BrightestStar

Oh God I feel you! Except I’m not getting the chance to finish it T T I still have 4 episodes left. I find the drama too cruel :(

The way you express your thoughts about this drama is better than I could ever have! You know what you should do? Copy this comment into the drama review.

Yay =D

Thanks :)
I sure hope it reaches people

I’m not sure I’m still watching. Many commenters here gave seen it, you can ask them.

It’s not confusing believe me. Like my head is barely aware of anything lately yet I have no problem following it without much effort (no energy these days to put effort in anything lol).
I got the impression at first that it has this high school drama but it didn’t turn out that way. Even the love triangle isn’t really a love triangle. The side characters are really growing on me too.

The focus on how the personality matters most, despite how or whom someone looks like.

You’re right. After watching further, it’s definitely not a love triangle. It’s kinda interesting actually.

Thanks for sharing :D do I watch it now or wait until I finish the drama?

I failed since I didn’t get you to try it XD
But seriously the love triangle is only a small part. The friendship trumps all in the 90s era. And it may sound complicated but it doesn’t feel like it while watching. It’s easy to watch. I usually hate watching long episodes but this one, the episode goes by and you don’t feel it. I’m up to episode 5 now.

Chicago Typewriter is definitely more than just a normal rich guy poor girl. It’s more of a side thing.

Not sure if I like or dislike the fact their careers and future is going down the drain due to what they do in their private life. Cheating is horrible, so it's nice to see the repercussion, but in the end, that's a private matter so having to affect their professional lives so much...

Then again they know their society better and they decided it was worth the risk.

As for the girl, I don't find her blameless, any kid would understand taking part in a cheating scheme is wrong. However, at 19, we are more prone to acting stupider than if we were in our 30s. For that reason, I do find he has the bigger responsibility to carry. In the end, he got his role in his current drama get fewer lines, while she got the whole part cut.

The beginning felt draggy but it really grew on me as the episodes went by. It's all about making fun of the stereotype, yet I wish they had done more in the end to the damsel in distress trope.

The should make a movie/drama about that situation. Maybe by then hopefully it will sink in to some of those knetizens.

The main message about the plight of the Nikkei was well communicated here, but man, the editing was so choppy and a lot of the dialogs cheesy.

My favourite was Kenji's dad, played by Matsushige Yutaka. His plight, his divided children and his situation were conveyed so well through just his facial expression. Subtle yet clear.
Muro Tsuyoshi's character Charlie is the most interesting. He did a great job!

What ruined it for me was Tabe Mikako. All her dialogues were soooo scripted and monotoned! Barely felt any acting at all!

That Eerie feeling stays till the end.
I loved how seemingly unrelated stories all came together about halfway through. Some things were well thought out, others pretty predictable. The overall theme of human desire is well conveyed. All the characters here are driven by selfish desires, and just don't want to own up to it.

Actually what took me by surprise is the high school girl, and what was revealed the last few minutes. She might've had good intentions but man she was scary.

One thing I find weird: She's calling him Oni-san the whole time, all the way till the end!

From old school dramas:
https://mydramalist.com/5709-kono-yo-no-hate
Basically about going down the abusive relationship spiral. Great chemistry between the leads despite the dark subject.
https://mydramalist.com/1901-a-sleeping-forest
The whole time you're kinda wondering what the main guy is up to... I think... it's been a long time I've seen it but the lead had some darkness to him and the whole drama overall.
https://mydramalist.com/495-yasha
Ito Hideaki plays twins in this drama, one good and one evil. There's a lot to this drama and where the twins end up.
https://mydramalist.com/1502-ikebukuro-west-gate-park
Not the main guy but Kubozuka Yosuke plays the most awesome badboy ever!

Newer dramas:
https://mydramalist.com/4412-rich-man-poor-woman
Your typical "misundertood" main lead.
https://mydramalist.com/40-liar-game
Hiding his care behind harsh words
https://mydramalist.com/17299-boku-no-yabai-tsuma
Basically everyone is up to no good here. Ito Hideaki again. You hate him one episode then love him the next, then hate him again...
https://mydramalist.com/9498-black-president
Snarky CEO of a company that decides to go back to school. You'd think he just doesn't care but behind his harsh comments are truths and words of wisdom.
https://mydramalist.com/8620-mozu-season-1-mozu-no-sakebu-yoru
2 words: Ikematsu Sosuke
https://mydramalist.com/7918-kurokouchi
Nagase Tomoya's character is willing to do ANYTHING to get behind the truth of the mystery.

Movies:
https://mydramalist.com/4912-snowy-love-fall-in-spring
Might look up a typical love story but really about a selfish badboy and the consequences of his actions.
https://mydramalist.com/1-crows-zero
https://mydramalist.com/3-crows-zero-2
All the characters here are bad boys
https://mydramalist.com/7944-tokyo-tribe
Similar idea to Crows but in a grander, with more sickening characters.
https://mydramalist.com/3921-for-loves-sake
A hated musical but I enjoyed it. Lead is a typical bad boy the main girl wants to "reform".

Really enjoyed your list. I loved SFD but I agree with what you said about Bang Won. In my eyes he is THE ANTI HERO and I loved how he was portrayed. #3 is based on a jdorama One Million Stars Falling From the Sky.
I think I can come up with many anti heroes from jdoramas but right now don’t feel like using my brain :P

I Sanada Taiheiki available with English subs? I'm very interested in the Sanada clan but I REALLY hate the actor playing Sanada Yukimura + I dislike the writer (though Japanese people really like him) so I wouldn't want to waste my time watching Sanadamaru

I meant within a limited time I travelled way too much (also made sure to visit Ueno park in Tokyo on a very rainy morning to see his statue before heading to the airport. I went to London at the time for a short visit to my sister, and that’s when I completely passed out lol

I didn’t like the kid version of him so I’m glad they only spent 1 episode on it. At times I found it overly sentimental but generally really loving it and learning so much I didn’t know before! The clan’s history and people were so colourful and interesting.

Before leaving Japan I had the honour of going to Kagoshima just to visit all those historical places. My time was very limited and it was crazy for me to do it but I'm so glad I did. Just gotta say after my last few days in Japan, I passed out 4 days straight XD

Kagoshima is really far. About a good 7 hours by Shinkansen from Tokyo, which makes me wonder how hard it was for him to be traveling back and forth at one point.