有閑倶楽部 / Yukan Club

YUKAN CLUB

Wiki

"Turning impossibilities to possibilities is what Yukan Club is about"

Yukan Club is cheesy, colourful, over-the-top drama. It's not a drama based of reality, with illogical scenes thrown in. This is a comedy. If you ask me, I don't know whether to say that I like or dislike this drama. It turns me off at the earlier episode especially the first one. I think it's bad to the extreme! true the props, settings are wonderful but the stryline and the characters' acting was bad. I even contemplate whether to drop this series or not. But then as I continue watching, the drama slowly gotten into me. I mean, it's nothing really good but it can kick some akward entertainment to you. good, no?

I learnt of people dissing this drama because of the actors. especially when all three guys are johnnys so they're open to more criticism to the one who's not at all johnnys' fans. it's like putting idols in drama and see them gaining views from fangirls without acting abilities.

but then, it's a good thing that Yukan Club is made to be an over-the-top drama, because lack of acting ability won't be much of a concern here. I mean, I'm impressed with Yokoyama Yu's character, and Junno's over the top portrayal of Bido Granmarie. They make me enjoy the drama in a way. That's saying something because I shriek at Yu's performance in Kemarishi, and Junno's in Hanayome to papa, Happy, and Ganbatte Ikimashoi. To me they're bad actors. Now after watching Yukan Club, I think maybe they're fit to be characters in such comical environment.

I like Kashi Yuu. and I enjoy watching her too. I don't quite like Karen's character, and so the actress playing it. For Akanishi Jin, another johnny idol, as some of the viewer already comment, he's playing himself and sometimes he seems distance to the other characters. the other characaters seems like a comic character, but Miroku is the only one that doesn't really have that feels. I say it's on Jin's portrayal.

if you are me, you'll shrieeeekk watching the earlier episodes, but still continue and then getting familiar with it and then found it to be entertaining in a way.

It's a drama I won't think much after it ends. it just end like that.
but on the ride, it's actually something. but that's that.
^^

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探偵学園Q / Tantei Gakuen Q

TANTEI GAKUEN Q

Finally.I did a Tantei Gakuen Q marathon, and I actually enjoy the drama. The fact that I really like mystery/detective genre probably explain this. I actually enjoy most of all the dramas with this genre except saved from some really bad one, like Puzzle though for example.

Besides Tantei Gakuen Q has enough element to keep me going, especially regarding the cold and dark personality revolving around Ryuu. besides, he's cute! The involvement of a dark organization, Pluto, is also one of the element that interest me. Some of the cases might be predictable, but I found them enjoyable still. Did I mention how cute Ryuu is? lol.

I watched this with the so-called alpha subtitle from littlix. but I think the subtitle is perfect. maybe they named it alpha because of the lack of typesetting. I don't mind because it's the translation that's most important :P

I'm in the mood of babbling on the actors and characters.



He's Kyuu. You can say he's quite the most prominent role in the drama, besides Ryuu. He's too optimistic. He's someone who appreciate friendship very much. Although all the 5 students are being evaluated as successor of the famous detective, Dan Morihiko, Kyuu didn't treat them as rivals, but as colleague who share the same dream. On the actor who play Kyuu, he's Kamiki Ryunosuke. I've seen him in many dramas before such as Mukodono, Tantei Kazoku, Psycho Doctor and few others, and it was back then when he was still a child. He was such a cute kid with good acting. However I'm actually not much impressed with his acting in this drama, it feels like something is lacking. Maybe it's the expectation. I expect him to be better than that after watching his previous work as a small kid.


He's Ryuu. He's cold. he's cool. and it's like there's some dark mystery surrounding him which you'll learn as the story progress. He loves solving mystery, and he's concerned only in solving the mystery, but not much of a person's heart. The one who played him is Yamada Ryosuke. I learn he is a johnny. he has a typical Johnny face afterall... pretty. lol. but he's really cute I want to pinch his quite chubby cheek. I think he's good. IMO I think he's better than Ryunosuke in this drama which is not what I expected actually because I thought Ryunosuke should be a better actor. well, maybe it's the character.


