6 posts tagged “drama”

Yep, finally done with Meteor Garden, first season. Watching all 27 episodes reminded me of my two-season marathon of the Japanese version: Hana Yori Dango. With both Taiwanese and Japanese dramas, I found it so easy to keep watching episode after episode, at the expense of sleep.

I can understand the appeal of MG to the Philippine audience, making it such a huge hit. Handsome leads, common heroine, rich boy-poor girl, trials and tests to our love story, love triangles... and other polygons, scheming mother-in-laws, lifestyles of the rich and famous. But since my first foray into the HYD franchise was through the delightful Domyouji and Makino, MG's Shancai and Ah Si somehow came up short for me. For a stretch of several episodes last night, I was playing both versions side by side and oftentimes muting the Taiwanese so I can hear the Japanese.

I didn't realize how old MG is now. I'm sure the outfits and cellphones were considered cutting edge at the time of airing. All the actors seem "old" to me, as of course, they're now in their late 20s-early 30s by now. However, I got past that quite quickly into the drama.

As for the handsome F4, they didn't feel as dashing as the HYD F4. In some scenes, I thought they were no more than thugs. But I truly admired their friendship and closeness, especially towards the end. Hmmm, whom did I find the most appealing? All 4 have their charms, and surprisingly, I can't choose, which I think is a testament to their well-drawn characters. :D

I was surprised to find out that the entire MG series included the plot points of both seasons of HYD. It made me curious about the second season of MG. But when I found out how long (30+ eps?!) it was and read reviews and synopses, I'm not sure I'm up for it. I kinda wanted to see the Taiwanese treatment of the amnesia storyline, but I'm not sure I can stand it for an entire season.

There were plenty of things I liked in MG: the camaraderie, DMS's sister and her contributions, Shancai-Lei storyline, the arranged fiancee character, the theme song Ni yao de ai (which was so familiar to me... until I remembered Michelle Ayalde's version: Ang hanap ko, ang iyong pag-ibig). But there were also things I'd rather the drama went without: Shancai's wishywashyness, which did not compare well to Makino's devotion; third parties (sobrang daming mga hadlang); reduced storylines for F3; a bit lacking acting-wise; did I mention the many asungots?

I am perfectly content to end my MG adventures with the last episode, which was a suitably happy ending. But I may be showing my bias when I confess that I watched the final episode of HYD Season 2 right after. Domyouji has forgotten Makino, breaking her heart and making her mad. But the stranded lovers scene brings everything full circle, and I love me some full and complete circles. The proposal is so typical Domyouji. And the best part: the ending is my kind of ending---happy reports on my favorite characters and a kiss from the romantic leads. I cried at the same parts, and I cheered at the same spots.

The "Hana Yori Dango" franchise is really a force to reckon with, where ever it may arrive. So I'm a little bit excited as well as apprehensive for the Korean version. They may be mean and capricious, but those little F4 notes bring confusion and excitement and a "fated" love story. Bring them on!

You know how it is when you can't remember why a person seems so familiar? Or when you think a person looks like someone else you know, whose name just escapes you?

I felt that way about Nagasawa Masami in the first few minutes of Proposal Daisakusen Special. I had put this on my to-watch short list because Ate Yam wrote this line on her blog entry about the special sequel to the Japanese drama:

The special is a standalone itself, one need not have agonised through the 11 episodes of the series.

Thanks for the warning, Ate. Although I enjoyed the special, I don't think I could bear watching all 11 episodes. In any case, I had to go to take a nap after the first 15 minutes. And I fell asleep trying so hard to remember whom Rie looked like.

I woke up with a name: Gong Hyun Joo, the other half of Ate Raissa and my favorite OTP (from the Korean drama Wedding). I think they have the same smiles.

Do you see the resemblance? Then again, maybe it's just me. Left, Nagasawa Masami. Right, Gong Hyun Joo. (pictures courtesy of DramaWiki).

