Boku wa Imōto ni Koi o Suru

It's truly a testament to an actor when they can take something completely messed up and make it seem.. sort of.. acceptable as a form of entertainment. Which brings me directly to the movie I just watched, called Boku wa Imōto ni Koi o Suru, or... I'm In Love With My Younger Sister. I know. Gross. I knew about this movie awhile ago, but passed it over before I had even seen anything with Matsumoto Jun or Eikura Nana. Now that I have seen them act (and very well, might I add) in things like Hana Yori Dango, Proposal Daisakusen, Smile, and Mei-chan no Shitsuji, I was much more inclined to watch something starring the both of them, even if the subject matter was sketchy. And do you know what they did? Do you? Those sickos had me rooting for them. I was creeping myself out a little, but it's true. I'm not like, yay incest by any means, god no, but they way they portrayed their characters made it seem realistic and somewhat.. sweet? *winces*

I mean, don't get me wrong. This movie is sloooooooooooow. There are more completely silent pauses in one scene than I see in most movies altogether, and the story moves along at a steady but somewhat sluggish pace. Still, it's not completely unpleasant to watch, but I have a feeling it would have been if less talented people had been cast. The basic premise is this -- Iku and Yori are twins (honest to god co-habitated in a womb twins here, people, none of that step-sibling half-sibling bullshit) and have basically spent nearly every waking moment together since. At one point in a flashback chibi Yori even tells chibi Iku she's his bride and gives her a ring made from a "flower" (one of those shitty clover weed things). This is what we in the business call "foreshadowing". And what normal people call "creepy".

Oh, hahaha, kids say the darnedest things, right? Wrong, Bill. He actually wants her ass. At the start of the movie, Iku keeps trying to talk to Yori, who basically just keeps brushing her off. This has apparently been happening for awhile, so Iku is pretty convinced she's done something to make Yori hate her. We viewers, with our keen sense of observation and the completely self explanatory title in front of us, however, tend to think differently. About 20 minutes into the film, Yori is pretty damn tired of hiding his feelings for the past like... life. So while Iku sleeps (and even as teenagers they still share a room, bunk beds no less, how convenient), he goes to kiss her. Aww (?).  

I know it's fairy tale-ish and all, but did you ever think about how kissing someone who might not want to be kissed by you (which could have very well been the case here, except of course it wasn't or there wouldn't really be much of a movie, and who would really object to MatsuJun being that close to their face anyway?) while they're unconscious is sort of like... face rape? Just a thought. Anyhow, before Yori gets the chance to actually kiss her, she wakes up (nice timing), asking him what's wrong. I mean, because I know when there's something wrong with my brothers they lean really close to my face while I sleep. O.o In the following conversation riddled with lengthy soul staring pauses, Yori informs Iku he's in love with her, and she has to decide to either be with him or someone else.. RIGHT NOW. Way to let the girl have time to absorb this awkward news, Yori.

Now, most girls in their right minds would immediately jump Jun at this point. But since they shared amniotic fluid and all, Iku has to think about it for a minute. After that minute (a silent one, of course) is up, Iku kisses her brother (*twitch*) and the two very quickly move towards "consummating their love" (which understandably makes breakfast with their mother the next morning a little... awkward) ... aaaaand the movie begins to skeeve me out a bit. Just a bit. It's TASTEFUL, not like a porno or anything. But it's still vaguely icky. But then Jun comes on screen and I remember why I'm watching it in the first place. :B Seriously, that guy can make you fall in love with just about anyone, whether it be a stupid curly permed company heir, a cheerful half Filipino on probation, or even, god, a monosyllabic kid who wants in his sister's pants. How the hell does he do that?

Anyway, the rest of the movie is basically them hiding their relationship from everyone else (but apparently when you stare at your twin longingly and then make out with them in classrooms later, a few people end up finding out). Hiraoka Yuta in dork glasses co-stars as Yano Haruka, Yori's best friend who has feelings for Iku but ends up helping the two in the end. Also co-starring is Komatsu Ayaka as the desperate bitch who wants Yori for herself and therefore convinces him at one point that he's only going to end up hurting Iku and that she should be his girlfriend. She's a little nuts, telling him she doesn't care if he hates her because he's still hers. Someone's been hitting the crack pipe a little too hard, if you ask me. 

The ending is more than a little ambiguous after Iku and Yori try to go back to the field of their youth only to find it completely gone. Yori comes to the realization that they can't go back to that time and that place, and that in actuality Iku can never be his bride (common sense and a basic knowledge of the law probably could have told him that years ago, but whatever). Even so, the two leave hand in hand, and I guess we're left to wonder. Overall not a bad movie, but again, I have a feeling if anyone else (by "anyone" else I mean less skilled actors) had been cast in the roles (especially Yori), it would have been unbearable to watch just because of what a slow movie it actually is. I wasn't sitting there annoyed waiting for something giant to happen, though, because I could tell that it was one of those films where everything that happens is in the synopsis and it's just a matter of watching it all unfold. Overall still a little creepy, and not really obviously cute or romantic, but it was easy to see how much the two main characters care about each other, which was nice, seeing as it was the central theme of this story. And Jun was brilliant as always, as was Nana.

