I always feel like I need more cowbell.

[calledinvain]

first off: WTF, Japan, continued: Japan Pays Foreign Workers to Go Home with the caveat THAT THEY NEVER EVER COME BACK TO WORK IN JAPAN, EVER, AND THAT INCLUDES YOUR CHILDREN. SAYONARA, SUCKERS

Comments

[fivethreerin]

re 5: it's okay, because Rami is the cutest puppy. like. ever. and kanata becomes a proud papa when he's with her.

[sireensilver]

That's actually why I'm rather apprehensive about Smile. A certain element to it is making a drama for its own sake, and not really to "give hope" to all the hapas of Japan. v_v I dunno. I really dunno. On the one hand I really want to see it, on the other hand all my alarm bells are ringing and telling me I may be setting myself up for a head-to-desk slammin'.

(And oh, helloooo Mr Maya Miki.)

Growing up

[calledinvain]

I've both experienced racism and unfortunately, had moments where I was unkind and prejudiced toward others (in elementary school. I had a sheltered-immigrant's children type of upbringing until junior high or so.) and I'm aware of it now as an adult, and I'm fascinated with how other cultures deal with it, as I am constantly looking at the evolution of tolerance and understanding here at home. So Smile, which presents itself as this 'big' social commentary type of drama...well, that leaves it very vulnerable to necessary criticism, don't you think?

We should friend each other!

*G*

Re: Growing up

[sireensilver]

My own upbringing was a bit of a mess, since from the time I turned five I went back and forth between parents (and countries + cultures) and needless to say my parents had very different views of the world. So I can also say there was a time I was much less tolerant and much more prejudiced too, and I'm not happy remembering the way I was. But the fact that I'm different now makes me wish there was that sort of development in media sometimes, and dramas don't have a fantastic track record for that. So, yeah, Smile is a moving target, practically. I have a Filipina friend who used to live in Japan, incidentally, and when she heard of the drama she was far from celebratory, which I found interesting.

...May I? :D

Mmm, yes.

[calledinvain]

Friend away! I have already done so. :D I will def. talk more about Smile, am trying to psych myself up to watch it with subs, and wearing my Objective Hat of Constructive Criticism.