Good Morning Call (2016)

Somehow they managed to make this worse than the manga...

Why I say that? Because the source material is not great. It suffers from lack of direction, lack of character developement (too slow for the lenght of the manga) and plotholes. I never understood why it was popular at the time and it's one of the most boring and plain shoujo mangas I've ever read (and shoujo is pretty much what I've ever read).

One of the biggest problems with this show is that the source material is a romcom/slice of life manga, here though, they have decided to cross the line to drama and even some melodramatic moments becoming something of a terrible mix to me.
Why is this show called Good Morning Call is something I'm still asking myself after finishing it. They took the names and the very general idea but it doesn't follow the manga much and the characters are generally not like the manga either.
Both the protagonists are like the manga ones on steroids, especially Nao. In the manga she's your stereotypical teenager (also to point out they're younger in the manga when in starts than in this show), she likes shopping and looks... and something quite outdated it's precisely the whole girlie obsessions with the looks, weight and fashion. I'm sorry for Haruka Fukuhara, I don't know if she was forced to do it or it was all her, but she was way too over the top, exaggerated and very annoying most of the time. While Nao in the manga can be annoying at times as well, it's 100 times more in the show. Same happens with Uehara, sorry to the actor as well because I don't know if it's just his limitations in acting or the direction, but he had pretty much one single emotion the entire time. Manga Uehara can be cold, serious, sarcastic and rude sometimes but in most cases corrects himself later and he does show more emotions and he can laugh and be sassy. Show Uehara is just a rock, it was ok in the beginning but it got ridiculous pretty quickly.
There are many instances in the show where a situation happens that actually happened in the manga as well, but where in the manga was either slightly different or Uehara reacted in an ok way, in the show they cut before that or they changed the details what ended up making Uehara a lot worse of a person than he is in the manga. One example of this is that night when Nao goes to buy pudding and there was in the news something about some instances of attacks in the area. In the show she watches those news, has a fight with Uehara about the pudding, he shouts at her to buy replacement and later when she's scared he finds her in the bushes. You think, WOW Uehara is terrible! In the manga they fight for the pudding and Nao pissed saying he's like a child goes to buy a replacement pudding. Uehara sees on tv the news of the attacks and he runs down the stairs and catches here as she exits the elevator, uses the excuse of buying milk to accompany her all the way, and they banter and fight-play about who had to carry the bags back home. There are many times in the show that they made noticeable differences that make Uehara look so much worse than he's supposed to be.

I think had it followed the manga it would have been better, here they also decided that every single male had to fancy Nao and every single woman had to fancy Uehara, I would have preferred it to be less focused on the leads and they had explored the side characters more as well. Abe Jun is a very prominent character in the manga and they just put it in the background.
I also noticed there were contradictions in some of the things said in the show, for example, we see Kitaura mostly only talking and interacting with Uehara but at some point later she says to him she has to position herself (on some issue happening) with Nao because it's her friend....hmmmm excuse me? In the show you see them interacting like maybe once. It's not the only time this happens, and it felt like they wanted to link more to the manga but they couldn't remember what they had written before. In the manga Kitaura (and her cousin that doesn't appear here) were friends with Nao first and didn't have as much interaction with Uehara.

Daichi, who are you? Who knows, just created to be one of the interested parties and I learnt nothing about him other than he likes Nao, not even in the second season.
Itchan was cool in the manga, here it's just reduced once again to be another potential lover for Nao. Something that annoyed me the most about his character was that melodrama about wanting to quit the ramen shop, in the manga ramen is everything to him to the point he actually starts dating a girl he met in a queue to a famous ramen restaurant because she also loved ramen, what I thought it was funny. Also, his father is so much more stern here, in the source material he's kind and has health issues what it's also the reason his son works in the restaurant. Moreover, when the bowls were broken in the show the father is scolding Itchan, in the manga the father sends Itchan and Nao to apologise to the owner and the bowls turn out to be not that expensive per se but the old man says they were made by the woman he fancies so they're priceless to him. The woman he fancies turns out to be Nao and Uehara's landlady, and they start dating and even both accompany the young group on a trip, I thought it was hilarious, and had they sticked to a romcom with this show it could have been so much better. Also Uehara has such a cool relationship with the landlady, almost like a mother figure to him.

I could go on and on but it's no point. Generally the frustration is that if you're not going to follow the source material at least make it better, not worse... Here characters are bad and not explored, plot is thin, love triangles are boring and bring nothing to the plot, music is annoying and the over the top acting of the main character is the cherry on top to make this whole show difficult to watch an enjoy, so I can't recommend.

