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Reviews
Wang-ui namja (2005)
Absolutely stunning film
The King and The Clown left me speechless at the end. All I could think was, 'What a movie'. Nearly everyone whom I have recommended this movie to shared more or less the same reaction. Such is the beauty of The King and The Clown.
This film tells the story of two minstrels who break away from their troupe and seek to make a living for themselves in Seoul. Jang-sang, the more masculine and brash one, and Gong-gil, the weaker and emotionally fragile one, soon get into trouble with the higher authorities for mocking the king. Jang-sang makes a deal that their lives should be spared if their play makes the king laugh. Fortunately for them, the king does, and they are thus installed as court jesters. Everything seems to be going swimmingly until the king takes a fancy to the beautiful, effeminate Gong-gil, and the minstrels' politically satirical plays begin to strike various chords with the government.
First of all, the acting is brilliant. The main trio of Kam Woo Seong, Jeong Jin Yeong and Lee Joon Ki own their roles completely, especially Lee Joon Ki, who is really an eye-opener. I think majority of the viewers, male and female alike, were smitten with him during the show. Jeong Jin Yeong plays his psychotic, warped king to the hilt, and Kam Woo Seong is convincing as the streetsmart, daring Jang-sang. The three of them play off each other beautifully.
The script is equally good. The characters are all real and multi-dimensional, and the story pans out in a very emotional and intelligent way. The minstrels' 'meaning-within-meaning' plays, the friendship between them, the confused relationship between the king and Gong-gil, the hypocrisy of the government, and the politics are fascinating. Other aspects such as the wardrobe and soundtrack compliment the movie perfectly.
I highly recommend this movie. I watched it with high expectations, and it exceeded them. It is heartrending, touching, profound, and comedic in parts. Do not miss out on this beautiful piece of film-making!
Che Shen (2006)
Car racing has never been so boring
I started watching 'Che Shen' with little expectations, and still ended up disappointed! It was touted as an exciting, adrenaline-filled ride with love problems mingled with car racing, but somehow fell very much short of its mark.
Jia Xiang (Lu Yi) is an aspiring, talented car racer who gets booted out of his team, and starts working as a car salesman instead. While there, he meets the lovely Xiao Xiao (Vicki Zhao), who is heading the advertising campaign for his company. It doesn't take long for Jia Xiang to fall deeply for Xiao Xiao, only to find out that she has a sad past which has stopped her from seeking any sort of romance. Enter Yun Song, rich and handsome, who is himself a car racer and chasing for Xiao Xiao's heart.
On the other hand, we have a mute girl, Xiao Qian, who is Jia Xiang's childhood friend, and who has loved him since they were, like, four years old. Add in Jia Xiang's best friend (I don't even remember his name) who's in love with Xiao Qian; a manipulative, scheming young woman who is willing to do anything to gain power (and who, annoyingly, keeps her curly hair on one side of her face); a lot of company politics; a couple of wealthy men, a couple of poor ones, and there you have it.
The acting is adequate, though none of them except the adviser who comes in halfway through the show, convince me that they are car racers. Vicki Zhao looks very pretty and manages to carry off her role, but I found it impossible to connect or even care much for her character. Lu Yi did reasonably well in the romance/angst department, but completely unconvincing in the serious-car-racer department. Same goes to all the rest of the characters. I just don't care for them, not even the mute girl, who came across as clingy and unable to take a hint. After 26 episodes, I have trouble recalling their names!
It doesn't help that the storyline is predictable, unbelievable, overly dramatic and cheesy. You can practically skip a few episodes and not at all be at a loss. It combines nearly every cliché in an idol drama. I'm also quite amused that the only driver in the racing car team seems to be Lu Yi, and the only mechanic is his friend. Also, that a guy who has just undergone a serious operation can wake up from general anesthetic and immediately start screaming his head off and breaking vases (you'll understand if you watch).
Nor does it help that 'Che Shen' smacks very familiarly of Initial D and Mars...and pales in comparison. Worse still, that the ending is simply the worst I've ever seen for a drama. Unnecessary, ill-contrived, and meaningless, the ending seriously needs an overhaul.
'Che Shen' is watchable, but don't get any hopes up about its being exciting or adrenaline-filled. The trailers are more exciting than the actual show.
Nobuta wo produce (2005)
Kon kon!
Funny and endearing, 'Nobuta wo Produce' (Producing Nobuta) is one of the best Jdoramas to appear in recent years. The story revolves around two high school boys trying to 'produce' a girl from being the most bullied student to the most popular girl in school. At the outset, it seems like a relatively simple story, but go a bit deeper and you'll find a wonderful, touching story about friendship, loyalty, human nature, and love.
What drives 'Nobuta' to success more than anything are the three main characters. All three are brilliant and engaging - the bullied girl Nobuta (real name: Nobuko), who has never had a friend before; the popular boy Shuuji, whom everybody likes but nonetheless feels dissatisfied about his empty life; and the clown Akira, lovably annoying and unrelentingly loyal. Horikita Maki, Kamenashi Kazuya and Yamashita Tomohisa respectively perform their roles with a tenderness and chemistry that is very convincing. All three have their own quirks and faults which endear them. Although there is a good supporting cast, they are overshadowed by the three of them.
