Overview: Innocent Love (J)

If u are looking for an all new interesting Japanese drama, I think Innocent Love will be the all time season favorite. I take back what I said earlier about My Girl possibly having higher viewership..that series is so lame..

I had just finished the first 2 episode of Innocent Love and I am absolutely GLUED now. The plot deepens....

Watch Innocent Love Episode 1 (Jap w Eng Sub)

The script is much better written with some mystery to the supposed "crime" of the brother, as well as to the mystery of the waking comatose girlfriend.... very very interesting. So is the reporter really there to help and investigate the truth, or does he have ulterior motive. Why did the brother first admit and confess to killing his parents during the police statement and only to turn around saying he is innocent of all crimes....what deep dark secret is he harboring... why was he so agitated by his sister's letter....WOW! Good start for the first 2 episodes man.

This drama series though seemingly reminds one of "Last Friends" with the music intro due to the video style, yet the plot is vastly different though the shooting remains the same. Like sudden blank out of all sound and a paused reaction to maximise and intensify the mystery effect before shooting the next scene. Very very similar way of taking angles and adding symbolic meaning to an object "like the pendant cross vs the charred wood cross of the burnt house"

So.... suck in your breathe and gather your popcorns every Monday week for this new drama. The guy actors though I have no idea who they are, are reasonable good looking enough to sustain the show... I never quite like the actress who is acting as the jealous woman Mizuki. For a Japanese actress, I think she is quite ugly....and she talks like her nasal is congested or something.

I am betting u will be hooked as the story unfolds judging by the first 2 episode. Moral of the post, one still need a good script to garner audience attention....

Plot summary (from drama wiki)

An arson took it all away from Akiyama Kanon seven years ago. Her parents died in that fire, her brother was arrested as the prime suspect and her carefree life disappeared from that instant. She was shunned by the town as the sister of a murderer, yet she believes in her brother's innocence and often pays him visits with words of encouragement. As life gets harder when nobody is willing to give her a job, Kanon decides to try her luck in the city and there she meets the man of her destiny...

Oh! My Girl! Episode 1-2 Summary

After the first episode, I was still debating about whether I wanted to continue watching this drama. It was only so-so with little excitement, plus I wasnt sure if it will proceed as a child centric drama. The only draw was Hayami Mokomichi that kept me going to the following epi. However, after persisting to episode 2, I am still rather undecided, though inclined to continue watching it when I am free.

OH My Girl 01 Review

Basically an intro the character backgrd.

Yamashita Kotaro (mokomichi) was living a peaceful life as a publisher part-timer aspiring to be a mobile phone novelist until his six-year-old celebrity niece Ann is shoved into his life, accompanied by Ann's stern (annoying) manager Mineko. Forced to live under the same roof as the little prodigy, their differences soon manifest and disputes ensue...

During an disagreement, Kotaro told Ann that her mum had abandoned her and Ann ran away. Kotaro in the search of his niece, chanced by the voice recording from Ann to her mother's mobile and discovered Ann's inner loneliness and longing for her mother. As such, he made the decision to accept Ann into his life and care for her, and her dog Biwa.

Oh My Girl 02 Review
The story revolved Kotaro being forced to move (kicked out by landlord) within 3 days when he was discovered to be keeping a dog in his flat which was against the rules. The dog discovery was made when Ann's manager Mineko kicked up a stinker at the landlord and demanded that he solved the "rat/ mouse" issue in Kotaro flat.

Ignoring all requests from Mineko to move to Ann's mother's flat, Kotaro rather took on extra night shift as labourer to earn extra income to move to another older but affordable rental unit. Ann showed no obvious sign of distress and agreed to move so long as she could have her bed and dog, despite Mineko's huge protest about the unsuitability of the older unit.

Kotaro was excited about his first big official assignment project about interview of a school musical band, and their last performance in a parade before the school gets torn down. the night before the event, he was sharing the piece of news with Ann over dinner when he received a call from the school band teacher. Unexpectedly, the weather forecast 70% chance of rain and the parade will be called off as the children cannot perform in the rain! Kotaro was hugely distressed as he had not prepared for a backup plan/ article and was reprimanded by his editor.