Leia Mais

When I first read the synopsis for Good Morning Call, I found it very interesting, although cliche. I was expecting a light, fun and fluffy show that would give me the butterflies and satisfy my weird fantasy of getting to live with a super hot guy without any effort (don't judge). Well, what I got was a very VERY bad execution.

First, let's talk about the story (I gave this a 6\10). As I already said above, the initial synopsis was very interesting to me, making me start the show in the first place. As I actually started to get into the show, I noticed that there really weren't any cool interesting twists that could make up for the overall cliche of this plot, which, to be honest, disappointed me.

Second, there is the cast\acting (I gave this a 3\10). As you can already see from my rating of this point, I despised the acting in this show and I also felt pretty meh about the cast. The cast, as in the way the actors looked in comparison to the manga characters wasn't that bad, but their acting was on another level of cringe. The main female lead (sorry, I forgot her name) always acted so clumsy and innocent, but in an exaggerated and unnatural way that rendered her performance extremely cringy. As for the main male lead (forgot his name too), he just looked like a blank sheet of paper all the freaking time. Like, yeah, I get that he's supposed to be this cold handsome guy, but still, when anyone starts falling in love with someone else, they can't help but show some emotion (concern, affection, etc). Still, in the case of this guy, even in scenes where he's supposed to be worried, he looks fake-worried, which makes his performance cringy too. I won't say anything about the other actors because we'd be here all day.

Third, there was the music, which, for a bubbly japanese rom-com, wasn't too bad. I ended up giving it a 6. Honestly, there isn't that much to say about it.

Fourth, we get to the rewatch value, which for me is very low (2\10). You probably can guess why. As I already said above, I thoroughly disliked this drama, finding it cringy and downright stupid.

Finally, I gave this drama an overall 4.5\10, reflecting my feelings towards it.

Leia Mais

Not as good as I thought it was...

I'm going to spoil one episode, barely, but I don't really care right now.

Looking back, I don't really like this drama as much as I used to. And I definitely don't like this relationship anymore. I honestly can't believe I ever did. About a week ago I couldn't understand the more negative reviews I read about this show. But, I decided to rewatch it, and I can definitely see how messed up Uehara and Nao's relationship is.

Uehara almost never expresses his feelings, never really apologizes, doesn't put Nao first, doesn't consider Nao's feelings, waits too long to clear things up or never does, and doesn't pay enough attention to Nao.

Everything that is wrong with this couple, from the beginning and in the future episodes, can be found in season 1, episode 10.

Daichi summed it up best a third of the way into the episode: "What's wrong with you? Are you even thinking about Nao's feelings? If you make a promise, then keep it! You got her hopes up and played with her feelings. She just giggles and brushes off whatever you say. Have you ever thought about her feelings?"

Nao just lets Uehara walk all over her and is happy with the slight crumbs of affection and/or attention he gives her. She didn't have to start dating Daichi instead just because he also liked her. But, she should have Never dated Uehara. He is not a good person.

At some point you think Nao would finally realize that this relationship is unhealthy and Uehara isn't treating her right. She almost does for a brief moment in episode 10. But, then what does she do? She goes right back to him without him acknowledging that how he acted and continues to act is messed up.

He literally drags her home to make some sort of apology. But he doesn't apologize. Instead, he says, "Don't be stupid." when she asked if he kissed Yuri, when she has every right to be worried. And his idea of a "present" to make up with her is to buy her 25 milk puddings?!

Then he holds her, she cries and says "I like you," he says it back, and they kiss.

Yep. Totally romantic. Not manipulative and emotionally abusive at all.

Sorry for this rant. Can you tell I'm mad I got blindsided back then?

Leia Mais

I reaaallyyy don't understand the nay-sayers here.

First of all, Nao and Uehara did enjoy their time together, it really comes out even without having rea the manga (which I have since then). Everybody says the actor wasn't showing emotions, I disagree: I remember him smiling, sometimes looking extremely kind but at the beginning. Of course bc his character starts to melt up slowly when getting familiar, then becoming friends and then lovers with Nao. I don't understand how you guys don't see all this here, sorry.