Of course, not to forget, Kame and Yamapi are irresistible eye-candy ;) I was impressed with both their acting, but I think Yamapi deserve more kudos as Akira was a difficult role to act. If he had been a lesser actor, Akira would have been extremely annoying, but Yamapi managed to punctuate Akira with a sort of deepness and cuteness that made him a likable, three-dimensional character. Who says pretty boys can't act?
Aside from the acting, the soundtrack is another highlight of 'Nobuta'. The theme song, 'Seishun Amigo' (English: 'Friends of Youth' sung by 'Shuuji and Akira'), is very catchy and was, in fact, the top-selling single of 2005 in Japan. The instrumentals are used to good effect in the show.
The dialogue is another interesting aspect of the show, coming up with fun quotes like Akira's 'kon kon!', Shuuji's 'bye bye bicycle!' and Nobuta's 'Nobuta power, enter!' Although they seem incredibly lame, they are very infectious and, by the fifth episode, I found myself 'kon-kon'-ing all my friends.
I should also give a special mention to the two ditzy CG pigs featured at the end of every episode. It's a very unique presentation of the theme song and the two pigs were funny and cute.
I would have given this show 10/10 but for some strange humour here and there that I didn't appreciate. Still, it doesn't affect my enjoyment of 'Nobuta'. The more I watch this show, the more I love it and its characters. Truly a masterpiece about three misfits coming together to form a deep and lasting friendship.
Gokusen (2002)
"Fight-to, oh!"
Imagine you were the homeroom teacher of a bunch of the wildest, most rebellious delinquents in an ill-reputed school. What would you do?
Yamaguchi Kumiko (Nakama Yukie), better known as Yankumi to her students, decides to love and trust them. That is basically what she does in the 12-episode drama (including the special), though of course a lot of punches and lectures are involved. Yankumi, herself a 3rd generation heir of the Oedo family, the Yakuza, isn't in the least fazed by her multi-coloured punkish students. She takes them on to the end, protecting and believing them, and proving that a teacher's first concern should always be the safety and growth of her students.
'Gokusen', though formulaic and predictable, shines through because of its characters. Yankumi is a funny, interesting person who has unorthodox ideas. The students do her justice. Sawada Shin (Jun Matsumoto), the ringleader and quiet rebel, is the key - the one who makes the difference. Because of his anger, resentment, and fiercely loyal and quietly humorous personality, Shin really brings a different angle to the students. Though of course it's not to say that the other boys aren't lovable, because they are. The Head Teacher is a joy to have...a real comedic character.
The acting is more than adequate. Yukie, Matsujun, and the other students and staff play their roles very well. Although the music is limited, the humour is sometimes campy/lame, and the episodes are very formulaic, Gokusen nonetheless manages to carry its storyline off. The teacher-student relationships are endearing, the characters are above likable, and the overall presentation of this show is good.
Hana yori dango (2005)
Absolutely wonderful
The production crew of Hana Yori Dango probably watched Meteor Garden, noted down all its faults, and ironed them out in this surprisingly satisfying 9-episode drama. This series is eye candy, with expensive cars, enormous mansions, restaurant-like canteens, beautiful people, branded clothes and products...highlighting the tremendous wealth of the students at Eitoku High School and especially F4, the four richest guys in Japan. The soundtrack sounds quite Stepford-Wives-ish, but is captivating and sets the mood for the show (which is very different from MG).
I admit I began watching HYD with a bit of prejudice, having been on the MG bandwagon for two years, but my attention was completely caught by the first five minutes. After that my love for it escalated all the way...it was a vibrant, funny, heartbreaking, exciting, suspenseful show that left me wanting more and more after each episode.
Inoue Mao carried off the role as Makino Tsukushi expertly. Although I normally hate the 'kawaii' gang, I couldn't help loving her. All her expressions and actions were spot on...it isn't so hard to understand now why Tsukasa loved her so much! Sada Mayumi and Matsushima Nanako were stunning in their roles as Shizuka and Tsubaki respectively. Oguri Shun gave a very solid performance as the quiet, deep-thinking Hanazawa Rui (though I have to confess here that I still prefer Zaizai as Hua Ze Lei).
But it was Matsumoto Jun who amazed me the most. I scarcely expected much of him after seeing his pictures (skinny and short!) but was astonished to find, after three episodes, how much I enjoyed him as Doumyouji Tsukasa. He displayed all of Tsukasa's rage, arrogance, pain, insecurity, and cuteness flawlessly. What he lacked in height and build he made up for in acting. My image of Tsukasa has forever changed from Taiwanese F4's Jerry Yan to Matsujun (an admirable feat indeed!) I am eager to watch more of his shows.
I highly, highly, highly recommend HYD to any HYD anime/manga and MG fans. It is truly an excellent series that surpassed all my expectations. I only wish there were more episodes!