Dorama of the Year 2009-IV Fall - News Sokuho wa Nagareta

It saddens me to say it, but 2000s only had technological breakthrough for dorama, no quality breakthrough up until the every end, so followed same tendencies as 1990. Good to have a small masterpiece finally - News Sokuho wa Nagareta .  Hello, 2010s. 

1. You're Beautiful  [미남이시네요] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Music, Comedy, Romance, Drama The management company of the idol group A.N.JELL insisted on adding a new singer to the group as the lead vocal, Tae Kyung's voice was hurting. However,the new member, Mi Nam, had to go to the States to repair a botched eye job just before signing the contract. His agent came up with the idea of having his twin sister, Mi Nyu,to stand in for him and pretend that she was her brother. The two of them grew up in an orphanage and Mi Nyu, who was all set to become a nun, agreed to this charade as she didn't want to spoil her brother's chance of fame which would make it easier to look for their mother. It's not only male idols, but also gender bender, absolutely awful.   Overall Rating: 5/10

2. Autumn's Concerto [下一站，幸福] (Finished 2/21) Tags: Romance, Drama Ren Guang Xi, a cocky law student, seems to lead the perfect life. He's the sole successor to a huge and famous business and is a talented ice hockey player. But in reality, his lonely life lacks joy, laughter and motivation. That is until he meets Liang Mu Cheng, the new bento seller at his school canteen. A harmless bet brings the two together and Guang Xi slowly changes as Mu Cheng teaches him how to give and love. Tragedy strikes when Guang Xi suddenly has to go through a major brain surgery which causes him to lose his memory. Production quality and operator work are finally impressive, so this alone deserves a decent score for a Taiwanese series. But story-wise it's full of tropes and horrible as pretty much everything that is based on a silly bet, moreover with a lead in power position. Couple episodes is still a nice ride, but I would not want to tarry here or I'd hate it.   Overall Rating: 6/10

3. Iris [아이리스] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Action, Thriller, Romance, Crime Kim Hyun Joon and Jin Sa Woo are best friends who were brought into a top secret organization known as NSS by analyst Choi Seung Hee and Park Sang Hyun. Hyun Joon and Sa Woo both fall in love with Seung Hee when she first profiles them. Their lives are changed forever when Hyun Joon is given a solo mission in Hungary. Hyun Joon later tries to find out who set him up and to figure out what IRIS is and wants. Korean superagents working for a top secret organization are always supercringe. So pretentious and cool wannabe that the only my reaction is to puke.   Overall Rating: 5/10

4. Seeking Love [인연 만들기] (Finished 1/31) Tags: Romance, Family Han Sang Eun emigrated to Australia with her family at a young age. Years later, she has completed her law studies in the United States and plans to marry her American boyfriend. Her dad, however, is strongly opposed to their union and has set his heart on her marrying Kim Yeo Jun, the son of his best friend. Sang Eun finds herself exiled to Korea, where she reluctantly teams up with the equally uninterested Yeo Jun to devise a plan that will allow them to avoid their impending marriage. Banal plot, poor directorship, overacting, enormous length. Just a drag.   Overall Rating: 5/10

5. Hi My Sweetheart  [海派甜心] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Comedy, Romance Xue Hai was a certifiable dork when he first arrived in Hangzhou. After his schoolmate Bao Zhu saved him from bullying, she became his first love. Then, a misunderstanding caused them to lose contact when she moved back to Taiwan. He thought she dumped him. So he transformed himself from a dork to a hunk in order to seek revenge. Taiwanese comedy inevitably means increadible silliness and alike special effects. That's absolutely unbearable for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

6. Proong Nee Gor Ruk Ter  [พรุ่งนี้ก็รักเธอ] (Finished 1/30) Tags: Romance, Drama Por and Kaew are lovers who are about to get married. Then, tragedy strikes. Por’s older sister, Putt, murders Kaew’s older sister, King, because she believes her sister and her husband are having an affair. Naturally, after the killing, Kaew forces herself to break up with Por. There is a time jump of six years. During those six years, Kaew stayed in Rayong with her mother and brother, Kong, in their father's beach house. Por has become a successful businessman and moves to Hong Kong to manage a company branch there. However, they both are reunited again after Kaew moves her family back to the city (to treat her mother's medical condition) and Por returns back to the company in Thailand to be with his beloved niece, nu Nim. Under various events, Kaew ends up working as Por's personal assistant and encounters Por's girlfriend, Awn. Pueng is Kaew's best friend and also works in Por's company. She likes a co-worker named Nuthi, but Nuthi is instantly interested in Kaew upon seeing her for the first time. Por is enraged with his past girlfriend/fiancee's relationship with a younger man, but at the same time, he cannot endure the hurt and pain that Awn, Putt and Pipat put Kaew through and vows to protect her, the only woman he's ever loved.  Unwatchable unless Thai remove these omnipresent psychotic females that can't live a second without scandal.   Overall Rating: 5/10