Some may say here, in the manga Uehara was nicer. Well, I've just finished reading, most of the time we can't even see his face, only his back, and yup, when we get his face, it is not always smiling (it'd be ooc btw). He sometimes smiles but most of the time he does not give a damn to anything, except Nao.
Anyway, a one-sided character, there was not much to do about him. I think the actor did the role well. Honestly, even at Twilight it is the same with Edward, there's nothing much about the character except for that he must be hot, uninterested, cold and so on... But that's the same with every other shoujou stuff.
I wouldn't say that the actor was more terrible than eg. the one in the 1st L-DK movie (imo) or any other typical shoujou. It is just that story is from the girl's perspective as always. If we consider L-DK here as a comparison, I prefer this one bc it was a bit more realistic, L-DK was way too 'high in the clouds' especially the girl.

About the acting, I didn't like the FL first but later she became better, more into character and I really like her now as an actress. I LIKE Shiraishi Shunya as an actor (I'm currently watching his Kamen Rider) but after coming here I also came to the sad realisation that I'm probably the only one or at least in the minority with this opinion. Anyway, I stick with it. I think people who don't like him they haved probably never watched pretty bad acting in doramas. Well, I have and I really think that this is not a bad one, maybe so many of you feel it so bc the actor's eyes is a bit unusual and his mimics were that too. However, it certainly isn't the worst I've ever seen in my life.
Other actors were great here too, Sakurada Dori and Tanaka Kei never gives his name to a story that is not worth at least a lil bit. So as for actors/actresses this dorama certainly is a good kickstarter, also a cheerful, fluffy dorama for boring days, only that with a bit of a boring plot (at the end their problems is a bit repetitive) but definitely a good one.

BTW all is the same in the manga (yes, Uehara too), only some minor changes so I don't understand why people here are angry with the outcome, it is very well adapted, that's just another thing that some people seem not to like the original story itself. But if so, why blame the dorama? they should take the blame (if they want that so much) on the mangaka, not on the dorama... Anyway, I even liked its 2nd season more as their story has matured a lot (which in the manga hasn't), their character too, and not to mention everybody's acting has just got better and better.

I recommend this dorama, its 2nd season even more, it is available on Netflix and if you like school romcoms like this then I really think it is a must for you!!

Leia Mais

I am writing this as HUGE fan of Shojo format dramas and anime.  It seems like the writer of the manga pulled every possible trope from this genre and put it in this story.  There are elements from Itazura na Kiss - Love in Tokyo, Hana Yori Dango, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, and even Switch Girl!! 2. While predictable it wasn't annoying over the top at all.  There is not question (from the audience) whether they love each other, its whether they figure it out or not themselves.  Highlighting the insecurities of (I was going to say young, but I know 40 yr olds who act like this) immature girls.

I recommend this one if you love Shojo,  Even if you don't because they are over the top and frustrating, because this one is ...more believable?  More real?  More current times?  All of the above.  

So pull up some tissues, your netflix remote, and watch this generations Shojo classic.

Leia Mais

I managed to watch a lot of this drama on the drive to my trip to Montreal, and I'm pretty sure I creeped out my dad and sister sitting in the front with my unstoppable squealing and gasping. It's safe to say that I was very attached to this drama.

Yes, the storyline is very typical, but I found each and every episode to be enjoying to watch, and the writers do a great job of ending off with a cliffhanger, making you click on the next episode. I deleted 3 apps on my phone just so I could have the storage for Good Morning Call. I love the cliches (THE FREAKING LOVE TRIANGLE HAD ME TORN OMG), but also appreciated how some drama stereotypes were broken (the guy, while handsome and smart, isn't rich and you really get to see how hard he has to work). I loved the friendships. Oh my holy goodness, the friendship between the main protagonists with the other characters is so delightful and genuine and I was so happy to see such a tight group of friends.

I absolutely adored the acting and cast. All of the cast did a great job of brining unique aspects to their character and tying the storyline together. They also all had great chemistry with each other, making the story believable.

The music wasn't' a big part of the drama, but there were definitely some tunes I found to be super cute and fitting to the drama.

Leia Mais

I mean, it's shoujo and so it's going to have these issues, but I found the two leads to have all the raging sexual chemistry that you expect to find from a relationship between Tinkerbell and Spock - that is, none whatsoever. The male lead, Uehara, is undemonstrative and withholding right to the edge of abuse, and the female protagonist, Nao, is romantically deluded and simple right to the edge of stupidity. Nao receives love confessions from several other boys who would all be better matches for her, but, no, the leads are trapped in a universe where they are destined to be together. The lead actors are both charismatic and deft given what they have to work with, but what really saves and redeems the show are the secondary and tertiary characters who are all quite likable and winning. There are a couple truly affecting moments in the series, and it is ultimately worth watching for those moments.

