A Confession: Asian Dramas

[integratedvelocity]

So, this year I have become borderline addicted to Asian, particularly Japanese, dramas. I'm about the furthest thing from Asian (upper-Midwest WASP) and I don't study any Asian languages. Yet, they are just so much FUN!!! Of course, maybe not understanding the language makes me less critical...

At my university, it seems as though Asian dramas are a guilty pleasure even amongst Asian students. Does anyone else partake in the wonder and hilarity that is Asian drama? Are you waiting breathlessly for the "Boys Before Flowers" update on mysoju.com?

If so, shame on you, since "Hana Yori Dango" is so much better, but you should confess anyway. It's good for the soul, you know!

[jikin]

I haven't dug into any as of yet, but have looked over lists of titles considering it. My biggest worry is that I'll pick one along the line of soap opera, which I strongly dislike.

Anything non-soap opera-ish that you could suggest?

[integratedvelocity]

Well, there's Hotaru no Hikari (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), which is more geared toward adults, I think. Also, as I already mentioned, Hana Yori Dango (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), a very well-known drama based on a manga. As far as avoiding soap operas, you just have to start watching it to find out. Some of them sound really good, but end up being completely ridiculous.

[Stratego]

Let me jump on this jalopy right away. ;D

I love Asian dramas, particularly the Japanese. I'm totally addicted to them, though I sometimes question whether it's due to some Said-like fallacy of the exotic other or just my obsessive tendacies in general, because I can spend a significant amount of my free time pursuing this hobby. I have to remind myself to go out and take a walk every once and while or get some sun, it's that bad.

But studying language and meaning as I did I think there's some truth in the idea that a different language creates a differently wired brain or a truly unique perception. The Japanese are fascinating to me because they're Western enough in substance to engage me but exotic enough in execution to seem fresh and sometimes, wonderfully bizarre.

If I'm honest, I know that they use the same tired jokes and devices that the West does in their comedies and dramas, but for some reason they have this...unique spin.

And I love the live-action series Hanazakari no Kimatachi e, based on the Hana Kimi manga. Ever see it? It's totally awesome, very cute and funny.

[integratedvelocity]

HANA KIMI!!! First one I ever watched! The Taiwanese version, though, since my roommate was Chinese. Would you recommend watching the Japanese version, too? Also, I appreciate the closure you get at the end of the show. Sometimes they make additional seasons, but each individual season can usually stand on its own. The time investment is finite, unlike when you become addicted to Lost or House.

[azelismia]

I can't handle these. I've tried before.. they are too emo. way too emo. they're beyond even being funny they're so emo

[Stratego]

HANA KIMI!!! First one I ever watched! The Taiwanese version, though, since my roommate was Chinese. Would you recommend watching the Japanese version, too? Also, I appreciate the closure you get at the end of the show. Sometimes they make additional seasons, but each individual season can usually stand on its own. The time investment is finite, unlike when you become addicted to Lost or House.

The Japanese version is excellent. It's the only one I've seen so I can't compare. It's really well done and the actors for the leading parts are all excellent, especially Ikuta Toma, he's so funny.

[integratedvelocity]

I can't handle these. I've tried before.. they are too emo. way too emo. they're beyond even being funny they're so emo

I don't watch the most emo ones. I tend to watch the comedies, but they still get a bit melodramatic, I suppose...

[Hitorijime]

Oh my gosh, I've totally been getting into Asian dramas lately. All Japanese so far, though I've been considering some Korean ones. I LOVE Hana Yori Dango and Hana Kimi. Hana Kimi is a little over the top sometimes, but it's fantastic comic relief. Ikuta Toma was amazing; he only had to appear on screen for me to start laughing most of the time.

My roommate's latest love is Nodame Cantabile. She claims the main character is an INTJ. I saw the first episode and didn't really like it, so can't really give much thought on that.

