Dorama of the Year 1995 - Itsuka Mata Aeru (1995)

Only Itsuka Mata Aeru (1995) met my standards, and even that one barely, actually

1. A Stage of Turbulence (1995) [刀馬旦] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Romance, Drama Secret agent Shen sneaks into a Peking opera group in search of the treasures hidden by the powerful warlord Yuen Shikai. Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

2. Du Shi Fang Niu (1995) [都市放牛] (Finished 1/40) Tags: Romance - Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

3. Jang Nok Soo (1995) [장녹수] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Historical, Romance This drama summarizes the relationship between Joseon tyrant Prince Yeonsan and the former gisaeng Jang Nok Su, who became Yeonsan's queen. Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

4. Hachidai Shogun Yoshimune (1995) [八代将軍吉宗] (Finished 0/48) Tags: Historical, Drama The 34th NHK Taiga Drama portrays the life of Tokugawa Yoshimune, the eighth shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan (1716 - 1745). Not found. Overall Rating: 6/10

5. Sandglass (1995) [모래시계] (Finished 24/24)

Tags: Action, Romance, Drama, Political

The Sandglass is a story of two men whose friendship is tested through the 1970s and 1980s, one of Korea's politically tumultuous periods. Park Tae Soo, tough and loyal, grows up to become a gangster, and Kang Woo Suk, smart with firm moral values, becomes a prosecutor. Yoon Hye Rin, a beautiful and spirited daughter of a very wealthy casino owner, is a classmate of Woo Suk in college. Hye Rin is introduced to Tae Soo via Woo Suk and subsequently, falls in love.

It seems to be classic that most Koreans are aware of, so had to sit it through. It has fine actors, good enough picture quality and very realistic portrayal. The problem for me is that it's very dry and documentary-like. It's about grievous times and lives of friends coming through them with different backgrounds. It manages to show that Koreans can make serious drama with realistic acting, but it pales in comparison with Jdrama of the same period. Still, very informative as I supposed that Korea had boring democratic life since 1950 just like Japan.

Overall Rating: 6/10

6. For You (1995) [フォー・ユー] (Finished 11/11)

Tags: Life, Drama

At just 19 years old, Yayoi found herself pregnant and alone following the tragic death of her lover. Determined and courageous, she chose to raise her child as a single mother. For the past five years, she has devoted herself entirely to her son. Now 24, a new job brings a dramatic shift in her life when she falls deeply in love with a colleague named Toru. Fearing his reaction, she decides to keep her son's existence a secret. Yayoi is caught between her profound love for her son and her growing affection for Toru.

It was masterpiece material for me initially since characters are nice even though concept is too simple and even cheesy. With time female lead drew quite a lot of negative emotions due to constant lying and being unable to say anything properly resolving to silence all the time. In the end I decided that ending would settle the matter as it could go many directions, and I only liked couple of possible outcomes. You see the result.

Overall Rating: 6/10

7. Gokenin Zankuro (1995) [御家人斬九郎シリーズ1] (Finished 2/8)

Tags: Historical, Drama

Despite being from a noble family, Zankuro Matsudaira is a gokenin (shogunal retainer) of the lowest rank with no role and a small payment. He is a famous playboy, but on the other hand, he is a sharp and stylish samurai, an expert in swordsmanship. He supports his gluttonous mother’s food expenses by succeeding with his swordsmanship as a side job.

Again a typical half-action half-detective episodic concept of wandering samurai in Edo eliminating injustice and corruption secretly on behalf of shogun. Such concept is just a waste of time for me, just getting better in quality can't change my mind, and I see no desire for innovation here.

Overall Rating: 5/10

8. Aji Ichimonme (1995) [味いちもんめ] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Food, Comedy This is the story of Ihashi Satoru - an ambitious young man whose plans to become a first-rate chef. His goal is hindered by the hard-nosed traditionalists of Restaurant Fujimura. Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

9. The Trail of Love (1995) [前世冤家] (Finished 1/20)

Tags: Romance

During the Tang era, the two consorts Yang Gui Fei and Mei Fei fought for the favor of Emperor Xuanzong. Desperate to bring down her rival, Yang Gui Fei accused Mei Fei of having an affair with an attendant, Sing Tin, and carrying his child. She stabbed Mei Fei with a hairpin and pushed her into a pond. Angered by the injustice, Sing Tin cursed both Xuanzong and Yang Gui Fei to be punished for their crimes.

Hundreds of years later, all four people were reborn in modern day Hong Kong. Karma led them to meet again and repay their debts to each other from the past lifetime.

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10

10. Jang Hee Bin (1995) [장희빈] (Finished 1/63) Tags: Historical, Drama It is a drama depicting the life of Jang Hee Bin, who was raised as a royal concubine in the midst of a political struggle during the reign of King Sukjong (Joseon). Rather low quality Hong Kong show for local viewer. The very fact it got English subs is startling. Overall Rating: 5/10

11. Hoshi no Kinka (1995) [星の金貨] (Finished 3/12)

Tags: Romance, Medical

A woman named Aya is working in Hokkaido for a doctor, Shuichi, that left Tokyo for personal reasons. Aya is both deaf and mute, and she's secretly in love with Shuichi. After a while, Aya tells him that Shuichi has decided to return to Tokyo to work but promises Aya that he will return soon and then they will get married. Shortly after, he has an accident resulting in memory loss. Time passes, and Aya decides to go to Tokyo to find out what happened.

