Sunday, April 23, 2017

J-DRAMA REVIEW: Tokyo Tarareba Musume



Alternative Title: Tokyo "What If" Girls
And I'm soooo back from the blazing pit of laziness for another unsolicited opinion about Asian dramas. :D Since Strong Woman Do Bong Soon ended, I've been really in the slumps because I honestly don't know what to do with my life anymore. I've tried watching Chicago Typewriter since I'm all up for the supernatural stuffs. It's also interesting but it's a bit dragging and mind straining for me so I dropped it for now and let's see if I get the urge to continue it. Oh, and I also started watching The Liar and His Lover and I'm pretty much enjoying it at the moment. I'll drop by a quick review about it once it's done. 
So, going back with our main topic. I'm here to share with you this Japanese drama that I just finished watching so without further ado, let's get started!
Plot
30-year-old Rinko Kamata works as an unpopular screenwriter. She doesn't have a boyfriend, but she has two female friends Kaori and Koyuki. They meet regularly at a bar. There, they complain about their situations and go through what if scenarios. One day, Rinko Kamata decides to go for happiness at love and work.
(Credits to: Asianwiki.com)
My Opinion
To be honest, I initially watched it because I'm Sakaguchi Kentaro's (the one playing  the role of Key) fan since Heroine Shikkaku. I wanted to see him rock the blonde hair cause  I seriously hate it but surprisingly, it's tolerable. Lol. It's not that bad since he has the overall feel and he has that face. 
(WARNING: I might spill a bit of spoilers from here on out so forgive me.)
This drama tells about the story of three high school friends: Rinko, Kaori and Koyuki, who are currently on their thirties. They wanted to be stable on both career and relationship department before Tokyo Olympics but instead of going out and meeting people, they spent most of their time having joshikai or girl's night out at the restaurant  that Koyuki's father runs. They have a share of misfortunes in life but their girl bond is what holds them up together. Then comes Key, a young model, who ruthlessly told them that they're just a bunch of "what ifs" women who will never get what they want in life since instead of doing something to get what they want, they'll just run off a talk about their "what ifs." Those words became some sort of a wake up call for all of them. Afterwards, little by little, they started striving to get what they want in a funny, stupid and yet really heartbreaking way.
It's so freaking realistic
Since it's realistic, it's relatable. I'm only on my twenties but the scriptwriter kind of made me want to sympathize with the characters. In real life, my character is really similar to Koyuki so this really hit me in the heart so bad. Although, I definitely won't jump into an affair, I feel like in a few years time, I'll end up just like her personality wise. (Please don't self)
The characters
Tbh, those three girls are all stupid. But that stupidity is what made them human. That made them to be a characters who can really be one of us because come on, nobody's perfect. All of us makes mistakes but it's okay as long as we learn from it. Those bad decisions should've shaped us into a better and wiser person, correct?
I really liked how the story is progressing especially when Hayasaka-san and Rinko finally became a couple but I should've hold on to that thought---because surprise, surprise! They ended up with guys that I don't want them to end up with. Why???? Just whyy??? Up until the end, why didn't you learn? Ugh. This was why I paused before watching the last episode. I had a feeling that this would happen and for the first time, I really hated Sakaguchi for this role.
Why? I mean, I love Sakaguchi but that doesn't make up for how horrible his character was being condescending and all. I also hated Rinko's fickle mindedness mostly because I'm all for Hayasaka-san but girl.... you moron. You deserve to be a "what if" woman forever. Same goes with her other friends. I mean, I kind of understand their life choices but I'm just too dumbfounded on how stupid they could get just because they wanted to escape the loneliness.
Gosh, this was so frustrating. I really liked the drama but this has the worst ending any drama could ever have.
Moving on to the guys, I really liked Hayasaka-san. He was like the only character (and the cute but creepy imaginary friends of Rinko) that I really loved in this series. Gosh, I've been waiting for the time that his love for Rinko would finally be fulfilled but that idiot went ahead and ruined everything. Ryo-chan, Key and Marui are f*cking assholes. Gaad. I want to scratch their faces.
And, oh oh! I forgot about Mami-chan. I really loved her. Her presence and her being a blabbermouth added some sort of comic relief in the series. Plus she's so adorable. 
The character dialogues
These lines totally broke my heart and made me ponder what am I doing with my life right now.
"Compared to that, we’re just always on the bench. We never participate on the game. While people are trying hard, we watch from the bench, and just say self-important stuff from afar. And like that, we’re very confident that if we had the chance it would happen, and believed that we could hit a home run. But, in reality… we stand on the batter’s box, but without a scratch, we get 3 strikes. That’s who I am today.” - Kamata Rinko 
“And just like that, I fooled myself counting “the good enoughs”. But in reality I know the truth. No matter how many “good enoughs” I can count, my life isn’t happy right now. With just good enough situations, there’s one thing that won’t happen. What I want. A very cliche word, very obvious and simple. I’m sorry to say, but that word probably is “love”." - Kamata Rinko
“I think I can hear the voice of my own self in ten years saying, “Chase him and grab his hand! If not, you will be alone in 10 years. You’ll be lonely and regret this.” But my feet won’t move. My hand that should be trying to grasp happiness won’t move as if it was frozen.” - Kamata Rinko
Most of the lines that I liked is from Rinko, obviously, because she was the main narrator of the story.
The song
I specifically liked Tokyo Girls by Perfume. It's so catchy.

