My "MUST WATCH dramas" list - PART II

In part 1 I posted 5 of my most favourite dramas. However, I must state that those were not set in any particular order. And neither the ones that will be following from now on.

6. GALILEO

Synopsis: 

Galileo follows the story of a detective who solves various difficult cases with the help of a renowned university professor.

Personal opinion: 

Plot:
Though it seems uninteresting at first sight, the plot is certain to captivate you. The viewer will be faced with a great deal of extremely interesting mysteries and it's quite fun discovering the solutions together with the protagonists. Yes, the mystery cases will definitely incite anyone's imagination!
Acting:
If you're looking for bishies, this is not the place to go, though I'm sure no one can deny that 
Masaharu Fukuyama is a very attractive man. However, the acting is impeccable, the actors will fascinate you for sure. Maybe you won't love them, maybe you won't scream like a fan girl in front of the screen, but you will certainly like them enough to want more.

Overall:

I'd give it an A+ for the mystery cases and, at least for me, a certain must watch!

Download link(scroll down): Click


And now, from "mystery" genre, let's pass to a more light topic : humour, which happens to be my favourite.

7. SEIGI NO MIKATA

Synopsis(from Wikipedia, because it was too long and I got lazy):

15-year-old Yoko is constantly tormented by her self-centered and fiendish older sister Makiko, who works for a government office after having graduated from a famous university. But despite her ill nature, Makiko's actions tend to somehow make things better for those around her, causing others to praise her as an "ally of justice."
Because of her sister's attitude, Yoko longs to be free. She decides to get her sister married so she will move out. However her plan backfires. There is also a boy called Riku who always teases her because he has a major crush on her. He becomes one of her closest confidants.
Makiko eventually reveals her true nature to her husband, Naoki, who decides to get a divorce. Meanwhile a close friend of Riku's, Chika, tells Yoko that he is about to move away. Her friends attempt to get Yoko to confess through a live T.V. program, but her sister storms in and starts yelling at her, right before she is arrested.
A few days after Makiko's release from prison, Naoki and his parents arrive to talk with Makiko. As the divorce is about to be finalized, Makiko tells everyone that she is pregnant. The series ends with Yoko finally talking to Riku, and Makiko giving birth to a baby. Yoko is the one left caring for it.
Personal opinion:
Plot:
I copied the plot synopsis from Wikipedia because I really wanted people to realize how awesome this series is. I don't know how many of you have watched this 'cause, since it isn't romance genre, many might tend to think it's boring. Well, I personally loved it with capital L! It was an extremely cute and funny story about the "horror" of having older siblings, but with heart-touching subtle messages about the complexity of  family connections. This drama teaches us that probably everyone has problems with their families, that we have to learn to accept those dear to us as what they are, with their good and their bad parts too. All in all, a really nice plot which I recommend for viewers of all ages.

Acting: 

Remember that cute girl I talked about when I presented Tantei Gakuen Q to you? Well, that's her, the main lead actress herself! Like I said before: an extremely talented young actress! Her main co-lead as well, whose name is Yu Yamada, is a very talented actress indeed.I wish to see more of them in the future.

Overall:

I think I praised this drama enough to attract your attention so I'll just limit myself at saying "go watch it now!" :))
Download link: Click

 And now, my friends, into the world of romance we go. Comedy/ romance, 'cause that's the only one I cotton with.

8.NODAME CANTABILE

Synopsis:

Shinichi Chiaki is an extremely hard-working and talented music student whose dream is to become a conductor, but he's afraid of studying abroad because he has plane phobia. His life changes dramatically when he meets Noda Megumi, a very talented piano student who also suffers from a childhood phobia that holds her from following her true dreams.

Personal opinion:

Plot:

I really thought the plot was a bit silly. There is so much comedy involved, even from the first episode, that I didn't thin k much about it. Turns out, by the end of the drama I realized there were much heavier topics involved, such as childhood traumas and pent-up feelings, clad in a humours scenario, true, but still complex in their essence.Nevertheless, a very fun and lovely drama.

Acting:

The extremely attractive Tamaki Hiroshi plays the main male lead with an elegance worthy of praise.
As for the main female lead, she is none other then the adorable Ueno Juri.
They both make a very cute and funny couple. One word: KAWAII!!!

