2018: Completed

(12/1)

I feel like I have been I’ve been on emotional roller coaster, yet it provided none of the thrill and all of the mellow.  I don’t think I’ve every been so apathetic to so much hysterical crying in my life.  No matter what this drama threw at me, I couldn’t manage to care.  There wasn’t a lot about this drama that kept my attention and it was quite the ordeal to complete.  I cannot recommend this one.  (12/1)

Yet another live action starring Sato Takeru.  This film has everything you would expect for a live action film adaption.  Kinda cheesy in parts, but has a fairly interesting story.  This was pretty fun. (11/30)

This was a surprisingly easy and whimsical drama. I loved how real and beautiful it was. I couldn’t get over all the amazing food stuffs that were prepared throughout the film. This was just what I was looking for. (11/24)

This drama was pretty over the top for my tastes, but it was a nice break from what I typically watch.  I am not the biggest fan of BL, but it’s sometimes nice to try something different ever now and again.  (11/23)

I enjoyed watching this drama. It got a little formulaic in parts, but overall a pretty interesting and fun story. The one thing that was a little weird was how many of the cases somehow involved suicide. It seems a little convenient in parts. No one does procedurals like Japan. (11/13)

If you are looking for a dark, horror themed drama, you may enjoy The Guest.  This drama does a very good job building a certain mood.  It relies strongly on bloody scenes and gross out ploys.  Considering the reliance on gore as a pivotal plot device, I am surprised that so much of this drama is still censored.  Due to the extremely dark natures, I think this drama is for a specific type of drama fan.  I personally found this drama’s uneven reliance on gross out techniques and what seemed like forever fetch quest lulls surprisingly boring? The story is dark and often gross, but I find myself completed detached from the characters.  If you like gross, bloody scenes and would like to see what Korea has for the genre, try this drama.  Otherwise, I don’t know if there will be anything here for you? (11/1)

Ugh this drama.  This drama has such a strong start, but about halfway through this drama became a little ridiculous considering all the plot twists it throws at its audience.  Over and over again, this drama rewrites it’s supernatural logic.  What a shame …  This drama had so much potential.  (10/31)

I fell in love with the lead couple here.  Nam Ji Hyun and D.O. just melted my heart with their fluffy couple act.  Otherwise, I can’t really recommend this drama.  I found the constant palace politics rather exhausting.  (10/30)

Man, is this drama edgy or what? I don’t think a drama is good just because it tries to be different and dark. I really had a problem with the females portrayals here. All of them seemed so weak and poorly written. The main development was placed on the male characters ...  I didn’t find them likable, but you could easily tell that this was were the drama’s focus was. Throughout I had a huge problem with the characters and how none of their actions ever made any sense. This drama is different and I’m honestly surprised it’s remade.

In regards to the big reveal, yes it’s jaw dropping. Even for someone who knew it was coming ... I still found it jaw dropping. Did I find it beautiful and tragic? No, not at all. I can’t really recommend this drama. This is one of those dramas you watch just to be able to say you watched it for its twisted story that makes no sense. (10/20)

This was a sweet chance to bring back some of our favorite characters from this precious drama.  Like many Specials you can pretty much take or leave them, this is by no means a must see.  The story line is a pretty predictable and Kahoko is up to her same old habits.  Overall, a cute and easy watch, but this doesn’t do anything new with the expected formula. (9/30)

This drama is so stunning and beautiful. Though a bit shaky early on, Mr. Sunshine proves to tell an intricate story about Joseon leading up to its rule by Japan. The production value here is impeccable from the shots, the costuming and the sets. Every scene was picture perfect and breathtaking.

I am stunned by the complexity and depth the characters are depicted here. The five main characters have incredibly deep and compelling stories to share. Their histories and motives are probably what I liked most in Mr. Sunshine. I am so pleased to see Kim Eun Sook write such powerful female roles for this drama.