Eight months after I watched--and understood--the first episode of Itoshi Kimi e, I finally viewed the last English subtitled episode of my favorite Jdorama. (No offense to Pride--which is much loved as well-- but my first dorama has sentimental value.) Although it is extremely sad and a big tearjerker, the relationships and the relative honesty of the main characters hooked me.

The last episode had me bawling and sobbing soon after Tomokawa Shiki (played heartbreakingly by the lovely Kanno Miho) cried to her loving otosan, "I'm not the one for him." (the "him" here is Azumi Shunsuke, played by it's-him-again Fujiki Naohito) I literally bawled.

Belatedly I noticed how familiar the face of one of Shiki's friends, Shingo. Dramawiki solved the mystery; it's Chiaki! LOL. 2 years before Nodame Cantabile, Tamaki Hiroshi played second male lead in Itoshi Kimi e. :D

Seeing familiar faces in different Japanese dramas often prompts me to play 6 degrees of separation. But sometimes, it makes me wonder if there just aint too many reliable dramatic actors in the scene. Eh, just a thought.

What's the most memorable crush you have had? 
Submitted by spectacular.  

LOL. What a question. My first great crush has to be my most memorable one. After him all the succeeding ones are compared and measure against. haha. :)

The most recent is Kimura Takuya whose character in Pride is just amazingly wonderful. My current Korean drama crush is Lee Jung Jin, who is just simply yummy. hehe. :D

I know, I know... I'm lagging behind. Ate Yupki, Ate Kaytee and Ate Raissa (here and here) have gotten their lists up, so I should get busy.

The challenge, should I choose to accept it: Identify the loveteams that you wish will get together and live happily ever after! Yay.

I accept.

1. DongHae couple.

Is this even a surprise? I love love love the pairing of Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae in My Girl. As I have mentioned before, I joined (without hesitation, although I am not experienced at forums) the DongHae Lovers forum. I have skimmed every single thread in the forum, and have formed friendships with regular posters over there.

Lee Dong Wook is supposedly close to his Seol Gong Chan character. He's moody and serious, and he does look like an ice prince. Lee Da Hae is also supposedly close to her Joo Yoo Rin character. She's playful, warm and not serious. LDH's family and friends were even unimpressed with her acting in My Girl unlike in her previous drama roles (where she cried copious tears, was a villain, serious or sad) because Yoo Rin is just like her! There were also reports that LDW had a crush on LDH before the filming of the drama based on her characters in her previous dramas. I thought he was attracted to her seriousness and maturity, but he was surprised by how different she was in real life.

But that does not bother me because there have been instances (recorded on video) where it is clear that Da Hae makes Wookie smile and soothes away his bad moods. I think Da Hae is a good complement for Wookie, character-wise. And both cherish their families. Their age-gap is perfect (3 years). They've guested in each other's fan meetings, dressing in matching clothes. They, have at one point, have matching phones (couple phones?).

LDW is the only drama partner to whom LDH has been constantly linked. Two years after My Girl was shown, LDH was still asked/teased about her connection to Dong Wook at the press conference of her new drama (Hello! Miss) -- and by her own drama partner (Lee Ji Hoon), no less! You don't know how much warmth that brought into the hearts of close-to-despairing DongHae lovers. haha. :)

Anyway, I have to move on to other couples. Like Ate Yupki before me, I can dedicate one post entirely to DongHae but not today.

2. Song Chang Ui & Gong Hyun Joo

Ate Raissa's and my shared favorite fan-fic couple? haha. :) Ate Rai had already dedicated a post to this couple (I think we should come up with a name for them, quick) and the pictures are gorgeous. They're really photogenic.

I really think they'd make a cute real-life couple. They were so cute in Wedding, and I think they'd make cute babies in real life. Haha. :)

In the early episodes of Wedding, I thought the writers were going for a pairing for Soo Ji (the left-most girl) with the right most guy. They are both modelesque. Soo Ji's icy cold demeanor would be fun to pit against the playboy type of Mr. Handsome Man. Now in hindsight, I like how Soo Ji ended up with Hyung Chul, who I'm sure complements her pretty well.

