De Cinco Para Nove (2015)

Watchable rom-com that can test the patience of the Buddha sometimes

I enjoyed this show but it can be exasperating as well.
I liked how dorky, serious and sweet the ML can be but he can be overbearing. Don't even get me started on the grandma, she is the classic smiling assassin who ruled her clan with silk lined iron fists.
My one big gripe with the ML is that I wish he would grow some backbone. He was totally under the grandma's thumb. The whole breakup to spare the FL more pain is the worst trope in my book. I would have much prefer the ML to stood up to the grandma and give her both barrels for ruining his brother's and now his life. Is he that wedded to the temple? He could get another job and just live happily with the FL in the suburbs.
While his brother was a sly character, at least he knew who was to blame for his sufferings and he also gave the grandma a serve which she deserved. I mean after all the pain she inflicted on the FL she was finally swayed by one goodbye letter from the FL to the ML? I just feel that she need to get some kind of comeuppance.
There is definitely a second lead syndrome happening which is rare with newer dramas which tends to demonise the SML. It was good that the love triangle(s) weren't serious but that poor man (the boss) deserved better and largely came down to a string of miscommunications or failure to communicate and there are lots of communication problems in this show, too many in my opinion.
I also wish there is more substance to the 2OTP (Mr Arthur). It could have been a lot sweeter but it was a caricature for the bulk of the show. The CP actually has a lot of potential and chemistry. There is a 3OTP (age gap love) which was even more perfunctory.
On the whole, it was a watchable but tropey rom-com with so much overacting (the FL's parents need to take some chill pills LOL). I'm not as engaged with the story as I'd have liked. I'm alternately swooning and facepalming. It can feel contrived and forced at times. The writer-nim employed a number of tropes and clichés which were initially effective but they kept repeating them and they ended up being laboured and tiresome.
There are not a lot of skinship (until the end) and this show must hold the record for the number of times a kiss can be interrupted. Even the Show made fun of it in the end but it was a forced smile with clenched teeth.
It was the idea of a monk (being allowed to) fall in love and getting married that hooked me and kept me watching but there are times when it did get frustrating.

Leia Mais

I’m not normally a fan of Japanese dramas. I am more into Korean romantic comedies. But I have to say this was a pleasant surprise. This Japanese romantic comedy proved me wrong about the dark, dreary, and often sad endings that I think of with Japanese dramas. Instead it had sly subtle humor at times, outright slapstick humor, cute romantic moments, and characters that you got close to. Towards the end, maybe the last two episodes, the drama lost its way a little. But overall it retained its charm and made me hopeful that there are some good Japanese rom coms there. Plus the lead male was sexy! Woo! That was a bonus ;)

Leia Mais

I rarely watch Japanese dramas because most fo time they don't meet the expectations I would want, but here the stor is completely different I loved this drama in all point of view
- the characters were portrayed really well
- music there was not that much to rate
- the story was simple and cute specially if you are seraching something really cheese this will definitely satisfy you
- I wish it was a bit longer because I feel like I have fnished it in less than 5 hours but it's better to end it soon then making it booring
I'm still waiting to see something good as this one but it's really hard

Leia Mais

Almost dropped it since I'm not interested in religion background series (traumatized by a cult story in Save Me ㅜㅜ). Thanks to some suggestion on Instagram I decided to watch it, and there's no regret to do so.

The story might seem classic — Hoshikawa chasing Sakuraba since first sight while Sakuraba tries to run away from him. However, Hoshikawa's effort to understand Sakuraba and want to protect her melted my heart away. The only disappointing point in this series is that midway through, Sakuraba gets swayed by the second or third(?) male lead. That blows my mind. How can she get swayed just like that? I know he was your crush a long time ago but still.

As expected from Yamashita Tomohisa and Ishihara Satomi. You can trust them and watch their projects. Besides them, this series is filled with many talented actors like Tanaka Kei.

OST by Back Number titled Christmas Song (クリスマスソング) is very good. It brought the scene emotion. You can hear it on YouTube now. The music video was just released last year although the song was already popular years before.

You can rewatch this when you have some free time. I already did, and it's still interesting each time.

Leia Mais

If the creator of the show is crazy enough to make a sequel, then sign me up real quick.

Used to watch horror films and Anime as a kid, seen a few RomCom too but this is the first ever JDrama that made my heart sigh, made me wanna laugh, cry then laugh again. Sometimes wanna do both at the same time.

Story wise, it's not that complicated. It's the typical girl meets boy by chance or fate. ML was a straight laced guy that wouldn't know fun even if it hit him on the face. He met FL and fall for her sweet smile and bubbly persona. She's a sweet girl with a loving family. A hard worker driven by her dreams. ML pursued her relentlessly, sometimes a bit creepy but it was just his unique way of doing things.

He's really unique in a way, he has his dominant ways that were never cruel unlike some other typical shows. His way maybe a bit weird but it's sweet and pure.

FL maybe sweet but has steel for a core. She's honest about her dream, about her feelings. Her dream was clear even from the beginning. Back when she didn't like the ML yet, she told it to his face. And when she decided to love, she gave her all, no half measures.

Actors did a good job, good chemistry. Entertaining supporting roles. Short but sweet backstory. And the most important thing, everybody has their own happy ending. If the creator of this show is crazy enough to make a sequel, then sign me up real quick.

Leia Mais

Cute Drama Perfect for Holiday Season!

