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J-dorama ~ K

Title: Kamisama mou sukoshi dake

Cast: Kaneshiro Takeshi, Fukada Kyouko, Nakama Yukie

Scriptwriter: Asano Taeko

Theme: "I for you" by Luna Sea

            "In the sky" by Kudo Shizuka

On Air: FujiTV 1998

Keigo (Kaneshiro) is a famous music composer who has no interest in everything after his girlfriend passed away. Masaki (Fukada), a high school girl is a die-hard supporter of Keigo. In order to watch the concert of Kaoru (Nakama) (a pop singer produced by Keigo), she decides to earn some fast cash by sleeping with a stranger (I remembered that she did not take the money in the end, but just can't recall how did she manage to get the ticket for the concert >_<). She managed to catch the concert and even met Keigo after that and have a one night stand with him. Months later, Masaki discovers that she is tested  positive for HIV....

Frankly, I didn't really enjoy this drama as much. Fukada just cried too much and Kaneshiro just looked too sad. Of course the story line is nothing to be happy about but the tears kind of get on my nerve. However, the ending is quite heart warming. 

Title: Kao  

Cast: Nakama Yukie, Odagiri Joe, Kyouno Kotomi, Kaito Ken

Theme: "Kimi ga anata ga" by Nao

On Air: Fuji TV 2003 Apr 15 - Jun 24

Based on the book "Face" written by Yokoyama Hideo, this drama revolves around Hirano Mizuho (Nakama) who has a special ability in sketching face portraits of anyone even if the person is someone whom she has seen only once or from the description of a third party. Now transferred to the PR department, Mizuho continues to draw sketches of criminal even though it is not her job scope. However, her sketches often help the investigation department to capture the criminal. At some points, she is roped in to help the investigation department to draw sketches base on witnesses' description and everytime she helps out in that department, she gets closer to Nishijima (Odagiri), a police in the investigation department who has a tendency to get into violent mode and trashes the criminal as though he is out of control.

I personally quite like the drama. Putting aside the fact that I think Nakama has quite a limited facial expression in this drama, I kind of like the chemistry between Mizuho and Nijishima. I especially like the ending when Mizuho shows Nijishima a sketch of him showing that she can finally see his face. Now what does this mean.... go and watch it yourself! =P

Title: Kenshu Nanako

Cast: Satou Aiko, Kokubun Taichi

Theme: "Shapes of Love" by Every Little Things

On Air: TBS 1998

Title: Kimi wa pet 

Cast: Koyuki, Matsumoto Jun, Tanabe Seiichi, Sakai Wakana

Scriptwriter: Oomori Mika

Theme: "Darling" by V6

On Air: TBS 2003 Apr - Jun

Iwaya Sumire (Koyuki) is a Todai graduate who works in a publishing company. Projecting a career woman image who seldom smiles and always look unapproachable, she's actually quite an emotionally weak woman who often feels insecure about herself, and this insecurity is strengthened when her boyfriend breaks up with her as he has another woman who is pregnant with his child. One day, after she hit her boss for sexual harassment at work and is on the way home wondering if she will be sacked, she found a box outside her apartment. Opening up the box, she found a guy with injuries all over. Dragging the box with the guy inside into her house, she treated his injuries that night and let him stay over since he's unconscious. The next day, after returning from work, she's surprised to see the guy still in the house even though she has left a note telling him to leave after breakfast. The guy called Takeshi (Matsujun) claims that he has no money and no place to go and refuse to leave this house. In order to chase him away, Sumire tells him that only pet is allowed to stay in this house and unless he's willing to be one, he will have to leave. Surprisingly, Takeshi agrees and pretends to be a dog and assumes the name of "Momo" in the house.....

Quite a fun drama to watch although half of the time, I can't help wondering what kind of a woman Sumire is. How can one treat a real HUMAN as a DOG? She cooks for him, washes his hair, and has the habit of twirling his hair, just like what one will do to a dog.  Frankly, I thought he looks more like a pet lover rather than a dog except that there's no sexuality involved since one's a dog, another's the owner. Things also get a bit complicated when Sumire has a new boyfriend, Hasumi Shigehito (Tanabe), who's her senior in Todai and is now working in the same company. Watch how tense she is when she's with Hasumi but appears relaxed and is able to reveal her truth self in front of Momo. Maybe that's why people like to own pet? One can be his/her own truth self when facing a pet rather than trying to put on the best image when dealing with humans?? Anyway, not a bad drama. I kind of enjoy it ^o^

Title: Kimi to ita mirai no tame ni ~ I'll be back

Cast: Doumoto Tsuyoshi, Nakama Yukie

Theme: "Yamenaide, Pure" by KinKi Kids

On Air: NTV 1999 Jan 16 - Mar 20

Title: Kindaichi shonen no jikenbo

Cast: Doumoto Tsuyoshi, Tomosaka Rie

Theme: "Hitori jya nai" by Doumoto Tsuyoshi (Part 1)

            "Kiss kara hajimaru mystery" by KinKi Kids (Part 2)

On Air: NTV 1995/1996

Adapted from the same titled manga, Kindaichi Hajime (Tsuyoshi) is a high school boy who has no interest in his studies and is always one of the bottom few in the ranking of results. However, when it comes to solving mystery, he's a great detective, taking after his grandfather, a famous detective. Together with Nanase Miyuki (Tomosaka), the two helps to solve a number of mysteries.