But even so.. sorta yucky. >_>

MDL: What It Is And Why It Rules

I discovered this site today through a livejournal link (while searching for Smile screencaps, incidentally, since I plan to make icons after I get around to finishing my Hana Yori Dango ones after I get around to finishing watching Stand Up!! after I finish the script that I'm supposed to have done for tomorrow that I still have not completed largely due to being distracted by this site today even though I had all weekend, not to mention the past week since Monday, but anyway), and it's so brilliant.

Do you know what I did before to keep track of my dramas? A list. On word. That was somewhat color coded. And nowhere near as PRETTY as this site. It's still a work in progress according to them, but extreme props must be given to hideki and Random chan, and whoever else may help out, because it's a seriously cool site (kiss-ass? whatever do you mean??). Not only can you catalogue every Asian drama you've seen, you can catalogue ones you plan to watch, ones you are currently watching, ones you stopped watching, etc. Plus you can add your favorite people from those dramas. Soooo cool. Lovely for my drama addiction, horrid for my free time. Forcing me to add more and more dramas to my plan to watch list when I don't even have time for the ones on there... XD Or for my homework, apparently. Which I should go do. Crap.

This Picture Makes Me Smile

I'm not really sure why. :B Also, whatever he's eating looks really good. I want it. >_>

It's All Mulan's Fault

No, really. That cartoon bitch contributed to the complete takeover of my LIFE. Earlier this summer, I went through a "LOLZ childhood" phase, which entailed reorganizing Barbie dolls and old toys... and watching (and buying on DVD) ALL OF MY FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIES. Yesss. It may be a machine, but good lord, back then it was a beautiful one. The Lion King, Aladdin, Hercules... Mulan. Mulan is probably my favorite after The Lion King, and before I knew it I was moving out of my Disney phase and thinking about how cool Asia is.

Hmm, I thought. Maybe I should try to watch a few Asian movies. So... I watched the Taiwanese film Secret. Which I now own, because it was BRILLIANT. After that I was on an Asian movie diet. My Little Bride, Tada kimi wo aishiteru, 100 Days With Mr. Arrogant, Koizora, Taiyo no Uta, The Classic, A Millionaire's First Love, Innocent Steps, Love Me Not, etc etc. I actually kind of avoided dramas, deciding I didn't really want to start something that much longer.

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME? I finally to decided to try, and I watched Nodame Cantabile. I have been absolutely obsessed ever since. Dramas dramas dramas. Not to mention music. And the language itself. So.. that's how that happened. People make fun of me now. ^_^ IT'S NEAT. >_>

Incidentally, they're making a live action Mulan soon. Intriguing. >_O

MatsuJun, Arashi, and Ramen

TADAIMA! ^_^

Well, first off, I'm going to just take a second and say... MatsuJun is just... so pretty. Look. Look at him.

I mean, he's also a complete retard...

... but that's part of the charm, ne? Speaking of MatsuJun, I had a dignity crippling revelation today as well. I've become the Japanese version.. of Irina. My friend Irina, who is honest to god nicknamed Korea. Irina, who never shuts up about all things Korean, and wants to move there and marry some pop star named Jun Ho or someone like that. I've become her. Only with Japan. I'm not quite to the extent where I'm stalking boy bands or so delusional I think any pop idols pointed at me at a concert (she SWEARS), but... I have been singing Kitto Daijoubu for the past 3 hours. Does this mean...? Oh god... it's starting.

But really, Arashi is pretty damn catchy. Despite being a boy band. Which is really just so much cooler when it's all in Japanese instead of, shitty boy bands here that are like, "OHHHHH BAAAAABYYYY I MISSS YOOOOUUUUU BECCAAAAAAUUUUSEEE NOOOOOW IIIII CRYYYY AAAAND CAAAAN'T OOOOPENNN THE MAYOOOOO.." I'm paraphrasing, but you know. Anyway. Arashi. They're all very memorable, too, they have distinct personalities. I like Jun and Nino best. ^_^ Whereas NEWS, everyone but like, Yamapi and Ryo are just sort of boring to me. >_> Their songs aren't nearly as good that I can tell, either. Though I must admit Cherish is on replay right now. :B

In oooother NEWS (teehee), I finished Zettai Kareshi last night, but I'm not going to watch the SP because I read the synopsis and it sort of ruins it. I don't understand why some dramas even bother to have specials when they basically just repeat the freakin' drama. Or are just completely pointless. Like, Hana Kimi, which was more or less a huge recap with a few new things.. as much as I love anything Nakatsu, it was unnecessary. P.S. Mizuki should have ended up with him.

And don't even talk to me about the Kurosagi movie. Just don't. But back to Zettai Kareshi, I've been wondering this for awhile. Where is Hiro's hairbrush? Like... every drama I see him in his hair is like, fucking all over the place and gelled and ratty looking. Sometimes it looks better than other times. HE'S still gorgeous, but good lord man. Just.. let it be. <_<

I've also watched 10/11 episodes of Smile (MATSUUUUJUUUUNNN^_^), which is SOOOOO GOOOOOOD... like, really really really good. But I can't find a subbed episode 11 anywhere. *sniff* It should be out soon, but it'll bug me until I finish it. I wanna know how it ends!! D= Vito and Hana-chaaaan.... WAAAAAHHHH. Buta koi. <_> BTW, Aragaki Yui is one of the most sickeningly cute people on the planet, I swear. In a good way.