Overall, the story and its characters are so powerful. This drama is unlike anything I’ve seen! What a striking and beautiful drama!!! (9/30)

Overall, I really enjoyed this drama especially episodes seven through ten.  Though the story line is pretty predictable, I found this drama pretty easy to watch.  To be honest, Yoshizawa Ryo is probably the main reason to watch this drama.  He is stunning to watch and very easy on the eyes.  (9/23)

This was such a beautiful and heartfelt drama!  Ayase Haruka once again delivers on an amazing character!  I loved this coming of age tale!  What a unique and touching family drama.  This drama really delivers on all the feels! (9/19)

This was a cute enough series, but all the meandering really made this drama drag and drag.  Thirty but Seventeen had the tendency to introduce new plot points and then go weeks and weeks without touching on them again.  A number of the supporting story lines, I cared very little about.  I also felt that the ending was pretty rushed.  This drama personally just wasn’t for me.  (9/18)

This started as such a fresh and cute college drama.  I loved the easy going love triangle and it’s insights to beauty.  Yet very quickly, the fresh melted away to leave the cliche.  In my humble opinion this drama focused way too much on the catty princess Hyeon Soo Ah and making sure she personified every obstacle possible to our lead couple.  

Gangnam Beauty suffered from a lot of direction issues.  The lead couples’ chemistry could only make up for the lackluster plot to a degree.  This drama for the most part has a pretty young cast and honestly it shows.  The acting can be a little wooden at times. 

I liked this drama enough, but toward the last stretch it really started to drag.  If you’re looking for a standard romantic comedy look no further, but if you want something fresh and new, I would suggest you look some place else.  (9/15)

This drama has such a unique feel.  Takane no Hana follows Tsukishima Momo (portrayed by Ishihara Satomi) a young woman from a prolific family renown for ikebana.  While Momo appears to have everything, she finds herself with little self esteem after she catches her fiancé cheating on her.  At her lowest, she meets and becomes friends with the unattractive and unsophisticated bicycle shop owner Kazama Naoto, referred to lovingly as Puu-san.  A sweet and easy-going love develops between them.  I loved watching the chemistry between Momo and Puu-san.  Every time the ending theme, “Love Me Tender,” would play, my heart would melt a little bit.  Though I didn’t care much for the family politicking, I really enjoying watching how tender the two leads were to each other.  Just melts my heart! (9/14)

In the same vein as Stranger, we have Life, a corrupted hospital plunged into the a dire power struggle.  The corruption plot, to the production. to even the cast feel so similar and pay homage to the much loved drama Stranger.  That being said, I feel that this drama lacked a lot of direction compared to is predecessor.  Overall, it seems to lack a bit of desired focus.  Even so, it’s still a powerful corruption story with well fleshed out characters.  (9/11)

What an interesting concept for a movie!  In preparation of the drama adaption coming later this month, I thought it would be fitting for me to watch the film.  Overall, I felt this drama very well done and well executed.  It’s a very pretty drama with a unique romantic plot.  Even though, I found a couple of the plot devices a little cliche and underhanded, I would still strongly recommend watching this.  (9/6)

This is a cute sequel to the original series.  I really enjoyed the addition of the tomboyish Jo Eun.  I was relieved to see that these girl’s lives had more stories to tell.  I found some of the plot lines here to be a little outlandish.  In order to process some of the happenings in the season, one must suspend a lot of belief … A LOT!  The weakest part of this drama is definitely the recasting of Yoo Eun Jae’s character by Ji Woo. I still can’t understand why they didn’t just write an entirely new character for Ji Woo.  Her constant wide eyes expression makes her look like she’s been goosed the whole time … What a travesty?! (9/4)

This was a really fresh and fun drama depicting young women with different background with their own struggles.  I really liked how this drama depicted the relationships between all five girls.  They really grow fond of each other.  I would recommend this drama if you are looking for something easy breezy.  I guess I will start the second season from here! (9/3)

This was such a sweet and heartfelt story. I can understand now why this drama is so highly regarded. It's amazing to me that even 13 years after it aired, this story still so relatable. What a classic! (8/31)