This drama is surprisingly good for holiday season, since the setting was from Halloween to Christmas. Before, I tried to watch this drama once or twice but was turned off by how pushy and stalkerish the ML Takane is that I did not finish the first episode. Finally I picked it up again and after I got to know more of him and the rest of the characters I was hooked. This drama is cute and surprisingly well executed for a live action from manga. Since I never read the manga I reviewed the drama only.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA
(+) Unique plot for a typical love story: Typical, since a man (Takane) and a woman (Junko) from two different worlds romantically meet. Unique plot because the Takane is a monk who is being sheltered the whole life in the temple with only his Grandma and the monks around him. And Junko is a career woman who dreams to move to New York.
(+) Overall story not draggy. Plenty of hilarious scenes, and heart-breaking scenes in the 2 last episodes with satisfying endings for everyone.
(+) It is well worth to note that the drama screenwriters are not the manga writer Miki Aihara, therefore the script is not choppy like coming straight out of a comic, but flows more with the plot. Although not excluding the uniqueness of manga storyline.
(+) Character Takane is mostly the main source of hilarity. since he is not familiar with how people act and live in the real world. His sincere yet clumsy adaptation to society after meeting Junko, her family, and ELA crew is funny and touching at the same time.
(+) I am glad that the story actually makes the Junko goes to New York in the end of the drama to pursue her life dream
(+) Interesting characterization choices the manga writer picked for her comic
(+) Seven cold shower scenes under takigyo (waterfall where monks meditate)!
(+) Great chemistry between Takane and Junko.
(+) The other couples' chemistry: Arthur-Momoe is good and Hachiya-Masako is okay (probably not much character growth and screen time for the last couple).
(+) Actress Ishihara Satomi is beautiful and hilarious at the same time. I saw her in Rich Man, Poor Woman but her role is better here.
(+) I have never seen the acting of Yamashita Tomohisa (Yamapi) prior to this drama. Although the monk Takane role does not make him talkative but his facial expression communicates amazingly well. Surprisingly good for a Japanese idol, and by looking at his filmography he acted in interesting and unusual dramas/movies.
(+) Remarkable casting overall, even to the supporting cast like Junko's family and neighbors, the ELA crew, the temple monks even to the little monk Naha. Overall, it seems like everyone were having fun filming this drama!
(+) I squealed when I saw Kaga Marikofor showed up in the screen the first time, played as Takane's grandmother! She is the villain mother from classic Hana Yori Dango. The actress is 75 years old now and is still active in dramas and movies, which is amazing.
(+) Stunning cinematography using fall season and holiday season backgrounds
(+) The OST is surprisingly good! The theme song is "Christmas Song" a romantic ballad by Japanese rock group Back Number (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEqOLMXqOlM). Other songs are mostly upbeat jazzy, and the softer tones are good for background music. I even played them while I was writing this drama. The playlist can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kbmiLfvUq0

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA
(-) I feel like some scenes are like being dragged but others are being rushed. Probably editing issue. For example: the drama does not tell more about Amane and how he is redeemed by Takane. His character development from antagonist to protagonist is just too fast I have the impression the story just wants to add Amane character as a filler.
(-) Not really a dislike, but I wish the drama is longer. For example: I read in the reviews/comments that the manga gives more story to Arthur-Momoe couple.

Leia Mais

First of all, it's not a drama about religion (even if the male lead is a monk), so don't worry about that!
Second, I have a really big concern about the story (it's not a spoiler, don't worry). At the beginning, the monk is stalking her, it's just stalking, it's not love or whatever. And I'm really concerned about that because some young girls could find it normal and if a psycho stalks them, they could think "oh, it's like in the drama, he's probably in love with me and I'm sure he's a good guy like in the drama". No, it's not like that, in real life, stalking is a serious matter and stalkers are not nice guys, they have a problem, they're not cute or in love!!!
Besides of that, it's a really cute drama, a cute love story. The actors are really good and you will fall in love with all of them.
This drama gives also really good advice (besides the stalking thing lol), like don't give up your dream for anyone, don't be afraid of expressing your feelings to your crush otherwise you will regret it, even if someone is acting "evil" he probably has some reasons, don't judge him too quickly, etc.
I only put a 7 for the rewatch value because I usually don't rewatch any drama or movie, I'm just like that.
So, just watch it and enjoy it :D

Leia Mais

From start to end whole Drama was in a sync but some second actors was creating some ups and downs which was worth it. There was an excitement about what will happen next?
I like the protagonist, Sakuraba Junko. Her given character is very inspiring. She faced lots of hardships during whole drama but she never gave up, which leads to a good ending.
I hated the fact that lead hero don't even show his emotion which lookly he was just being forced by director to act though his character was like that but still their can be more improvement.
over all story was nice. It is a light drama to watch.

Leia Mais

this is my first JD ever thank god it was really nice
i really liked the story although i don't believe in love from the first sight
but i loved his insisting to make her fall for him
BTW they should name it ( the impossible Kiss) or (inauspicious Kiss) LOL

only 3 things bothered me so

1st
(Yamashita Tomohisa) dead face expressions
2nd
they explain nothing about (Takada Hyoga) & why he was like that at the drama
3rd
i hated (Yamabuchi Momoe) character she is so childish till the limit of being vapid, trivial & shallow

there were v.nice chemistry between the 2 leads

& in total it was really nice & cute drama
watch if it's on ur list

Leia Mais