I'm soooo glad it's Friday, because I got to come home at 1pm instead of 6pm like every other day and I ate ramen and Reese's Pieces! Separately, of course. I had to wash chopsticks because eating ramen with a fork makes me feel like a complete tool. I also have to somehow get all my homework done this weekend... like write a script about how I had my personal space invaded on the Paris metro. A.K.A. The Strange Hand On My Ass Incident. And then hand it in for a grade. And possibly read it out loud in class. Which, incidentally, I absolutely hate doing. Because I don't like when other people read my stuff. So I'll definitely succeed in the movie business, right? ... Right?

Yeah. This is my life.

5 of My Favorite Shows That Were Cut Short

When you find a show that contains one or more of the following:

a) A solid storyline that keeps interest
b) Likeable and/or interesting characters that have more than one dimension
c) Witty dialogue and writing in general

and most importantly

d) Cultural references for intelligent people

.. it has most likely already been cancelled, is in danger of being cancelled, or is about to completely jump the shark. There are rare exceptions, of course, but the majority of genuinely good shows out there are not on a long list of those that got a fair chance or a full run. But people are morons, so they watch shit. Those morons watching that shit brings in revenue for the advertisers, therefore that shit gets funded and contunues to pollute the airwaves while a show with a solid (significantly more loyal) if somewhat smaller fanbase get figuratively stabbed in the jugular and left to die.

This has happened to me too many times to count. I find a show, I love it, I look forward to it every week, and out of nowhere, BAM. Dead, and far too soon. Nielsen can just suck it, really.

I figured I'd pick 5 of the best (in my opinion) shows this has happened to. There are many, but.. I picked 5. Deal. And since someone bitched about how everything I've written so far is all "asian stuff" (which is just because that's all I've been watching lately, I do actually have many other interests, I just have to be in the mood to write about other things), I'd like to point out that none of the following shows are asian. They are all in english. There are a few reasons for this, one of the main ones being asian dramas are meant to be relatively short and tell a complete story in about 9 to 11 episodes anyway, so they rarely get cancelled.

But moving on, in order of oldest cancellation to newest:

Firefly (2002 - 2003)

This show is quite possibly one of the greatest things I've ever seen. Mainly because I'm a total geek, but that's besides the point. Though accurately described as a space western, Firefly is so much more than that. As Whedon shows often are. FOX never gave this show a fighting chance, and it's sad, because even for the short time it was on, broadcast out of order, no less, it somehow gained an amazing following, and we got Serenity after everything (remember what I said about loyal fanbases? they work sometimes). Now let's just hope for a sequel. And since no one in the Whedon-verse ever really stays dead, I'm sure we can work something out for certain individuals.

Arrested Development (2003 - 2006)

The good news? The Arrested Development movie is said to be in production (or pre-production, or pre-pre-production, or something). The bad news? It got cancelled in the first place. This show was absolutely brilliant and I have no idea why it only lasted 3 impossibly short seasons. There was so much more of this thoroughly dysfunctional family to explore, a few good seasons worth at least. Hopefully they can use some of that comic gold in the upcoming movie and do a good job continuing the series without ruining it.

Veronica Mars (2004 - 2007)

Remember what I said about intelligence in shows being a major factor in their cancellation? I can't think of a better example than Veronica Mars. One of the smartest shows on TV (or at least it used to be), VM suffered when The WB and UPN combined a few years back to form the stupidest channel ever. Also known as The CW. Even when it's new network was tweaking it's format and arc and churning out some not-so-Veronica episodes, it was STILL better than 98% of the crap on TV. So naturally they had to get rid of it (?). Guess people are threatened by smart women, or something. A movie was rumored, but it's doubtful at this point.

Nearly Famous (2007 - 2007)

Quite possibly the worst offender of a brilliant show cut short. Even for a British series it was tiny, at only 6 episodes. And I'm guessing you've never even heard of it. The finale was left WIDE open for a second series, but it seems that ship has sailed, the show having never gained the proper following it needed and deserved. The end can either be seen as the world's biggest cliffhanger, or a rare somewhat accurate portrayal of how some things in life actually end up. Lovely, despite and partly because of the sad ending.

Pushing Daisies (2007 - 2009)
The horrible thing is, I got into this show RIGHT before it got cancelled. With the first season being shortened to 9 episodes because of the writer's strike, and the almost as short 2nd season being axed close to the end, there is so much of this "forensic fairytale" that can still be told. Movie anyone? I mean, hey, it happened for Dead Like Me, another cool Brian Fuller project. Disregarding the fact that the direct to DVD Dead Like Me: Life After Death was pretty barfworthy. It was a movie, wasn't it? Beggars can't be choosers. We can be complainers afterwards, but whatever. It most likely won't happen, but one can dream. The Pushing Daisies comics have been confirmed, however.

Proposal Daisakusen (Operation Love)

Just started this a few days ago (I'm only finished with 4 episodes, though, due to my classes starting this past Wednesday), and it's pretty good. Although one could argue that the "Hallelujah chance!" pose looks suspiciously like the "bang" move from Kurosagi (and I swear I heard Yamapi say something about shirosagi in the last episode).. in most aspects it's a pretty original show.

The premise is somewhat odd, but it works. Yamashita Tomohisa plays Iwase Ken, who is attending the wedding of a friend he's known since primary school, Yoshida Rei. Unfortunately, Ken happens to be in love with Rei, and she's marrying someone else. He's deeply regretting that he was basically an idiot and always messed up his chances to tell her or show her how he cared. He thinks maybe if he had done things differently and been a little more considerate, Rei might be marrying him right now instead. Sensing this deep emo mood and finding it a bit odd, a, er... fairy... who lives in the church and apparently has nothing better to be doing appears during a slideshow at the reception after Ken is wishing to himself to be able to change what happened. He tells Ken that he can give him a rare opportunity, and actually LET him go back and change things until the point that the picture is taken. So he does, equipped with all of his future knowledge, determined to change Rei's sad face in the latest picture to a smile.

