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J-dorama ~ L

Title: Long Vacation

Cast: Kimura Takuya, Yamaguchi Tomoko, Takenouchi Yutaka, Matsu Takako, Inamori Izumi, Hirosue Ryouko, Toyohara Kousuke

Scriptwriter: Kitagawa Eriko

Theme: "La La La Love Song" by Kubota Toshinobu

On Air: FujiTV 1996 April 15 - June 24

Minami (Yamaguchi) is a 30-year-old model whose bridegroom didn't turn up for their wedding day. She ran to his house in her traditional Japanese bridal costume only to find his roommate Sena (Kimura) all alone. They later found a letter from her husband-to-be admitting that he has found a new love. The next day, Minami insists on moving in with Sena since she has sold her house and find it embarrassing to return to her hometown. This drama shows how two people who are hitting a rough patch in their lives (Minami's popularity is not going anyway in the modeling circle especially with her age; Sena's music has not break through the wall to touch people's hearts despite his good skills), come together and support each other, even though they didn't realise it.  

This, together with Love Generation, were the dramas that I chanced upon on the net when I was searching for information on Beach Boys. At that time, I'm more interested in the story line of Love Generation and asked my friend to help me buy it when he was on a trip to Hong Kong. Can't find it, he returned with Long Vacation instead. Ahhh.... I really have to thank him for doing that cos I just fall in love with this drama and after watching it, am a loyal supporter of J-dorama till now ^o^  

Ok, I'm off track again =P  On the drama.... Great casts! Look at the number of big names inside (well, it's partly also because of this drama that boosted their popularities). Kimura is really good as the shy guy with no confidence and has a liking for Ryoko (Matsu), his university junior. I can still remember the last scene after his performance in the piano competition. Can just see that slight curve in his mouth and the sparkles in his eyes after he's finished playing which showed that he's very happy with his performance but yet, he immediately puts on a straight look when facing the judge as it's too early to be happy yet. You can just read what he's thinking by looking at his eyes. I love the relationship between Sena and Minami! Yamaguchi is good with his cheery character, Takenouchi is funny with his flippant attitude, Matsu fits into the sweet and gentle character, Inamori is so cute with her attitude on love. And did I mention that the soundtrack is really good? In summary, great story! great cast! great soundtrack! A MUST WATCH!

Title: Love Generation

Cast: Kimura Takuya, Matsu Takako, Fujiwara Norika

Scriptwriter: Asano Taeko

Theme: "Shiawase no ketsumatsu" by Otaki Eiichi

            "True True" by Cagnet

On Air: FujiTV 1997 Oct 13 - Dec

The drama revolves around the love relationship between Katagiri Kippei (Kimura), a confident advertising  agent who is transferred to the sales department due to his poor personal relationship with his workmates, and Uesugi Riko, an OL working in the sales department. Then there's also the subplot on the relationship between Kippei's brother and his fiancée who was actually Kippei's ex girlfriend in high school. I quite enjoy this drama. Kimura and Matsu make a great combination. Towards the end, I was all ready to give Riko a good slap for being so suspicious and insisted on breaking up with Kippei for the second time. Overall, the whole drama is quite good and it fetched a pretty high viewership rate for every episode while on air. Recommended.

Title: Love Revolution 

Cast: Esumi Makiko, Fujiki Naohito, Yonekura Ryouko, Oshio Manabu, Sakai Miki

Scriptwriter: Fujimoto Yuki

Theme: "Kisses of Life" by Hirai Ken

On Air: FujiTV 2001 Apr 9 - Jun 25

Asaoka Kyouko (Esumi) is a doctor who yearns for love but has never had the luck to find the right guy. Her good frend Endou Mariko (Yonekura) in contrast is popular among men despite being divorced once. Things change when Suga Eiichiro (Fujiki), an elite reporter, and Yubuki Mamoru (Oshio), a poor stage actor,  enter their lives. In short, Mariko likes Yabuki when she first set eyes on him while watching his plays. Yabuki secretly takes an interest in Kyoukou after he listens to how she recites a dialogue from his plays passionately. Kyouko's life, on the other hand, is turned upside down when Suga suddenly kisses her. Suga's kiss is just a tactic that he used in his job to get information out of woman, but he sees Kyouko in a different light when she kisses him unwarned few days after their first encounter. Messy.

Ok, I have to shout here. Fujiki Naohito is just CHO-KAKKO II here!!! Just fall in love with him when he first appeared in this drama. Ah... the charms he exudes, the confidence he exhibits, and the kiss! His kiss with Esumi in the aquarium is so cute! And not to forget the one in Kyouko's house. Ok, heart thumping just thinking about him. Wouldn't want to suffer a heart attack here. On the drama...cool down...the drama....cool down....

The drama definitely falls straight into my drama preferences (Read: Romance!). The analogy on love at the start of each episode provides some food for thought. The casts are good. Fujiki's and Oshio's popularity were boosted when the drama was on air (Raise hand: Hai! I become a fan of Fujiki after watching this drama). The theme song is really nice and the songs by Karasawa Miho that run in the drama is so good that I just have to get a copy of the OST. My only grudge: Do they have to choose between jobs and love? Can't they get both? Anyway, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Title: Lunch no Jyoou

Cast: Takeuchi Yuko, Eguchi Yousuke, Tsumabuki Satoshi, Yamashita Tomohisa, Tsutsumi Shinichi, Itou Misaki

Scriptwriter: Inoue Yumiko

Theme: "Joy to the world" by Three Dog Night

On Air: FujiTV 2002 Jul 1 - Sep 16

Mugita Natsumi (Takeuchi) loves lunch time. To her, nothing beats searching for a delicious meal at a reasonable price. One day, a stranger, Nabeshima Kenichirou (Tstsumi), approached her asking her to impersonate his fiancée to comfort his sick father. Dragged reluctantly by Kenichirou, Natsumi reached Kitchen Macaroni, a restaurant run by Kenichirou's brothers. Nabeshima Yuujirou (Eguchi) is the second eldest brother who took over the family business as the main cook. Nabeshima Junzaburou (Tsumabuki) is third in the ranking and loves cooking. The youngest son, Nabeshima Koushirou (Yamashita) helps out in the restaurant when he's free after school. Kenichirou never helped out in the restaurant as he ran away from home after stealing some money 2 years ago. Now that he's back, Yuujirou does not welcome him at all. No sympathy for Kenichirou anyway, since after introducing Natsumi to his brothers, he ran away after stealing money again, leaving Natsumi all alone in that house. The next day, Natsumi decides to work in Kitchen Macaroni as she's stunned by the delicious omelette rice which she ate the day before....

Loves this drama! If only Kitchen Macaroni exists in real life.... cute guys...delicious food.... =P Takeuchi just seems to get prettier with each drama. Her relationship with Yuujirou and Junzaburou is pretty interesting to watch. Too bad it's not clear who will she ends up with, but I personally prefer her to pair up with Yuujirou. These two have better chemistry. Am also surprised to see Tsutsumi in such a different character from his usual roles. Quite an entertaining drama. I enjoyed it a lot!