Dorama of the Year 2004-I Winter - Shinsengumi!

Shinsengumi! managed to surprise despite slow start and middle.

1. Okusama wa Majo  [奥さまは魔女] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Romance, Family, Fantasy The wife is a witch! But she likes humans, and she loves her husband. Arisa is fascinated by humans. So much so that she leaves the magic world. But the broom she uses is faulty, and she winds up in Japan. There she meets Joji Matsui, who works at an advertising agency. Joji has been assigned by his boss Ichio Suzuki the difficult task of winning over Shiori Nomo, who is in charge of corporate communications at a client. However, a little word from Arisa helps Joji win over Shiori, and his agency gets the opportunity to pitch. Arisa and Joji fall in love and marry. Arisa swears never to use magic again as she and Joji begin their strange witch/human married life. However, Arisa's mother, Daria, wants to take Arisa back to her world and uses magic to be a nuisance to the new couple. Arisa has to take care of Joji's boss Suzuki who drops in all the time, the prying eyes of their neighbors and the interference of her witch mother. Feels really horrible to watch a mid-aged woman playing with magic. Too naive and simple for me, anyway.   Overall Rating: 5/10

2. Pride プライド [プライド] (Finished 4/11) Tags: Romance, Drama, Sports Haru is the captain and star player of an ice hockey team, who is greatly respected by his teammates. For him, hockey is serious business that fully occupies his mind, while he treats romance as if it were a game. Aki is a typical office lady and is waiting for her boyfriend to return from studying architecture abroad. At this point in time, however, he shows no sign of coming back. One day, Aki's friends, who are determined to find her a new boyfriend, invite her to watch an ice hockey game. There she sees Haru for the first time. It manages to combine spokon elements with normal drama. But I'm not fond of these leads, and I don't particularly like even drama moments. Four episodes are more than enough to interest with something, and there's nothing like that here.   Overall Rating: 6/10

3. Shinsengumi! [新選組！] (Finished 49/49) Tags: Action, Historical, Drama The 43rd NHK Taiga Drama is Shinsengumi!. The arrival of Commodore Perry's "Black Ships" rudely awakened Japan from 300 years of peaceful isolation from the world. Men set their eyes beyond Japan and began to demand change in society. Old clashed with the new, and thus began an age of turmoil. Amidst this confusion, one group remained true to the old ways and risked their lives to preserve the traditional shogunate system. Led by their charismatic captain, Kondo Isami, the Shinsengumi upheld the code of honor of the samurai. Tales abound of the feats of men like Kondo, Hijikata Toshizo, Saito Hajime, and Okita Soji. This NHK taiga drama brings to life the passion and glory of these men who lived during the most turbulent time in Japanese history. Wow, better than expected. It's informative, it fleshes out personalities, it focuses on power struggle rather than police actions, it has nice actors, drama and even comedy. As for me, the middle was pretty dry and many actions were ambiguous at best if not stupid, so settling with a firm masterpiece score.   Overall Rating: 8/10

4. Snow White [백설공주] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Comedy, Romance Ma Young Hee has been in love with her best friend Han Jin Woo since the first time they met in high school. Han Jin Woo, on the other hand, does not see Young Hee's love for him and blindly goes out with other girls in front of her. On a trip to Japan, Young Hee meets a young man on the street who takes her back to his apartment since she is drunk. Young Hee accuses this man of raping her even though he didn't, but before she can rightfully press charges, he runs away as the government officials of Japan chase him down for an expired visa. Upon returning to Korea, Jin Woo stops by her apartment and introduces his younger brother, Han Sun Woo who just happens to be the young man she met in Japan. Jin Woo asks if Sun Woo may stay at her place, and Young Hee accepts out of love for Jin Woo. The story unfolds as a sudden high school classmate of Young Hee, Jang Hee Won, begins to court Jin Woo. This comedy is deliberately too silly. Even when supposedly normal characters are shown, they manage to get ridiculous and one-sided. Got overdose of cringe just from one episode, so it's as far as I'm willing go.   Overall Rating: 5/10

5. Sweet 18 [낭랑18세] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Comedy, Romance Grandfather Kwon, the head of the traditional Kwon family agrees to an arranged marriage between his grandson Kwon Hyuk Joon and Yoon Jung Sook when Jung Sook is born. Jung Sook’s family encounters financial issues and is forced to run away soon after the marriage is arranged. Eighteen years later, the two families have lost contact with each other. Jung Sook has grown up to be a rebellious and strong-willed girl who wants to live her life as she sees fit. With little aspirations, she is the direct foil of her achievement-bound counterpart Hyuk Joon. When the two meet each other, they clash horribly; Jung Sook thinks her fiancé is nothing but boring, and Hyuk Joon believes Jung Sook to be an immature child. Despite all this, they do marry on the pretext that the marriage would benefit each other in social context but without the real technicalities of a marriage. Overwhelmingly stupid. Just hoping it's not contagious.   Overall Rating: 5/10