Overall:

I'm sure anyone has heard by now of Nodame Cantabile and probably there are best-suited person to praise it then me, so I can only say one thing: watch it and you won't regret it.It's a good, relaxing, fun, enjoyable etc way to spend your time.
Download link: Click

9.  MY GIRL

Synopsis:

Gong Chan meets Yoo Rin through a series of  quizzically hilarious circumstances and ends up asking her to pretend to be his long lost cousin in order to appease his very sick grandfather, who he thought was nearing his end. She accepts, but the feelings they start developing for one another soon start getting in the way.

Personal opinion:

Plot:

I usually hate Korean dramas because they tend to to be over dramatic and.. well, exaggeratedly sappy. So a Korean drama must be really good for me to watch it. Just like this one: a cute, loveable story with a good dose of healthy humour and just the perfect amount of tear-jerker scenes, all spiced up with the typical Korean dramas' love triangles.What does it is the humour though! You'll definitely like it! In addition, it had a good OST as well.

Acting:

The acting was absolutely terrific! The one who impressed me the most is the leading actress Lee Da Hea. This role seems to suit her to a T. She performs the comedy scenes with an unequalled skill and the romantic sad ones with such grace that she makes you really feel them as if you were the character yourself. Thumbs up!

Overall:

This drama is in my top ten for sure! Lovely comedy and really nice romantic scenes. The perfect ingredients if you ask me! 
Download link: Click ; Click

10. YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

Synopsis:

The idol group A.N.JELL is looking for a second lead singer and they want Go Mi Nam, who's said to have the voice of an angel. Mi Nam though is in the States so his agent finds his twin sister, Go Mi Nyu, and asks her to pretend to be Go Mi Nam until he comes back.

Personal opinion:

Plot:

This plot reminds me a lot of a shoujo manga plot and that's mainly the reason I started watching it. Good gender-bender induced humour scenes, good music, cute romantic scenes and to top it all, a cast so gorgeous you could drool over. What more can a fan girl like me ask for!? Tell me a reason, just a single reason this shouldn't be the perfect romantic comedy? Hmm? Yeah, I thought so too! :)
Acting: Oh, the horror of bishies! You never know who to choose. They are all perfect, undeniably hot, they make us hyperventilate even before they open their mouths to say their lines! I'll have to admit though that the main male lead seems to be quite talented. As for the female lead, I'm not sure about her yet. Don't shoot me!The actors were just too dazzling! Blame them!

Overall:

If you love humongous dozes of fluff, this is your kind of drama!:)
Download link: Click ; Click

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My MUST WATCH asian dramas list - PART I

So I thought I should start my blogging experience with something meaningful. As a result, I will post my drama recommendations. Anime, manga and music lists will follow.

1. LIAR GAME

Synopsis :

Kanzaki Nao is a naive collage student who, one day, finds a suit case containing 100 milion yen outside her apartment door, along with a card saying she's been chosen to take part in the "Liar Game", a game which consisted in gaining money by stealing them from your opponent. Desperate, she asks the recently releaseed from prison genius swindler Akiyama Shinichi for help.

Note: Show has two seasons.

Personal opinion:

Plot:

 Ever since watching the first episode of this series, I thought "OMG! This Japanese guys are geniuses!". So, truth be told, I think that said it all. A true masterpiece!

Acting:

Honestly, I wasn't very impressed with Toda Erika's acting. If you ask me, the poor girl has always received the most annoying roles possible ( see Death Note live action). Her character is portrayed as being an exageratedly stupid girl.Definitely a turn off.

However, Matsuda Shota is incredible. This seems the perfect role for him. I really wouldn't have seen anyone else playing it better then him. It somehow compensates for the ridiculous impression that the main female character gives off.

Overall : 

This, of course, it's a subjective opinion, but I recommend this series whole-heartedly. I promise it won't be a waste of time! So, if you haven't seen it yet, hurry up and watch it! :) 

A download link: Click

2. KUROSAGI

Synopsis:

There are three types of swindlers in this world: red swindlers, white swindlers and the one who feeds off of them - the black swindler. This are, more or less, the opening words of every episode of the series.

Kurosagi is a young man whose family was destroyed by a swindler (more precisely, after being swindled, his father killed his whole family and then killed himself; Kurosagi managed to survive due to pure luck). After the tragic events, he swore to take revenge on all swindlers, especially on the white swindlers who take advantage of people's emotions and are far more cunning then the red swindlers.

Personal opinion:

Plot:

The plot was, of course, what attracted my attention and persuaded me to watch this. Just as Liar Game, Kurosagi too is inspired by the manga with the same title, which, by the way, I recommend and, though it isn't very faithful to the original manga plot, it still carries the same air about it, an air of mystery and excitement. I really enjoyed watching the swindlers get tricked and the main character changing his appearance so often. I actually found myself cheering for him quite some numerous times: "Go, go, Kurosagi! You rock!"