She's Megu. She has photogrphic-bla-bla-bla-memory skill. Means she can look at something and remember it right away. That's a great skill but painful too, as she can't forget the scene before her eyes, e.g murder scene. Kyuu always calm her down. I love Shida Mirai. She was awesome in 14 Sai no Haha, Watashitachi no Kyokasho etc. and although I don't like how she always bulged her eyes she was great in Queen's Classroom. She's an actress with great potential ahead.


He's Kinta. He's the adult among all of the Q's detectives. He's like an elder brother. And he's strong. And I looikke Kaname Jun.. xD


He's Kazuma. He's a computer-genius. He create games. And he always wear torn out shirts kind of. I think he's the one of the 5 Q detectives that lack presence on the screen. He got not much screen time as compared to others.

The main antagonist would be the Pluto organisation, and this one Cerberus, he looks evil, you can tell just by looking at the face. He's the guest playing in Liar Game as the opponent in the smuggling game. Their main skills? hypnotism.

ooh, and I actually don't really like how it ends. not a big issue though.

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커피프린스 / Coffee Prince

COFFEE PRINCE

Coffee Prince is about a tomboy girl, mistaken to be a boy, employed in a coffee shop: Coffee Prince. As obvious what prince means, it's only for prince, when she's a princess. So she hide her 'princess' status and work at the shop, fall in love with the manager. The manager eventually fall for her too, and he think he's gay xD

I was excited when I first knew they're doing this drama, especially after being fed by cute promo photos of Eun Hye as a boy. And she does look like a boy. A cute, girly looking boy. And then I found myself not liking the first episode. Stopped watching. But after reading quite few comments and reviews about it I decided to pick up where I left. Surprisingly now that I've finished watching , I think it's okay ^^.

The start is very entertaining and cute but progressing to end it somehow drag a bit (like most of kdramas out there) so I had to do a bit of fast-forward (being quite an impatient person I am. once you've watched a lot of dramas you'll start to learn the skill of fast-forwarding.lol. I used to stay put with a dramas even how boring it was, but that was years ago when I was still starting to get into the fandom. but not anymore)

I like all the princes! their interaction are funny and entertaining. they 're dorks and very cute. Every prince have their own unique personality. I love Min Yeop, he's the dorkiest and adorable gorilla ever. Ha rim on the other hand is very entertaining in his own way, the way he speak, his cute boyish face, his narcisstic self, and his 'my chan, my chan' calling out always make me smile. the Japanese prince is cold yet intriguing. I used to think Gong Yoo is not very goodlooking, but after watching this he's growing on me.

I especially like the interaction between Min Yeop and Eun Chan, especially after he knows she's a girl. The side couple doesn't do much to me as I don't care much about their love development.

Overall, I think this is an okay drama. It's not great, but can be entertaining at times.

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ライフ/LIFE

Sorry for the long hiatus.
I don't know if I can keep up in updating few dramas like I promised e.g Liar Game, etc.

LIFE

I can't put into words how awesome LIFE is! I'm sucked in. Not just the story, the actors are wonderful. They're newbies but delivered a very good performance. It's only 30 minutes per episode. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I definitely love it. The one that you feel like marathoning in a single viewing (although it's impossible for me because of stuffs and all, housework etc but the intention exist).

Adapted from Keiko Suenobu's manga "LIFE," this drama delves into the dark side of high school life. The story focuses mainly on bullying, but the manga also touches on subjects such as self-mutilation, suicide, and rape.

----drama wiki

no spoiler.


It's a dark drama, not those shiny one. The colour-tone plays part as well. This drama focuses mainly on bullying but not the typical portrayal as you can see in other school drama. well, bullying can be seen in many school dramas it exist in most school-related drama even if the focus is not on bullying e.g GTO, Nobuta Wo Produce, Hana Yori Dango, Seito Shokun and many more. Watashitachi no Kyokasho is one that dwell mostly on bullying issues, but both have different approach. LIFE shows how extreme bullying can be ( and this drama is actually a bit violent), and how the victim grow stronger in every each episode. Unlike most case when the victim of bullying gave in to the pressure or is saved cheesily by other people (e.g teacher, or friends), Shiiba Ayumu the main character shows the viewer how she learn to fight it as the story progress. She grew stronger is also because of an influence from a friend, but still we can really see her effort. LIFE make you see how scary it is to be bullied, especially to such extent which they adapt to the drama. Have I mention how wonderful the new actors were? and I even get to completely hate some person's gut.

