BrightestStar

Hmm you're saying that korean dramas show relationships are as important and explore them, and I do agree with that, but I do find that many times the emphasize is more on the romance than other relationships. I'm just wondering if you are implying that isn't the case in Japanese drama, because if you think so then I'd like to assure you that it is. The most recent drama Kazoku no Kitachi is a perfect example, and this isn't a 1-off there are plenty. Japanese dramas do have most dramas focusing on boys/men but they also have those focused on women. The morning dramas for example, long running dramas that always concentrate on women's lives. Also historical taiga drama has one focusing on a woman in their history every second year.

I'm not saying that you're wrong in your remark, but that just like you noticed the positive in kdramas, you may be missing out on the positive in the Japanese dorama world.

Also kdramas may be written by women for women, but many time I feel they are merely selling a fantasy. It's all well and good until they strat over-selling it.

I give you a heart too, and 10 other people did too ;)

lol yea that may be an extreme of an example :P, but you have to admit that's how it is with kdramas in general. It makes me uncomfortable. I prefer the down-to-earth look with sometimes looking good, others not so great, sometimes looking tired, in a human way.

+1 YES that's why we need more fans! For the bigger probability of more subs at a faster rate XD

Japan may be 1 extreme, Korea is another. I hate that the people are too neat in an unrealistic way. For example a character is supposed to be living in the streets of thailand, selling juice why stealing IDs yet she constantly looks too neat and clean and well dressed... it's too unrealistic.

I have to disagree with you on your last point. I know that some of the ways Japan shows their solution isn't satisfying at times, but saying that it only explores things on the surface, that is untrue. They go deeply on a subtle manner, they go most deeply compared to other dramas from other countries I've watched, ESPECIALLY if you compare to kdramas.

Idols are all over Asia.

Women acting cute - depends on the type of drama you're watching, it's so diverse you can find many different kinds.

It could be that Japanese entertainment is not great recently, but that is the case for many places, but there is still good shows being produced and worth cheking out.

Yup agree with all (Obviously :P) Just needed to add that YES Japan has too many idols, but the industry in all of Asia is full of idols. From what I've seen of South Korea, China, Taiwan, and from what I read about Thai production, it's all full of idols. Japan does't have more than any country. So if that is someone's excuse and they watch asian dramas from those other countries, then they are looking at the wrong part of the world.

Thanks for the reference Sumi ;)

I totally agree with you, specially about acting and romance. Yes sometimes acting can be over the top, but that is what brings the ratings in Japan. Even so there are many subtle Japanese dramas and even those over the top can have a sweet and heartfelt message, as long as you're willing to open your heart to it ;)

As for Romance I'm exactly like you, so I guess that's why I don't mind what most people call it Japans "lack or romance" It's actually there, but intertwined with other themes like slice-of-life or family, or sometimes deeper societal issues. At the same time when people want straight up romance, I just want to assure them they can find them in the Japanese dramaworld.

I love how you explain Japan's population "half restraint, half exuberant."

There thing about Japan that can be what makes it so precious, and at the same time its undoing is that they make their dramas for their people only. They don't care much what foreigners will feel about it.

Oh I love the references. Even without cameos they have characters references their past roles XD

My 2 fave are Gunshi Kanbei & Ryoma den.

Yea that's why jdrama fans often suffer... Dramas are simply not available :(

Introspective! That's the word I was looking for! That's what makes me love Japanese dramas so much more than anything else ;)

Ratings in Korea also have been dropping. When it used to be getting a 20-30% rating is an indication of a popular drama, nowadays they struggle getting a 2 digits rating and a drama getting 15% is considered to be doing great.

I'm with you when it comes to choosing. I just follow my mood ;)

I agree they don't do romances often enough but they still have really good ones. I suggest watching dramas from the 90s they had great romances(Ice World, Love Generation, Rondo...some others just didn't get subbed unfortunately). There's also Orange Days, Slow Dance, Rich Man Poor Woman, Love Shuffle, Love That Makes You Cry, Love the Useless Me... And I think most recently there's been more focus on romance so you may find a bunch.

Each country has their forte but you can always find good ones when you want ;)

I’m generally mainly a Japanese drama fan, but I do watch a lot of Korean, and recently been watching Chinese dramas that I enjoy a lot. Each country definitely has its pros and cons, but I totally agree with the point you’re making, people aren’t giving Japanese dramas enough of a chance.