Every episode, Ken goes back to a little before a specific picture in the slideshow, changes things and fixes past mistakes, switching many of the forlorn looks Rei had in pictures to happy ones, albiet in unconventional and usually unplanned ways. As soon as the picture is taken, he's back at the wedding, and nothing seems to have changed except everyone's memory and the picture itself-- the bride is still sitting next to the wrong groom. The fairy tells him that the human heart isn't as simple as all or nothing, but each time Rei seems to look at Ken a little differently than before.

Yamapi's acting in this one is hilarious, and the supporting actors seem to be perfect for their roles. It gets a little cuter each episode, despite the fact that I'm unused to seeing Yamapi in anything without Maki. XD But I'm looking forward to watching more of this one. ^_^ And then starting another. >_>

Boys Over Flowers: Jan Di & Jun Pyo

I just wanted to share this very well done Jan Di/Jun Pyo music video I found. :) I'm on the lookout for a good Makino/Domyoji one as well, not to mention other ships.

Hana Yori Dango v. Kgotboda Namja (Boys Over Flowers)

When I first watched Hana Yori Dango (my third ever j-drama after Nodame Cantabile and Hanazakari no Kimitachi e), I fell in love with the story and the characters pretty much immediately. So much so that after I had watched Hana Yori Dango 1 and 2 and Hana Yori Dango Final, I decided to venture out into the unknown and watch my one and only k-drama to date. Though based on the same story, Boys Over Flowers has a few large differing points. Since I'm an extremely bored sort of person at times with a lot to say, I thought I'd compare the two piece by piece. So. Here goes nothing.

Makino Tsukushi v. Geum Jan Di

Without a doubt, Makino Tsukushi is an admirable character. Plus she's a cutie, isn't she? You root for her right off the bat, and Inoue Mao's facial expressions are hilarious. I can't find any major flaws with her character that annoyed me as much as with Jan Di. She's clearly a strong individual who really doesn't take much crap from anyone, despite being a little clueless sometimes. Koo Hye Sun attempts to do the same, but it seems more like she's just PMSing and pulling faces all the time than actually standing up for anything. Plus for some reason, she almost always looked unattractive. Not to say Hye Sun isn't pretty. Because she actually is. That's the weird part. Jan Di basically never looked like she gave a crap. Almost like she wasn't ALLOWED to. It's like they tried their hardest not to let her look nice. Especially when she was supposed to. She looked absolutely ridiculous when she was meant to be all dressed up. Mao looked so cute in her little white party dress, and Hye Sun could have looked beautiful as well, but they like, fucked with her hair and put her in some ugly pink dress and fur.. wrap.. thing. I still can't decide if that was MEANT to look awful or not. Judging from the way Jun Pyo was apparently awestruck by her appearance, I'm guessing they thought it looked pretty good. It didn't. She's actually a gorgeous girl, they just never put her in anything that suited her and made her looks stand out. And I'm not sure who the costume designer was on BOF, but Jan Di basically slummed it the entire show buried in nothing but giant ugly sweatshirts. I mean, I know she's supposed to be poor and 'plain', but good grief, let the girl look passable. Have some compassion, people. Overall I have to say Makino wins over Jan Di. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate Jan Di. Not at all, she was actually a good character despite everything. But Inoue Mao is just too excellent, folks. Long ass paragraph, sorry. But Makino's my favorite. :B

Domyoji Tsukasa v. Gu Jun Pyo

Honestly, I've thought about it.. and it's gotta be Domyoji. Despite playing essentially "the same" character, they both had their own interpretations. Matsumoto Jun played Domyoji from one end of the emotional spectrum to another, and he's damn good at it. Giddy, indignant, sweet-- Jun seems to be able to do it all at the drop of a hat. Lee Min Ho's take was a bit different, but also semi pleasing to watch as he's a good actor. Overall I think Jun Pyo was a bit more serious than Domyoji, though they both played his not-so-bright moments well, and it wasn't hard to believe either of them were leaders when they walked into a room. However, I do think Domyoji was more serious about getting Makino back. He seemed much more willing to fight for her, whereas Jun Pyo seemed to just sort of sit back and feel sorry for himself the entire time he was engaged. Therefore nothing happened until Jae Kyung called off the wedding. I've got nothing against Lee Min Ho, because he was really good. The character he played is another story. There were times I really liked Jun Pyo, but a lot of the time the crap he did (or didn't do) seriously irritated me. I mean, he was about to break his arm rather than just be like, "Look.. I really can't marry this crazy ho. I love HER." I don't blame Jan Di one bit for calling him out as a coward. He sort of did that the entire drama, just wait around for everyone else to do something and not actually doing a lot himself (unless sitting alone moping and brooding counts). Good thing he's cute. Domyoji was much more willing to take action. He was willing to do just about anything for Makino, which is how his character is supposed to be-- passionate. As stupid as he can be, he came up with a better plan than having his yakuza friend break a limb-- he was going to man up and break off the wedding himself if Shigeru hadn't beaten him to it. Applause for Domyoji.