The Tara and Reba Pair...
I don't know what should I call them because I seriously don't know what they are. Lol. They're the perfect way to slap those idiots' faces when they're making bad decisions in life. 

My Final Verdict

I can totally see a lot of people being disappointed about how this drama turned out because this was really good if you omit the horrible ending. I'm a Tarareba woman too and I don't want to end up like them in the future so I need to get a hold of myself. This could be one of my favorites if the ending turned out differently. I'll try to read the manga and hope that this didn't end this way there because seriously, this was just so wrong.
Rating: 3/5
xxx
Janey
Credits to: bean5spilled.wordpress.com for the quotes
You can view the compilation of the memorable quotes here

Monday, April 10, 2017

K-DRAMA REVIEW: Signal



Title: Signal
Alternate Title: 시그널, Sigeuneol, Memories Of Murder, Salineui Chueog
Writer: Kim Eun-Hee
Director: Kim Won-Suk
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Fantasy, Supernatural
Episodes: 16


So I finally got a day off, (yaas) so I’m back for another review!

I got a number of underrated Korean drama in my list and today, I’ll be giving you an overview about the KDrama titled, “Signal” which I believe was aired along with DOTS (?) or another popular drama that was why it didn’t get the attention that this series deserves.

Plot

Hae-Young (Lee Je-Hoon) works as a criminal profiler and is also a police lieutenant. Even though he is a cop, he doesn’t trust cops due to his own past experience. Back in 2000, when Hae-Young was in elementary school, his classmate Yoon-Jung was kidnapped and later found dead. Hae-Young saw a woman taking Yoon-Jung from school that day, but the police announced that the suspect was a man. Hae-Young even went to the police station and told the police officers that he saw the kidnapper and she was a woman. The police officers though didn’t pay attention to him. The killer was never caught and her case remains unsolved to this day.

Hae-Young meets a reporter at a cafe to reveal bombshells about a celebrity scandal. Meanwhile, veteran detective Soo-Hyun (Kim Hye-Soo) is at the cafe staking out the meeting, unaware that Hae-Young is a cop. She arrests Hae-Young for stalking celebrities. While leaving the police station (the same police station he went to as a kid), Hae-Young hears someone talking to him. He looks around to find a walkie-talkie. The man who is talking to Hae-Young is Detective Jae-Han (Cho Jin-Woong). The detective though is from the year 2000 and he is investigating the disappearance of Hae-Young’s elementary school classmate. Hae-Young and Detective Jae-Han begin to communicate via the walkie-talkie.

