Sunnyelf's blog review of Asian Dramas and Movies.
This blog is a personal labor of love in a constant flux of improvement.
Please Note:
One * = Didn't like it, Don't recommend. Two ** = Typical. Worth seeing at least once. Three *** = I enjoyed it! Worth seeing more then once. Four **** = It's great! Add it to your all-time favorites list! Five ***** = Epic! Highly Recommended. A totally memorable drama/film.
Jin/ 仁 (Japanese)
11 episodes - season 1
11 episodes - season 2 Ayase Haruka as
Tachibana Saki
Osawa Takao as Minakata Jin
Time Slip Dr. Jin/ 닥터 진/ Dak-teo Jin/ Dr. Jin ** (Korean)
22 episodes Jin Yi Han as Hong Young Hwi
A medical time story, semi-romance based on Japanese manga story. The Korean version could have been a little less gross about the operations, I thought, without effecting the solidity of the storyline. Well I survived and hung on through the blood,guts,n gore clear to the end and, all in all, it wasn't that bad of a drama. Favorite character(s): the death defying brother.
A neurosurgeon removes a fetus from a mystery patient's brain, only to fall off a building and find himself many years in an alternate past. There, he meets and gets entangled in deadly political intrigue, as a relative of royalty covets the throne for his son, and the removal of an old ruling clan. The poor doc is in a race against time and the age, all while trying hard to keep the girl who looks exactly like his sick girlfriend, safe, keep history on its correct course as well as to follow his doctor's instincts to save life for those in need, no matter their rank or what side they might be on..
You can also find:
Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
(Jin Hyuk) Song Seung Hun -in- My Princess, Summer Scent, He Was Cool
(Yoo Mi Na/Hong Young Rae) Park Min Young -in- City Hunter, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, I'm Sam
(Kim Kyung Tak) Kim Jae Joong/Yeong Woong Jae Jung/Jejung -in- Protect the Boss, Codename: Jackal
(Prince/Lee Ha Eung) Lee Bum Soo -in- IRIS II, Project Makeover, 200 Pounds Beauty, She's on Duty, Please Teach Me English, Bunge Jumping of Their Own, The Romantic President
(Young Rae's brother/Hong Young Hwi) Jin Yi Han -in- Hooray for Love, Who Are You?, Love, So Divine
(Kyung Tak's father/Kim Byung Hee) Kim Eung Soo/キム・ウンス -in- Vampire Prosecutor, Fugitive: Plan B, Secret Investigation Record, Marrying the Mafia III, Art of Fighting, For the Sake of Son
(Young Rae's mother) Kim Hye Ok -in- Scent of a Woman, Baby-faced Beauty, It's Okay, Daddy's Girl, My Sweet City, Powerful Opponents, I Hate You, But It's Fine, I Really Really Like You, Wonderful Life, My Dear Enemy, My Little Bride, My Tutor Friend
(Yoo Hong Pil) Kim Il Woo -in- IRIS II, Sweet Spy
(doctor/Heo Gwang) Jung Eun Pyo -in- Paradise Ranch, Invincible Lee Pyung Kang, Le Grand Chef
(Kwon Ik Joo) Lee Seung Joon -in- Kiss Me, Kill Me
(loan shark/Joo Pal) Lee Won Jong -in- Vampire Prosecutor, Wild Romance, Scent of a Woman, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, A Man Called God, Gourmet, Iljimae, 200 Pounds Beauty
(Kkae Bok) Kim Kwang Sik -in- When It's At Night, Iljimae, My Tutor Friend 2
(Kim Byung Ok) Kim Byung Choon -in- City Hunter, Love Exposure, Jeon Woo-Chi, Tamra, the Island
(dowager/King's mother Jo) Jung Hye-Sun -in- Bread, Love and Dreams, Cinderella Man,
(Noble man Lee) Kim Myeong-Kuk -in- Romantic Debtors, Spy Girl, Ohlala Couple, A Man Called God, My Fair Lady
(linen shop owner) Jo Mi-Ryung -in- Love in Magic, Can't Live With Losing, Dr. Gang
(King Cheoljong) Kim Byeong-Se -in- A Millionaire's First Love, Full House Take 2, Color of Women, The Last Scandal of My Life
(Teacher Kang) Ha Soo-Ho -in- The Secret Reunion
(Noble woman Jo) Jang Yeong-Nam -in- Hello Ghost, Finding Mr. Destiny, My Girlfriend is an Agent, 7th Grade Civil Servant, I Love Lee Tae-Ri, Vampire Prosecutor, Three Fathers, One Mother, Dalja's Spring
(French Priest Liddell) Fabien Yoon -in- The King 2hearts
Worth the effort of getting past the opening scenes. Even as the teacher wasn't to blame, one couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the best friend. Fav Character(s): The picturesque fairy of second chances.