7. Hero  [히어로] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Action, Mystery, Comedy, Drama The story of Korea's top reporters and ordinary citizens fighting against the society elite's abuse of power. Working as a reporter for a racy tabloid called the Monday Seoul, Jin Do Hyeok uses any means necessary to get a scoop. One day, he goes to interview Jo Yong Deok, the boss of the Axe gang, who suggests that they start their own newspaper. Do Hyeok lies about the credentials of his former co-workers when he introduces them to Jo Yong Deok as potential hires for the newspaper venture. With his former co-workers on board, he is able to launch the Yongdeok Daily together with Yong Deok. But the newly hired reporters soon find themselves sucked into a huge conspiracy that could utterly ruin their lives. Ridiculous antics and play, totally unserious. I'd gladly rather watch any of Japanese series about journalist that tolerate this fake.   Overall Rating: 5/10

8. Sanaeha Ngern Tra (2009) [เสน่หาเงินตรา ] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Romance, Drama After graduation, Farida got a job in Veerakij Company where Aekatat and Siwapan are the owners. Siwapan used to be heartbroken because his ex-girlfriend thought he was poor, so he had a bad attitude towards women and thought that money could buy everything. Later, Farida fell in love with Panutat, Aekatat's son and planned to marry him, but she didn't know that he had an affair with Siwaporn, Siwapan's sister. When Farida knew the truth, she wanted to cancel the wedding but Panutat didn't want to. He wanted to break up with Siwaporn, who got angry and tried to defame Farida to Siwapan to make him hate her. Siwapan then planned to get revenge against Farida by making her fall in love with him.  Thai revenge melodrma is instant no till I see some good revenge example elsewhere.   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Samurai High School [サムライ・ハイスクール] (Finished 1/9) Tags: Comedy, Youth, Supernatural Mochizuki Kotaro is a mild-mannered, unmanly high school student. One day, he visits a library and meets the mysterious librarian Himiko, who recommends to him an ancient book about a heroic general from the Sengoku period 400 years ago. Kotaro notices that he has the same name and age as the general described in the book, and he experiences a flashback... Kotaro later mentions the book to his father, who tells him that he may be the descendent of a powerful samurai. At that moment, Kotaro receives a message from his childhood friend Ai telling him that their classmate Nakamura Tsuyoshi is in trouble. He rushes to the scene but doesn't have the guts to help until another flashback transforms him into a samurai! Such supernatural concept from loser to alpha is typical in anime, so not particularly interesting. Realization is rather artificial, too.   Overall Rating: 5/10

10. Ohitorisama  [おひとりさま] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Comedy, Romance Satomi is 33 years old and a teacher of Japanese history at a prestigious private high school. By anyone’s standards, she has both talent and beauty but has been dubbed Ms. “Party of One” for wanting to do everything completely on her own. Work has been pretty hectic for her of late, and she has no time nor inclination for romance. But at a welcoming reception for a handsome new teacher 10 years her junior, Shinichi, she winds up releasing built-up tension in her life by getting very drunk. When she awakes the next morning, she is greeted by a terrible hangover and the sight of Shinichi, lying on the floor! Was very boring to me, sadly. Just a pretentious teacher trying to prove ... smth to everyone. Directionless SOL.   Overall Rating: 6/10

11. Taming of the Heir [천하무적 이평강] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Comedy, Romance Lee Pyeong Gang's father, unfortunately, met with an untimely death before completing his ambitious work as a golf course designer. Pyeong Gang came to terms with the reality as she supported the family. Eight years later, Pyeong Gang, who wanted to follow in her father's footsteps to become a golf course designer, does chores at a resort town where she meets On Dal, the owner's eldest son. On Dal's charismatic father, Pyeong On, demands that he pass the semi-pro qualification test in a month. When he fails to make it, On Dal is told that he will be removed from the inheritance list due to his incompetence. To make matters worse, his father collapses from a sudden stroke and in the midst of misfortune, rumour circulates that On Dal's stepmother and her son are going to take over the resort town. Being cornered, On Dal has no other choice but to stand on his own feet, but for On Dal, who lacks competence and determination, retaking the resort is beyond his capacity. On Dal and Pyeong Gang, who have been on bad terms with each other since the first time they met, join hands. And Pyeong Gang's journey to tame the spoiled heir finally begins! Historical comedy with flying midair is instant drop.   Overall Rating: 5/10

