This is certainly one of the better dramas out there, but the ending was lacking.
I wish the writers had explained a few things. Like will she get old while he stays young? And can they 'exchange fluids' now without him getting ill? Also, am I correct in assuming every time he returns to Earth time stops? So does that mean the world is on hold for weeks, months, years on end? And if he can jump through a wormhole now, what stopped him from doing it before with his alien powers?
I also would have appreciated more DMJ backstory--showing what happened after he apparated from Earth to the ship and then his time on his planet figuring out how to get back to Earth. But I suppose that required a bit more ingenuity, time and budget the production team didn't have.
That said, I suppose I'll take the ending--loose ends, wormholes and all. That last kiss more than makes up for it.
I really enjoy noona dongsaeng dramas--which is probably why I've seen all of the above except for I Need Romance...will need to add to my plan to watch list. IHYV is one of my top favorites and Flower Boy Ramyun Shop was just too cute for words.
Great article. I love Jet Li! I find it incredible when Jet Li and actors like him (ie, Jackie Chen) are able to do a lot of their own stunts. Absolutely amazing.
I know the girl has problems...but I wish the writers would chill on Oh Jin Hee's drunk scenes. One maybe two…
Agree. I get this is a rom-com, so they have to 'ham' it up - but sometimes I'm annoyed by Oh Jin Hee's character. I can only assume (and hope) the writers are deliberately doing this to show her growth as the drama progresses. She starts off as a woman with confidence issues and a chaotic lifestyle and by the end of the drama she is self-reliant and more in control of her actions. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I know the girl has problems...but I wish the writers would chill on Oh Jin Hee's drunk scenes. One maybe two 'sloshed' scenes are funny, but we're on #3...getting a bit old.
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Feb 24, 2014
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Glad you enjoyed the article on Oguri. I had a blast writing it...and re-discovering why I love j-dramas/movies so much!
Thanks for the recommendations. I haven't seen any of these but they sound interesting. I'm more of a quirkie-indie and/or rom-com girl when it comes to movies, but I like to occasionally spice it up with action packed thrillers.
Really enjoy your articles. I used to be into anime before I converted to live action k and j dramas/movies---so your articles will often nudge me to watch an anime just because it sounds interesting. Junjou would be an awesome live action. I'm surprised it hasn't been adapted already by Japan since they have already done so many other yaoi movies. DN Angel--maybe Korea could do this--they invest more in CGI so the angel wing aspect may be more realistic.
This drama has been phenomenal so far. I'll be royally pissed if we get a half-assed ending.
I think the writers are setting us up for them to go back to his planet. Because at this point if they stay, they'll have the paparazzi after them b/c of the hospital disappearing act, they can't kiss much less have sex without him getting sick, and if he stays on Earth he dies. Plus in one of the earlier episodes I recall a fortuneteller telling the mom that her daughter's future goes blank...or something to that effect.
The alternative, him turning human, just doesn't seem logical. If one of us ever found ourselves stuck on an alien planet, would we become alien just because we lived there? Perhaps we would genetically adapt to the conditions, but in the end, we would remain human. You can't just change your species/race...well I guess in dramaland you can. Anyway, just rambling.
He is the first Japanese actor I ever had a crush on. I have watched a lot of his dramas, even from when he was…
I agree. HYD and HK are your typical rom-com's--not alot of room for an actor to show off their real talent. It's in the quirkier, indie or more serious roles that an actor's real strengths come out and you begin to see what they're really capable of.
Not a bad movie. The flight scenes are awesome and Rain did a good job as the cocky top-gun pilot. I would have liked to have seen more screen time given to the rivalry turned bromance between Tae Hoon and Cheol Hee. And I would have preferred to see the other character's stories developed more, instead of the waste of time romance between Tae Hoon and Se Yeong--it felt flat with little chemistry between the two. Sorry, I dislike Shin Se Kyung's acting--she has like one expression for everything. Maybe the romance element in the movie could have worked with another actress.