6. Say You Love Me [사랑한다 말해줘] (Finished 2/15) Tags: Romance, Drama "I can't fly without Young Chae... because it's impossible to fly with only one wing." "Byung Soo is mine. He has always been mine ever since we were born." "There are neither victims nor assaulters when it comes to love." "If I knock that little girl down as you wish... then would you come to me?" There are Byung Soo and Young Chae who have grown up together ever since they were little. They seem to share everything, not to mention their dream, so in order to make their dream come true together, they enter the same film company. And there's Ina who is the successful owner and the president of the film production company. She also has Hee Soo beside her, but they are not desperately in love with each other and lead their own private lives. They just occasionally go out and sleep together. But all of a sudden, there comes this young and lovable couple, and somehow she's not that pleased to see them. Why? This young couple seems to be full of life, and they're in love! She has missed all that just in order to come up to where she's now. She is totally feeling at a loss now, and she just can't stand this feeling. She asks Hee Soo, "Take Young Chae away from Byung Soo." Just methological breaking couple up out of jealousy. I'm not into maniacs and their motivation.   Overall Rating: 5/10

7. Terms of Endearment (2004) [애정의 조건] (Finished 1/70) Tags: Romance, Drama, Melodrama Kang Han Geol has three daughters. Keum Pa, the oldest, marries a lawyer. They have a son and she lives a life happily and comfortably. But her husband has an affair with a younger colleague at work. Eun Pa, the youngest, is a college student passionate about love. She dumps Yun Taek, her first love, and moves in to live with Jeon Seong Ki, a womanizing swindler. She becomes pregnant and eventually gets her parents' permission to marry him after trouble. But he is a no-show at the wedding. Eun Pa works like a fiend for the future of her kid but there is new love on the horizon for her as well. Seriously ... focusing on four families with 70 episodes is an overkill. As expected, overmelodramatic and with horrible pace.   Overall Rating: 5/10

8. What Happened in Bali  [발리에서 생긴 일 ] (Finished 3/20) Tags: Romance, Drama, Melodrama Lee Soo Jung is a travel agent who is seeking her good luck in Bali after a harsh and unforgiving childhood. She meets Jae Min, Kang In Wook, and Young Joo in Bali, three seemingly perfect people entangled in a triangle of love. When Lee Soo Jung finds herself back in Seoul, her desire for success leads her to seek Jae Min for a job, unwittingly setting off a course of events that further complicates the love triangle. Can't stand So Ji Sub and probably another actor who looks like him. Typical melodrama with constant spontaneous actions.   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Sore wa, Totsuzen, Arashi no you ni.. [それは、突然、嵐のように…] (Finished 2/10) Tags: Romance, Drama Kozue Ogawa is a housewife and has been married to Hideo for seven years. They don't have any children, but as they live with her parents at their flower shop, every day is still lively. She is happy with her life and her husband, but she wonders if it is enough. From time to time, she is gripped by this doubt that she cannot raise with anyone. Kozue starts a part-time job in the editing department of the magazine where she used to work. Her former colleague is now working hard as the editor-in-chief. One rainy day, Kozue meets a young man. He is Takuma Fukazawa, a high school student. He seems somehow shrouded in sadness. He is a dance teacher. In the dance studio, there is just the two of them. Takuma curls his hands around Kozue's body, and his dance instruction begins. Their unexpected closeness causes Kozue to hesitate. With her heart pounding, she pushes Takuma's hands away and runs home. But the throbbing in her chest continues. It can't be. But what is this feeling? For me dancing is no different from spokon. There can be stories outside this pattern like Shall we dance 1996 movie, but this one is totally within usual competition range. Just pour in male idol and introduce age gap - drama done. Still so much better than kdrama...   Overall Rating: 6/10

10. More Beautiful Than a Flower [꽃보다 아름다워 ] (Finished 1/30) Tags: Romance, Drama This series revolves around bright hardworking loving mother Go Doo Shim as Lee Young Ja who does her best to insure that her family has a happy life. Her husband Joo Hyun as Kim Do Chil unfortunately ruins the atmosphere of the happy family by having an affair with a woman who comes to carry his child. The eldest daughter Bae Jung Ok as Mi Oak suggests to her mother that she get a divorce, while the youngest daughter Han Go Eun as Mi Soo finds attraction to the handsome looks of an investor who harbors a deep dark secret. Will this family be torn apart or can it be salvaged? It's just boring. Yet again every member of this family is a main character to prolong it to 30 episodes somehow.   Overall Rating: 5/10