12. Plerng See Roong [เพลิงสีรุ้ง] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Romance, Drama Tinrat and Katleya were once in love, but she married his father to further her ambitions. Years later, Tinrat's father is gone, and Katleya wants to win back Tinrat, who is now in a relationship but still can't forget her. Katleya’s son, Kuat, is gay, a secret only his uncle Mai knows. Katleya disapproves and wants him to be like his brother. Kuat meets Jomkwan, a wealthy woman running from family issues, and they pretend to be a couple. As Kuat grows frustrated with his mother's expectations, he attempts suicide. Tinrat blames Jomkwan and tries to hurt her, but to protect herself, Jomkwan lies about being pregnant with Kuat’s child. This lie brings Tinrat and Jomkwan closer, while Katleya continues to pursue Tinrat. Typical lakorn.   Overall Rating: 5/10

13. Angel's Temptation  [천사의 유혹] (Finished 1/21) Tags: Thriller, Romance, Drama, Melodrama After the death of her parents, Ju A Ran plots to ruin the family that destroyed hers. She seduces and marries the son of her enemy, Sin Hyeon U, who discovers her plan belatedly. With a new face, courtesy of plastic surgery after meeting with a car accident, he decides to exact his own revenge upon her. As if revenge is not enough there's also melodrama and hysterical women.   Overall Rating: 5/10

14. Will It Snow for Christmas? [크리스마스에 눈이 올까요?] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Romance, Drama, Melodrama Cha Gang Jin is the son of a barmaid, Cha Cheon Hui. His life is difficult as he gets into fights and has to watch other people push his mother around, yet he can't do anything to stop it. He met Han Ji Wan when they were teens, but they weren't able to continue their relationship as Ji Wan ran away. He meets Ji Wan 8 years later, when he's attending her engagement ceremony to Park Tae Jun. However, he is heartbroken as Ji Wan pretends not to remember him at all. Load of unreasonable characters and cringe make it unwatchable.   Overall Rating: 5/10

15. Namphueng Khom (2009)  [น้ำผึ้งขม] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Romance, Drama Kangsadarn is a young woman whose mother's past behaviour will come back to haunt them both. Twenty years ago, Rose was in love with a poor, young man named Purim but she brutally hurt him and never saw him again. Purim, on the other hand, has never forgotten the pain inflicted upon him by Rose and has spent the last twenty years obsessed with revenge. Now wealthy Purim sees his opportunity to exact his revenge on Rose through Kangsadarn. He uses his knowledge of Rose's financial problems and alcoholism to acquire Kangsadarn as his wife. To make things even more complicated, Purim's nephew is in love with Kang. Thai revenge.   Overall Rating: 5/10

16. Don't Hesitate [망설이지마] (Finished 1/98) Tags: Romance, Drama This drama tells the story of a woman who devoted her life to love and a man who had never known nor believed in love. Jang Soo Hyun was a woman who previously believed in sacrificing herself for love, even donating her liver to save her first love, Choi Min Young, but was rewarded by betrayal when her best friend, Oh Sun Ah, seduced Min Young. Since then, she had become jaded and resolved to distance herself from relationships, until she met Han Tae Woo, a man who had built a wall around his heart in fear of being hurt again. She becomes someone whom he learns to sacrifice everything for. And another revenge melodrama, this time for a hundred of episodes and with makjang and core, so the worst of the worst.   Overall Rating: 5/10

17. Three Brothers [수상한 삼형제] (Finished 1/70) Tags: Romance, Drama, Family, Melodrama Kim Sun Kyung is a retired police officer and father of three sons, Gun Kang, Hyun Chal and Yi Sang. His eldest son Gun Kang made many wrong decisions in life, ending up being divorced and going bankrupt. Gun Kang gets remarried to Chung Nan. His second son Hyun Chal is the envy of the town and pride of his father. He runs a number of businesses which are quite successful. His wife Woo Mi often sacrificed her happiness for the benefit of the Kim family. As for the last son Yi Sang, he follows in his father's footsteps by becoming a police officer. Oftentimes the father and the son clash each other. As Yi Sang married Eo Young, the daughter of his father's deadly foe, an ex-convict Sun Kyung traced and eventually arrested a long time ago. "Three brothers" revolves around their relations full of conflicts and love.  Big family with 70 episodes and no concept except SOL for plot? What could go wrong?   Overall Rating: 5/10