This was cute and funny drama about a woman who dreams of being an editor but ends up in the proofreading department instead. There isn’t really anything incredibly remarkable here, but it is still a sweet drama. The drama lost my interest for a little
while around episodes 7-9, so take that as you will. (8/28)

Naruse Mikio succeeds in incredible storytelling in this story of fraught lovers.  He has such a way of depicting melancholy and the everyday disappointments of life.  The narrative of this story is soooooo very unique.  I really need to watch more of his films.  (8/25)

O—K, there’s a lot in this film that once you cannot go unseen. This film is pretty sexually graphic containing full frontal nudity. So be warned. I think I honestly found the film’s history more interesting than the actual work. In the Realm of the Senses is Oshima Nagisa’s most controversial work as rightly it should be. I really found it interesting that this was a Franco-Japanese production in order to provide the freedom Oshima needed to make the film as he desired. (8/25)

Honestly this movie was a little slow for my tastes, but still has a touching story.  I found it interesting how this movie chose to depict Japan’s Kamikaze pilots.  I can see why some have critiqued this movie for romanticizing this sacrifice, but I feel like the main theme of this movie is the value and importance of life.  (8/21)

It has been years since I’ve watch an Ozu Yasujiro film.  This has so many of the themes that he’s become so well known for over the years.  I thought this movie was very interesting as it expressed how family members forfeit their own happiness in order to look out for each other’s wishes.  It proves to be a fitting tender and melancholy final work of Ozu.  (8/24)

Hmmm man did this movie grab my attention. I really felt like this film focused on interpersonal relationships more than it was on homosexuality bit. I really found the charged interpersonal relationships quite intriguing all the way through. This is the first Oshima film I’ve watched, and honestly this one seems the most tame of them all. One thing for sure is this film makes you think. And the ending provides little to no answers to its audience. You as the viewer have to come to your own resolve.

Maybe I just liked it since it used a Shinsengumi backdrop and I’m a terrible sucker for that. I don’t believe this has much historical hold at all, but I just enjoy seeing characters and figures I’ve seen before in other mediums. It’s so intriguing how different artists have romanticized them over the years. Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. (8/20)

I don’t usually watch these types of action packed movies.  There are so many fighting scenes in this movie.  It’s a little hard to keep everyone and their allegiances straight.  It was a nice surprise to see Wu Chun in something after so many years.  The vaguely remember watching him in Hana Kimi so many years ago.  He’s definitely very easy on the eyes here! Not a bad watch, but really not my style.  (8/20)

WHAT the EFF did I just waste my life on?!!!  I can't even begin to describe how meaningless and trashy this movie was.  Please don't watch this!  (8/19)

Finally getting around to watching this classic film.  I know this is way overdue.  Honestly, this film didn’t do much for me.  I loved seeing the original material finally that every other drama and movie parody, but overall, I wasn’t much in the mood to watch this.  It features a very poetic and methodical pacing that I struggled with.  I think others will praise this film as being a sweet and unconventional telling of first love, but it personally was not my cup of tea.  Still happy that I’ve finally marked this off the watch list though.  What a precious ending though! (8/19)

This was a gorgeous movie. This movie weaves an interesting and striking story. I certainly enjoyed it more than I thought!! (8/18)

I never watched the original anime, but I don’t quite know the draw of this particular story.  I picked this up since it starts Ayase Haruka, but without her I don’t think I would have been able to finish it.  The drama has a more leisurely pace than my personal tastes.  I don’t think I will watch the other seasons of this drama, this four episode drama special was already more than enough.  (6/17)

Finally got around to watching this.  Like any movie about animals, prepare a lot of tissues in advance.  A sweet story, but I can’t help but feel sad for Hachiko.  (8/12)

I’m not usually one for high school stories, but this movie was surprisingly fun and fresh.  I fell in love with female protagonist.  Hirose Suze in the role of Chihaya just has a special spark.  I liked this movie! (8/12)

