アタシんちの男子 / Atashinchi no Danshi

アタシんちの男子 / Atashinchi no Danshi

• Format: Renzoku
• Genre: Comedy

Chisato (Horikita Maki) is a 20 years old homeless girl burdened by debt left on her shoulder by her irresponsible father. Until one day she met a strange old man who kind of rescued her from a gang of Yakuza and paid all the debt. To pay back the debt is to be his wife for a month, and to be a monther for his six adopted sons all with different strange personality.

I know I've been on quite a long hiatus. Been watching lots but just don't seem to find times to update and review. I know I've been promising to update this and that, but forgive me for that unfulfilled promise.

I just started on the drama Atashinchi no Danshi, and awesomely it starred quite numbers of actors I like; Kaname Jun, Okada Yoshinori and Mukai Osamu to name a few. Plus few other fresh faces.

For a drama in the genre comedy, it does made me laugh here and there. But at the same time the first two episodes somehow is filled with few quote that teach us about life. Which is what I find special in japanese dramas.


So far, the drama is quite interesting. I won't call it great but it's definitely not a downer for me. It's an average drama with fun-filled moments. The interactions between the brothers are nice to watch. And the strange ideas and toys the old man was inventing though strange I found it creative and fits well with the certain objective of certain episode.

"I tried to blame my misfortune on other people,
And I always thought, "This is not the real me"
Living like that is pretty tiring you know?
Everyday is hard and painful,
I just started hating everything,
I never thought I'd have a future,

Alone, I would have never learn that,

If you take one step forward, the world will change!
.
.
.
... maybe"

-- Chisato from Atashinchi no Danshi

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薔薇のない花屋 / Bara no Nai Hanaya

BARA NO NAI HANAYA

If you can only watch one drama this season, make it Bara no nai hanaya.

last season and the last last season is full of manga adaptation. and those comical sort of dramas (with few as exception of course). I've been waiting for a drama like Bara no Nai Hanaya. How to describe it? it's quite hard actually.

taken from wiki.

Shiomi Eiji is forced to become a single father when his girlfriend passes away while giving birth to their daughter, Shizuku. Desolate after the loss of the woman he loved, Eiji has little time or desire to even consider remarrying, working part-time jobs just to make ends meet. The one thing that gives meaning and joy to his life is Shizuku, but even that begins to trouble him when Shizuku begins acting strange, hiding her face by putting a cloth over her head when around other people.

One day after opening his flower shop, Eiji comes across a blind woman standing by the door, taking shelter from the rain. When he invites her to come inside the shop, she at first refuses, but later gives in to Eiji's kindness. They become intimate friends and she slowly grows to depend on Eiji's sincerity and goodheartedness. After rescuing her a following evening when she walks into the street and is nearly struck by traffic, Eiji himself inexplicably discovers the cold of winter that has saddled his heart all these years slowly melting away...

seems like a simple storyline? that's just the tip of the iceberg. yes, ONLY the TIP. It's more than that, with mystery surrounding eveything. To talk about this drama is to spoil it. because one by one thing is revealed in each episode. and it's hard to describe the core of this drama, what it's really about without revealing some of the mystery.


I have to praise the little girl playing Eiji's daughter. She's wonderful. His acting is so natural. It's really amazing for someone of that young age. If you watch a drama because of the actors/actress, and not because of the storyline (this one is very good), and you don't bother much about Katori Shingo, nor Matsuda Shota, nor Takeuchi Yuko (whom all three I adore), then try watching it for the young cutie with acting skill ;)

if I have time, I'll type my comments about this drama. currently, I don't have much of the comfort of typing things much. so till then.

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개와 늑대의 시간 / Time of Dog and Wolf

TIME OF DOG AND WOLF

(some extracts from my previous review)

This is an action drama about an undercover agent trying to infiltrate into mafia organization, filled with suspense, cliffhanger, lots of action etc. It has nice pace especially the first half of the drama. I like how scenes are being shot. And I like the execution of the story. You got action, drama, love, power, betrayal, trust, amnesiac plot etc, like some other dramas might also have. But the way they're executed are very good. The pace was quite fast and fitting at the beginning.It builds the foundation and story in episode one and just skyrockets to pre-climax the episodes thereafter. It's not those usual kdrama which usually make the first half of the dramas lightly and then the next half putting in the tension. This one, it feels so fast like it's already nearly the climax when it's actually a beginning. A very good beginning I must say. I love the style.