I'm also a sucker for the fantasy genre. ;) I've seen Tokyo Girl and like you said even though it's not so original,…
Love your profile pic. I first watched Armitage in North & South. Loved that series so much, I eventually had to by the DVD. He's such a great actor!
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OnDeprecated profile comment•Feb 10, 2014
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Hope you enjoy Neighbor No. 13. It's a good watch. I certainly enjoy dramas, but I'm just like you...I prefer movies. 2 hours investment towards a movie (even if its so-so) is much better than 16+ hours on a drama and a disappointing ending.
I love how you know exactly what you like and dislike in movies/dramas. I have an idea of genres I tend to enjoy...but quite frankly I'm still muddling through it. Sometimes, when I think I'll dislike a psychological thriller (which I tend to avoid), I watch it and love it. Other times, if I try to watch a rom-com (which I typically enjoy) it's like pulling teeth.
This was such a fun movie to watch. And the ending credits are hilarious. I'm amazed--they managed to film this in one room and still keep me engaged. Aaah...the life of an otaku. :)
I'm so surprised more people haven't given this film a chance. I went in watching this for Oguri, but came out with a new appreciation for Yakusho Koji. Both are great actors and complimented each other well. Their bromance was to die for. The movie is an understated comedy so you'll often find yourself chuckling softly at some absurd moment.
I enjoyed how it treated character growth realistically. So often you'll see a wimpy geek transformed into a strong ikemen in the span of a few days--if only people could change that quickly. Instead, this movie shows how Koichi and Katsuhiko affect each other in small believable ways. There are no earth shattering moments, just subtle feel-good moments that make you smile.
Glad someone did an article on an actor that isn't the typical youngish idol. I enjoy watching popular idols like anyone else, but some of the older actors are phenomenal and deserve recognition. Loved Arata in Snakes & Earrings--that was such an intense role. And AirDoll was another favorite. I need to begin watching his other works, because he really is such a talented actor.
I wish the writers had explained a few things. Like will she get old while he stays young? And can they 'exchange fluids' now without him getting ill? Also, am I correct in assuming every time he returns to Earth time stops? So does that mean the world is on hold for weeks, months, years on end? And if he can jump through a wormhole now, what stopped him from doing it before with his alien powers?
I also would have appreciated more DMJ backstory--showing what happened after he apparated from Earth to the ship and then his time on his planet figuring out how to get back to Earth. But I suppose that required a bit more ingenuity, time and budget the production team didn't have.
That said, I suppose I'll take the ending--loose ends, wormholes and all. That last kiss more than makes up for it.
I think the writers are setting us up for them to go back to his planet. Because at this point if they stay, they'll have the paparazzi after them b/c of the hospital disappearing act, they can't kiss much less have sex without him getting sick, and if he stays on Earth he dies. Plus in one of the earlier episodes I recall a fortuneteller telling the mom that her daughter's future goes blank...or something to that effect.
The alternative, him turning human, just doesn't seem logical. If one of us ever found ourselves stuck on an alien planet, would we become alien just because we lived there? Perhaps we would genetically adapt to the conditions, but in the end, we would remain human. You can't just change your species/race...well I guess in dramaland you can. Anyway, just rambling.
I love how you know exactly what you like and dislike in movies/dramas. I have an idea of genres I tend to enjoy...but quite frankly I'm still muddling through it. Sometimes, when I think I'll dislike a psychological thriller (which I tend to avoid), I watch it and love it. Other times, if I try to watch a rom-com (which I typically enjoy) it's like pulling teeth.
I enjoyed how it treated character growth realistically. So often you'll see a wimpy geek transformed into a strong ikemen in the span of a few days--if only people could change that quickly. Instead, this movie shows how Koichi and Katsuhiko affect each other in small believable ways. There are no earth shattering moments, just subtle feel-good moments that make you smile.