Seijo (2014)

You might be wondering why the overall rating is less than all the other criteria (except rewatch since it's rare that I rewatch to fairly value it), well the reason is because of additional criteria. I like the overall story, the concept, the cast and I love Love LOVE that ending song. My problem is with some of the directing, the way Hiji Motoko's character is written, Hirosue Ryoko's portrayal of some scenes, and finally the underwhelming last episode (or the 2nd half of the last episode).

I think this is one dorama who's concept may have been better executed if it was done in the 90s. I feel the actors being very restricted in the way they express themselves and act the characters, the pattern used in the dialog and so one. I think it's a similar to the dorama to "Ice World" but missing the "it" factor that we used to see in 90s dramas. That "it" factor is, for me it's passion expressed freely by the actors. I don't mean romantic scenes, not at all. I mean let the actors freely and passionately embody the characters so all interaction seems more instinctively, and enable chemistry to grow naturally.

It is my first drama with Nagayama Kento and I don't feel able to judge his talent based in this role. I couldn't help remember Eita every time I start watching an episode. They do have a strong resemblance and even their voices are similar. Nagayama Kento may be a bit better lookin' but I like Eita more ;). This drama also shines the light at who I think is underrated Renbutsu Misako. She was amazing in the movie "Murder of Snow White" and here though the role is less challenging giving her the spot light is nice. Lastly Hirosue Ryoko I had a lot of mixed feelings about her here. Her dramatic scenes are flawless, from crying to acting delusional. I had issued when she was acting surprised and supposedly having a poker face. Her surprise face was similar to that of a rookie actrice, as if someone telling her "now open your eyes wildly and feep them open". The standout in the cast could be the wife of one of the victims at the hospital. The rest of the cast was standard.

As for the ending, I just want to say I just didn't like it. I was okay with the final outcome but it could have been better. I just felt the ending being underwhelming.

All in all though it's a sweet short watch with a nice story.

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