Other bonus would be the actors. I didn't expect much from Jun ki, but seems like he's a really good actor after watching this. He plays his role as 'dog' and 'wolf' very well. I was never his fan, but I think I've respect for him after watching this drama. And watching him as a 'man' shedding the feminine image he always has, to play the character in this drama is absolutely a refreshing sight. The other actor who plays Min Ki also gave a good performance. And so do other supporting characters.

The love scenes however is not developed stronger as it progress. I like how they did the romance in first two episode, but after that it doesn't have really much impact. i really don't know what's missing. But I guess the thrill and suspense make up for this.

This drama left me with quite an impact. Now it ends, I feel like ermmm floating? I think people should try watching this drama, especially if you're like me, loving action/thriller drama.

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개와 늑대의 시간 / Time of Dog and Wolf ep 10-16#

TIME OF DOG AND WOLF

This is an action drama with lots of cliffhangers, blodd-pumping, adrenaline-rushi, suspenseful drama. just right for my taste.


When I liveblogged about a drama, expect my writing to be full of grammatical mistak. Sometimes I'm lazy to recheck everything :p

Because I've been watching straight 6 episode I can't really remember what happen to be written down here. He started getting information about Soo Hyun being a real him but didn't believe it although it sparked his curiosity. Ji Woo has been feeling weird around him, and after quite some time start to suspect him as being Soo Hyun. Sudden turn of event required Soo hyun to kill Ji Woo's father (not her real one). Ji Woo was there begging for him not to shoot her father, this makes him remember the day his mom was killed. He was depressed after regaining memories, thinking that his father was killed right in front of him when he lose memory. And to think that he's been serving loyally to the one he hate the most. He tried to commit suicide but stopped by 'roadrunner', his father informant. They planned to escape to another country and leave revenge and everything behind, but the NIS boss managed to get him to go back to spy Cheongbang. As the story progress, Min Ki learnt about the undercover plan, and so do Ji Woo.

The big transaction planned by Cheongbang was halted by NIS. However 'roadrunner' was killed while trying to save Soo Hyun. Soo Hyun then disappear with Mao, although the mission has been completed, because there's something left for him. a revenge.

Cutting the long story short, he met Mao face to face and start shooting at each other. In the end it was revealed that Mao was actually a bestfriend to Soo Hyun's father. Mao was dead.

The end is a bit open. As it shows Soo hyun still living. and still as a black agent/ undercover agent. I don't know what happen between him and Ji Woo, but along the way, I, in my humble opinion think that the romance and relationship between the two are not really much convincing. Min Ki on the other hand marry his workmate (I secretly hope they ended up together as I was watching the series from beginning)

This is a good drama. The first half is probably the best. the second half is still good but not as good as the first half, I think.

I have to say I kind of drawn in by Kay, when he lose his memory. Although he is a bad guy, his personality just make you drawn in.

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개와 늑대의 시간 / Time of Dog and Wolf ep 7-9

TIME OF DOG AND WOLF

oh my there's so many things happening. All the suspense were really killing me.

Soo Hyun was assigned to keep an eye on Ji Woo because other mafia group was eyeing her so Mao ordered her to be protected. In the course of saving Ji Woo (who was shocked to see Soo hyun) he was injured and the car he drove fall into the water. He lose his memory. Then he thought he's really Kay. He has also been gaining a lot of trust from Mao. He met Ji Woo again after that but not as Soo Hyun anymore. Ji Woo now believe he's just a look-alike but no way a guy like him would be Soo Hyun. Soo Hyun's father, Kang in the other hand was worried as there was no contact from him only to realize Soo Hyun lose his memory. Soo hyun found out that the Cheongbang telephone cable has been wiretapped and plan to trick the person behind it. NIS was tricked into thinking there's a real transaction and they sent agent for the mission. This ends up with agent Kang being stabbed to death in front of Soo Hyun just before he could tell Soo Hyun's real identity.

You are not Kay. You are....

Min Gi was showing much hatred toward Kay (without knowledge that it's Soo Hyun, not Kay) he felt like killing Kay. The investigation on Kay's identity returned a result that doesn't match at all with Soo Hyun, making the International Affair team convinced that they're not the same person.