As far as now, only three episodes are subtitled online. But because I'm really sucked in, I'm continuing the drama RAW, which I never seriously did for other dramas. With my limited comprehension of the Japanese language, I still hope I can understand the gist of it and still enjoy the drama. Because I just can't wait for subtitle. It's addicting.

Now I have no wonder why LIFE has been voted as the most satisfying drama in its drama season. This is the same drama slot for the ever great Liar Game, and currently its SP.

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Hiatus

classes has been catching up with me.

so I'm on hiatus.

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hanakimi vs hanakimi?

I've read mixed review on the first ep of Hana Kimi. A side that love it and another side which found the episode so disappointing. I already have the episode on my HD but atm not feeling like watching it. After reading all those comments... I don't know but I just don't feel excited as before. And to think that they change many things in the Japanese version *sigh*. I've watched the Taiwanese version until episode 10. I don't like Taiwanese drama much in fact I was lured in to watch it by a friend who downloaded it and then gave it to me but I think their Hana Kimi is quite okay putting aside I do fast forward it, oHHkay...in fact I also fast forward 'corner with love' which I found pretty interesting. and ooh.. I did a lot of fast-forwarding for MARS, I guess there's no single Twdrama that I watched in a normal pace :p

but yeah... will comment once I lay my eyes on the 1st episode of the Jversion.

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New Drama season from my eyes..

NEW DRAMA SEASON :)
*what's with so many novel and manga adaptation these days?! not that I don't enjoy them, but I'm afraid this might become a trend and reduce the creativity of Japanese producer and scriptwriter..


FIRST KISS

"In this romantic comedy, Mao Inoue stars as a selfish girl named Mio Fukunaga. Because of a serious illness, she lives in the U.S. for medical treatment. Before undergoing an important operation, she returns to Japan, where she meets the older brother she has been separated from since her parents' divorce. She finds Kazuki (Hideaki Ito) leading a good-for-nothing life, but he shows his seriousness when he resolves to find a way for Mio to experience her first kiss. Yuta Hiraoka plays the love interest, a rookie doctor." t--okyograph

strong point: for me, it's TOTALLY ITO!!! <3 I might be complaining later on for his currrly hair. but atm it's Ito that matter the most. and better yet, Mao and Yuuta are in it too.. and yes, they come second after hot sizzling Ito (...fuurrget the hair...>.>)
weak point: ITO's HAIR
zaza-o-meter: HIGH on list. 4 the sake of Ito :3 <3

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HANAZAKI NO KIMITACHI E

"The drama is based on the popular manga of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya, which has already been dramatized in Taiwan. Horikita plays the protagonist Ashiya Mizuki, a Japanese girl in the U.S. who one day sees the young athlete Sano Izumi (Oguri) compete in the high jump on television. She begins to idolize him, and decides to move to Japan to attend the same school as him. However, Izumi goes to an all-boys school, so Mizuki disguises herself as a boy to achieve her dream of being with her idol."--tokyograph

strong point: eyecandies galore, famous manga.... droolistic Shun and Toma! it's like in MOST of everyone's wanted-to-see-NOW list.
zaza-o-meter: HIGH on list.

* * * * *


USHI NI NEGAI WO

"Six agriculture students travel north to Hokkaido for first-hand training and experience in a farm setting. The story focuses not only on their daily life and their growth as young men and women, but also on the economic situation in the region, which received national attention earlier this year when the national government cut off aid to the struggling city of Yubari. --tokyograph

strong point: Tamayama tetsuji & Koide Keisuke.
weak point: the storyline just ok-ok lah.. and it doesn't tempted me much
zaza-o-meter: If I have time.

