Category: Fun:Joy:Laughter

Posts for living and having fun

I’m Home アイムホーム (2015)

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Just finished watching SMAP 木村拓哉’s latest drama, I’m Home. Given that I am partly biased, I will recommend this show.

Story’s about an ambitious but good-hearted man, Ieji Hisashi’s journey to recover his memory after an accident. He learns about his past self, recovering from a heartless man to who he should have been, uncovering his true inner self of one who was in fact self-less and loves his wife very much.

This show was generally quite intriguing, mysterious and gripping enough to want to watch on and learn about what actually happened. Makes one think if we are fighting too hard to earn money where at the end of the day, what are most important are your family and your own conscience. The ending was somewhat unsurprising though, maybe slightly on the anti-climatic side.

Rating: ❤︎❤︎

Actors/actresses to watch for: Kimura Takuya

Prince of Lan Ling 兰陵王 (2013)

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Story timeline ~564-577AD (Northern Qi-Northern Zhou)

One of my most skipped dramas. The scenes with bad guys were unbearable, so I literally skipped through all of it. I think even though I did that, I caught enough story to remain entertained – probably only caught one-third of the show but that would suffice for now. Having said what I said, I still liked the show, no regrets watching it, and have lots to comment on this show.

First on plot. Some spoilers ahead.

This drama is about Lan Ling Wang – or Gao Chang gong, who was a general and prince of Northern Qi known for being one of four best looking man in Chinese history and a witty general. It starts right before his famous battle of having led only 500 men and defeated the enemy’s troop of 100,000. The plot is built on the premise that he will be killed soon but his fate was changed after he met a heavenly girl Yang Xue Wu.

There were some references to history and got me interested to know more about Lan Ling Wang. He apparently had been a great leader, and warrior, loved his people and soldiers. Only took one wife… (not sure how true) When he knew that he getting a lot of attention and support (he had a war dance named after him!), he took bribes on purpose to make himself look bad. But because of jealously, he was poisoned to death. (This story takes place when Gao Zhan was emperor I think, Gao Zhan is Lan Ling Wang’s uncle.)

In this drama, Lan Ling Wang did not die fortunately. But Yang Xue Wu did in the end! After I learnt that it was not a happy ending, it took me a while before I decided to complete the show. But why did she have to die? Even after completing the show, I still am not too sure why they could not have a happy ending at the end. So this show has a terrible ending. Btw, costumes were weird but bearable.

Next, on casting and characters. I chanced upon this drama and started watching but stopped at episode 2 or 3 because of the scene where Yang Xue Wu first met Lan Ling Wang and mistook him as a girl. 太勉强了！I thought. Feng Shao Feng did not look like a pretty boy who could be mistaken as a girl. Of course, he looked good – like any good-looking Chinese general should be. But perhaps not the legendary ancient pretty-man Lan Ling Wang, who was said to be so pretty that he had to wear a mask when fighting a war to look fearsome. While watching the show, Feng Shao Feng as Lan Ling Wang started to appeal to me. In fact, over time he was the only one who I thought worth watching. He was suave and quite cute at times. Especially in the scenes with Yang Xue Wu.

Now, Yang Xue Wu or Ariel Lin was very natural, as well as entertaining but it felt like her character was from another era, it felt like I was watching a Taiwan idol drama rather than a Chinese period drama. I would have preferred a different Yang Xue Wu. Daniel Chan was surprisingly good but for some reason he had a discoloured forehead throughout the whole show. Wu Ye is quite cute too.

I have to add that the songs were good!

All in all, I do not mind rewatching this show, but it would only be for Lan Ling Wang (Feng Shao Feng).

Rating: ❤︎❤︎

Actors/actresses to watch for: Feng Shao Feng

Bitter Blood (2014)

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Ever since 刑事侦缉档案， I have not liked many detective shows. Find them too similar in plot progression. Watched Bitter Blood purely because of Takeru Sato as I have taken to like his shows recently. Even though his expressions can be quite monotonous at times, he is rather cute when he smiles.

Bitter Blood added an element of father-son-having-to-work-together-even-after-being-separated-for-a-long-time to the new-kids-on-the-block theme. So, part of the plot is about how the father-son buddy pair solves crimes and repair their relationship. Both father and son were funny and worth watching. Unfortunately, the cases are somewhat forgettable and the rookie plot line is somewhat outdated.

All in all, Watabe, Satoh Takeru, Kutsuna Shiori, are pleasant to watch. Recommended if you have nothing else to watch and need some lighthearted show, this is for you.

Rating: ❤︎❤︎

Actors/actresses to watch for: Satoh Takeru

Nobunaga Concerto 信長協奏曲 (2014)

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I generally like period dramas, regardless of the country origin. I like the historical and cultural references and enjoy researching, seeking historical accuracies while watching. Sometimes I will have Chrome up and be searching away while watching. Add a dash of romance, wit and cast I like, the drama will not be far from the top of my favourites list.

Nobunaga Concerto definitely satisfied these criteria. At first glance, one may associate the title with manga titles like Nodame Cantabile. But the story is very different. It’s about a high school boy who time slipped back to the warring states era and took Oda Nobunaga’s identity. A historic background with Oguri Shun, and Mukai Osamu was definitely enough to get me started.

While it is not quite true to historical events, it retains key events in history, characters, the alliances and betrayals. It weaves in a modern character and ideas of present society and draws laughter in the audience through the witty conversations and plot twists.

