BrightestStar

I think you should put a spoiler tag to your comment

ON
A fun watch, great cast, amazing side stories/patient stories
I have to say, if it wasn’t on Netflix I wouldn’t have watched simply because the episodes are too long to watch and I don’t have time to sit and watch. I mostly watch on the go 10 minutes at a time.
I found the love relationships to be too draggy and overall uninteresting. But I’m here for the friendship and THAT they couldn’t have been any better

Maybe you should do a part II :D
I bookmarked your article to refer to once I have time to watch dramas.
I loved Life. I have to say Lee Dong Wook felt a bit out of place but all the other actors/characters grow so well (and though outshine him) doesn’t bother much.

What a brilliant article!
Sometimes I do watch dramas based on writers rather than who's in it.

What you said about Kim Eun Sook is exactly how I feel! Great ideas but lacking in execution... rather lacking in taking risks in going the unpopular way. I found she did better in Mr. Sunshine but man that drama was filled with fillers! The story basically started at the last 2-3 episodes (out of 24!). Goblin was as pointless as its ending, but entertaining for sure.

Sakamoto Yuji is a genius! I would add the other main thing he focuses on are dialogs. So not much could be happening in the scene but the dialogs suck you in!

Another Japanese writer I would recommend checking is Kudo Kankuro. He's unconventional so not all might appreciate but totally a genius in his own right!

I love the drama writer of Life and Stranger but some people might find it... dry? for me it was perfect!

The Japanese writers you mentioned I have watched some of their stiff while others are in my PTW, maybe in the future, I will get around watching. This article is a great reminder :D

This isn't my type of drama, definitely not! The quality of each episode wasn't the same but overall very gripping with interesting characters and introspective dilemmas. I did find the last couple of episodes had too much unneeded violence though. Anyways it's those rare moments where I agree with the hype.

Yeah but imagine the trauma from remembering!

Hanako to Anne is an Asadora (morning drama) those usually have over 150 episodes but each episode is 15 minutes so easy to watch. They also tend to be addictive. Hanako to Anne would both be a great introduction to him and to this type of drama

I have yet to watch a lot of his work which I’m VERY looking forward to.
I first watched him in Hanako to Anne. I think he stole everyone’s heart there. He also lead the taiga drama sego-don and was too great there. There’s also the crazy movie Tokyo tribe. He was insane there and a total antithesis to his other roles
He has a lot more that I’m looking forward to watching

Great article! I love that trope too!
One drama that is all about non blood related family bond is an old Japanese drama called “Home Drama”. It can be heartbreaking at times but it’s a drama thar gives you all kinds of cozy feelings.

As far as Japanese romantic comedies, this one is as standard as they come. Except it has Suzuki Ryohei. He has this appeal that he brings with him wherever he goes. I've only seen Yoshioka Riho in recent years and, she knows how to be annoying when need be and knows how to be likable too. Her character here is definitely likable and relatable. I liked Kogo-san and his special relationship with Karibe. Karen was super annoying and criminally intrusive initially, but you forgive her as her intentions tend to be actually innocent. Can't Say the same about all the other characters.

Also, from the bits of it, I can't imagine this manga to be anything special :P

Typical in the sense that it's a typical Japanese investigation drama, but with an added view of what can be wrong in the judiciary system in Japan. The drama follows mainly Chizuru Sakama's growth. The interaction between characters is fun, and the defendants all brought interesting stories. I'm glad to see a positive view of prosecutors as well.

Totally agree with your praise and criticism, especially the clash in acting style. Some characters and scenes felt out of place and totally disturbs the tone of the movie.

Kaoru’s character is the damsel in distress in 95 anime episodes as well haha
It wouldn’t have been too bad if she wasn’t supposed to be a martial arts instructor. But in here they were following the manga, sort of. In the manga I think Kenshin thinks she’s dead for a while and goes into a guilty conscience journey, and she forms sort of a connection with Enishi. They didn’t have time to do that here.

Law school had a similar theme actually. The cases were only more dramatic (in a kdrama way haha) but I appreciated the criticism of law the how Justice had many layers. The idea of Justice and the way to uphold it can be different from one person to the other. Also even the “good guys” were more sly there. Except for Sol A :P

Emphasis on *Very* haha

I disagree I think her actions are more effective than all the other

Haha same though it's kinda expected since it's not a kdrama. I actually appreciate that even when they disagree with Iruma, it's on fair grounds too.

Loved the prosecutors in this episode as well haha

I think the characters are idealistic but the cases aren’t. I’m 4 episodes in and what I took so far from the drama is that the law isn’t perfect, and not made to protect the weak. Also the truth doesn’t mean finding the solution that will make everyone happy nor benefit “the good guys”. Yet we have to be idealistic to uphold Justice.

Thanks for this article! I hope we’ll continue to see more slice of life kdramas. I’ve only watched Hospice Playlist and started prison playbook.

Money game stands out for me here. It has the same leads as Golden Empire (amazing but not so easy to watch drama).

In the beginning they mentioned he did have his own, maybe daughters? That they were living/studying abroad or something.