NIGERU WA HAJI DA GA YAKU NI TATSU (THE FULL TIME WIFE ESCAPIST)

 

Fall 2016

Yui Aragaki plays Mikuri Moriyama, a tenacious young woman that often immerses herself in delusional thinking that thwarts her good intentions. She loses her job and in her desperation becomes a housekeeper for a young business man named Hiramasa Tsuzaki played by Gen Hoshino. At first, their relationship is strictly work related, but as they find each other useful for their own needs, they somehow end up in a precarious situation as employer and employee and decide to marry to keep the relationship from dissolving. The longer they stay together, the more they realize that maybe there is more to this relationship than strictly work. 

Recommendation: So if you watch Japanese dramas, you most likely know who "Gakky" is. I think playing a cute and awkward young woman suits her. I heard the dance she does during the ending theme song became a bit of a trend. I've never watched a drama with Gen Hoshino, but I can say that I think he played a typical, well mannered, single, 35 year old male quite well. The adjustment of his glasses became his quirky habit. This is a good drama if you want to watch something romantic that is not heavy. It's fast paced and easily binge worthy. The premise is interesting because it starts off with two people marrying in order to maintain an employer/employee relationship which then predictably switches the other way around. Other than that the plot is nothing new in terms of the usual romantic comedy. There is good chemistry between the leads and it showcased good production value and editing. I think the drama promotes marriage, but doesn't stray from the fact that it's not the end all be all of a relationship and there are other types of relationships that exist out there. The story also stresses the fact that marriage is the beginning of something new and that there will be ups and downs no matter what. I'm glad I watched this drama as it was still entertaining despite being predictable.

Story: 0.5

Acting: 1.0

Directing: 1.0

Character Development: 1.0

Emotional Factor: 1.0

4.5 Out Of 5.0 Crowns

ITSUKA KONO KOI WO OMOIDASHITE KITTO NAITE SHIMAU (LOVE THAT MAKES YOU CRY)

 

Winter 2016

Okay guys, so I had to watch another Kasumi Arimura drama because I really liked Chukagusei Nikki. I also added her to my top actresses section. I'm currently watching Biri Gyaru, which is a movie that she is starring in and she is playing a character entirely different from these two dramas that I finished watching. She definitely has range and I hope she keeps acting more into the future. So Kasumi Arimura plays a young girl named Oto Sugihara. At a young age, she lost her mother and was sent to live with her uncle in Hokkaido. She grows up there and lives day to day in a small town without any big dreams or hopes. Ren Soda played by Kengo Kora was raised by his grandfather who was a daikon farmer. Ren wasn't particularly fond of school or hanging out with friends and simply wanted to devote his time supporting his grandfather on his farm. Unfortunately, his grandfather was scammed and he lost his property. Ren decides to leave for Tokyo to raise enough money to one day buy back his grandfather's farmland. Through a twist of fate, both Oto and Ren's lives are interconnected in Hokkaido and their actions open a new and unfamiliar path for both of them.   

Recommendation: So, off the bat I just have to say that this is one of my favorite dramas, HOWEVER, what is up with the title! This is my only real major complaint as I think it would be more memorable if the title was 99% shorter. That said, Arimura and Kora have quite a nice chemistry. Yes, it is another story about star crossed lovers that I've seen countless times, but it works. Now, the drama is far from perfect and some of the acting could have been better, but it definitely lives up to the long name. I really wasn't sure half the time whether the two leads would end up together or not so it was a nail biter for me in that sense. I recommend this drama if you want to watch another love story. It's nothing new, but I think when done well, these types of dramas always work and that's probably why they keep getting made. 

Story: 1.0

Acting: 1.0

Directing: 1.0

Character Development: 1.0

Emotional Factor: 1.0

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Crowns