Hanazawa Rui v. Yoon Ji Hoo

I'll tell you right off the bat: Rui wins. And here's why. I... HATE.. JI HOO. I hate him. Not only is he not even remotely attractive, he's so so so irritating. I really don't understand the obsession people have with Ji Hoo. I'm not at all a big Oguri Shun fan (I honestly don't think he's that hot, but whatever), but he beats Kim Hyun Joong in basically every category I can think of. Acting, looks, annoyance meter.. -_- When I first watched HYD I actually thought I disliked Rui. I really had no idea. I mean, at least Rui knew more or less when to back the hell off and let the friggin' Makino/Domyoji love bloom. Ji Hoo just would not go the fuck away. Not to mention he had two facial expressions: blank stare and creepy smile. Um, no thank you. He looked like an ugly girl. Not. Attractive. Shun has acting skill, and even if I don't particularly loooove him, he's definitely much better. Especially at expressing like.. any emotion at all.

Nishikado Sojiro v. So Yi Jung

Looks wise, I think it's no contest that Kim Bum is far more adorable than Matsuda Shota. Both are fairly good actors, but BOF gave waaaaay more screentime to Yi Jung's character (especially his relationship with Ga Eul). And he used it well, despite his white Mr. Darcy pants (again, who was the costume designer?). So honestly, as good as both characters are, I have to go with Yi Jung just based on the development of his actual storyline. Plus pottery is somehow far more interesting than tea ceremonies. I can also more easily believe Yi Jung is a womanizer. Not only is he cute, his attitude shows more than Sojiro's that he's capable of being a player (although at other times he seems almost too nice to be). This win has absolutely nothing to do with Kim Bum's smile. I swear.

Mimasaka Akira v. Song Woo Bin

Akira is probably the most neglected "main" character of all. Not only is he not really given a proper storyline, he pretty much never is seen on screen without at least one of his F4 buddies. The boy is essentially a sidekick, which is unfortunate as he's meant to be some sort of badass yakuza kid. Song Woo Bin's character isn't much different, but I have to say Kim Joon pulls off the bad boy thing a lot better. He's not given anywhere near the screentime Yi Jung gets (would it honestly be that bad to just cut Ji Hoo's facetime in half and give it to him? Really now? I know I wouldn't mind), and I think if Joon or Abe Tsuyoshi had been, they could have done something with it. Something besides, in Kim Joon's case, a bastardized version of what I can only guess was meant to be the Korean interpretation of American slang. "Yo my bro, wazzup?" Never. Again. But in the end I guess I'd say Woo Bin for being the better bad boy with ties to the underground. Tsuyoshi doesn't really convince me.

Matsuoka Yuki v. Chu Ga Eul

Though Yuki didn't play as large a role in HYD as Ga Eul did in BOF (in a large part due to the Yi Jung/Ga Eul relationship developing), I think both of these actresses were extremely well chosen for their roles. Nishihara Aki's portrayal of Yuki was a much more earnest and eager version, whereas Kim So Eun took a more thoughtful, compassionate route. I actually loved all of Ga Eul's rainbow candy colored coats (the one time the costume designers got it right, go figure) and stuff. Again I'd say the winner is Korea, simply based on the fact that she was given a LOT more to work with, therefore the story of her character is far more interesting. Though both follow the same basic plot, Ga Eul's relationship with Yi Jung develops a lot more than Yuki's relationship with Sojiro. Kim Bum and Kim So Eun also have great chemistry with just enough sexual tension to keep it PG but still interesting. ;) Ga Eul's storyline is overall much cuter, simply because it was more developed.

Okawahara Shigeru v. Ha Jae Kyung

I have to go with Shigeru. I liked Jae Kyung (it's nice that both of them are shown in a way where it's impossible to hate them even if they are completely interfering with the main relationship, I find that refreshing), but Shigeru seems so much more fun loving and goofy, which is what I think her character should be. Jae Kyung is eccentric too, but I found her very dramatic and overly concerned with what Jun Pyo was doing/thinking about. Shigeru seemed more independent and conscious of Makino as her friend, therefore it was easier to believe she would call off her wedding to Domyoji for someone else's sake. Which is probably why Jae Kyung waited until she was at the freakin' altar to decide this.

Sanjo Sakurako v. Oh Min Ji

A girl who spent her inheritance on plastic surgery after plastic surgery because... of that one time when she was little Mini Domyoji/Jun Pyo called her ugly. Waaaay to overreact. This character is essentially supposed to be batshit crazy, and I really only saw that in Scary Eyes Sakurako. Min Ji just basically always looked like she was going to cry (see above), which was extremely irritating. And then she did cry and it was like, "Okay... wish I cared." Sakurako turned into a much better character in the end, as well, helping Makino (even if it was so she'd still have a chance with Domyoji). And after all, if it weren't for her random henchmen (if she spent her inheritance on plastic surgery, how can she afford lackeys?) beating the shit out of Domyoji, we never would have gotten that lovely confession out of him.

Domyoji Tsubaki v. Gu Joon Hee

Emotionally, Kim Hyun Joo was given a bit more to work with, what with her father and the flashbacks to her failed relationship due to her mother. Plus that whole competition thing she organized between Jun Pyo and Ji Hoo, which was pretty pointless and just a waste of an episode, if you ask me. But aside from that these two are basically the same person. They both love their brother, find their mother ridiculous and cruel, and care deeply about the person their brother loves enough to help her out when she's in a fix. I think maybe Tsubaki came across as a little nicer, Joon Hee a little more calculating, but both were very helpful (not to mention essential in the Makino as Domyoji's personal maid storyline, teehee) and caring characters.