I would have included Pride's Haru and Aki, I mean Kimura Takuya and Takeuchi Yuko. I love their onscreen pairing, and they seem to be perfect for each other in real life too. But to show my respect for the sanctity of marriage, I will refrain from including them in this list. I mean,  I wouldn't want people to want and wish and pray for the break-up of my marriage either. It will hurt my feelings if they pair up my beloved Wentworth to girls and guys on his TV shows. :(

So my third one is...

3. Mark Bautista & Sarah Geronimo

Yay-yeah! I followed this tandem closely in Sarah, the Teen Princess. Even my mom agreed, they have chemistry. Kinikilig talaga kami. I even went out to watch the Champions when they visited the Northwest. :D

I want them to end up together, but right now they need to spend time figuring out who they are. They're young anyway. Like my mom says, "Sana hintayin ni Mark si Sarah." hehe. :D

A break from regular programming here on my Vox blog. As inspired by Ate Yupki and Ate Kaytee (and Ate Raissa here and here), and the conversations in their comments sections.

I'm not even going to pretend that my list would stray outside my Kdrama world. Here it is:

1. Seol Gong Chan & Joo Yoo Rin from My Girl

Donghae

Who else but my Gong Chan and Yoo Rin? Lee Dong Wook plays the icy Gong Chan to perfection. Lee Da Hae's Joo Yoo Rin is his perfect foil. I love watching Yoo Rin's eventual capture of Gong Chan's heart. He became a better person. *sigh* Throughout this drama, I never felt as though I was watching two actors play roles. The characters were so well-defined, I felt like I knew them.

A year later, I'm still a big fan. And to prove my devotion to the loveteam (I'm not giving up hope that Dong Wook and Da Hae would eventually end up together), I am an active member of the DongHae Forums. Yeah!

 

2. Lee Mong Ryong & Song Chun Hyang from Delightful Girl Chun Hyang

So, this couple used to top my list. Mong Ryong (played by the wonderful Jae Hee, one of my many celeb crushes) began to be indifferent at first, and it had been Chun Hyang (played by Han Chae Young) who was always "looking at [Mong Ryong]'s back." But he grew to be a person devoted to Chun Hyang, and he did not feel shame at showing his devotion to the world. When they were forced apart, he loved only her and waited for her. *swoon*

This pairing slid down to #2 because at this moment, I am in the mood for "My Girl." Besides, Han Chae Young recently got married, and there's no chance for another Jae Hee-Chae Young partnership. :(

3. Choi Han Gyul & Go Eun Chan in Coffee Prince Store #1

Alright. This pairing sizzled with chemistry. Both actors were revelations in this drama. I really believed both of them. I really bought into the story of the lonely but suave Han Gyul (acted by the yummy Gong Yoo) falling for the androgynous Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye shows off her versatility and her dedication to becoming Eun Chan-like). I cried with Han Gyul. I ached for Eun Chan. Man, I lived out those feelings alongside them two.

That's not just great chemistry. That's great acting. I hope both rake in the awards. :)

I have honorable mentions:

 

• Shin Dong Wook & Lee Soo Kyung in Soulmate -- Their love theme is just heartwrenching. Shin Dong Wook's ability of being able to read Soo Kyung's mind is more puzzling than creepy.

• Suga Eiichiro &  Asaoka Kyoko in Love Revolution --  A strong female and a slick hero. Loved the chemistry. And Fujiki Naohito is appearing in a LOT of JDoramas I've been watching. Is he popular or just indiscriminate?
  

• Kang Bong Man & Yoo Hye Chan in 18 vs. 29 --Park Sun Young, playing the heroine, is always a delight. And Ryu Soo Young is wonderful playing off of the weirdness that comes from a 29-year-old woman who thinks she's just 18.
  

• Doumyouji Tsukasa & Makino Tsukushi in Hana Yori Dango deserve a mention. As Ate Kaytee pointed out, they're a cute away-bati couple. :)