There are so many red flags raised here - medical theme, disabled person, amnesia, multiple seasons - but I'll do my best to watch it unless it gets unbearable. It's a huge mess that I don't enjoy, so three episodes is the maximum I want to stay here for.

Overall Rating: 6/10

12. Second Chance (1995) [セカンド・チャンス] (Finished 3/12)

Tags: Comedy, Romance

The widowed mother of three boys has fallen in love with a widower who has a daughter in junior high school. The journey of their developing romance is sensitively interwoven with their struggles to do their best for their children.

FL is kinda bleak. ML is the righteous simpleton seen so many times already. Children are all pupils, so watching them having school problems is really boring. Love at the first sight looks very strange here. Maybe it's worth watching for Kansai poor yet self-sufficient pupil girl, but not for me.

Overall Rating: 6/10

13. Bokura ni Ai o! (1995) [僕らに愛を！] (Finished 2/11)

Tags: Comedy, Romance

Harumi is now an ex-salary man who is in need of a job. Living in a lodging house along with his cousin and socially-challenged tenants, he is forced to take over the cooking and cleaning when his grandmother is suddenly hospitalized because of a heart attack. One day, ANA Airways purchases a dormitory that sits right behind the lodge. And suddenly, dozens of gorgeous 1990s-fashioned OL-looking flight attendants move in. It is a fantasy come true for these men. Although Harumi can't stand heights and flying, ironically he falls in love with one of the flight attendants. But, he has some competition - including his ex co-worker, a business man in Paris, and even a 10-year old cooking genius. Can Harumi gain enough courage on his own to win her love? Or, does he need the aid of bottled milk to give him the energy?

A group of boys and gilrs in dormitories... what could possibly go wrong? Just kidding, of couse youth comedy like this means cringy fooling around the whole way... it was clear from first episode, so did not need to try second, too.

Overall Rating: 6/10

14. Saikou no Koibito (1995) [最高の恋人] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Romance About a couple..or more like step brothers and sisters who are in love with each other and must overcome the difficulties surrounding them. Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

15. A Sunny Place of the Young (1995) [젊은이의 양지] (Finished 1/56) Tags: Romance, Drama In the late 80's, with the theme of ambition and betrayal of young people who wanted to succeed in the background of the mining village of Sabuk and Seoul. Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

16. The Lover of the First Emperor (1995) [秦始皇與阿房女] (Finished 1/40)

Tags: Historical, Romance, Drama

Historians know Qin Shi Huang as a cruel tyrant, but few know of his heartfelt love for a medicine girl named A Feng. They met when he was still Yin Zheng, a downtrodden hostage prince in Handan. She took care of him, and their feelings grew to the point that they were willing to die for one another. After Yin Zheng returned to his country and his political influence grew, he found it increasingly difficult to hold onto to the woman he loved. For A Feng’s part, she became fearful of the man her A Zheng had become.

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10

17. Down Memory Lane (1995) [萬里長情] (Finished 1/30)

Tags: Drama

Wong meets brothers San and Sui in the slave camp in Indonesia. He is concerned with fighting for better benefits for Chinese laborers and is split between his wife back home and a new flame, while San falls in love with mail-order bride. Sui, on the other hand, is fed up with the impoverished life and will do anything to escape his lot.

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10

18. West Palace (1995) [서궁] (Finished 1/52)

Tags: Historical, Drama, Political

A drama based on a popular portrayal of the events during the time of Prince Gwanghae in early 17th Century Joseon. Queen Inmok is depicted as a virtuous lady who fell victim to palace politics and is subsequently banished to the West Palace. Her stepson, Prince Gwanghae, is bewitched by the scheming concubine Kim Gae Shi, and her ambitions and unsatiable thirst for power leads him to his downfall.

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10

19. Itsuka Mata Aeru (1995) [いつかまた逢える] (Finished 12/12)

Tags: Romance, Life

Five young people together attended the same high school. Later, they realize that some things are still the same and some things have changed a lot (loves, betrayal, friends, etc.) You will wonder who Shinichi will end up with at the end, Tsuyumi or Junko?

No repulsive main characters, plus a normal ending, so can spare it a masterpiece status even though plot being so-so and concept too melodramatic.

Overall Rating: 7/10

20. Aishiteiru to Ittekure (1995) [Say You Love Me/愛していると言ってくれ] (Finished 12/12)

Tags: Romance, Life, Drama

In a bustling city, Hiroko struggles to reach an apple on a lone tree until Koji, a rising artist who lost his hearing at age 7, helps her. Koji, who communicates through his paintings, and Hiroko, an aspiring actress with a part-time job, continue to meet in the park. As Hiroko discovers Koji is deaf, she starts learning Japanese sign language to communicate with him. Their growing relationship faces various challenges along the way.