* * * * *


TANTEI GAKUEN Q

"Adapted from the manga by Tadashi Agi(Seimaru Amagi), Tantei Gakuen Q revolves around a team of genius students studying in a detective academy run by a famous detective, Morihiko Dan." --dramawiki

strong point: detective.mysteries. I'm a sucker for this genre. KANAME JUN!! <3 having Shida Mirai is also a plus, and that cute Johnny Jr., Yamada Ryousuke. I miss younger Kamiki Ryunosuke... he's really growing up.
weak point: although I don't really mind Kamiki Ryunosuke take the lead character, I honestly not all that impressed with his performance in the SP. I hope he do well in the series though.
zaza-o-meter: HIGH on list

* * * * *


HOTARU NO HIKARI

"Haruka Ayase stars as the title character, Hotaru Amemiya, in this adaptation of Satoru Hiura's "Hotaru no Hikari" manga series. Hotaru is a twenty-something office lady who has become a "dried fish" - she has "retired" from love, and she prefers to spend her time lazily at home. Then one day, her world gets shaken up when she unexpectedly ends up living with her boss (Fujiki Naohito). To complicate her life even further, she begins to find romance with a new employee named Makoto (Kazuki Kato)."

strong point: I think the story is kinda interesting. and we have Fujiki Naohito here ;D
weak point: I never watch Kazuki Kato, the only thing I know is he's in Kamen Rider *not sure which one*, and my brother doesn't like him, so even though I don't know him I'm kinda influenced. (because my bro talks bad about him a lot in front of me XD lol)
zaza-o-meter: averageee..

* * * * *


JIGOKU NO SATA MO YOME SHIDAI

"In this home comedy, Makiko Esumi stars as Makoto Tachibana, a manager of an omusubi cafe. One day, she meets Sanshiro (Ikki Sawamura), a secretary at a paper shredder company, and half a year later, they already decide to get married. But when Makoto meets Sanshiro's family, a battle begins between her and her mother-in-law (Yoko Nogiwa). Their conflict is rooted in the opposing ideals of "working woman" and "housewife," which has previously been explored in dramas such as "Double Kitchen" and "Triple Kitchen" (in which Esumi and Nogiwa played similar roles)."--tokyograph

strong point: Esumi Makiko.
weak point: I've been showered with so many daughter-in-law vs mother-in-law kind of drama a lot since I started becoming a Jdrama fans. I've the feeling this might be so predictable that it might bore me.
zaza-o-meter: if I have time..

* * * * *

KIKUJIRO TO SAKI 2007
I didn't really interested with this at first but... hey.. they got.. Tsukamoto Takashi, Kurokawa Tomoka and Abe Tsuyoshi. I'm not a fan of Abe Tsuyoshi, but I really want to see him in another role after HYD.

* * * * *


YAMA ONNA KABE ONNA

"Based on Atsuko Takakura's manga of the same name, "Yama Onna Kabe Onna" tells the story of a department store girl (Misaki Ito) who is good at her job but suffers from a complex, due to the flat chest that has earned her the name of "kabe onna" ("kabe" meaning "wall"). Her situation only worsens when she is joined by a new girl (Kyoko Fukada), who is a much more well-endowed "yama onna" ("yama" meaning "mountain")." -- tokyograph

strong point: -
weak point: I never think Itoh Misaki can really act.. moreover Fukakyon.
zaza-o-meter: still, even if it doesn't even ring an interested bell in me, if I have time... might give this a chance.

* * * * *


KATAGOSHI NO KOIBITO

"This series is adapted from Kei Yuikawa's novel "Katagoshi no Koibito," which won the prestigious Naoki Prize for the second half of 2001. It centers on two 30-year-old women who have been friends for many years. The two are total opposites in the realm of love - Moe Hayasaka (Ryoko Yonekura) is unable to become absorbed in love, while Ruriko Murono (Saki Takaoka) is always involved with someone and is already close to her third marriage. The question is, will either of them find happiness?" -- tokyograph

strong point: kaname jun.
weak point: the synopsis doesn't sound that interesting..
zaza-o-meter: if I have time

* * * * *


JOTEI

"Kato Rosa stars as Ayaka Tachibana, a young woman whose life has been ruined after she lost her boyfriend then her mother became gravely ill. Looking for revenge, she starts out as a hostess with the goal of rising to become the "empress" of the Osaka nightlife scene. Matsuda Shota plays a member of the underworld who becomes Ayaka's ally"--tokyograph

Strong point: give me Shota anytime. I don't care if his acting abilities might not be that of top-notch thingy I still can live with it XD what more, double shota! Saito Shota <3 and the banner is cool.
weak point: shota blinds me. what weak point?
zaza-o-meter: HIGH on list.