The Korean version was just as interesting, I thought. Even as it diverged just a bit from the original storyline, it kept close enough parallels to be called essentially the same story, even down to the precious 2nd button. good job! Favorite character(s): Jin-Joo and Baek-Ho
A guy, who has been the girl's best friend since grade school, regrets seeing her marry someone else. At the reception, he meets up with a fellow claiming to be a fairy living in the church, who offers him a second chance to go back, in time with the pictures of a slide show, to perhaps change the eventual outcome.
The Korean version has the male lead meeting a 'time conductor' who gives him a vial of liquid to drink, while he takes the signed and collected baseballs as payment. Baek-Ho is then mostly going off of old pictures of his own and trying to 'fix' the reasons for the frowns in them.
You can also find:
Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
Absolute Boyfriend/ 絕對達令/
Jue Dui Darling ** (Taiwanese)
13 episodes
Fun Storyline. I liked the manga, and since the drama was based rather nicely on that, I'd have to say good drama, as well. Fav Scene(s): Tenjo's delivery.
A lonely girl, meets the tech designer of robots who offers her a chance to 'change her life' by signing up to receive a special 'boyfriend' robot.
"Mr. Perfect"
by Fahrenheit
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You can also find:
Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
Fated To Love You/ 命中注定我愛你 (命中注定我爱你)/ Ming Chung Chu Ting Wo Ai Ni (Ming Zhong Zhu Ding Wo Ai Ni)/ Sticky Note Girl/ Destiny Love ** (Taiwanese)
24 episodes
Ethan Ruan as Ji Cun Xi
Chen Qiao En as Chen Xin Yi
Fated to Love You [MBC]/ You Are My Destiny/ 운명처럼 널 사랑해/ Woonmyungcheoreom Neol Saranghae (S.Korean)
20 episodes
There were laughs and tears pretty much all the way through this one. Great acting too by the entire cast! It might seem a little odd to say it but my fav scene, was probably the 'Best Bed Scene' on the cruise. Not often do you see such depth of 'simple' kissing in an Asian drama... I also really enjoyed the 'electric gaze' between the guy's personal assistant and one of the girl's sisters ..until momma swats the current down. ...several times. and the waltz/tango dance between 'Z' and the girl was really good as well. It does bog down a bit when he takes to spending time anywhere but with her and she is left alone in his mother's home. oh yeah.. in-context tragedy alert!
The Korean Version of this series was had a funny beginning of bringing the post-in girl and the wimp of a noble in range of eachother for a resort stay. They do follow the original storyline fairly closely in spite of differences in presentation. Although... I still wonder just why the girl chose to scoop this 'random' bottle out of the water to drink and stem her sneezes. euw.
There was a cruise... girl took her boyfriend, hoping to rekindle a mutual love that didn't exist. Guy hoped his girlfriend would join him, but unknown to him, she chose to dance the clouds en-route to a famous stage. girl loses the idiot boyfriend and gets sick.. having doped herself with medication and intending to turn in early, she gets the wrong room.
