{Final Review} Kimi Ni Todoke

Going into this movie, I didn’t have high expectations. Not because I was against it from the beginning, but I wasn’t very familiar with it. I didn’t read the manga or watch the anime, though I heard some positive things about both. …

This remake better be good.

I am praying the cast does not disappoint me.

A tentative cast list of “To The Beautiful You” a.k.a Korean version of Hana Kimi.

The talk of the Korean version of Hana Kimi have been underway for quite a while, and a tentative cast list has finally been posted. I don’t know too many of them, so I can’t comment but I’ll be sure to watch this in August. This is a quick reference, sort of like this post, but I’m not exactly making comparisons. Of course there’s pictures ^.^ Since most people are familiar with the Japanese version, I’m using the Japanese names. Again, this is not official with every single role.

Update: Kim Ji Won to play as Mizuki’s (Sulli) rival.

Minho Choi as Izumi Sano.

Sulli Choi as Mizuki Ashiya.

Hyun Woo Lee as Shuichi Nakatsu.

Haneul Kang as Kagurazaka. 

Jun Young Seo as Minami Nanba.

Tae Young Ki as Hokuto Umeda.

Hyegyeong Ahn as Akiha Hara.

Kwanghee as Himejima ‘Oscar’ Masao.

Kim Ji Won as Mizuki Ashiya’s rival.

Again, not an official list since some characters are missing as well as some actors/actresses may be moved to another character, but from this is what I’ve picked up so far. I’ll update it as I hear more news ^.^

988 posts and 96 followers later….

This isn’t a thanking post, I won’t make another one until I reach 1000 posts or 100 followers, this is more of an interactive post. It’s been about a year and a half since this blog has been running, I remember my first post was a review over Juui Dolittle and it took forever before people started visiting my blog….

Anyway perseverance triumphs ^.^ I talk about a wide spectrum of things, from rookie kpop groups to old jpop groups to odd fashion sense to the weather outside, pretty much everything. My views say one thing, but for all I know people can just accidentally click the wrong link and magically end up on my blog. What I”m really wondering is what people actually read or are interested on my blog. So for all my questions, I have polls! Polls are great ^.^ No need to comment, just vote below ^.^

Or if there’s anything you’d love to see me do more of, feel free to leave a comment ^.^

Day 4: 30 Day Jdrama Challenge

Day 04: Your Favorite Male Third Wheel Character

I was so close to picking Shin Woo from You’re Beautiful but Hanazawa Rui wins this day of the challenge since Shin Woo isn’t Japanese or from a Japanese drama. But similarily, I was rooting for them all the way. Rui was such a sweetheart to Makino but like in nearly every single drama….the girl always picks the mean but cool guy.

I’ve got something to look forward to.

It probably isn’t the most appropriate manga for me to be reading, but it was very addicting to read and pretty interesting. I was hoping for a drama for it, but a movie is being made instead. I can live with that.

Day 3: 30 Day Jdrama Challenge

Day 03: Your Favorite Female Lead Character

Hands down, without even thinking, Makino Tsukushi. To me, she’s the perfect lead. She was strong, yet she was vulnerable at the right moments. I actually didn’t care too much for her in the beginning of Hana Yori Dango but she grew on me as she whipped Domyouji into a civilized person.

Day 2: 30 Day Jdrama Challenge

Day 02: Your Favorite Male Lead Character

It does say character, but this will be lists of characters just because there’s so many leads I like. I narrowed it to top three though.

• Domyouji Tsukasa: One of the reasons why I love Hana Yori Dango so much is because of how well executed Domyouji’s character was. He added much of the storyline and kept the drama interesting. I actually disliked his character in the beginning for his over arrogant attitude but thanks to Makino, she made me like him which you shall hear about her in the female part of this challenge.
• Takakura So/ Kudo Marou:  You really can’t have one without the other. It’s the weird chemistry these two have in Tokyo Dogs that makes watching them together enjoyable. Marou laid back nature severely contrasted with So’s strict and uptight lifestyle and it helped add depth to the drama.
• Kusano Akira: Akira was definitely my favorite character in Nobuta wo Produce. He is the one character that’s the “odd” one out. Although his character was supposed to be the funny annoying guy, it was executed so well that he didn’t even seem annoying. And it was a great seeing Yamapi not act in a serious role. He definitely made the drama lighter.

Day 1: 30 Day Jdrama Challenge

Day 01: Your Favorite Jdrama

Hands down, Hana Yori Dango. Didn’t even have to think about it. This drama (or rather series) holds the spot for my favorite drama. It’s what I like to consider your classic romance comedy. If you somehow haven’t watched this drama, go watch it now. It’s amazing.

{Final Review} High School Debut

Ah I thought this movie was so adorable! Not as adorable as Lovely Complex though ^.^ I had already read the manga and I was a bit skeptical of watching the movie because I didn’t think it would live up to the manga. This is as spoiler free as I could possibly make it.

Character Development: It’s pretty evident that Haruna was mainly focused on in the development area. I didn’t really see much of a change in Yoh, except he smiled more in the second part of the movie. But with Haruna, there is noticeable development. 9/10

Plot: There’s not much I can say about the plot since I read the manga. I mean there were a few deviations which I was fine with, and some parts were left out completely. To me that’s fine since I know that backstory but to new fans it might have confused them why this happened or didn’t happen. I do feel that the movie moved a bit fast though, one minute Asami is cooing over Fumi and the next she’s on his lap and the next they are going out. 9/10

Relationship between Characters: I could not stop gushing with Haruna and Yoh’s friendship turned relationship. I thought it was really cute, especially with Haruna spazzy side juxtaposing with Yoh’s cool side. However with everyone else, I was a bit disappointed. I mean with Mami, she seemed like some random person instead of Haruna’s best friend. Asami and Fumi’s relationship disappointed me as well because I felt that the movie didn’t develop their relationship. And Asaoka…..honestly he seemed so out of place. 8/10

Music: I actually wasn’t feeling this soundtrack. I mean, for some reason the music fell flat to me. I didn’t feel as if any of the music complimented the movie. 6/10

Acting: The acting was alright. It had it’s high and low points. The main cast, Junpei Mizobata and Ito Ono were decent. There were times when Mizobata was just eh to me and he looked like he was blending into the wall but that seemed to be near the beginning of the movie. Ito Ono played Haruna’s part a bit over the top in my opinion because I don’t remember Haruna being that eccentric. I think Masaki Suda shined in the movie, he played his part well. 8/10

Final Verdict: All in all this movie was a cute and enjoyable movie. It’s something to keep you entertained but not anything that’ll be too memorable. 40/50 —> 80%