* * * * *


YAMADA TARO MONOGATARI

"Arashi members Ninomiya Kazunari and Sakurai Sho star in this comedy series based on "Yamada Taro Monogatari" by mangaka Ai Morinaga. Ninomiya plays the title character, Taro Yamada, whose family lives in extreme poverty. But because of his looks, intelligence, and athleticism, others mistakenly believe that Taro comes from a prosperous family. In contrast, Sakurai plays Taro's best friend Takuya, who really is from a successful family and who often helps out Taro in various ways" --Tokyograph

Strong point: Sho baby~ and Oshinari Shugo to me. The synopsis sound good and 'comicy'. manga adaptation afterall.
zaza-o-meter: averagely HIGH

* * * * *


Sushi Oji

"KinKi Kids member Domoto Koichi stars in this action comedy series. Domoto plays Tsukasa Maizu, who was known for being a gifted sushi maker when he was younger. Now skilled as a martial artist, he returns to the world of sushi and travels across the country for training, fighting evil along the way. KAT-TUN's Nakamaru Yuichi takes on the role of Tsukasa's companion, Taro. -" -- tokyograph

Strong point: SUSHI OISHII!!
zaza-o-meter: SO-SO. might give it a chance because of it's SUSHI. give me an option, I'll always pick tsuyo over koichi anytine. I don't hate him, but I don't adore him either. it's just... I don't know, unexplainable.

* * * * *


JUKEN NO KAMISAMA

"In this original series, TOKIO's Yamaguchi Tatsuya stars as Isamu, a businessman who divorced from his wife five years earlier and currently lives with his son Hiro (Nagashima Mitsuki), a sixth-grader. One day, Hiro tells his father that he wants to take entrance exams for a private junior high school. Isamu, who only ever attended public schooling, is clueless about preparing for the tests. So he seeks out the help of the genius junior high schooler Michiko (Narumi Riko), who is known as the "exam god" for her abilities as a tutor - all of the students she trains pass their exams." -tokyograph

strong point: It's Narumi Riko. I love her. and the story is original and seems very interesting---what with so many adaptation these days??
zaza-o-meter: HIGH

* * * * *

LIFE

"Adapted from Keiko Suenobu's manga "LIFE," this drama delves into the dark side of high school life. The story focuses mainly on bullying, but the manga also touches on subjects such as self-mutilation, suicide, and rape. Kitano Kii stars as Ayumu Shiiba, one of the students bullied by a group of classmates led by Ayumu's former friend, Manami Anzai" -- tokyograph

strong point: when it comes to school-student genre of drama, I always find a darker and deep genre to be very interesting (such as Kinpachi Sensei, Watashitachi no Kyokasho, Queen's Classroom in contrast to cheesy--although I still enjoy them in a way-GTO, Gokusen etc) and this seems like those deeper and darker type.
zaza-o-meter: HIGH

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PAPA TO MUSUME NANOKAN

"This home comedy tells the story of Kyoichiro (Tachi Hiroshi) and his teenage daughter Koume (Aragaki Yui). One day, the two ride a train together after visiting Kyoichiro's mother-in-law. He sees it as a chance to get to know his daughter better, but he ends up getting more than that - by some mysterious force, both Kyoichiro and Koume end up with their mind in the other's body! Unfortunately, they have no choice but to swap lives, pretending to be each other at school and work"

strong point: this seems so interesting no matter how overused the theme: body-trade has been played in movies, drama or even manga.
zaza-o-meter: HIGH

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