11. Snow Angel [雪天使] (Finished 2/15) Tags: Romance Xiao Lei and Xiao Feng are brothers who depend on each other. They live in an orphanage and have been abused by the headmaster of the place. One day, Xiao Lei sets out to find the Snow Angel who he believes will be able to help make his wish come true. On the way, he meets a girl named Xue Tong. Xue Tong lost her mother and was severely devastated that she stopped talking. The two went hand in hand, although they could not find the Snow Angel in the end, through this encounter they forged a friendship. Fast forward to their adult years, Xiao Lei with a new name called Ji Teng, meets Xue Tong by accident and they form a bond again. At the same time, Xiao Feng who is now named Xing Feng, also has a crush on Xue Tong. He attempts to prevent Ji Teng and Xue Tong from falling in love. Seems to be only partially translated. Taiwanese dorama are usually lively, but so far none is to my taste. This romance with a typical satiated male idol did not impress while sibling marriage proposal looked outright cringy.   Overall Rating: 6/10

12. People of the Water Flower Village [물꽃마을 사람들] (Finished 2/26) Tags: Life A warm-hearted family drama about the people of a small rural village located in the outskirts of Seoul. The various relationships of the neighborhood people circle around the head doctor of the local clinic. The story brings up the importance of family and friends which is easily taken for granted for in modern society. Slow, quiet, boring. Just as execptected from village SOL.   Overall Rating: 5/10

13. Boku to Kanojo to Kanojo no Ikiru Michi [僕と彼女と彼女の生きる道] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Life, Drama The theme of this drama series is the bonds between parents and children and between husband and wife. What does it mean to love another person? What does it mean to live? And what is true happiness? One day a man is suddenly told by his wife that she wants a divorce. He had always thought he was a good husband. Up to now, he had always complied with her wishes. But without telling him why, she gathers up all her belongings and leaves, leaving behind only their 7-year-old daughter. So now life as a twosome begins for him and his daughter Rin. But there's an awkward atmosphere in the house. Unwillingly performing household chores he's not used to doing and left to care for Rin, Tetsuro becomes angry and stressed out, without really knowing how Rin feels inside. Childcare does not cut it with a 7-year-old kid already. Still can't accept this main heroine even in a serious concept like this.   Overall Rating: 5/10

14. Fire Boys [ファイアーボーイズ] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Action, Romance, Life A young boy is saved by firemen in a fire. His name is Daigo Asahina. Now he's a grown-up and has recently received his credentials as a firefighter. He has wanted to become a firefighter like the hero who saved him from the flames. But the firefighting brigade he is assigned to is the so-called "Me-Gumi", which is the nickname of the Medakagaoka Fire Brigade, and which, at first glance, seems to have absolutely no fighting spirit whatsoever. Actually, however, this is the home of a group of seasoned professionals led by that legendary firefighter Commander Gomi. They're active on the front lines risking their lives. The innocent Daigo, burning with a sense of justice and of the mission, battles together with his compatriots of "Me-Gumi", suffering, laughing and crying together with them as he develops into a topflight firefighter in this moving human drama. Firefighters feel like spokon to me. If someone could make it interesting, it's Japanese for their complex approach, but not this time, alas.   Overall Rating: 5/10

15. Kanojo ga Shinjatta [彼女が死んじゃった] (Finished 9/9) Tags: Mystery, Drama Love’s sweet sorrow forms the dramatic storyline for this mystery drama. A free-spirited young woman, Yukari, touches those around her with a zest for life, full of passion. Following her unexplained suicide, her envious younger sister, Reiko, and naive fiancé, Yoshio, form an unlikely alliance with the last person to see her alive, playboy- entertainer Hajime. The 3 unlikely comrades must join forces to discover the circumstances surrounding Yukari’s sudden death. The answers they seek may be found in the many phone numbers stored in her mobile phone. One by one, they must interview the people Yukari associated with to unravel the mystery surrounding her untimely demise. However, the truth may contain more questions than answers. As Yukari's hidden past is revealed, her secret life promises to shock and surprise those who thought they knew her best. I still don't like msteries. Only watched it because of magnetic Fukada Kyoko. The mystery is why girl decided to die, so her acquaintances and relatives go through dead girl's 196 contants to find out the reason. Of course we get to know that dead girl was nearly superhero maintaining so many relations and having time for everyone and to set all kinds of hints at so many places. It's all pretty bad, to be honest.    Overall Rating: 6/10

16. Match Made in Heaven [천생연분] (Finished 3/16) Tags: Romance, Drama The woman shouted for joy when she met him. Dashing and good-looking, he was even five years younger than she, and he thought he had made a great coup when he met her. Sexy and beautiful regardless of age, she even boasted economic power with a stable job. At the beginning, everything was picture-perfect. But again, as there always comes a close to every beginning, that once perfect woman turns into an ordinary married woman, and that young prince charming now seems like a bum eating the bread of idleness. One day, she wakes up and shouts out, “I also know how to get angry! And I’m not going for divorce!” It’s strange how their perilous marriage life is maintained even though they know that they are both having affairs. Concept already cries that it's going to be super toxic and aggressive. Even first peaceful episodes don't impress.   Overall Rating: 5/10

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