(Source: Asianwiki.com)

My Review

I’m a sucker for dramas with Supernatural genre that is why when I saw this, I immediately watched it. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from this series but hell! This is so freaking good! I love how the story progressed and I specifically loved the thrill whenever a new case was introduced. Sorry for Park Hae Young but I personally prefer Detective Lee Jae Han even if he’s too old for me. Lol. His acting is superb and I was completely sold to him. The writer is a genius in cliff hanging the episodes that is why you cannot not watch the next episode. My favorite case was probably the case of Hae Young’s brother, Park Sun Woo. Gosh, I loved his brother Sun Woo. He was such a sweetheart. I also loved watching Cha Soo Hyun’s unrequited love towards Lee Jae Han, their backstory was magnificently delivered and I felt so bad for her because she waited for ten freaking years for Detective Lee but… damn, that moment was too heartbreaking.

I’m actually impressed on how the writer pulled this series off because this plot could have gone very badly if it wasn’t delivered right. So great job, Kim Eun Hee-nim!

Personally, I think Lee Je-Hoon’s acting here was a bit lacking but nevertheless, this series is the bomb. This freaking needs a season 2 because the major conflict (case) is actually not resolved until the end. I heard that the writer will work on this after her current project so I’m definitely waiting for it. Cliff hanging aside, the resolution is awesome! *singing tone*

If you’re skeptical on watching Signal, don’t be. Watch it. Now. You definitely won’t regret it.


Rating: 4.5/5
(the .5 is for the cliff hanging. Lol)

xxx
Janey

Sunday, November 6, 2016

KDRAMA: Must-see Upcoming Korean Dramas for November 2016

So the month of November already kicked in and of course, I got to have my own personal picks among the upcoming Korean dramas for this month. And here's my list! 


3. Hwarang

Park Seo Joon, Minho and V… need I say more?




2. Legend of the Blue Sea

I’m not really a fan of Lee Min Ho but I’ll watch this because of Jun Ji Hyun! Haha! I know this will also be really entertaining because I have faith on Ji Hyun.


1. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

I watched the trailer and it is so freaking hilarious! I liked Lee Sung Kyung since Cheese in the Trap and I’m so happy that she finally got her first main role! Her acting is superb so I’m really looking forward to this. Not to mention that she’s paired with Nam Joo Hyuk, one of the most in-demand actors (and my one of my favs!) these days. I have high expectations! This is probably the one I’m looking forward to the most among the other upcoming Korean dramas.


I can't wait to start watching them!

Marya ♥

LYRICS: Kimi Deshita - Sakura Shimeji


Kimi Deshita (It Was You)

Aa mou
“Nani wo shiteta” tte kangaete shimaunda
Kimi no koto wo
Te wo tsunagitaitoka
Omocchaundayo
Aa

Hitori de ita kaerimichi
Kimi no senaka mitsumeta
Koe ni naranai mama fukuranda
Kono kimochi wo dou sureba ii

Orenji ni somatta kono sora ni
Yurayura ukanderu no wa
Watakashi mitai na kumo no yoko ni
Dareka to hanashite waratteru
Kimi deshita

Nani wo shiteta tte kangaete
Shimaunda kimi no koto wo
Te wo tsunagitai toka
Omocchaundayo

Aa kitto kore ga koi tte iu no ka na
Wakannai kuse ni
Mou tomaranai kono kimochi
Tsutaenakya tte omotteiru noni
Toomawari

Nee boku wa kimi to deatta hi no koto wasuretenai
Kimi no hou wa dou oboeteru

Kyoshitsu no madogiwa ano seki de
Guraundo wo nagameteru no wo
“Nani miteiru no” tte hanashikaketa
Furikaereba sono koro kara
Kimi deshita

Sasai na koto datte wasurete
Inainda kimi no koto wa
Kotae wa deteru no ni
Ienaindayo

Aa motto sunao ni narereba ii no ni
Narenai no sa
Hagayuinda kono kimochi
Sore nano ni shaberikakete mireba
Karamawari

Itsudemo kimi no koto omoi ukabetara
Yasashii kimochi ni narunda
Kyou mo tsutaeyoutte mata ushiro aruku
Ai kawarazu doushiyou mo nai
Boku deshita

“Nani wo shiteta” tte kangaete
Shimaunda kimi no koto wo
Te wo tsunagitai toka
Omocchaundayo

Aa kitto kore ga koi tte iu no ka na
Wakannai kuse ni
Mou tomaranai kono kimochi
Tsutaenakya tte omotteru yo

Kimi wa ima nani wo shite donna kimochi no natteru no
Hyotto shite boku no koto kangaetenai ka na
Aa mou

Hora mata kimi no koto bakari omotte iru yo
Hagayuinda kono kimochi
Sore nano ni sore nano ni
Tomaranai kono kimochi
Tsutaenakya tte omotte iru noni
Toomawari

English Translation

Ah c'mon
I’m done wondering about what you’ve been up to
Done thinking things like I wanna hold your hand
Ah

Walking alone back home
I stared at your back
And my mute voice expanded
What should I do about my feelings?

