Interesting...

Just realized that the opening credit sequence, showing Koji and Hiroko surfacing in a dream-like pool of water...

It's a reference to Koji's dream of a better life.

In Say You Love Me, Hiroko asks Koji what it's like being deaf. He replies that it's like being at the bottom of a dark sea, while yearning to be at the surface.

In this way, the opening credits of this dorama are like the end credits of Beautiful Life, where Kyoko leaves behind her wheelchair and runs across a moonlit meadow with Shuji.
-PCM

Trade OR Distro ITS ALL GOOD!!

This is one of my favorite all time dramas!!
Made me want a silent man!!!
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Eve wrote:

Trade OR Distro ITS ALL GOOD!! This is one of my favorite all time dramas!! Made me want a silent man!!!

Koji's in Love Letter, the movie, too.
-PCM

pcmodem wrote:

Koji's in Love Letter, the movie, too. -PCM

Thanx for the tip!!

I heard he was great in Blue Bird but I havent seen that yet.
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Trade or Distro
It's all good!

Check out my drama trade list: http://www.freewebs.com/evendrama/

I've been bad...(what's new?) I know I was suppose to go slow and watch one episode a week. But somehow, I ended up on ep. 11 - and I have no more dorama after the ep. 12.

I'll probably watch it over and over until I can buy more...

Does anyone feel my pain?


Mikiko

Mikiko wrote:

I've been bad...(what's new?) I know I was suppose to go slow and watch one episode a week. But somehow, I ended up on ep. 11 - and I have no more dorama after the ep. 12. I'll probably watch it over and over until I can buy more... Does anyone feel my pain? Mikiko

Hehe, just finished watching Say You Love Me.

Took today as a vacation day to heal up, so I had time.
-PCM

pcmodem wrote:

Hehe, just finished watching Say You Love Me. Took today as a vacation day to heal up, so I had time. -PCM

At least you can take vacation time - my job is a little ruthless when it comes to allotting leave time, and there is no sick leave. (Of which I needed after watching episodes 11 & 12.)

And am I the only one that wanted to slap Kenji, or put sugar in his motor bike? What a brat! I started to like Shiori more than I liked him.


Mikiko

pcmodem wrote:

Interesting... Just realized that the opening credit sequence, showing Koji and Hiroko surfacing in a dream-like pool of water... It's a reference to Koji's dream of a better life. In Say You Love Me, Hiroko asks Koji what it's like being deaf. He replies that it's like being at the bottom of a dark sea, while yearning to be at the surface. -PCM

I never thought of it that way. I think you're on to something. Good catch! I just thought it was a sexy opening... (but we know where my mind is.)


Mikiko

Mikiko wrote:

And am I the only one that wanted to slap Kenji, or put sugar in his motor bike? What a brat! I started to like Shiori more than I liked him. Mikiko

At first I thought similarly about Kenji, but think of it from his perspective.

Kenji is also in love with Hiroko, while being her lifelong friend. He has been pretty much a saint, encouraging Hiroko's romance with Koji at the expense of his own feelings.

When Hiroko had problems in the past, even about Koji, Kenji always helped her like a good friend. Kenji did not bust a move 'til Hiroko came crying to him that Koji had gotten back with his exGF. At that point, Kenji decides it's his chance.

The only truly wrong thing that Kenji did was withhold that letter.

Comparitively, Hiroko's continued panicing, distrust of Koji, and jumping in the sack with Kenji, paints her character as weaker than Koji or Kenji.
-PCM

pcmodem wrote:

Comparitively, Hiroko's continued panicing, distrust of Koji, and jumping in the sack with Kenji, paints her character as weaker than Koji or Kenji. -PCM

That's so true. I think that's why I was a little off-guard with the ending, though it probably wasn't as bad as it could've been. However, I did get ticked at her for acking like a "child" regarding the situation with Koji and Hikaru (the exGF).

However, I had to think about myself at age 21 and how I would've behaved. Though, I seriously doubt I would've jumped in the sack to get back at anyone - because that would be on me and I would feel like a slut afterwards (especially, if it's someone you know and have to see everyday - because then they would know you're a slut too). But that's probably "western world" thinking and after all - she did grow-up with Kenji, like you pointed out.


Mikiko

Stopped by King Eggroll this morning at the Kingberry plaza, and noticed across the street is...

Koji Sushi

Strangely, the business on the right side of Koji Sushi is an aquarium, and the business on the left side is a pet store. I'm never eating at Koji Sushi!



Bon appetit,
PCM

pcmodem wrote:

Stopped by King Eggroll this morning at the Kingberry plaza, and noticed across the street is... Koji Sushi Strangely, the business on the right side of Koji Sushi is an aquarium, and the business on the left side is a pet store. I'm never eating at Koji Sushi! Bon appetit, PCM

Yum-yum... talk about a loss of appetite!! You'd think Koji Sushi might plan a better location to have a restaurant.

(That is unless, the other two stores moved in afterwards... However, he doesn't have to worry much about competition.. or does he? )


Mikiko

So glad I found this forum!
I LOVED this drama when I saw it in '95 when I lived in Japan... watching it helped me learn Japanese too!
Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the DVDs in Australia?
Thanks!!!

Eve wrote:

This is one of my favorite all time dramas!! Made me want a silent man!!!

But you ended up with a Norwegian in a peacoat.

hikki wrote:

It's kinda funny how this dorama wouldn't have been quite the same today. I mean, they have cell phones now... which are mostly dirt cheap out here... They wouldn't have had all of the issues with Hiroko being too broke to get a fax machine... or with Shiori being a punk by trying to break it... They wouldn't have all of these miscommunications about meeting up, etc... Ahhh... cell phones, they take some of the surprise (and frustrations) out of romance

I dunno, Orange Days has basically the same premise, only the girls deaf instead of the guy. And in spite of all their texting back and forth, they still managed to have their share of problems.

Review: 8/10

I hugely enjoyed this show, and I loved it throughout the first ten episodes.

Toyokawa Etsushi completely blew me away. So much so, that I've voted for him as a fav on this site. Not only was he convincing as a hearing impaired individual (his use of sign language seemed so natural!), but he truly encompassed the persona of a true artist. His quiet disposition, what he wore, the way he walked, his gaze... everything about him was so attractive.

I've enjoyed watching Tokiwa Takako in other dramas, but never really appreciated her as actress until now. Although her character faltered in the last two episodes, I found her riveting to watch.

Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler:

My only complaint about the show was Hiroko's betrayal. Although I can completely understand how it came about and what she was feeling when it happened, I still felt it was out of character. As a result the whole ordeal left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm so glad it ended the way it did, though. A shimmer of hope. I'm really glad that they allowed some time to pass before the final (but hopefully not the last) encounter they portrayed in the show. It gave room for both characters to mature and truly be ready to continue with each other.

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