I love this drama! Tsuyoshi is great as the high school boy who likes to joke and ogles at pretty girls but who immediately turns to a serious detective when solving mysteries. Together with Tomosake, those two make a good combination in helping their police friend to solve the cases, and it's kind of sweet to see how their relationship develops towards the end. An interesting observation made by my friend is that in all stories, a group of people will definitely be stuck in a place where they are cut off from the outside world with no transport and communication means, and one of the people is bound to be the criminal. At the start, Kindaichi will vow to solve the case and then add in his famous line "jichan no na ni kakete".  By the last 15 minutes, Kindaichi will sort out every clues and comes out with his usual line "Nazo ga subete toketa!".

Part 2 of the series has more touching moments as the murderers explain their motive and each stories normally spread over two episodes as compared to Part 1 where each episode covers one storyline. A movie "Kindaichi shonen no jikenbo - Shanghai Gyujiin Densetsu" is also made in the year 1997 following the popularity of this series.

If you like mystery stories, you should enjoy this drama.

Title: Kindaichi shonen no jikenbo 

Cast: Matsumoto Jun, Suzuki Anne, Naito Takashi

Theme: "Jidai" by Arashi

On Air: NTV 2001 Jul - Sep

Similar to the original series, the new generation of Kindaichi is now Arashi's Matsumoto Jun. One can't help comparing the two Kindaichi here. Matsujun's Kindaichi is more serious although he tries to lighten up at times by doing some comedic action. But really, it's just not as fun as Tsuyoshi's portrayal of Kindaichi. However, he still passes when it comes to solving cases with his intense looks. For Miyuki, Suzuki Anne replaces Tomosak Rie and seriously, I think she fails miserably as Miyuki. Miyuki just doesn't seems like the smart girl who can add in some comments to help Kindaichi solving the mysteries with Suzuki acting as her. And the chemistry between she and Matsujun is not as good as the one between Tsuyoshi and Tomosaka. The only thing that surpass the original series is probably just the theme song >_< Stories wise, it's just as interesting as the original drama.

Title: Koi no kamisama

Cast: Kimura Yoshino, Ishida Issei, Kashiwabara Takashi

On Air: TBS 2000 Jan 14 - Mar 17

Title: Koori no sekai

Cast: Takenouchi Yutaka, Matsushima Nanako, Uchida Yuki, Nakamura Tooru

Scriptwriter: Nozawa Hisashi

Theme: "Diamond Dust" by Himuro Kyousuke

On Air: FujiTV 1999 Oct 11 - Dec 20

Title: Koukou Kyoushi

Cast: Fujiki Naohito, Ueto Aya, Kyoumoto Masaki, Sonin, Narimiya Hiroki

Scriptwriter: Nojima Shinji

Theme: "Bokutachi no Shippai" and "Sabishii kumo" by Morita Douji

On Air: TBS 2003 Jan 10 - Mar 21

Machida Hina (Ueto), a high school student, met Koga Ikumi (Fujiki) at a game centre and they spend the night together, albeit only sleeping side by side at the request of Koga. When Machida attended school the next day, she discovered that their new maths teacher is the man she met last night. Koga actually has a secret. He suffers from an illness which left him with only half a year. When Machida is sent to the hospital when she fainted in school, she overheard the doctor telling Koga about his illness. Misunderstood the conversation and thought that the doctor is talking about her, she asked Koga to confirm her illness. He lied saying that she only has half a year left....

This drama follows from the same titled drama 10 years ago and depicts a relationship between a male teacher and a high school student. The original KouKou Kyoushi was supposed to be a dark and depressing drama. I can't say that this drama is depressing, although I find some of the scenes disturbing. Was frowning away whenever I watched the sexual relationship between Koga and his doctor and between him and Machida. But compared to a teacher-student relationship, I find this more acceptable than Majo no Joken. Can't say that this is my type of drama, but it certainly leaves some impression on me. Till now, after watching another drama after KouKou, some scenes still pop up in my mind. The theme song is also ringing in my ear. Not a bad drama, but you must endure the slow pace.

Title: Kyuumi byouto 24 Ji

Cast: Eguchi Yousuke, Matsuyuki Yasuko, Itou Hideaki

Theme: "Itsuno mani" by Dreams Come True

On Air: FujiTV 2001 Jul 3 - Sep 18