It seems to be quite well received, so had to watch in full. For me it bears a lot of irritating qualities. Firstly, I don't favor works about disabled people. Secondly, FL is a totally typical genki with a totally average appearance. Lastly, this serious looking ML absolutely does not suit the role of a romantic youth doing all kinds of foolishness. Irritation only piled up through stereotypical situations, and ending was just terrible.

Overall Rating: 6/10

21. Empress Wu Cheh Tien (1995) [武则天] (Finished 1/30) Tags: Historical, Drama, Political ~~ Based on the life of Wu Ze Tian, the only woman in Chinese history to assume the title of Empress Regnant and became the de facto ruler of China in the late seventh century. Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

22. Miseinen (1995) [未成年] (Finished 11/11)

Tags: Crime, Youth, Drama, Melodrama

The universal theme of friendship, in all its vulnerability, tenderness, and purity, is explored in this drama. The flow of seasons forms a thematic continuity to the action: the severity of youth in summer, the sentimentality of autumn, and the frustration of winter. Together, this group of boys cope with common adversity, face the death of a friend, and prepare to deal with the world of adulthood.

What a mess. There's hardly anything to gain here if you knew already that the youth are often silly. First drama with Sakurai Sachiko that fails to impress me in any way, although it's not her fault here.

Overall Rating: 6/10

23. Best Friend (1995) [ベストフレンド] (Finished 1/9)

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama

Kouhei asks his girlfriend Kaede to marry him. He also reveals that his company going to transfer him to London office and that he would like his bride-to-be to come along. As Kaede walks home she bumps into Yuuko, a girl from far-off Yaizu who has come to town for meeting with her ex-boyfriend's buisiness partner. The girls inadvertently swap addresses books in the confusion, leading Kaede to discover that Yuuko has meeting planned with Kouhei. She immediately expects the worse.

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10

24. Seigi wa Katsu (1995) [正義は勝つ] (Finished 1/10)

Tags: Law, Romance, Drama

"It's not winning or losing, what's important is that justice is served." When ace lawyer Junpei Takaoka of Central Law Office says this does he really mean it? Perhaps not, but Kyoko Himeno, a young idealistic lawyer, takes both justice and Takaoka to heart. This suspenseful courtroom drama follows two law firms and their lawyers who know that justice is important and winning is everything!

I remember liking one law dorama, but this is not such case, and generally such theme feels pretty boring to me.

Overall Rating: 6/10

25. The Fourth Republic (1995) [제4공화국] (Finished 1/30) Tags: Historical, Drama, Political Drama about the Yushin period. Not translated. Overall Rating: 6/10

26. Koibito yo (1995) [恋人よ] (Finished 1/10)

Tags: Romance, Drama

Just hours before two different couples (Manae & Ryotaro : Shoko & Kohei) take their vows, Manae and Kohei discover an untold secret of their spouses-to-be. While they are pondering over their decisions, they meet each other and become friends. Their friendship then extends after their marriages with Manae taking the initiative of choosing her home beside Kohei's. This move is certainly not to Ryotaro's advantage, as he is Shoko's ex-boyfriend and the child she is carrying is actually his!

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10

27. Jinsei wa Jojo da (1995) [人生は上々だ] (Finished 11/11)

Tags: Action, Drama, Sports

Hachiro is a former boxer, now working as a debt collector for a finance company. He is sent to collect money from Kazuma, a former trainee doctor who has fallen on hard times ever since the suicide of his girlfriend. Hachiro pursues Kazuma into a bank, where Kazuma convinces the staff that the debt collector is, in fact, an armed robber. Although he is falsely arrested, Hachiro develops a liking for the roguish renegade and even offers to help him evade other debt collectors.

Basically, two scumbags try to get out of peculiar situations and then to mend their lives. Lots of nonsense, forced drama, luck and all kinds of cheesiness on board. As you can see, due to poor plot reason it was not to my liking even though actors are fine.

Overall Rating: 6/10

28. Asphalt Man (1995) [아스팔트 사나이] (Finished 1/16)

Tags: Action, Romance, Drama, Sports

Kang Dong-joon is a young car designer who desires to start his own car company in Korea. He tries to get assistance from his father, but the family is troubled. His younger brother hates their father, and leaves the country to become a car racer in the United States. Meanwhile, his sister also flees to the U.S. after conceiving a child with a U.S. army soldier.

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10

29. Fauji (1995) [-] (Finished 1/13)

Tags: Action, Adventure, Drama

Don’t miss this 13-part TV series about a new batch of trainees in the Indian Army commando regiment. Abhimanyu Rai (Shahrukh Khan), a young officer, and others arrive at the Commando School, where the General gives them a pep talk. Maj. Narayanan (A Kanan) gets tough while a two-mile race brings the young officers closer. When Vikram Rai (Rakesh Sharma) beats up Abhimanyui and two other officers, Abhimanyui confesses that Vikram is his older brother.

Not translated.

Overall Rating: 6/10