Nodame Cantabile (Japanese Drama)

Genre: Slice of Life, Romantic Comedies, Drama, Classical Music

Episodes: 11

+Nodame Cantabile In Europe: 2

+Nodame Cantabile The Movie I: 1

+Nodame Cantabile The Movie II: 1

(Explanations at the bottom about the difference in style for this post)

Main Cast:

Hiroshi Tamaki as Chiaki Shinichi

Ueno Juri as Noda "Nodame" Megumi

Eita as Mine Ryutaro

Koide Keisuke as Okuyama Masumi

Mizukawa Asami as Miki Kiyora

Synopsis:

An elite meticulous musical genius and a messy out-of-control pianist. This unlike pair somehow matches up and together with a group of colorful young classical musicians and an eccentric world-famous conductor, they start to create the most unique wonderful world of music. They are all against the conventional orders and rules, and try to make the most of their lives with humor and passion for music. Each character has a special (or weird) story to tell and they confront with each other hard and unite strongly. Based on a popular comic, this is a hilarious comedy with brilliant young ensemble cast and full of great classical music.

Thoughts:

Can't believe I forgot about this. This is totally one of the top contenders for first place in Best Asian Drama I ever watch. The synopsis tells a lot about the drama already. Fan of classical music? If yes, then give this a try. The best drama to show the greatness of classical music. No, then still give it a try, I was not a fan of classical music but after laughing through the humor and comedy, I became a fan of classical music. Huge use of slapstick-comedy in here.

Best concept, story and music. It even caused South Korea to produce a remake of it called Tomorrow's Cantabile. But the remake is not as good as the original probably because I'm biased but I will not post the drama here because it is not a strong competitor as of right now.

So, to explain what happen up there, This drama is complicated, not the story but the way they divide the story. The drama itself has 11 episodes which only covers until volume 9 of the manga it was based from. The pluses up there are continuation of the story in a continuous form basis. Fusing everything together, Every single one up there together with the pluses is in a sense or entirety the drama itself.

Marriage Not Dating (Korean Drama)

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama

Episodes: 16

Main Cast:

Yeon Woo-jin as Gong Ki Tae

Han Groo as Joo Jang Mi

Jeong Jin Woon as Han Yeo Reum

Han Sun Hwa as Kang Se Ah

Heo Jeong Min as Lee Hoon Dong

Synopsis:

Wealthy plastic surgeon Gong Ki-tae has no interest in getting married; marriage is all shop girl Joo Jang-mi dreams about. In an effort to get his parents off his back about the constant string of blind dates and marriage prospects, Ki-tae purposely brings Jang-mi home to meet his parents posing as his girlfriend, certain that they'll never approve of her.

Thoughts:

This is a great drama. Can't go an episode without laughing. Lots of humor about so many things. They have a different way of telling a story. Try Watching Episode One, You could get hooked on it. Definitely for me one of the Best Dramas I have Watched.

Hana Yori Dango [lit. Dango {Preferred} Over Flowers/ Boys Over Flower] (Japanese Drama)

Genre: Romance

Episodes Total: Season 1: 9

                        Season 2: 11

                     

Main Cast:

Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi

Matsumoto Jun as Domyoji Tsukasa

Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui

Matsuda Shota as Nishikado Sojiro

Abe Tsuyoshi as Mimasaka Akira'

Synopsis: 

Season 1:

Makino Tsukushi is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, the school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by Flower 4 or F4, a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa, the leader and heir of the Domyoji World Finance Group; Hanazawa Rui, the introverted son of a large company; Nishikado Sojiro, a player who is the heir of a tea ceremony school; and Mimasaka Akira, a madam killer with ties to the underground. If a student gets on the F4's bad side, he/she gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school.

Makino hopes to pass her days quietly-- without drawing any attention to herself-- but one day, she stands up to Domyoji in defense of her friend. The next day, Makino gets the dreaded red notice. Even though she is harassed, Makino decides to keep going to school because she is a "tough weed". She declares war right back on the F4. Her resolve gets the attention of her crush Hanazawa Rui and oddly enough, rouses romantic feelings in her worst enemy, Domyoji Tsukasa.

Season 2:

This second season of Hana Yori Dango picks up right after Domyoji leaves for New York. After confessing to Domyoji, Makino has not spoken to him for a year. Rui and the other members of F4 try and help Makino meet Domyoji again by going to New York for the christmas holidays. Though F4 and Makino meet Domyoji again, he has become a completely different person, and so they leave for Japan.

Some time later, Domyoji's mother annouces that they will be returning to Japan. There, they hold a giant super-rich and classy birthday party for Domyoji and announce something very important. Domyoji, like in the first season, is engaged to a rich girl and heir, Shigeru. The only difference is that they are to be wed soon. What will Makino do?

On the side, Rui begins to fall in love with Makino... will this become a love... square?

Thoughts:

The series that led to the birth of Boys Over Flowers(Korean) and Meteor Garden(Taiwanese). If it led to that, so I assure anyone interested that this is a super great drama. Believe me even if I am a stranger to you.

Hanazakari No Kimitachi He [For You In Full Blossom] (Japanese Drama)

Genre: School, Romance, Comedy

Episodes Total: 12 (+1 Special Episode)

Main Cast:

Horikita Maki as Ashiya Mizuki

Oguri Shun as Sano Izumi

Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu Shuichi

Synopsis:

Based on a popular comic, this hilarious comedy follows the chaos, troubles and friendship at a boys' boarding school after a girl-disguising-a-boy joins. Ashiya Mizuki has just come back to Japan from California where she was raised. She fell in love with Sano Izumi, a hopeful high jump hero, who has quit after an accident. As she wants him to go back to the sport once again, she enters the same high school as a boy! With a short hair, flattened chest and lowered voice, she starts sharing the same room with Sano.

Thoughts:

This is totally a must-watch. One of the most popular series produced by Japan which led to dramas like To The Beautiful You and same-titled Taiwanese produced series. Watched it all over many times and never got bored with their antics. The awkwardness boosted up the comedy factor and romance to a whole different level. Super funny characters that is sure to make you laugh. If you are someone who needs a little uplifting or just want to enjoy your day, watch this. You will have smiles on your face once you finish. Bunch of slapstick comedy. The interaction between characters, be it friendly or lovely, will sure to have moments to make you laugh. There isn't much serious tone in this nor is there much dark in it too.