The poor guy gets drugged with 'dragon in bed' by island folks who want their plight heard by the company head who bought out their livelihood, even if they have to resort to blackmail. Magic happens between the guy and girl and a child is conceived.
To be responsible, they are forced to marry and the misunderstandings.. enough to last through several years,.. gets underway.
"My Happiness"
by Chin Hsiu
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You can also find:
Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
You're Beautiful/ He's Beautiful!/
미남이시네요/ Minami Shineyo/
You're Handsome **** (Korean)
16 episodes
Jang Geun Suk as Hwang Tae Kyung
Park Shin Hye as Go Mi Nyeo
Fabulous Boys/ 原來是美男/
Yuan Lai Shi Mei Nan (Taiwanese)
? episodes
Jiro Wang as Huang Tai Qing
Cheng Yu Xi as Gao Mei Nu
Hwang In Deok as Jiang Xin Yu
Evan Yo as Jeremy
Great acting all around. huzah! It had a good plot... it even had a nice ending. totally in line with the character personalities and story mood. (and they even managed to keep the 'twin brother' mostly from being 'found out' by the camera. lol!) Some beautiful music in this one as well as high comedic scenes. *examples: battle of the bidet, and nun on the run.. through a busy airport.*
Double Kudo's for Jang Geun Suk, for the cameo in the Japanese version and for Park Shin Hye, for the cameo in the Taiwanese version. Woo!!
A rather clumsy to-be nun is asked to take over in secret for her famous singer twin brother while he went for eye surgery. She expected it to be just for the signing of a desperately needed contract... a dream come true. but the 'lie' kept growing and the manager kept begging, thereby making it a struggle to keep her identity from being discovered. All while she hung on and attempted to continue her brother's task to find their mother, During the month of trial, she endears herself to the band members and they to her.
"Promise"
by A.N. JELL
Sung by Jang Geon Suk
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Hanazakari no Kimitachi e/ 花ざかりの君たちへ/ For You in Full Blossom
***\ (Japanese)
12 episodes + special
Horikita Maki as
Ashiya Mizuki (center)
Hana Kimi 2011/ Ikemen☆Paradise~2011
(Japanese)
12 episodes
Maeda Atsuko as
Ashiya Mizuki (center)
Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu/ 花樣少年少女 (花样少年少女)/ Hanazakarino
Kimitachie (Taiwanese)
15 episodes + special
Wu Chun as Zuo Yi Quan
Ella Chen as Lu Rui Xi
Jiro Wang as Jin Xiu Yi
To The Beautiful You/ Hana Kimi/ For You In Full Blossom/ 아름다운 그대에게/ Areumdawun Geodaeege
(Korean)
16 episodes
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e was both a rollicking laugh a moment and some seriously sad goodbyes. Will she fit in, or is she bound to get found out? I loved this one! Check it out.
A girl, feeling acutely responsible for the destruction of a high-jumper's joy, cuts her hair, dons a suit and tie, and enrolls in an all boy's school.. in an all-or-nothing effort to help rectify the issue.
"sha sha de yong qi"
by Fahrenheit
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Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
You Are My Pet/Neoneun Pet/You Pet **\ (Korean)
Movie 110 mins
Matsumoto Jun as "Momo"
Goda Takeshi Koyuki as Iwaya Sumire
Jang Keun-Suk as In-Ho "Momo"
In the Japanese version, the office scenes and 'other guy' was a bit of a bore really, but all in all, I liked this one. Watched this one several times. "Momo" made a wonderful and rather loyal pet. lol!
Anxiously waited for and got to see the Korean version and somehow..I was just a little disappointed at what they chose to cut out for the shorter movie. Also the character of Momo of the Korean version just wasn't up to the total bark that the Momo of the Japanese version was.
A lady in need of an understanding companion and a young man in need of an accepting place to belong... even if he has to play the part of a pet to get it.
