Posted 20 August 2009 - 04:02 AM
I love the chemistry between Keiko and Yamapi. My main problem with j-dramas of this type [mostly light-hearted romance starring idols] is while they're great with comedy and setting up scenes, the young lead couples rarely have chemistry, and it's usually the supporting cast who I find endearing. [My main example for this is Hana Kimi--the main couple was such a snooze, but the rest of the characters were great.] I'm glad this drama had a lead couple that can actually give sparks and also a warm fuzzy feeling... [I find it hard to explain, we Filipinos have the exact word for this--'kilig' is a feeling that you can get from a couple's chemistry. =D]
I'm happy that the lead character, Naoki, is a nice guy. I'm really sick of brash, flashy, abusive, over-confident, effortlessly talented, egotistic jerks--why must the lead males always be these types? Sure, they can be portrayed as endearing sometimes, but mostly they're just tiresome. So repetitive. Naoki is a great change from those types.
I also adore the sincere, earnest friendship between Riko and Naoki--they treat each other well, they show that they care about each other, they are comfortable around each other and can talk about anything. Drama couples often have love-hate, even abusive relationships, or they are too nervous around each other and don't really talk. Or it's just a relationship of a weak damsel and a strong knight. Or a couple that let their pride get in the way and don't express their affections. Recently many drama couples aren't even friends. They just hit each other or pull each other around and call it love. On the other hand, Riko and Naoki is a relationship of equals--it's not just one person who does the caring and protecting, and they can really relate to each other in all levels. It's so much more believable [and emotionally healthier!] than the love portrayed in too many dramas. [Honestly, I hate seeing HYD-type couples--talk about giving people a total distortion of a good relationship!]
But I knew I was in love with this drama at the last part of Episode 5, with Riko immediately running to Naoki's side, literally doing everything she can to reach him, because she wanted to be there in his time of need. At that time, Riko was the white knight [lady?] who was doing the rescuing. Naoki was always the one who was taking care of people around him and didn't have anyone who took care of him, but that changed because Riko can take care of him too. And when he hugged her, instead of jumping away and denying her feelings [like the usual drama heroine], she hugged him and told him exactly how she felt, that she wanted to stay that way.
The actors aren't brilliant and the plot isn't incredibly creative, but there are many little things that make this drama good, particularly the main characters and their dynamic.
Lots of fangirls complain about Yamapi's lame drama kisses anyway... saying he looks like a bad kisser. So this is nothing new. Hahah. I'm not crazy in love with Yamapi, I can't even be classified as a "fangirl", but I do admire him and support his projects regardless. He has lots to work on in his three main areas [singing, dancing, acting], but it surely takes a lot of nerve to keep on trying and working hard.
I think this must actually be a difficult role for him in the sense that the character of Naoki seems to be too much in line with his real personality. He seems to be too much like the character. But I'm sure he's doing his best.
MinnieLuv ♥ PiLuv
Posted 23 August 2009 - 10:19 PM
I'm glad they both are slowly realizing their feelings for each other. Natsuki is feeling quite guilty, guess she regrets what she did. But oh well.
