Yes, now we’re getting into the meat and bones! There are a couple of factors I keep in mind when choosing the dramas that I’ll watch: do I like the cast/who am I watching this for? Do I like the sound of the plot? Is it a sequel? Would I subject myself to a crappy story just for the lead? Who’s the screenwriter? Is it just a Johnny vehicle drama? And then, after I’ve watched the first or second episode, do I like it enough to keep going? Things like that.
I picked a couple quite a few dramas to watch (a grand total of six, which is more than I usually ever keep up with). You can read my pre-watch jitters here, and my first impressions on the first episode(s) after the jump!
Going My Home
It’s very quiet. That’s not to say that I find it unremarkable, however. I don’t really care about the kuna mythology (so far) as I do the interactions between the characters. The fact that Sae is unable to communicate very well with her daughter is both awkward and interesting; I also like that her sense of “realism” isn’t overdone. Ryota, Takiko, and their mother are too adorable! I watched some of Aruitemo, Aruitemo and the chemistry between Abe Hiroshi and YOU as siblings is palpable. And if it worked once, it’ll work again, right?
Kekkon Shinai
Who knew that this would be the drama I ended up eagerly anticipating every week? So far, really cute. The episodes are pretty formulaic: Chiharu runs into a bit of luck and mulls the situation over. Junpei angsts about his unfulfilling creative life. Haruko gives Chiharu sage advice. Chiharu’s hopes are dashed in a series of unfortunate events. Somehow she’s at the fountain again eating vegetable chips and downing beers. She gains a little more confidence and goes back home to Haruko. Insert something about the language of flowers — typical! Why I enjoy it so much, I’m not sure.
I honestly feel that Chiharu and Haruko should just ride off on a motorcycle into the sunset. Who needs to get married? It’s the perfect ending!
PRICELESS
Just when I think I’m getting over Kimura Takuya (apparently I’m not the only one — ratings were at 16.8% for the first episode)… it wasn’t all that bad. Nothing really happened, except I wish they really didn’t reveal that Kindaichi Fumio is Oyashiki Toichiro (Fujiki Naohito)’s half-brother. That kind of juicy information is best saved for later, don’t you think?
And if they’re going to start a romance with the accountant, they better do it quick. As far as I know, he hasn’t broke up with his ladyfriend-who-is-19-years-younger-than-him yet, and she just found out that he was fired. I don’t enjoy love triangles, and I don’t recall a time where it’s ever been done well in a j-drama.
Yuusha Yoshihiko to Akuryou no Kagi
The introduction to the first episode was fantastic (better with subtitles, even). I half-guffawed/cringed when Hotoke brought up Danjou’s real life divorce from his wife of 19 years. So terribad. This show is 65% questionable humor sometimes, for real.
Double Face
Welp, this was the best dang thing I’ve watched all year.