Leia Mais

Saw this on Netflix and decided to give it a go. The story really reminds me of the Korean or Thai "Full House" series with the concept of strangers living together. I was hoping that this series would have more romance but I found myself quite scared of the main character, Uehara Hisashi, actually. The female lead, Yoshikawa Nao, was kind of awkward as well. I don't know, if it's the actors or if it's like that in the original manga, since I haven't read it yet, but there isn't a lot of chemistry between the two main characters. The are better romance dramas out there for sure, so I wouldn't re-watch it.
I saw that there'll be a season 2 of this drama so I'm still quite excited to see what'll happen! Let's hope that the next season will focus on the romance more!

Leia Mais

I didn't read the manga before I watched this one so I really enjoyed watching it. The actors were so good comparing them to other Japanese actors. I love all the characters' personalities and the actors were able to portray it well. Although it was about a not so smart girl and a cold, smart and handsome boy, I enjoyed it a lot. I loved their chemistry and the flow of the story was so smooth and interesting.It wasn't that cliche (although there are some). I was also able to finish this drama for only one day. Every end of the episode would make you watch the next episode.

The thing that I disliked a bit about this drama is that I hoped there were more romantic scenes. Well it is quite understandable that there are not much of skinship scenes and such because the characters are only high school students, but I hope that they were more sweet to each other. Like they would kiss for real because their kiss scenes were like their lips just touched. I hope they would take it to the next level. BUT I think it was also made like that because they have this innocent relationship.

There are also some cringe moments where the female lead would imagine things and she wasn't aware of the things around her like she is embarrassing herself or something. It was somewhat childish of Yoshikawa so I really cringed. There were also scenes where some of the characters, over acted a bit so it was quite off.

BUT STILL! This drama is recommendable especially if you have nothing much to do or if you are bored. I enjoyed watching this drama and I hope that you'll enjoy it as well.

Leia Mais

I don't know if it's that I keep stumbling onto this format of romantic dramas, if josei and shojo manga these days all have the same premise or if the manga they choose to make dramas out of are all with the same formula. No matter the reason, this is the 3rd drama of 2016 I watch with the same premise and this wasn't the best or the worst. It was barely ok. This has the same formula: "troubled jerk" male lead and "sweet and innocent" (and sometimes annoying) female lead get themselves in a situation that throws them together against their will, insert "nice guy" who likes her and dislikes the way "troubled jerk" treats the girl, but who she doesn't notice (in this one you have two of those). Add some other characters to make the triangle more of a square or a pentagram and you have your show. You've seen it pretty much everywhere and this year, specifically, in Please Love the Useless Me, Happy Marriage and A Girl & Three Sweethearts, at least.

As it sounds, it's filled with expected situations: misunderstandings, girls hating the lead because two of the guys who are into her are from a "top 3 most handsome" in the whole school, the male lead hurting her because he "doesn't know how to express his feelings" and "he wants to protect her", the female lead losing a lot of her character once she starts having feelings for him. You know, that questionably somewhat toxic relationship dynamic that, if you're anything like me, makes you wonder why you're doing this to yourself again. There's also a situation between Uehara, the male lead, and his brother and said brother's girlfriend, much like in Please Love the Useless Me, but here it goes around in circles rather than really helping the development of the character. Actually, a lot of the things that happen go around in circles, the same situations happening over and over and the amount of episodes seeming too long for this story. But, like I said, it's not the worst I've seen, not even this year, so there's that.

The bunch of friends Nao, the female lead, acquires and has by her side make the story a bit more worthwhile: her unconditional friend Marina (played by Arai Moe), who is more upset about her friend not trusting her than about boy competitions and is openly interested in both boys and girls without batting an eyelash about it, the well-intentioned yet pretty clumsy Jun (played by Nagasawa Koya) who is rejected by girls on a daily basis yet doesn't become enraged or vengeful at all for it, and my favorite character, Nozomi Kitaura (played by Tezuka Mai), a "Girl Prince" type who isn't really there to become part of the love pentacle situation and offers a tough female perspective to the whole thing, giving a short but extremely memorable speech to Uehara at one point in defense of Nao's situation as a girl and calls him out for thinking that, as a man, he understands her position. Those characters are worth me giving this drama a higher score than I gave to Happy Marriage, although they aren't as prominent in the show for me to give it a higher score than the one I gave to Please Love The Useless Me. All in all, it's passable yet annoying at times, the performances are generally good and it is visually nice looking, plus, it's on Netflix.

Leia Mais