So much suspense. I've been so impatient watching this, wanting to know what will happen after this and this, it's not funny!

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개와 늑대의 시간 / Time of Dog and Wolf ep 6

TIME OF DOG AND WOLF


I'm starting my new semester soon, so will not be much active anymore. I might just write an overall review for all the next episodes of Time of Dog and Wolf instead of the episode by episode like what I'm doing now.

Episode 6, again is a good one.


Kay (Soo Hyun's new name) carving the elephant he promised Ji Woo.

Kay/Soo Hyun got the thing he's been wishing for. Meeting Mao. Mao entered the Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) ring. And he saved Mao from being murdered by a subordinate. Mao wanted to reward him. and he asked this:



Back in Korea, korean mafia organization has been eyeing for Ji Woo knowing that she's Mao's daughter. They're aware of Cheongbang's plan to expand to Korea and the possibility that cheongbang will be interested for their territory so they have to plan something, and Ji Woo is a part of the plan.


I think I'm growing to like Min Ki. I still like Soo Hyun but to think that he's been there for Ji Woo all this time.. I feel some sympathy for him. It has been two years already and she still can't get Soo Hyun out of her mind. Of course Soo Hyun is living somewhere. But he's declared to be dead to these people. Ji Woo is still hanging and holding to the watch Soo Hyun gave her, which was not working anymore.



one day Min Ki bought her a new watch.

"I'm not asking you to put it on right away.Maybe one day, after Soo Hyun's death; time which has stopped by your side, it will tick again, put on the watch"

after quite some time, Ji Woo went to the grave. and trying to let go of the memories, she left the watch on the grave. Kay/Soo Hyun is already in Korea since Cheongbang decided to start a business there. He went to his grave and saw the watch :(

the preview of next episode: in the first episode, at the very beginning it shows Kay/Soo Hyun drowning after some car-chasing. I thought it'll come somewhere at the end of the series but the preview indicates that the next episode will go into that. Ji Woo and Min Ki seems like going out (?) while Kay/Soo Hyun is looking at them somewhere. must be very painful to watch.

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개와 늑대의 시간 / Time of Dog and Wolf ep 5/16

TIME OF DOG AND WOLF

So far I really like the drama. Most of the scenes are well calculated so not to really drag. For example, some of the scenes between Ji Woo and Soo Hyun is shown first time but as flashback. It adds something to their relationship and at the same time by having them as flashback they managed to not stain the series with too many 'couple' scenes just for the sake of stressing their relationship which can be quite out of place. It keeps the drama neat and a wise way to stress the love development without overdoing.

to the episode story.
Soo Hyun was offered with the task of being undercover agent. If he do well, he can re-acquire his NIS agent status back. However undercover agent is a very dangerous task, he has to be friends with Cheongbang, Mao's mafia organization and become a member. His father objected to it. like any parents would. sending your son to a very dangerous task who wouldn't be worried?

"You have to give up everything you've lived for!
Your name, your memories,
and everyone you loved!
It's about your existence disappearing!"

but he's determined.

The theme song is very much fitting. I really like the song.

Now I have to let you go
I need to make you leave
I'm not going to look back

and he passed the watch he treasures most, his real father's, to his father to be given to Ji Woo. I first thought he's giving it to his father but later in the episode Ji Woo was wearing it.

And then he 'died' in this episode, masked by a fake traffic accident.

Soo Hyun visiting his own grave

Ji Woo, Min Ki and his moom was really devastated. Two years later, they still can't forget him. I love the relationship between Soo Hyun and Min Ki. They're very close despite the fact it's not a blood-relationship. They're brothers and best friends. Although Min Ki seems bothered that Ji Woo still can't forget Soo Hyun (as he also loves her), but he too.. can't forget Soo Hyun.



Min Ki changed department into International Affairs Department, Soo Hyun's old department. And he got to sit where Soo Hyun used to sit. He's doing well and showing his competency in the new department. Meanwhile Soo Hyun is working at the lowest position for Cheongbang, dealing with drunks in clubs. He also participated in Thailand Kickboxing knowing that Mao likes kickboxing hoping that he'll meet Mao soon.

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