Across from the cotton candy clouds wobbling up in this orange tinted sky
I’m laughing with the person I’m talking to
It was you

I’m done wondering about what you’ve been up to
Done thinking things like I wanna hold your hand
Ah, is this really love
I’m not that sure
And yet I keep thinking that if I don’t tell you how I feel
My feelings won’t stop
But that’s the long way around it

Hey, I haven’t forgotten the day that we met
Do you still remember?
From that seat by the classroom window
I was looking at the sports ground
At that time, someone said
“What are you looking at?”
When I turned around
It was you

I haven’t even forgotten the littlest things about you
An answer comes but I can’t say anything
Ah, I should just be more honest but I can’t
I’m getting so impatient with my feelings
But even then, if I try to talk to you
It would all be for nothing

Whenever you come to my mind, I feel a sense of kindness
I’m gonna tell you today, so I’ll walk behind you again
And as usual, I don’t know what to do
Since it was me

I’m done wondering about what you’ve been up to
Done thinking things like I wanna hold your hand
Ah, is this really love, I’m not that sure
And yet I keep thinking that if I don’t tell you how I feel
My feelings won’t stop

What are you doing now?
What are you feeling?
I wonder if you’ve thought of me, by chance
Oh gosh!
It looks like I’m just thinking about you again
I’m getting so impatient with my feelings, but even then, even then
I keep thinking that if I don’t tell you how I feel, my feelings won’t stop
But that’s the long way around it

✪✪✪

Credits to meikatsudon for the English translation. I made a few adjustments but it was mostly hers.

I hope Sakura Shimeji become more famous! They 're too cute and talented, I want to adopt them! Haha!


UPCOMING JAPANESE LIVE ACTION MOVIES THAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCH




8. Ani ni Aisaresugite Komattemasu

I never read the manga before but for the love of Chiba Yudai, I’ll watch it. Haha!


7. P to JK

I so love the manga. But because of the mangaka’s maternity leave, the manga was put on hold. I’m so glad that they’re making a live action adaptation. And the policeman is Kamenashi FREAKING Kazuya!


6. Fullmetal Alchemist

I don’t like Tsubasa Honda because of Aoharaido but my Yamada Ryosuke (my niban) will be playing Edward so I’m really looking forward for this!


5. Death Note: Light Up The World

After many years! Finally! This seems to be really interesting and the casts selection seems awesome! I’ve watched the trailer and I’m super excited! Plus Higashide is bae. Haha!


4.  Hirunaka no Ryuusei

This could’ve been my number one if Mamura Daiki’s character was played by Sakaguchi Kentaro but moving on, haha, I’m still looking forward to this because I like Nagano Mei. And I love Yamamori Mika-sensei and the manga so I’ll still support this even if this was my greatest heartbreak!


3. Peach Girl

I HATE the anime. So much. Momo is an indecisive bitch and I seriously hate her. Haha! But after seeing Inoo and Mackenyu in the trailer, how can I resist? HAHAHA. I’ve never seen Inoo so manly. He’s so adorable!


2. Nakimushi Pierrot no Kekkonshiki

This came out last September 2016 but since I live outside Japan, I have to wait for like 4 to 6 months for it to be translated in English. I’ve watched the trailer few months back and I’m hyped about this because of Mirai Shida. Though after watching Koe Koi and met Ryusei Ryo, I gained another reason to look forward to this!