That night, heavy rain poured and Kotaro fell asleep at his desk while praying for a sunny day the next day. When his notebook dropped, Ann picked it up and saw his greatest wish for fine weather and she made a decision.

The next day, Kotaro was excited about the sunny weather and happily went on with his interview. Ann on the hand fainted on set and was hospitalised. Mineko called Kotaro who refused to rush to hospital immediately as Ann was asleep already and he had to finish his assignment. When he arrived, he had a huge fight with Mineko and left. While packing for the move, he chanced upon the handmade"good weather" toy hanging by the window. Ann had stayed up the whole night praying for sunny weather for Kotaro. Realising his wrong assumptions about Ann, he raced to the hosiptal and apologised to a sleeping Ann.

When Ann was discharged, her manager brought her to the Kotaro's empty apartment and told her that Kotaro must have selfishly left Ann behind and went ahead to the new rented place. Hence she convinced Ann to move back to her own place and Mineko offered to stay with her and look after her instead. Ann quietly went along.

While waiting for the cab driver to issue the receipt, Ann looked up and saw the weather toy she made for Kotaro hanging by her own balcony! She happily dashed back and found Kotaro inside unpacking the boxes, as well as her dog Biwa. Kotaro had decided to think of Ann's emotional state and put aside his own personal resentment against his sister, thus moving in to Ann's place. Meanwhile, Mineko had to live with them as she had already return her own rented apartment!

Overview: Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata (J)

Not sure how this got missed under my Japanese drama/ movie radar...and its not exactly a drama either since it is just one epi.

I simply loved this short script play - Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata (彼女との正しい遊び方 )

One of the main and shallow reason I was drawn to the show was due to the cute actor Mizushima Hiro. However, after knowing it was a winning script play got me even more intrigued instead. I so totally enjoyed the 45mins screening and its a definite light hearted, puts a grin to your face sort of feel good movie. Hiro so totally portray the role of a submissive "guardian" childhood protector of the somewhat "wilful" childhood girl-friend.

The story is about the secret game between two childhood friends. In that game, Kurokawa is a princess and her friend Mizushima is her servant. They promised to keep on playing the game until someone finds about it and the game stretches all the way till they are in high school. The play entertained the scene where Hiro starts to face the decision as it is time to apply to uni.

My fav scene was when they were at the rooftop deciding all the places they could go. Aw....so sweet...

Overview: Room Of King (J)

And if u too are a fav fan of Mizushima Hiro, then you wont want to miss one of his latest current drama series - Room of King. I havent watch it yet but looking forward to. Hopefully it will be entertaining! Hate to see Hiro in a boring drama. Then again, he seem to have pick pretty good roles as far for those I have watched...

Story Plot

A game is initiated between four roommates, and the winner will gain ownership of their luxurious apartment in the Aoyama district. How will the battle unfold between a freeter, an OL, a gynecologist, a cook and a sylist?

Overview: Oh My Girl! and Innocent Love (J)

After 3 months of break from Japanese drama, I am back with news of 2 new drama shows to look out for! Finally something to look forward to!

"Oh My Girl!"'s (オー！マイ・ガール) male lead is none other than the guy who acted as Night Kun in Zettai Kareshi - 山下 耕太郎

and the other "Innocent Love" (イノセント・ラヴ) has the same female lead 堀北真希 who acted in Hana Kimi.

I am not expecting stiff competition just yet and I am expecting Oh my Girl to garner greater viewership for the moment since the actor had a favorable fanbase after his last successful wrap up as Night-Kun.

It has been awhile since I had that huge anticipation for each new episode of a good drama. Taiwanese "Hot shot" is so crap that i cannot even bear to continue watching regardless how many cute guys they have in there. Let's hope these 2 J-Drama doesnt disappoint!

Anycase, here's a first glance of the music video whose style reminds me too strongly of last friends...

Utada Hikaru - Eternally -Drama Mix- Innocent Love OP