1. Well as you say, in the end it’s all about taste. I think when trying out a different country, people should put looks on the side for time. Reason is most of the time you’d be used to a certain look that you’d think of as “hot” but when exploring a different country, that view would have to adapt to that country’s taste, up to a certain point.

2. That point makes me wonder HOW they could think that. There are SO MANY extremely talented Japanese actors, that are actually given the chance to shine. With the amount of complicated characters and stories they have, some can only be handled by real talents. I’m not saying there aren’t bad actors, just that if you seriously want to watch real talent, it’s not hard to look unless all you’re looking for is idol dramas. Even then usually they are given the right role for the right time, making the watch still entertaining (there are exceptions). Have they tried out Eita and dared to say he’s bad? What about Tsumabuki? Yamada? Matsushima? Even Idol Okada Junichi? The new brilliant generation likes of Yagira, Ikematsu and Suda? I’d mention my fave Odagiri but as much of a brilliant he is, I know he may be seen as weird by those who do know know much about Japanese creativity.

3. Yea true Japan doesn’t spend too much on that, but the question is, how long will you keep being impressed with the quality of the cinematography when the story sucks or has no depth?

4. For me that’s a forte. Kdramas are notorious for draggy dramas with nonsense development *cough* noble idiocy *cough* to keep the time going until the end. Japanese dramas actually have no time to waste, so every minute is precious and has something better to add to the story development. I think the ultimate episode length is 45 minutes, but up to 60 minutes may be acceptable Anything longer isn’t. The shorter the drama, the more focused.

5. Well again another forte. Japan delves deeply into the subjects. They may not research their english, but topic they show actually is very well researched. Escapism is alright, but sticking to only one type may prove to be unhealthy and may cause people to be delusinal

6. Now here I can see where they’s coming from. Japan post 2k has become stiffer in that area. That doesn’t mean they don’t have any romances. They do have quiet a few, with a good dose of escapism. That being said true the 90s were the best at romance, and I’ve been seeing how most recently, there’s been an increase of Japanese romance dramas. And as many said, even though kdramas cater more to romance watchers, my fave romances end up being japanese.

7. First of all, there are as many idols in kdramas as there are in jdramas. The main difference is, kdramas through their idols right in the middle, as lead or second lead, without much support to develop them. Japanese directors actually make sure to put their idols in roles they can handle. If you tell me yamapi is a horrible actor, I’ll totally agree, but I’d still tell you to try his dramas because his lack of acting skills has been used effectively and makes the drama fun to watch (and I’m not even being sarcastic here.

8. Japan is not stuck, Japan is creative. Funny I follow that you tuber but haven’t seen her drama videos recently. I guess I’m getting bored and most only kdramas only :P I still find her interesting but yea I think she hasn’t really been checking enough of jdramas to make that call. If anything it is kdramas that have been stuck for a long while not, and only just recently, since 2015/16 they realize they need to change the way they make dramas because their usual ways is just not selling any longer. The reason I came back to kdramas IS because they finally started changing. They started looking into some subjects deeper, but it’s still shallow compared to Japan, and not that well researched.

Again great article! Really inspired me :D

First of all: Yay an article about Japanese dramas!

Second: Great first article ;) I really enjoyed reading it. Not only did you make great points, it opens up a lot of topics for people to talk about. I enjoyed your arguments and can’t help but put my 2-cents here. (In the next comment until spoiler tab not because it’s spoilt, but just ended up being too long :P

Summer is looking good... too good! I don't have time for this!!!

I don't know though I feel this type of show is better as an anime. Well I can't wait to see who else they'll cast.

I know it feels like it's becoming a trend. I was like come on! I get it. You don't like him, you don't want them to end up together, just shut up and watch how things go, or simply drop it! The rest of us want to see what happens. In any case at least we can turn in off :P

Oh my we have different opinions, yes humans are strange people. You have here a whole list of works of a veteran actor yet you decided to stick to your opinion after only 1 work. That is up to you and I have no problem with that. What annoys me in your comment is that you call people, who are more familiar with the actor and like him after investing a lot of time watching him, strange. Well no they aren't strange they just have a different opinion and if it doesn't sit well with you then you're strange.

I love the cast here, and none disappointed me in any way, but I didn't get what the movie is all about. The ending was worst, since I had no clue what each's motivation was. Actually the only one I understood Matsuda Ryuhei character's, he made sense.