Domyoji Kaede v. Kang Hee Soo

Evil v. Evil. It's almost difficult to pick, because I can't choose whether to go with the Evil Mother I thought was nicer or the one I thought was more of a bitch. Kaede was clearly the nicer one (stopped a plane so Domyoji could say goodbye to Makino-- I sort of love her for that) even when she was an evil hag. And in the end she accepted Makino, which was nice. President Kang, on the other hand, basically just got pissed everytime she heard Jan Di was still breathing, which was a bit excessive, especially since it was entirely her fault in the Korean version that Geum Jan Di and her son even met. She gave her the damn swimming scholarship (oh, yeah, what was that about, btw? O_o) and then she acted like someone else stuck her in the school to be a nuisance. Oooookay, crazy.

Toudou Shizuka v. Min Seo Hyun

Not exactly an essential character, but a nice one who helped (unless she was the one who did Jan Di's hair for the party?) the main character out, despite the fact that she was supposed to be the most talented beautiful rich intelligent person ever. Because that so happens in real life. Not. But I swear, the whole time I was wondering when Seo Hyun was going to show up and distract Ji Hoo like Shizuka always did with Rui. I mean, Shizuka would always pop up at the most random times. Why couldn't Seo Hyun have done that and taken Ji Hoo back to Paris with her? Forever? PLEASE?

Makino's Family v. Jan Di's Family

I remember when I first watched HYD and thought, "Holy crap, her family is kind of annoying. Sort of pathetic and dramatic too.." Oh, how naive I was. How dreadfully naive. For I had yet to have my senses accosted by the pure retardation that is the Geum family. Seriously, I'm not sure where they found these people, but if they told them, "Just try to over act and be as thoroughly ridiculous as you possibly can, thanks", they came through. Big time. My vote goes to the slightly less annoying/more nice and supportive Makino family. They seemed like they actually cared about Makino more than they cared about money. The Geums were just like, "Ohh, here's what we can buy when you marry that rich kid. Never mind you don't actually even like him yet... go whore yourself, quick!"

F4 Japan v. F4 Korea

My loyalty lies with F4 Japan, I have to say. Besides, it's more like F4 Japan v. F3 Korea and That One Useless Guy anyway. F4 Korea is probably overall a little better looking (minus Ji Hoo), but they seem less badass and more like the.. er.. fine dining and cravat types. F4 is supposed to be rich, and they know it, and they show off, but F4 Japan somehow seems less high and mighty. Plus they don't usually wear bow ties to school. Which makes them infinitely cooler. However, I did find a video that makes F4 Korea seem a little more awesome. Editing skills. Until of course Ji Hoo shows up with his fucking violin. There's also a good video by the same person about F4 vs. F4.

Makino/Domyoji v. Jan Di/Jun Pyo

Makino and Domyoji, of course. Not only do Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun have amazing chemistry, they're both amazing actors. I BELIEVED they were in love (and secretly hope MatsuJun and Mao have a real thing for each other but that's another story entirely), whereas with Jan Di and Jun Pyo I kept wondering when Jan Di was even going to start liking him back. Until I realized SHE ALREADY DID, supposedly. It seemed more like she was hung up on Ugly Girl Kid the entire time, for reasons I can not possibly fathom. And then she fell in a pool and tried to almost drown herself so Jun Pyo would remember her and apparently that was meant to be like, proof she loved him. What?! Lee Min Ho was great, but the affection HE was acting out never seemed to be reciprocated properly. Which I don't understand, because it's supposed to be THEIR story, pretty much. I liked their relationship, but if it weren't for Lee Min Ho I'd honestly be like, ".. What relationship?" He saved that shit.

Another important symbol of both relationships was the necklace. Domyoji gave Makino a Saturn necklace, and Jun Pyo gave Jan Di a "kissing star" necklace. Out of the two, I would have to say the kissing star necklace is prettier. It'd be the one I'd want to wear. But then, I've never been one for pearls. However, I think the meaning behind Makino's necklace is much sweeter. He gave her a Saturn necklace because their horoscopes said they were both from Saturn. How cute. Jun Pyo's gift was basically like, "Uh, so I paid a bunch of money (I think at one point he even said, "Do you know how much that necklace costs?", which isn't really something you should be saying about a gift you're giving the person you love, but whatever) to have this made special, and I decided you're the moon... because you'll never escape from me. The STAR. =D" Riiiiight. Modesty is so attractive. The necklace is very shiny and sparkly, but that was sort of lame. But they're both cute, and integral to the story, really.