You can also find:
Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
Itazura Na Kiss/ イタズラなKiss/ Teasing Kiss * (Japanese)
9 episodes
Sato Aiko as Aihara Kotoko
Kashiwabara Takashi as Irie Naoki
It Started With A Kiss/ 惡作吻 (恶作剧之吻)/ O Tso Chu Chih Wen (E Zuo Ju Zhi Wen) ** (Taiwanese)
20 episodes + 20 episode sequel
Joe Cheng as Jiang Zhi Shu
Ariel Lin as Yuan Xiang Qin
Mischievous Kiss/ Playful Kiss/ Naughty Kiss/ Mischievous Kiss/ 장난스런 키스/ Jangnanseureon Kiss (Korean)
16 episodes + special
Kim Hyun Joong as Baek Seung Jo
Jung So Min as Oh Ha Ni
Itazura na Kiss Love in Tokyo/
イタズラなKiss Love in TOKYO ** (Japanese)
9 episodes
Furukawa Yuki as Irie Naoki
Miki Honoka as Aihara Kotoko
I was starting to stress there toward the end of Itazura Na Kiss, worried if it was going to have a happy ending or not. especially when things kept going on for the worse until the very last episode.
The Taiwanese version of this story is more interesting, and shows better progression of the storyline.. 'Funnest Wedding Scene' and then goes on to "It Started With A Kiss 2".. Which is a great spot to find the 'Best Necking Scene!'
An over-the-top girl falls hard for a top student when they accidentally meet lips as they collide in the school hallway. when a fire leaves the girl's father and her homeless, they move in with the father's childhood chums, which, as it turns out, just happens to be the home of the top student. chaos ensues.
You can also find:
(Irie Naoki) Kashiwabara Takashi -in- Celeb to Binbo Taro
(Irie Masaki) Tokui Yuu -in- Haruka 17
(Yada Sonoko) Nakama Yukie -in- Gokusen
(classmate) Hoshino Aki -in- Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, Gokusen 3
Hana Yori Dango/
花より男子 ** (Japanese)
9 episodes + 1 sequel and movie
Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi
Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui
Meteor Garden/流星花園
(流星花园)/ Liu Hsing Hua Yuan (Taiwanese)
20 episodes + 2 sequels
Barbie Hsu as Shan Cai
Boys Over Flowers/ Boys Before Flowers/ 꽃보다 남자/
Kgotboda Namja **\ (Korean)
25 episodes
Lee Min Ho as Goo Joon Pyo
Hana Yori Dango (JP). Another romantic tangle between a school student and 2 of a 4man team, called the flowers four. the feisty female lead does express Ehh?! and huh?!! really well. lol! I rather liked the different personalities of the male lead and the fair-haired rival/friend. hot tempered, to cool reserve. A girl, of the poor variety joins a school of a richer variety and runs afoul of a group/gang of rich guys known throughout the school as the F4. tempers flair from all sides as two of the guys take a liking to her... through reactions and resistance to their picking.
Boys Over Flowers(KR) has something to crow jubilantly about here. A very good and deeply involved storyline for nearly all characters. only question I wasn't too clear on was just how they managed to get the biddy to lay off of their lives. I mean, sure, she was shaken a bit by the accident, but surely that would just make her all the more resolved to have it work out the way she planned, like, yesterday. And even if it had shut her down temporarily, considering the tenaciousness she had shown through-out the series up to that point, she surely had a bit more to show in power. Then again, maybe the dad's reawakening had changed a lot before she could get back into the vengeance thing. so ok, the ending was a little bit weak. Felt a little sorry for the truly untouchable guy, being the gangster, but then, he also depended on the other guys for a bit of mental support. Fav character(s): at one point or another I liked most of the characters.
You can also find:
Links go to other reviewed shows the actor has been in.
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(Domyoji Tsukasa) Matsumoto Jun -in- Hana Yori Dango 2, Kimi wa Pet, Gokusen
(Hanazawa Rui) Oguri Shun -in- Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, Gokusen
