astromantic

毎日grind, 毎日rhymes

Tag: 2018

  • A year in dramas (2018).

    A year in dramas (2018).

    Japan
    Ito-kun A to E
    Unnatural
    Kangoku no Ohime-sama
    Totsuzen desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu
    Okusama wa, Toriatsukai Chuui
    Okaasan, Musume wo Yamete Ii desu ka?
    Hito wa Mita Me ga 100%
    anone
    Momikeshite Fuyu
    Ossan’s Love
    Takane no Hana

    Korea
    Prison Playbook
    Life on Mars
    Life

    Current/DNF
    Misty
    The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

    TOTAL: 14
    * did not air in 2018

    (more…)
  • 12/9/1998

    12/9/1998

    I’m sure it’s been written to death at this point, but twenty years ago today Utada Hikaru made her debut with Automatic / Time Will Tell! I was already listening to j-pop around that time, but like a lot of people I found out about her through Kingdom Hearts. Up to that point I thought the concept of KH was the wackest thing ever (my, how times have changed 🙄), until I heard the song on a commercial. It was actually pretty good, and that would not be the first time I would be suckered into buying a game because of the theme song (see: Final Fantasy X-2), haha

    I wrote some words about my 20 favorite songs! This is NOT a complete list, simply because I could honestly list the entire Deep River album, plus or minus a few songs and call it a night 🙃 anywayyyy

    (more…)
  • Autumn ’18

    Autumn ’18

    I have been extremely busy of late – I pride myself on making room for just ONE drama, but I haven’t even been able to do that lately. I finished Life just a few short weeks ago and… that was it. It doesn’t help that nothing I’m interested in watching is available legally/subbed either. Thems the breaks.

    But we’re going to switch things up a little bit! Fall started, and it’s just around the time that I’d post a what-I’m-watching for the season anyway. Since I can’t do that, I will share a bunch of dramas I’m really interested in watching – plus some words on Life because, duh. (more…)

  • Summer ’18, Part 3

    Summer ’18, Part 3

    Summer is OVER! Hello darkness school, my old friend.

    [white_box] Overall thoughts on Life on Mars, Hito wa Mitame ga 100 Percent, anone, and Life (!!!) after the jump — very light on spoilers. [/white_box]

    (more…)
  • Summer ’18, Part 2

    Summer ’18, Part 2

    RE: my viewing habits—

    Despite feeling pleased with the quality of dramas I saw last year, I was pretty discouraged when I saw that my yearly drama count went from 34 to only 19. I haven’t been watching much lately, so I thought maybe I was becoming picky or there just wasn’t much to watch.

    Looking at what I finished, I know that isn’t the case. 2017 had a lot of good dramas I missed! And looking back at my yearly roundup posts, I realized something very important… I’ve always watched dramas less dramas during school. The only time I really ramped up my viewing habits was when I was on a school break, like now.

    For k-dramas I do generally prefer to watch live/normally because the series/episodes are way too long for me to ever want to watch otherwise. Seriously, when’s the last time I ever watched an OLDER k-drama? There’s a reason why I still haven’t finished Misty! J-dramas are short, sweet, and easy to finish within a day or two. So I actually think it’s better for me to wait until an extended break for me to watch whatever I want rather than feeling overwhelmed and ultimately discouraged when I end up dropping everything and watching nothing, lol.

    [white_box] Spoiler free reviews on Kangoku no Ohime-sama, Totsuzen desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu, Okusama wa, Toriatsukai Chuui, Okaasan, Musume wo Yamete Ii desu ka? after the jump. [/white_box]

    (more…)

  • Summer ’18, Part 1???

    Summer ’18, Part 1???

    omfg I can’t believe I missed doing a spring roundup post. Real talk, I was not watching any dramas in the spring, which is a bummer to think about since I’m just wasting money on my DramaFever subscription…

    There are a few dramas that have piqued my interest (mostly on the j-drama side) but for now, I am watching the OCN remake of BBC’s Life on Mars.

    [white_box] MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR EPISODES 1-8 AHEAD. [/white_box] (more…)

  • Winter ’18

    Winter ’18

    Finally out of exam hell. First impressions for select dramas this season, plus what I’m considering and what I’ve completed. (more…)

  • unpopular opinions

    unpopular opinions

    I don’t actually LOVE romance dramas! The more likely story is that I’m super picky, not a fan of the frustration they inevitably cause me, and would rather avoid them altogether. Even when I think I enjoy one at the time, I end up looking back on it like, “man, that was wack.” LOL. I’ve been burned too many times!

    Usually when someone recommends a drama to me (or others), I cry a little on the inside when I come to find out it’s a romcom or heavy on the romance. I can’t help but think that there’s so much more to watch! I remember a time when I was just dipping my toes into k-dramas, and one of the best recommendations I received was to watch Vampire Prosecutor. It had exactly what I could enjoy in a drama; a compelling mystery, a great cast, and no romance. The supernatural element was a unique touch, too. That means no crazy interloping in-laws or rivals, noble idiocy, or other inane gestures that are supposed to be “sweet”. Being a jerk? Wrist grabs? Controlling or pushy behavior? Keep it!

    Even when a drama is popular for supposedly doing things the right way (Because This Life Is Our First is one that immediately comes to mind), I’m just sort of like… meh. Let me tuck into a drama about cults instead. Lately I’ve also realized that I prefer my romance to be the icing on the cake rather than the whole entree. Mystery Queen had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hint of a romance, two leads with great chemistry, and I ate that shit up haha. I love when dramas flirt around with the idea of a relationship without pushing it, because why ruin a good thing? (The Best Hit, I’m looking at you.)

    So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here are some rare favorites of mine (’cause I’m not that heartless!) (more…)