Acting:

I admit that for some reason Horikita Maki annoys me too. Don't shoot me! Unlike Erika Toda, who I adore as a person, but whose most roles I hate, I love Horikita Maki's roles, but I dislike her as a person. Don't ask me why... So, yeah, I can't say much about her role because I dindn't really py attention to it. All there is to know is that she portrays a Law student who hates Kurosagi's methods of making justice. A true idealist, indeed.

As for the main lead, how could I have any bad comments? He's Yamapi for God's sake!!! The absolutely adorable and hot Yamapi! Yes, yes, this are the screams of a rabid fan girl. His acting is superb though so i have an excuse :))

Overall:

I only have one complaint: I really wish it was longer. Really, watch it and you'll agree with me.

A download link: Click

3. MAJO SAIBAN

Synopsis:

Toru is chosen to be a part of the jurymen in a murder trial. The woman who is trialed is nicknamed "the witch" and she's charged for the murder of her old wealthy husband. Though she appears to be guilty, one by one, all the jurymen seem to change their opinions about it and vote "unguilty". Toru realizes there's something very odd about the whole situation and decides to find out what.

Personal opinion:

Plot:

I'l say it straight away, Majo Saiban is one of the most profound and smart j-doramas I've seen. Not only does it approach a very touchy subject : corruption in the legal system, but also it is constructed in such a way that one only realizes at the end that all along, there was a much deeper meaning to the whole story, that the main problem was not the corruption, but the actual human principles, the idea of Justice, the psychology of the righteous type of people. What can I say more? You have to watch it to understand.

Acting:

Ikuta Toma is by far one of my favourite actors. He's charming, talented and he really did a good job in this show.

Overall:

If you give this a chance, you will be surprised by the actual depth of the whole plot and you'll definitely love it.
A download link: Click

4.RYUSEI NO KIZUNA

Synopsis:
Ryusei no Kizuna is the story of three siblings whose parents have been murdered when they were very little. At that time the 3 kids had secretly escaped to go watch the meteor shower and when they came back they found their parents bodies in a pool of blood. The three vowed to catch the murderer and kill them by their own hands. 14 years later, coincidentally just when the meteor shower is about to appear again and when their parents murder is about to prescribe, they seem to finally have a lead on who the killer is.
Personal opinion:
Plot:
The plot is quite heartbreaking, but very realistic. The 3 siblings are not described as mental wrecks, but their lives are not really sunny either. The older sibling is, surprisingly, the most emotional out of the three of them, but all of them have turned into skeptics that have no more trust in the authorities. In fact, they start swindling people for money and they've become lonely and insecure people with only one hope in mind, that of avanging their parents. It's a heart-warming story, but not tragic enough to make you spill tears everywhere.
Acting:
With a 5 starts cast, Ryusei no Kizuna was guaranteed to have instant succes and I'm pretty sure it had. This is actually the first role of Erika Toda's that I liked!
Not to mention Ninomiya Kazunari and Nishikido Ryo who are total eye-candies and super good actors.
Overall:
A touching story about brotherly love and how to survive hardship with quite a happy ending. I, personally, loved it. Give it a try.
A download link (scroll down): Click

5. TANTEI GAKUEN Q

Synopsis:
The story revolves around a team of genius teenagers who study in a detective academy run by a famous detective. They solve complicated murder cases seem to all be planned by an evil syndicate called "Meiosei".
Personal opinion:
Plot:
Yes, I know, I know! The kids are... well, kids. But if you are willing to overlook this aspect, trust me, this drama is quite addicting. And it makes your brain work! What more can one ask for? I also recommend the manga, though the art is not really my type.
Acting:
They are indeed kids, but they have great acting skills. I especially love Shida Mirai, a very talented young actress who has grown quite a bit since this dorama aired.
Overall:
Fun, suspenseful, addicting and a touching message about the importance of friendship. I truly recommend it.
A download link: Click

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My name's Ayame and I have an Asia addiction, thus the title for this blog. This is my first blog ever because I now have a lot of time to spare :D

If you like manga, anime, asian TV shows, asian pop and rock, asian celebrities, asian culture in general, then i suppose you will also like my blog, where I'll review manga and shows, talk about entertainment stars and other similar stuff.

Let the adventure begin! :)

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