This drama was a little too slice of life for me.  My girl has a very cute premise, but for me it quickly fell into a pretty predictable formula where the father daughter duo helps to support and solve the issues of their new friends and family. The drama is well intended and supposed to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, but for me it took a lot of effort to keep focused on the storyline. I do have to say I loved the ARASHI theme. Every time it came on, this song brought a smile to my face. Overall, this drama was a little to slice of life and a little to family oriented for me, but I’m sure some will find it very heart warming! (8/12)

Life on Mars delivers a fresh and adrenaline rushing story with some remarkable acting talent in Jung Kyung Ho and Park Sung Woong. Even considering all the time based dramas out recently, this one certainly has its own merit!  This drama kept me on the edge of my seat guessing all the way what might happen next! (8/5)

I am in love with this couple so badly.  Jang Ki Yong as Yoon Na Moo and Jin Ki Joo as the sweet Gil Nak Won have such a magical chemistry.  Every time this couple locked eyes I was left in awe of them!  They are so beautiful.

This drama had a great start.  It was dark and brooding and fresh. Unfortunately Heo Joon Ho’s character was written with a cartoonish quality.  As the drama continued to spin this psychopath runs in the family line, the show became increasingly ridiculous.  The antagonists grew more disney villain and the situations terribly far fetched.  The drama is a good exercise in how to suspend disbelief.  Impressively, I still found this drama pretty watchable. 

Overall, this was an enjoyable drama though, even if I only finished it for Jang Ki Yong and Jin Ki Joo’s first leading roles. I am looking forward to their next projects! They are sobeautiful and lovely. Yay for new faces and talent! (8/1)

A new premise for Koreeda Hirokazu. This doesn’t feel much like his other works, this is clearly a departure. Yet it still encompasses a Koreeda like essence in the way it portrays interpersonal relationships. A good portion of the film also addresses themes of family which is another Koreeda staple. I don’t believe this is one of Koreeda’s best works, it just doesn’t have the same resonating power that he is so well known for. (7/19)

This was a pretty cute movie! There were a few nice life lessons in this one! I had no idea that they would ask Miwa to act. Though her role was simple, she was very cute here. (7/19)

I have loved everything else from this production team, and yet I struggled righteously to barely complete this specific iteration. 90 minutes plus is just too much for each episode. As sweet and heartfelt this drama is, there is no reason for each episode to be so long. The length of each episode kinda ruined me on being able to connect with the characters and following the parent storylines ... I found each episode pretty chalk full of filler. I must have missed this drama’s charm. (7/15)

Overall, this drama was pretty cute, yet it ultimately left me disappointed.  I am always unsure about stone faced Furukawa Yuki and this was no different.  Furukawa’s emotion less acting killed another drama well at least for me.  If you are just looking for an average rom com, maybe you will like this more than me ^^ (7/7)

This drama is what I reckon what a mashup between Code Blue and Unnatural would look like. Though this drama isn’t quite able to compel its audience at the same level. Even though this drama follows an episodic framework, it feels more like a friendship drama. I enjoyed watching the characters interact throughout the drama. The cases were very secondary to help frame certain themes. (7/6)

There is something so captivating these seinen adaptions. Man, this premise is pretty dark. This special will make you realize that humanity itself is the real monster. These people are terrible … and often cruel without reason. Looking forward to watching the movie when I can watch it. (7/2)

I don’t know how you can fully enjoy this drama if you’ve already seen the Korean Original.  This Japanese adaption just doesn’t stand a chance in comparison.  The episodes are less, the cases not as developed, the characters cannot begin to compare.  Overall, this version leaves a lot to be desired.  My advice:  go watch the original!

This drama addresses the argument of technology versus skill and talent.  With the race to become the most influential and innovative hospital, the doctors of Tojo University are pitted against each other.  

Ninomiya Kazunari did a great job in his role of the methodical and ruthless Tokai Sensei.  Here he is so charismatic and cruel.  He is super cool!

I particularly liked how Tokai interacted with the empathetic Takashina Sensei, portrayed by Koizumi Kotaro.  Takashina made for an interesting foil to Tokai, especially in his ventures of backing new technology at the hospital.  