1. Kimi to 100 Kaime no Koi

Sakaguchi Kentaro (my ichiban) is in it, need I say more? Haha! Seriously, I’m really looking forward to this! Finally! Guchitaro is the hero! The movie's theme seemed sad but what the hell! I don’t mind crying if it’s for Guchitaro. ♥

✪✪

I hope 2017 comes faster!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

GIRLY STUFFS: October Favorites



 Hey guys~ 

So after posting about movie recommendations, reviews and a bunch of random Japanese-related stuffs, I decided to write about my favorites and not-so-favorite makeup/skincare products online. Aside from being a Japanese culture enthusiast, I'm also a skincare product (rarely makeup) enthusiast. Months ago, I blew off my savings because of them. Haha! And among the hoard of products that I bought, here are my favorites.







Dear Darling Water Tint
Brand: Etude House

This was a spur-of-the-moment kinda buy. I was hovering around Mall of Asia last September and saw Etude House. I've been wanting to buy a Korean roadshop lip tint for a long time and I finally bought one. The pigmentation is fine, lasting power is so-so but I still love it nevertheless. 

Price?
Around Php 200. Not that bad.

Will repurchase?
Probably not. I want to try other brands and other types, too!

Rating?
3.5/5




It's My Sun Cream
Brand: It's My

I'm almost done with this. I bought this last June, I think, from Althea Korea. I was just testing their services and I'm quite satisfied. What I liked about this product was it's not too sticky on my face. I have a really, really, really oily face that was why I abhor (wow, strong word. Haha!) anything that makes my face more stickier than how it should be. But this product is so lightweight so I really loved it. 

Price?
Php 240

Prices in Althea Korea are really cheap so you should definitely check them out!

Will repurchase? 
Probably not. I want to try more Korean sun creams so if you have any recommendations, tell me. 

Rating?
4/5





Broccoli Clearing Toner
Brand: Innisfree

Oh! I so love this toner. I also bought this from Althea Korea. I'm using it as a face mask. Lol. I take a few cotton pads, put this on and leave it on my face for like 10-20 minutes. It helps calm down my acne. And I really love the smell. It smells so nature-y but I'm addicted to it. I kept on smelling it over and over.

Price?
Php 370

Will repurchase?
Yes, why not? 

Rating?
5/5




Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Brand: Innisfree

I really like this clay mask. It makes my skin feel so clean after leaving this on for about 20-30 minutes. Got nothing much to say about this but I'm using this and Broccoli Toner alternately once or twice a week. It doesn't smell that nice but you can totally live with it. Haha!

Price?
Php 520

Will repurchase?
Not for now. I want to try other brands first. 

Rating:
3.5/5




Aqua Moisturizer Whitening Vita
Brand: iWhite Korea

This is like my holy-grail since last year. I've been loving this and this has been my all time favorite moisturizer! Need I say more?

Price?
Depends on where you'll purchase it:
Watsons is around Php 20
Provincial drugstore is around Php 27

Will repurchase?
I buy this weekly.

Rate?
5/5



Pimple Concealer with Tea Tree Oil
Brand: Careline

This was supposed to be a concealer but I use it as BB Cream. Haha! I've been suffering from acne breakouts since last year because of some medications that I needed to take and it's horrible. I've tried using BB creams but it makes my face really sticky and oily. So this is what I use as an alternative. It is super lightweight. The coverage is light to medium but I still keep on using it. What I also like about this is that it has an applicator so I don't contaminate the whole stuff. 

Price?
Php 90 in provincial Gaisano Mall. If I remember correctly, this only costs like Php 80 in Watsons. 

Will repurchase?
I'm on my 3rd tube. :D

Rating:
4.5/5 (I would've given a 5/5 if it has full coverage)




100% Natural Sunflower Beauty Oil
Brand: Human Nature 

This is my ultimate holy grail. I seriously thought that my pimple scars are hopeless but this lovely being gave me hope. It minimized the appearance of my scars. It takes a bit of time before it effects but I don't mind waiting. 

Price?
Around Php 145 on Robinson's Department Store

Will repurchase?
YES!!!

Rating?
5/5


You can shop in Althea Korea HERE. Their Free Shipping is currently just Php 999 which is Php 500 cheaper than when I bought products from them.

Disclaimer: All prices that are mentioned here are as of Nov 2016. And not because these products worked for me doesn't mean that it will work for you, too. But it doesn't hurt to give it a try. Especially Human Nature's Sunflower Oil. ;)