Asian Pop Review

I’ve been wanting to write about the 2004 drama adaptation of Suna no Utsuwa, also known as Vessel of Sand, a murder mystery based on Seicho Matsumoto’s 1960 novel of the same title ever since I viewed it but I knew it was going to be mentally exhausting to write about and couldn’t find the energy until now. I actually saw the 11-episode dorama in just one day because the story was gripping that I couldn’t keep from watching episode after episode. The story revolves around Eiryo Waga (Nakai...

In between doing design work, Christmas shopping, and preparing for holiday get-togethers, I was able to complete watching several Jdoramas including: Kyuuto (Q10) and Heita Q10 (2010): At first I thought it was going to be like the anime Chobits or the movie Cyborg Girl since the premise is almost exactly the same but I was in for a pleasant surprise! Q10, penned by Kizara Izumi who also brought us the wonderful Nobuta wo Produce (on my 5 star list), Sexy Voice and Robo (also on my 5 sta…

Since my last entry I’ve managed to complete a number of Jdoramas but I only have time for two really quick reviews right now… Miura Haruma plays the genius hacker Fujimaru Takagi a.k.a Falcon in Bloody Monday. I didn't know there were so many things you could do with a computer and a hacking script. Bloody Monday – I *almost* dropped this dorama because of the cheesy cliched acting by the villains in the first episode (which was a bloody one and a half hours long!). Kichise Michiko is a...

I thought I’d write about something fun today — Japanese food in J-dramas! The Japanese love to celebrate with good food and doramas are wonderful vehicles for showcasing 日本料理 or Japanese cuisine to the world. I have to admit that my husband and I have only been cooking (and eating) washouko and yoshouku at home ever since we got hooked on these shows. So without further ado, let me present the top 10 commonly featured food in Jdramas: 10. Zaru Soba Zaru Soba (buckwheat noodles served on a...

I recently finished watching two old-ish Jdramas, Summer Snow (TBS, 2000) and Last Christmas (Fuji TV, 2004). I didn’t expect it but upon watching one after the other, I noted that they have somewhat similar plots. Instead of writing the usual review, I’ve decided to compare and contrast the two. SYNOPSES Yuki (Hirosue Ryoko) and Natsuo (Domoto Tsuyoshi) in a cute and funny scene from Summer Snow. Summer Snow: Yuki (Ryoko Hirosue) has a heart ailment which prevents her from enjoying herself...

The music scene is always a texture-rich and colorful world to depict so I was interested to see how Japanese filmmakers tackle the usual “angst-ridden teens put up a rock band and then struggles to reach the top” theme. Here now is a list of the Japanese rock band films I’ve watched that explore this genre. Linda Linda Linda (2005) - A film by Noburo Yamashita (who also directed one of my favorite films “Tennen Kokekko”), it’s mainly about high school girls in a rock band who are set to play...

I watched Fish Story some months ago not knowing what it was about (well yes I did expect a fish to be in there somewhere…) and found it unique and ingenious, though for some reason I couldn’ bring myself to put it alongside my all-time favorite Japanese movies Summer Time Machine Blues and Waterboys …yet. I watched it again with my husband last week ( after seeing Daisy ) and loved it the second time around. Maybe it helped because I watched a film I didn’t like beforehand? Whatever the...

The very first Korean language film I ever saw — way back in 2001 when hallyu was in its infancy — is Il Mare (remade by Hollywood years later as The Lakehouse ) starring Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Jung-jae. Naturally I also watched the other Jun Ji-hyun starrer My Sassy Girl shortly afterwards, just because it was the right thing to do. I adored them back then, though I wonder if I’ll still like the two films if I re-watch them now that I’ve been exposed to the simple aesthetics, creative plots,...

Just a quick update to let you readers (yes, all five of you ) know that I’m still here, juggling design work and dorama-viewing. Funny Sushi TV Dinner by asianpopcorn View more Sushi T-Shirts Imagine me as that Toro sushi couch potato. Anyway here are some quick notes on J-dramas I finished recently. I promise to post detailed reviews when I have more time. Zeni Geba : This revenge drama was so heavy that I staggered watching it over the course of 3 months or so. Once I reached episode 5...

After purposely avoiding them, I’ve recently been watching old (circa 2000 and older) Jdoramas in order to appreciate the beginnings of the so-called “ trendy drama “, um, trend in Japan since the early 90s. What I like about older J-dramas ( at least the ones I’ve seen) is that they do not rely on heavy visual effects and savvy filming techniques. Therefore you can focus on what’s important – the story and the acting. It was actually Long Vacation (1996) that changed my perception of older...

Since my Slow Dance review I’ve managed to complete two Eri Fukatsu doramas (Koi No Chikara and Suekko Chonan Ane Sannin) because I wanted to give her another chance — and I’m soooo glad I did. She wasn’t at her best in Slow Dance, too bad that was the first series I saw her in, but she was magnificent in the two I mentioned. In fact I want to watch more from her! Anyway, I’m pressed for time so I’m saving my notes about Koi and Suekko for next time. Today I just want to share some of my favorite J-pop music which happen to be themes from J-dramas, movies and anime series ...

Having seen over a hundred Jdoramas – and therefore over a thousand Jdrama episodes (whoa, I’m just realizing that now), I’ve come to notice a formula of tropes that’s commonly present in mainstream Japanese TV series. For sure you’ve noticed these too so let me jog your memory and list them down with screenshots and all (this should be fun!) Top 10 Jdrama Cliche Scenes — or what you’ll expect to find in most Jdorama series 10. Pondering about life while lying on the grass, usually by a...

I’m only on the second episode of the currently airing Soredemo, Ikite Yuku but I wanted to rave about it. It’s been a while since I’ve been impressed by a new* Jdrama but this one had me hooked right from the start. Eita at his scruffiest as the main character Fukami Hiroki Eita always excels in the roles he portrays so it’s a given that I would watch this dorama. Here he plays Fukami Hiroki whose little sister was murdered by a middle school classmate 15 years ago. Guilt-ridden for not...

I haven’t just been watching Jdoramas, I’ve actually been watching J-movies since the ’90s (well, 90% were OVAs and Studio Ghibli anime). To assist you in finding a good Japanese film to watch and to help myself keep track of what I’ve already seen, I’ve decided to list them here arranged according to how I’ve rated them. * Anime and movies spun off from Jdramas aren’t included JAPANESE MOVIES I’VE SEEN (Counting only J-Movies from the ’90s to the Present) Summer Time Machine Blues combines...

I’ve mentioned that one of my criteria in choosing a J-drama to watch is the cast. No matter how critically acclaimed a dorama or movie is, if it stars actors or actresses I can’t stand, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to enjoy it. I’ll see them for at least 11 hours after all so I might as well choose people I enjoy watching, ne? (There are occasions when I’m proven wrong though so if I’m feeling “adventurous”, I would cast aside all prejudice and go ahead and see a movie or Jdrama despite it...