Strawberry on the Shortcake (2001)

I watched this drama following the recommendation of a friend, whose judgment in terms of good dramas I've come to trust completely. And, not surprisingly, I loved it.

It's not well known, possibly because it's not studded with the usual idols fangirls swoon about. Sad, because it is wonderfully acted and incredibly original, from the surprising beginning to the absolutely unexpected ending. The pace is slow, which can deter some, but I personally found it perfect, with the exception of a couple of instances by the middle. The symbolism of it captivated me from minute one, and I think this is the most fitting title of a drama ever.

This dorama is a collection of memorable lines and even more unforgettable characters.
Takizawa Hideaki and Fukada Kyoko do a splendid job in portraying their characters: the first leads the viewer where he wants, once liking him, another time hating him, then again fearing him or feel compassion; she, on the other hand, is either love or hate. I usually am deeply annoyed by girly girls all cuteness, pink and seeming candour, but she is so artless, even in her machinations, that I found her adorable. This is not a pretty girl playing cute: cute is her essence, and even in her apparent silliness, there's an unexpected depth of thought.

But who really did it for me are the secondary characters, played by Yosuke Kubozuka and Uchiyama Rina. Terrific acting skills and wonderful character development by both. Not that I doubted it: I still have to see Kubozuka playing a part without doing an outstanding job. And Uchiyama is downright brilliant in this.

The music is another very strong point. Without being a fan of Abba myself, I thought the soundtrack was chosen with sense and logic. I like it when single music pieces identify a single character, to the point you know who's going to be portrayed even though you close your eyes.

In conclusion: I watched this thanks to a Perfect recommendation; I hope to be able to pass on a little of that with my review.

Leia Mais

I just finished watching this drama and I am still awed. The characters in this were simply amazing, you could feel everything with them and the acting was great. It was really believable, even though it had such a unique and sometimes unrealistic storyline.
I really liked how different this drama is. It's nothing like I expected and the ending was surprising, I changed my viewpoint every episode and didn't even know how I wanted it to end.

Of course it gets a 10 for the music. The ABBA songs fit perfectly on the one side and on the other side they seemed totally off. It's something you will definitely remember, though and I loved it.

This is a really emotional drama without much action, but lots and lots of love.

Let yourself be surprised and watch it, it's worth a try. :)

Leia Mais

It got me curious bout the story of this jdrama after reading the reviews. Why Strawberry on the short cake is the title of this drama?.

I'm not really into jdrama but this got me really interested. from episode 1-10 non-stop because i find it really intriguing. First the way of life of the main male role who's playact not showing his true self. Second is about the phrase "that i will never forget you". he always narrate that. Then there she goes the female lead role who act's kinda weird at first that makes me think that she's not really existing that she is just his imagination.

I love it story cause it is just like a smooth sail. It has all the sense that maybe one of us will encounter. I just think that it is realistic in the sense that it can really happen in real life.


And lastly it has something to learn for. about love, family, affairs, sex, and even how would you eat your strawberry short cake?., Are you gonna eat the strawberry on top first or will it be the last to eat.

Hope you all find it interesting too and watch it. :) jae ne!,.

P.S I'm kinda annoyed of the theme song (S.O.S) there.. ahehe. so i skip to that.

Leia Mais

This drama was pleasant on its little moments, but taken as a whole felt a little stuffy.

An overload of introspection doesn't seem to agree well with me especially with its kind of story.

I actually wasn't convinced of the how and why the main couple had fallen in love despite the fact that it was exactly what the drama was trying to do. For one thing, I didn't buy into their chemistry. I think Kubozuka was too charismatic and Takizawa paled next to him, it goes for both the actor and the character. Kubozuka had more chemistry with all three female characters which was just ironic.

I like ABBA, and their songs set the mood well and that in itself somehow improved my experience in watching this.

If I have to do my own introspection, I guess that the plotline already felt a little jaded at this time. Since I'm watching this more than a decade from its premiere? Yeah, most probably the case, though such doesn't always happen with an old drama for me.

If you like a kind of hopeful forbidden love, teenage angst of unrequited love, sweet & sour moments of self introspection, or maybe just to enjoy a very charming Kubozuka Yosuke, then you might want to give this drama a chance.

Leia Mais

Frustrated Love would be the best title for this drama. It features 2 young men who are obsessed with 2 women, a stepsister and a teacher. The main character plays a forlorn, aimless student who spends his day moping over his beloved stepsister. She seems to be oblivious of his unexpressed affection as she is obsessed with another.

What makes this plot unbelievable are the two women who assist their love interests to win over women of their choice who would better suit them. This does not happen in the real world! This goes against human nature!

Equally ridiculous is the hospital drama of love wasting as a form of manipulation. It is more of a psychiatric condition! And then the final blow, who ends up with whom? You will never be able to figure it out because it makes no sense. You don't suddenly switch your love interests. I did not feel any romance at all here at all. Instead, it seems the real schizophrenic was the writer. It's too bad because the characters, acting, and music were all noteworthy.

Leia Mais