Asian dramas summer 2011
It's been awhile since I actually blogged about something. I though I'd talk a little about some of the dramas that are airing right now and what I am watching.
Airing dramas I'm watching:
Soredemo, Ikite Yuku- Dark, beautiful, tragic, socially awkward perfection. It's been two years since I've enjoyed a Japanese dramas as much as I'm enjoying this one. Not only is it beautifully shot, the writing and the acting is stellar as well. Mutsushima Hikari in particular is really doing a tremendous job as the socially awkward, emotionally stunted Futuba. She's an actress to watch out for in the future.
Material Queen- I've been holding onto this drama in hopes that the landscape would darken and (not a moment too soon) it finally began to happen. The last three episodes were great, it was nice to see some development on the plot front and on the character front as well. Episode 10 we finally got our game changer and Chu Man finally got a cruel wake-up call. It doesn't look like the writers are going to be as easy on her as they were in the first half of the drama....
Scent of a Woman- I'm enjoying Ji Wook and Yeon Jae's "girl who lives everyday as if it's her last and the boy who aimlessly goes through life" dynamic a whole lot. I'm curious to see how Ji Wook will handle the news of Yeon Jae's cancer and the fact that she'll be dying in five months. Will he hide that he knows about her cancer and suffer in silence? Or will he straight forward about it and be her pillar of support as she goes through treatment? I'm hoping that the latter happens, but I'm not holding my breath. Koreans love the silent sufferer...
Protect the Boss- Has the potential to be a great character driven drama. I'm really invested in Ji Sung's character and I'm curious to see how he'll change in the remaining episodes. Is Eun Seo's understanding, patience and love enough to inspire him to change? How much will he change...will he be able to function without her by his side?
The Princess' Man- I love Moon Chae Won a whole lot. I love melodramas a whole lot. I don't like sageuks all that much. Can't say I hate this drama, but it doesn't exactly tug at my heartstrings either. I'm five episodes behind. I'm also tempted to drop it. I feel tempted to drop this drama every week, but something keeps pulling me back. I really like the actors in this drama and I've made it through eight episodes because of them alone. I'm not sure how long they'll be enough for me to stick with this drama....
Old dramas I'm watching/slowly getting through:
Happiness: I really really love this drama. Long dramas with multiple characters and multiple pairings are the ones I enjoy the most. It has a few cliches, but no caratures. The characters are relatively reasonable, you can understand where they are coming from and their POV.
Did we Really Love- Ahh, it's so refreshing to see characters that actually talk and listen to what the other is saying. Very well written, slowly shaping up to be one of my favorite teacher-student relationship dramas (and second favorite Noh Hee Kyung drama after Goodbye Solo).
Airing dramas I'm watching:
Soredemo, Ikite Yuku- Dark, beautiful, tragic, socially awkward perfection. It's been two years since I've enjoyed a Japanese dramas as much as I'm enjoying this one. Not only is it beautifully shot, the writing and the acting is stellar as well. Mutsushima Hikari in particular is really doing a tremendous job as the socially awkward, emotionally stunted Futuba. She's an actress to watch out for in the future.
Material Queen- I've been holding onto this drama in hopes that the landscape would darken and (not a moment too soon) it finally began to happen. The last three episodes were great, it was nice to see some development on the plot front and on the character front as well. Episode 10 we finally got our game changer and Chu Man finally got a cruel wake-up call. It doesn't look like the writers are going to be as easy on her as they were in the first half of the drama....
Scent of a Woman- I'm enjoying Ji Wook and Yeon Jae's "girl who lives everyday as if it's her last and the boy who aimlessly goes through life" dynamic a whole lot. I'm curious to see how Ji Wook will handle the news of Yeon Jae's cancer and the fact that she'll be dying in five months. Will he hide that he knows about her cancer and suffer in silence? Or will he straight forward about it and be her pillar of support as she goes through treatment? I'm hoping that the latter happens, but I'm not holding my breath. Koreans love the silent sufferer...
Protect the Boss- Has the potential to be a great character driven drama. I'm really invested in Ji Sung's character and I'm curious to see how he'll change in the remaining episodes. Is Eun Seo's understanding, patience and love enough to inspire him to change? How much will he change...will he be able to function without her by his side?
The Princess' Man- I love Moon Chae Won a whole lot. I love melodramas a whole lot. I don't like sageuks all that much. Can't say I hate this drama, but it doesn't exactly tug at my heartstrings either. I'm five episodes behind. I'm also tempted to drop it. I feel tempted to drop this drama every week, but something keeps pulling me back. I really like the actors in this drama and I've made it through eight episodes because of them alone. I'm not sure how long they'll be enough for me to stick with this drama....
Old dramas I'm watching/slowly getting through:
Happiness: I really really love this drama. Long dramas with multiple characters and multiple pairings are the ones I enjoy the most. It has a few cliches, but no caratures. The characters are relatively reasonable, you can understand where they are coming from and their POV.
Did we Really Love- Ahh, it's so refreshing to see characters that actually talk and listen to what the other is saying. Very well written, slowly shaping up to be one of my favorite teacher-student relationship dramas (and second favorite Noh Hee Kyung drama after Goodbye Solo).