Rating: ❤︎❤︎❤︎

Actors/actresses to watch for: Oguri Shun, Osamu Mukai

The Smiling, Proud Wanderer 笑傲江湖 (2013)

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Watched this drama some time ago, but in my effort to document the dramas I have watched, I decided to make some quick comments:

While I think no one can beat Lin Ching Hsia as Dong Fang Bu Bai, Chen Qiao En did make a convincing pitch, given that in this version, the writers decided to change the story – Dong Fang Bu Bai was actually a woman but was disguised as a man. Chen Qiao En makes effort to fulfil her role as Dong Fang Bu Bai, and I commend her for her effort. The writers also did a good job in pairing Chen Qiao En with Wallace Huo (they were a good pair) plus Chen Qiao En was loveable as Dong Fang Bu Bai. I was rooting for them!

On the other hand, it was unfortunate that Ren Ying Ying was not as loveable. So when I realised that Dong Fang Bu Bai was not meant to be with Ling Hu Chong, I literally skipped the last maybe ten episodes and watched the final episode.

Surprise factor: Chen Xiao as Ling Ping Zhi

Rating: ♥♥

Actors/Actresses to watch for: Wallace Huo, Chen Qiao En

Ouroboros ウロボロス (2015)

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In my last day of leave, I decided to watch another Japanese drama. Flipping through a list of latest dramas, I decided on Ouroboros played by Oguri Shun, Ueno Juri, and Toma Ikuta. Didn’t have high expectations but it turned out to be great.

Gripping mystery plot with a largely acceptable ending. Gripping enough to keep my eyes glued to the screen and finish the whole series in a day. I thought the script was well paced to sustain tension throughout the series and was even able to show character development within the 10 episodes. A little overboard with the anti-police theme, but why bother? It’s just a story. Though as I had expected, it was spun out of an existing manga. Great acting by the actors and actresses and Cool moves by Ikuta Toma and Oguri Shun.

Highly recommended. ♥♥♥♥

Actors/actresses to watch for: Ueno Juri, Toma Ikuta, Oguri Shun and Ryoko Hirosue

Date デート (2015)

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This show takes 2 characters of opposing types (career woman vs a hikikomori NEET) and tries to tell a story on what love is and that marriage is not just a contract but about two people who are in love. I take that the drama tries to respond to the societal need to encourage more men and women to get married. Unfortunately, the drama does not quite inspire and there is little development between the two.

Rating: ♥

Actors/Actresses: Anne, Hasegawa Hiroki

Worth watching: Nakajima Yuto

Loved in the Purple 紫钗奇缘 (2013)

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Watched

Story timeline ~Tang Dynasty (618-907)

For a long-time closet fan of Raymond Lam and Michelle Yip, I am utterly disappointed with the show 紫钗奇缘.

To be fair, I should start with the merits of the show. It tried to bring in elements of dance and music and portray life back in the Tang dynasty. Lots of colour, lots of glamour. Of course, the other merits of this show is the reunion of Raymond and Michelle in another drama. I still like the couple, but I fell out of love with the show.

I think that sums up the merits of this show. All in all, I probably only enjoyed one-tenth of the time spent and mostly was in the first half.

Of course, the ending was terrible for a fan like me, but all in all I thought the plot was very distracted. It was not clear if it was trying to be a romance-based drama or not. The plot and transitions were badly stitched, to the point that it was confusing. I was somewhat lost and bored after a while. The plot and progression did not do justice to all who have acted in this show. Too much tears in the show but not out in the audience I think.

Rating: ♥

Actors/Actresses: Michelle Ye, Raymond Lam

Beauties of the Emperor 王的女人 (2012)

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Story timeline ~ 210 BC

Watched twice. (More like one and a half)

Good show. I liked Yun Kuang and Hai Tian and only on my second time did I appreciate Luo Feng (played by Chen Xiao). The story is based on the uprising against Qin Dynasty in its later years and the rise of the Han Dynasty. I think the writers did a fantastic job in bringing some of the historical events to life, but the story is largely centred on the theme of love, and of one kind. Plot progression is not very tight but quick enough.

I liked the historical references and subtle transition between Qin and Han – Progression from the use of bamboo to something lighter, though I do not think it is paper as paper is said to be invented later in the dynasty.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Actors/Actresses to watch for: Chen Qian En/Luo Jin/Chen Xiao

Female Prime Minister 陆贞传奇 (2013)

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Story timeline ~560AD

Watched – 29/3/15-1/4/15

Great show, great acting. Absolutely fell in love with Chen Xiao who plays Gao Zhan. Plot can get a little boring as it is almost at the verge of being repetitive with Gao Zhan and Lu Zhen’s 离离合合 (constant separation and reconciliation). Nevertheless, there is always some progression of plot with each sub-arc and good portrayal of unwavering love between the main two characters. Lots of scheming and deaths but nothing that will turn a fan away or leave her disappointed.

As for the actors and actresses, I think it is a good mix with some familiar faces to ex-Hong Kong drama fan, useful to help distinguish one character from another.

Not too convinced of its historical references, much of it is probably fabricated and not true to history. Little Chinese literary fluff, though I would enjoyed it more with some of these educational elements.

Overall, I will rate this on par with BBJX (if not better)! Recommended to those who like romantic period dramas and will likely watch it again. ♥♥♥♥

Actors/Actresses to watch for: Chen Xiao