Like many hospital dramas, this drama can become a little formulaic in it’s week to week episode structure, yet overall this was an interesting and compelling drama.  

Why isn’t there more noise around this drama? Am I just late to the party and the excitement for this one has already come and gone? The drama is parody gold! The short bite size episodes are sooooo freaking relatable and laugh out loud funny. Think perfect blend of parody, irony and toilet humor! I want there to be more noise for this drama! It deserves it! This slice of life comedy is a cut above the rest! Now here’s hoping that they will make another season, I mean they have enough source material!!!! 

This film delves deep into the breakdown of a King and his son’s relationship. The movie seeks to answer what type of circumstances would lead to a King sentencing his own son to death. The Throne is a gorgeous film that highlights the charged relationships of those near the throne as the power struggle becomes most intense. This film takes a leisurely pace choosing to sparingly and delicately letting the audience piece together the deterioration of this relationship. As the feature draws to a close it left me with a lot to think about and quite an impression.

A simple and lighthearted story of teenage pregnancy. Overall, it was cute. (6/10)

I found this to be a sweet one shot story. The love story was heartfelt and surprisingly simple. I really loved seeing one of Lee Je Hoon’s early works. He is so adorable and huggable. (6/9)

I’m so glad I finally got around to watching this film.  This movie was interesting, but slower than I expected. As always, Park Bo Young does an impeccable job. She is absolutely lovely. Overall, this was a bittersweet first love story. It reminded me a lot of Peter Pan. (6/9)

I only watched this to check something else off my watch challenge. This isn’t something I would typically gravitate to. I personally had a really hard time following the story. The plot didn’t really offer anything really new nor was there much character development. The action scenes were kinda cool. Maybe I just don’t quite understand Kung Fu movies.  I’m thinking one has to read the original source material to really understand what’s going on ... (6/9)

Ummmmmmm …. I watched this primarily for Lee Je Hoon, but man, was this movie slow.  This movie mostly touches on first love and love lost.  I think it could have been really interesting, but it was pretty boring … I am not exactly sure what it’s trying to say either.  It’s very possible that I missed the point because I was so bored haha.  

This was such a cute and heartfelt drama about marriage, divorce and second chances. Go Back Couple took me a little bit for me to warm to, but once I got into the groove this drama was extremely rewarding.

This drama has extraordinary heart!  Through sometimes featuring a very methodical and slice of life pace, it does an incredible job displaying the everyday wins and loses we face when working in corporate culture.  Again and again I was blown away with how this drama left it’s impression on me.  Jang Geu Rae makes such an adorable unskilled, under-qualified underdog.  I found myself rooting for him and celebrating in his little wins and wanting to die in his embarrassment and failure.  I so enjoyed watching his relationships and trust build with the Sales Three Team and his fellow interns.  The way Misaeng depicts the mundane and everyday is quite touching.  The drab everyday backdrop of the office environment highlights the magic of interpersonal relationships and how they develop and grow.  Though this drama may not be for everyone, I greatly enjoyed it and found it incredibly rewarding!

What a strange and funny drama?!  It’s so funny to hear Ninomiya Kazunari’s voice embodied in a bright yellow creature with tentacles.  Haha what’s not to love about quirky Japanese classroom dramas!  I may even watch the second part of this story haha ^^ (5/21)

This drama portrays one of the most beautiful relationships I’ve ever seen in an Asian drama. Yoon Ji Ah and Seo Joon Hee display such a remarkable and fantasy-like romance. Their love for each other really sets a president for healthy relationships.

Yet I struggled immensely with this drama’s handling of the age gap between them. I was never able to understand why their families had such a hard time coming to terms with their relationship. The family turmoil that this couple is put through again and again starts to become unbearable. Yoon Ji Ah’s mother is particularly insufferable! Her tantrums and shouting episodes really started to piss me off!

The drama created by their respective families greatly hindered the success of this drama. I really just wanted my OTP to be happy! (5/21)