Overall Plot

Again, I have to side with Hana Yori Dango. Not just because I watched it first and therefore love it more (though that's most likely the case), but because it told more or less the same story, only better. BOF felt like it dragged on. Hana Yori Dango was short and sweet, but left you wishing it wasn't so short because of how good it was. Also, I far prefer the ending of Hana Yori Dango 2 to the end of Boys Over Flowers. I especially prefer the ending of Hana Yori Dango Final to Boys Over Flowers, canon manga or not, because that was just beyond adorable. Overall I found Boys Over Flowers a bit weird. It seemed like it took too long to just tell the damn story, and I felt like they added a bunch of unnecessary crap trying to make it different. Like, Jan Di being a swimmer and Jun Pyo being afraid to swim. Okay, it was pretty cute when he rescued her and told her he had decided he would rather die than watch someone else save her, and therefore learned to swim, but that whole storyline didn't really serve any purpose besides that. And I guess putting Hye Sun in a bathing suit. An ugly one, of course, since I guess she was not allowed to be attractive. It seemed more like it was just stuck in to change the story around from HYD's. Plus the way Jan Di even ended up at the school was weird. She's delivering.. dry cleaning.. and she catches a full grown teenage boy by his shirt as he jumps off the school roof? Uhhhh... oooo.. kay... Where the hell did that even come from? Also Makino's punch to the face and the way she stood up to Domyoji seemed much more effective (not to mention more awesome) to me than the whole ice cream in your face/'come get it dry cleaned at mah folks' store, bitch' (I may be paraphrasing)/later yell karate style and kick you" thing. Punching is a natural human reflex. Spinning back kicks take like, time and thought. It makes no sense, really. Plus I don't really like how they gave F4 all these severely emo traumatic childhood experiences (except Woo Bin, of course, because he's apparently the only person who just doesn't matter.. O_o) and then like... veered away from the actual story trying to make everyone seem all deep and tortured. It was like, "Okay... I don't.. care..." Not to say I didn't like some of the things they added, but I think they put in too much that was just useless. There's a difference between making it your own and just throwing in random crap to seem original. Hana Yori Dango might not be word for word from the manga either (which I've never read and don't really plan to, so that's irrelevant), but I simply was just more entertained watching it. I found the plot more interesting, the characters more likeable, and the show very well done. But I still love both. There's a reason it's so popular. XD

Gokusen (Gokudo no Sensei)

So, I recently started watching Gokusen (the live action j-drama based on the manga series). And honestly? It's soooo fucking excellent. You might have heard the basic premise even if you haven't seen the show, but I'll just sum it up quick. A first year teacher is assigned to class 3-D for her first teaching experience, a class which happens to be notorious for the deliquent behavior of it's students, and not one of them trusts or listens to anything a teacher has to say. Luckily, Yamaguchi "Yankumi" Kumiko is no ordinary teacher, but the 4th generation in a yakuza (basically the Japanese mafia, if you didn't know) family. Eventually she gains the trust of her students through her.. um.. unconventional teaching, although they still think she's nuts, and every episode she usually ends up kicking ass (most often literally) to protect them from the latest accusation or confrontation, etc.. It sounds corny but it's actually really good. Nakama Yukie as Yankumi is so so so much win. She's adorable. And BADASS AS HELL. And as I'm one of those people who not only finds a ship in like, every show I watch ever, I find it in the first 5 minutes, I am of course now a huge ShinKumi shipper. I mean... "Shinohara-san"? Don't make me laugh.

Matsumoto Jun walked into the gym with multicolored hair and I was like, "Oh. Of course." This is obviously the person I'm supposed to root for. It's clearly the aim from the start. They try to act like they don't influence you, but they soooo do. And it's MatsuJun, so of course I'm GOING to immediately ship him with Yankumi. Sure, it's a student/teacher relationship and I'm technically not supposed to condone that sort of thing, because normally it's really icky (also it apparently does nothing for your grades, judging by that one kid who impregnated his teacher and still got a 65). But given the fact that there's only a 5 year age difference, Sawada Shin is the greatest, and they don't actually do anything except be adorable without even really knowing it, I'll ship to my heart's content, thanks. ^_^ Besides, who else could act so comfortable and familiar with a damn yakuza family?

However, there is a huge problem. I am currently on episode 10 of Gokusen. And I am seriously thinking of not even bothering with Gokusen 2 and 3. NO... SAWADA... SHIN? What is this?! I mean, I knew before I started watching this that MatsuJun wasn't in Gokusen 2 or 3, but now that I've actually watched it I'm completely appalled. He's the second main character. The camera moves to his reaction as much as it does for Yankumi.

HE IS ONE HALF OF SHINKUMI. Why would you ever ever ever even CONSIDER making anything Gokusen without Shin?! From what I've heard, Gokusen 2 and 3 not only do NOT follow the original manga, they are basically used to promote pop stars. And apparently Gokusen The Movie is one big Kame-fest.  That is just WRONG. You can't have Gokusen without two things. 1) Yankumi being the kickass awesome strong as hell mobster tinged homeroom teacher she was born to be, and 2) Sawada Shin. You just can't. It's not right. I mean, I know he has to graduate, but from what I've heard he sticks around even after that in the manga. It doesn't feel like Gokusen if it's not the right Gokusen. That makes me sad. :[

And after Kurosagi The Movie (A.K.A. That 2 Hour Travesty That Discouraged Kurosaki/Tsurara Shippers Worldwide By Using Maki For About 5 Seconds of Nothing, Did Not Really Advance The Kurosaki Revenge Storyline At All, And Then Tried To Cover All Of This Up With Yamapi's Hotness And Meaningless Shakespeare References) ... I just don't think I can go through that again.

Therefore... I boycott. The original, however, is amazing, therefore I love it and highly recommend it. ^_^

(Also, this fanfic is excellent and I'm going to go ahead and consider it semi-canon.)