A drama that most people here would probably like is Maou. It reminded me of Death Note in a lot of ways. Ikuta Toma is in this one, too, costarring with Ohno Satoshi, and he really shows his versatility as an actor; it's nothing like he was in Hana Kimi.

[Ither]

I can't handle these. I've tried before.. they are too emo. way too emo. they're beyond even being funny they're so emo

Seriously, what is "emo"? Wikipedia says a pop music tendency in the mid eighties, but I doubt that this is what you mean, while short for emotional doesn't make that much sense to me in the context.

[uncon]

Seriously, what is "emo"? Wikipedia says a pop music tendency in the mid eighties, but I doubt that this is what you mean, while short for emotional doesn't make that much sense to me in the context.

Emo is GenY's version of GenX's Goth - think The Cure. It's characterized by melodrama like "I'm so suicidally depressed but also so apathetic that I can't commit suicide - do you like my dyed black hair and black eye liner?" It's a teenage (hopefully) stage that one may go through and I think it's related to a more adult realization of mortality. This is somewhat related to getting into Vampires (and Twilight it seems) and such and being very whiny and pale. Emo is like a dark super melodrama. Luckily you didn't go through this stage (most people don't) b/c it's highly annoying to anyone outside this subculture.

[Ither]

Emo is GenY's version of GenX's Goth - think The Cure. It's characterized by melodrama like "I'm so suicidally depressed but also so apathetic that I can't commit suicide - do you like my dyed black hair and black eye liner?" It's a teenage (hopefully) stage that one may go through and I think it's related to a more adult realization of mortality. This is somewhat related to getting into Vampires (and Twilight it seems) and such and being very whiny and pale. Emo is like a dark super melodrama. Luckily you didn't go through this stage (most people don't) b/c it's highly annoying to anyone outside this subculture.

Thanks. This is some help, but still.

a) I have no idea of what "Goth" is apart from associations with 'gothic' which in turn I suppose alludes to English literature rather than medieval architecture.

b) The Cure -- ???

c) Twilight -- ???

d) "getting into Vampires" -- huh?

I suspect it shows that I don't watch television nor go to the movies.

[uncon]

Thanks. This is some help, but still.

a) I have no idea of what "Goth" is apart from associations with 'gothic' which in turn I suppose alludes to English literature rather than medieval architecture.

b) The Cure -- ???

c) Twilight -- ???

d) "getting into Vampires" -- huh?

I suspect it shows that I don't watch television nor go to the movies.

I think you should start watching TV and movies every so often. It's no sin and like all things can either make you smarter or dumber depending on how you use them.

[Ither]

I think you should start watching TV and movies every so often. It's no sin and like all things can either make you smarter or dumber depending on how you use them.

I don't think so. Sin has nothing to do with it. It is a disinclination to allow myself to be forced to follow contemporary popular culture even when I don't care for it. What others like is of course their business.

As for cinema in particular: 'Hollywood' is truly disgusting. Endless chase scenes, sentimental slop, or political propaganda maudlin or aggressive. Moreover, the celebrity cult as regards actors and singers/musicians is repulsive. Why should I care or want to know whom X is dating or what his/her politics are. Please.

[Stratego]

For any (and all) Asian drama fans I foudn a great website where you can watch streaming video of Asian Drama online, Chinese, Korean and Japanese! It's totally excellent. I've already spent so much time there that my Japanese is starting to come back pretty quick---and I've been in absolute bliss drolling over all the bishies.

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Just got through watching 24 glorious hours of Hana Yori Dango, and it was fantastic.

[seraphicharm]

*raises hand* My favorite so far is Attention Please! (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.); I love the relationship between Yoko and Mikami-sensei, the student-teacher tension & bond.

Currently I'm watching The Return of Iljimae (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), Mr. Brain (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), and Que Sera, Sera (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). The first one is Korean, and I highly recommend it. :) Mr. Brain (Japanese) is a crime mystery show where a neuroscientist helps solve the crimes. Que Sera, Sera (Korean) is more frivolous, about a player falling for a girl who shows up on his doorstep. o.O