote:

This fangirl is really looking forward to your review on both doramas

Hehe, I will be sure to comment/review it when I watch them.

monta wrote:

how can you tell whether it's a nino fangirl opinion or not? he did really good in it, trust me. i've seen his crap like Minamikun ni Koibito

To me, if a person only watches and comments on how cute he is and nothing else about the drama or gives a drama a high rating despite it being a crap drama only because he's in it, then that person is a fangirl (or fanboy).

Also, thanks for the added insight, sucigam. Wow, I never knew how much comments these particular dramas would draw. Now I'm intrigued.
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Japanese drama trades (on hiatus)

Currently watching: Netflix stuff

cori wrote:

To me, if a person only watches and comments on how cute he is and nothing else about the drama or gives a drama a high rating despite it being a crap drama only because he's in it, then that person is a fangirl (or fanboy).

Exactly.

Case in point is Gokusen: Nakama Yukie's character is what drives the drama and makes it work, not the pouty, angst-filled, pretty boy MatsuJun. Bbut that's what 95% of the conversation in the Gokusen thread is about.

Nobuta wo Produce
Tiger & Dragon
Kisarazu Cat's Eye
summer snow
Hanamura Daisuke
Dragon zakura
brother beat

thinking of watching any one of these jdorama's
but ive heard mixed reviews about Kisarazu and dragon zakura
so i was wondering if they were recommenable? from what ive read they seems interesting...

bmwracer wrote:

Exactly. Case in point is Gokusen: Nakama Yukie's character is what drives the drama and makes it work, not the pouty, angst-filled, pretty boy MatsuJun. Bbut that's what 95% of the conversation in the Gokusen thread is about.

That's so annoying. And looking at the comments from the people in the Gokusen synopsis area thingy, most of them are fixated on MatsuJun, with only a handful of comments that actually say something about the drama. Finding a well written, unbiased review in a pretty boy/girl drama is like finding a freaking needle in a haystack. (Also, MatsuJun ain't all that good looking, so I'm guessing he's popular just because he's in a boyband, right?)
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Japanese drama trades (on hiatus)

Currently watching: Netflix stuff

cori wrote:

That's so annoying. And looking at the comments from the people in the Gokusen synopsis area thingy, most of them are fixated on MatsuJun, with only a handful of comments that actually say something about the drama.

Yup.

And why the so-called Top 50 is a unabashed joke.

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Finding a well written, unbiased review in a pretty boy/girl drama is like finding a freaking needle in a haystack.

For the most part, yes.

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(Also, MatsuJun ain't all that good looking, so I'm guessing he's popular just because he's in a boyband, right?)

That and the fact he pouts, preens, and purses his Cover Girl lips.

I was going to come in and ask for a recommendation but I was going to say I liked Hanadan very much so I don't know what kind of feedback I'm going to get (Though I can say I find Matsumoto Jun attractive that isn't the reason I liked the show to be honest at first I found him to be not so good looking)

I also liked Summer Snow, Moto Kare and I've enjoyed the first few of Liar Game. Can anyone make a recommendation. New or old is good because I'm pretty new to J-dorama

nothing_noble wrote:

Can anyone make a recommendation. New or old is good because I'm pretty new to J-dorama

I'd enthusiastically recommend Nodame Cantabile and Kuitan... They're both fun dramas.

nothing_noble wrote:

I was going to come in and ask for a recommendation but I was going to say I liked Hanadan very much so I don't know what kind of feedback I'm going to get (Though I can say I find Matsumoto Jun attractive that isn't the reason I liked the show to be honest at first I found him to be not so good looking) I also liked Summer Snow, Moto Kare and I've enjoyed the first few of Liar Game. Can anyone make a recommendation. New or old is good because I'm pretty new to J-dorama

I liked Hana Yori Dango aswell ^^ I'm a sucker for romantic drama's

As for recommendations, maybe H2? it's a drama about a baseball player who is in love with his childhood friend but he cannot confess to her because his best friend is her boyfriend... I hope that summary wasn't confusing XD

Nodame wo Cantabil is also a nice love story/ comedy.. it's one of the funniest drama's I've ever seen very good chemistry between the main actors

Oh, forgot to ask.. did you see both Hanadan seasons? if you haven't I suggest you see both.. more Douyouji x Makino love/drama

hmm.. I don't know what kind of drama's you'll like to watch, just romance or can it be something else?
if you want to laugh your butt off go and see My Boss My Hero, that's personally THE funniest drama I've seen, but I'm sure the more experienced Jdorama member can suggest a lot more/better ^^

maybe you can tell me what kind of genres you like and then I can be more specific
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Hiroki + Makki = <3

I'm actually downloading Nodame as we speak.

As for genre I'm open to pretty much anything though from my list of thigs ive seen you probably guess romantic stuff. I also like comedy. Also are there japanese horror dramas? Just curious

nothing_noble wrote:

I'm actually downloading Nodame as we speak.

Excellent.

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Also are there japanese horror dramas?

Gokusen 2 comes to mind.


The horror.

For two seconds I was like "Gokusen is a horror drama!?!?!"

Hahaha what an Idiot I am