Asian Dramas People Forget. . .?

[walkwithheroes]

I watch a lot of fan-made videos to Asian dramas, and lately I've noticed something - no one vids, recs, or talks about dramas made before 2005 or so. I recently did a fanvid collab using Strawberry on the Shortcake and was surprised that few people knew what the drama was. Most people vid the things like: Cinderella's Unni, Coffee Prince, Spring

Comments

[homocoucho]

I think people tend to recommend newer and more popular dramas because it's easier to sell to newbie viewers. That's how I got started, with the twdrama Lavender, but I really only got hooked after Coffee Prince.

[walkwithheroes]

I agree with you some what. It is easier to get newbies interested by pointing them toward newer/popular dramas, because they'll be easier to find online and there's a chance many people are still talking about them. But, what I really don't understand is why more people don't go back into "vintage" dramas. Some of my favorite dramas are pre-2005, and I'm just interested to know why more people don't give them a try after they've been introduced to Asian dramas.

[strawberry_fzz]

Interesting post. :Db

I agree with everything you said. Adding to it, I think older dramas tend to get neglected due to lack of availability and the fact that a lot haven't been fansubbed yet. Fortunately, it seems like Japan has starting to release DVD boxsets of older dramas so hopefully more "oldies but goodies" will see the light of day again.

You can never go wrong with Nojima Shinji, KudoKan and Kitagawa Eriko (though her recent attempt failed to impress ;_;)! I'd also add Kuramoto Sou to the list, but I suppose his stuff might be a little slow in pace for some people.

[walkwithheroes]

In regard to fansubbing: I agree that more older dramas need to be fansubbed. That said, I know a couple of sites that sell TV rips, as several American stations air older Japanese dramas with English subs. You can also find boot-legs with English subs some places. (But, you didn't hear it from me. And, fyi: the subs range from awesome to Enrglish)

and Kitagawa Eriko (though her recent attempt failed to impress ;_;)!

Yes! Her newest drama was horrible. I still think she was trying to go the Last Friends root, and it didn't work.

Kuramoto Sou is excellent, but I agree that his stuff can be a bit too slow in terms of pacing.

[lastingdreams8]

You've brought up some very interesting questions.
I'd have to agree with your answers, and add that I'm one of those people who follow actors. However, I will go 'vintage' and refer back to dramas before 2000 if the story really interests me. Despite this, I have to say that video quality also influences my watching habits, and the older videos are just not as great to watch.

Ahh, so Nojima Shinji is the mastermind behind all those; definitely glad that I've watched a few of his works ;) And Kitagawa of course :)

[walkwithheroes]

I have to say that video quality also influences my watching habits, and the older videos are just not as great to watch.

I've noticed that seems to be the case for a lot of people.

Nojima Shinji is one of my favorite Japanese-drama writers. If you've liked some of his work, chances are you'll like all his dramas.

[jamieguo48]

I'm a relative newcomer to Asian dramas. The first one I watched was Full House around five years ago. But it was only two years ago when I had the Internet access and the knowledge to actually start watching them on an consistent basis.

Now, I find that I usually try to watch what's on, and avoid the older dramas, rarely watching anything more than five years old. Part of it is that its harder to find info on the older dramas, recaps and recommendations that I use to determine if I want to watch something.

The other thing is, and this is rather lame, I've been spoiled by the high quality videos out there and older dramas usually look worse off.

[walkwithheroes]

Part of it is that its harder to find info on the older dramas, recaps and recommendations that I use to determine if I want to watch something.

While it is harder to find good English subtitles for older dramas - they are around. I could rec some older stuff for you. I know the video quality can be questionable on some older dramas, but I try to get past it, because a lot of older dramas are brilliant; the early 1990s - very early 2000s are considered the time period when some of the best dramas ever were made.

[jamieguo48]

That would be great. I'm not really watching anything right now, Giant, I am Legend, Baker King...etc. don't seem interesting to me. I like dramas where characters act understandably if not intelligently, should have great music, and my favorite k dramas are Goong, YAB, Delightful Girl.

Oh, and the main characters have to act morally, or at least regret their past misdeeds, namely main couple having premartial sex, having an affair, two timing (why I didn't watch City Hall) and so on.

Also, I don't really get the falling love at first sight thing and dramas with that annoy me. And I don't like tragic dramas because I cry at the drop of a bucket (although if they contain meaningful stories such as the movie Grave of the Fireflies I don't mind watching and weeping over it) , and horror movies scares me.

Did I mention I'm picky about what I watch? hehe

[walkwithheroes]

There are a few dramas you might like in the post. Have you tried the other Hong sister dramas? Hong Gil Dong, My Girl, My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox, Fantasy Couple. All are romcoms, and all are very fun. Mischievous Kiss is coming out, and I'm getting a Goong-like feeling from the previews. Hana Yori Dango, Boys Before Flowers, and Meteor Garden are all based on the same manga: rich boy falls for poor girl and becomes a better person. Nobuta wo Produce is a Japanese drama about three high school kids finding themselves and become better people thru their friendship- it's one of my favorites. My Lucky Star is a Taiwanese drama about two people who fall in love and struggle with it due to outside forces; it was an "Idol" drama, but it was so original and well done, that it became a favorite. I'd rec them all to you.