Favorite Actors/Actresses (Asian Edition)

Inoue Mao 井上真央
Birthday: January 9th, 1987
What I've Seen: 
Hana Yori Dango
Hana Yori Dango 2
Hana Yori Dango Final
First Kiss
What I Might Want to See: 
Anmitsu Hime
☆☆☆

Ueno Juri 上野樹里
Nicknames: Jurippe
Birthday: May 25th, 1986
What I've Seen: 
Nodame Cantabile
What I Might Want to See: 
Last Friends
☆☆☆

Horikita Maki 堀北真希

Nicknames: Maki-maki, Homaki, Makinpo, Horikitty, Pori chan
Birthday: October 6th, 1988
What I've Seen:

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Kurosagi

Kurosagi The Movie

Nobuta wo Produce

Atashinchi no Danshi
What I Might Want to See:

Deru Toko Demasho!
☆☆☆

Toda Erika 戸田恵梨香
Birthday: August 17th, 1988
What I've Seen:

Hana Yori Dango 2

Nobuta wo Produce

Death Note
What I Might Want to See:

Ryusei no Kizuna

Death Note: The Last Name
L: Change the World
☆☆☆

Aragaki Yui 新垣結衣
Nicknames: Gakky, Yuibo
Birthday: June 11th, 1988
What I've Seen:

Koizora

Smile
What I Might Want to See:

Code Blue

Dragon Zakura
☆☆☆

Eikura Nana 榮倉奈々
Nicknames: Nana-chan, Nana-chii, Eikurara, Samoan Nana
Birthday: February 12th, 1988
What I've Seen:

Mei-chan no Shitsuji

Proposal Daisakusen
What I Might Want to See:

 
☆☆☆

Miyazaki Aoi 宮崎あおい
Birthday: November 30th, 1985
What I've Seen:

Tada, kimi wo aishiteru
What I Might Want to See:

Nana

Virgin Snow 
☆☆☆

Moon Geun-young 문근영
Birthday: May 6th, 1987
What I've Seen:

My Little Bride

Innocent Steps

Love Me Not
What I Might Want to See:

A Tale of Two Sisters
☆☆☆

Nakama Yukie 仲間由紀恵
Birthday: October 30th, 1979
What I've Seen:

Gokusen
What I Might Want to See:

Gokusen 2

Gokusen 3

Gokusen The Movie

Trick
☆☆☆

Son Ye-jin 손예진
Birthday: January 11th, 1982
What I've Seen:

The Classic
What I Might Want to See:

My Wife Got Married

A Moment to Remember
☆☆☆

Kwai Lun-mei 桂綸鎂
Birthday: December 8th, 1983
What I've Seen:

Secret
What I Might Want to See:

The Most Distant Course
☆☆☆

Matsumoto Jun 松本潤
Nicknames: Matsujun, Junji, King, Jun-Chan, Matsumoto-kun, Do-S
Birthday: August 30th, 1983
What I've Seen:

Hana Yori Dango

Hana Yori Dango 2

Hana Yori Dango Final

Gokusen

Smile
What I Might Want to See:

Bambino!

Kimi wa Petto 
☆☆☆

Yamashita Tomohisa 山下智久 
Nicknames: Yamapi, Tomo-chan, TomoPi, Pi, P-chan
Birthday: April 9th, 1985
What I've Seen:

Nobuta wo Produce

Kurosagi

Kurosagi The Movie

Proposal Daisakusen
What I Might Want to See:

Buzzer Beat

Stand Up!!

Code Blue

Dragon Zakura
☆☆☆

Ikuta Toma 生田斗真
Nicknames: Tomasu, Toma-chan
Birthday: October 7th, 1984
What I've Seen:

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Hana Yori Dango 2
What I Might Want to See:

Hachimitsu to Clover

Majo Saiban
☆☆☆

Mukai Osamu 向井理
Birthday: February 7th, 1982
What I've Seen:

Nodame Cantabile

Mei-chan no Shitsuji

Atashinchi no Danshi
What I Might Want to See:

Bambino!

Hachimitsu to Clover
☆☆☆

Haruma Miura 三浦春馬
Birthday: April 5th, 1990
What I've Seen:

Koizora
What I Might Want to See:

Gokusen 3

Gokusen The Movie

Bloody Monday
☆☆☆

Lee Min Ho 이민호
Birthday: June 22th, 1987
What I've Seen:

Boys Before Flowers
What I Might Want to See:

Get Up
☆☆☆

Matsuyama Ken'ichi 松山ケンイチ
Birthday: March 5th, 1985
What I've Seen:

Gokusen

Death Note
What I Might Want to See:

Death Note: The Last Name

L: Change the World

Nana

Linda Linda Linda
☆☆☆

Tamaki Hiroshi 玉木宏
Birthday: January 14th, 1980
What I've Seen:

Tada, kimi wo aishiteru

Nodame Cantabile
What I Might Want to See:

Hoshi Hitotsu no Yoru 
☆☆☆

Kim Sang Bum 김상범
Birthday: July 7th, 1989
What I've Seen:

Boys Before Flowers
What I Might Want to See:

East of Eden

Dream
☆☆☆

Mizushima Hiro 水嶋ヒロ
Birthday: April 13th, 1984
What I've Seen:

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Mei-chan no Shitsuji

Zettai Kareshi
What I Might Want to See:

 
☆☆☆

Hiraoka Yuta 平岡祐太
Birthday: September 1st, 1984
What I've Seen:

First Kiss

Proposal Daisakusen
What I Might Want to See:

 
☆☆☆