18. Buang Rai Pye Ruk [บ่วงร้ายพ่ายรัก] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama Akkanee falls in love with the spoiled daughter of a very wealthy man, Paramee as he protects her from Chain, her fiance, a man who has malicious intent on her family. Simple enough. Chain is out for revenge, he believes that Det, Paramee’s father, caused his father’s death and stole his father’s company in a cold-hearted manner. He wants payback, return of his father’s company, money, prestige, and happiness. The first part of his revenge is seducing Det’s two daughters with the intention of marrying one of them and using them to take over Det’s company. Chain pursues Det’s youngest daughter Amika first but stops when she falls ill with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erthematosus). Amika is weak, doesn’t finish school, and can not take part in managing the family’s company, so Chain moves on to sister number 2, the eldest sister Paramee, he moves quick and easily won her heart. Det sees through Chain’s scoundrel plans and has Akkanee to babysit Paramee. Typical lakorn.   Overall Rating: 5/10

19. Kularb Neua Mek [กุหลาบเหนือเมฆ] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama Oranut is a wealthy young woman who betrayed her friend Airin by kicking her out of the magazine company they started together and steals Airin’s fiance for her younger sister. Airin was so devastated after the betrayal, she vowed to bring down Oranut’s magazine company and to steal Oranut’s man if she was dating someone. Airin starts up another magazine to compete with Oranut’s and pursues Anawin, the guy that Oranut knew since college. Thai revenge.   Overall Rating: 5/10

20. MoMo Love [桃花小妹] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama Tao Hua is a kind hearted girl, who has five older brothers: Chen He, Chen Qi, Chen Cheng, Chen Zhuan, and, Chen Yu Yi. Chen He, Chen Qi, Chen Cheng, and Chen Zhuan are very over-protective of Tao Hua, on the other hand Yu Yi lets Tao Hua slack of and have her freedom. When Tao Hua meets Shi Lang, she is immediately falling head over heels for him. The only problem is... will her four over-protective brothers accept their feelings for each other. When Zhi Qiang and Hui Qi come into the love triangle, it becomes a battle worth fighting for. Will Tao Hua and Shi Lang be together or will Tao Hua's four brothers, Zhi Qiang and Hui Qi break them apart? Taiwanese ubersilliness.   Overall Rating: 5/10

21. Real Clothes [リアル・クローズ] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Comedy, Life, Drama Kinue is a saleswoman in the futon section of a department store. One day, she suddenly gets transferred to the women's clothing department, even though she lacks in fashion sense. Her new boss, Miki, soon introduces Kinue to the tough reality of the fashion world. Through this job, Kinue learns about the meaning of life, love, and work. Fashion is nonsense topic for me, very close to sport. Show's above average due to manga basis, but in the absense of conceptual plot I'm enjoying neither flow nor actors.   Overall Rating: 6/10

22. Hot Blood (2009) [열혈장사꾼] (Finished 1/20) Tags: Business, Drama Revolves around penniless Ha Ryu who is driven by upward mobility and a thirst for personal success. Here is a man who can do whatever it takes to make money. He dreams of raking in 10 billion won by selling cars. Due to this wild idea, he is deemed crazy by everyone, but is ready to sell even his soul to become a billionaire. "I will make myself fully prepared to take every chance that lies ahead of me!!!" Can't see any appeal here. Dirty salesman tricks or relations aren't good in any way.   Overall Rating: 5/10

23. Memoirs of Madam Jin  [金大班] (Finished 1/36) Tags: Historical, Romance, Melodrama Set in Shanghai in the 1930s / 1940s, the drama follows the story of a dance hostess, Chin Zhao Li, and the 3 important men in her life. Due to family poverty, Chin Zhao Li was forced to become a dance hostess at the infamous Paramount dance hall in Shanghai when she was 18 years old. The story is about how she met her first love, Sheng Yue Ru, a young man from Shanghai's high society, who studied abroad, loves painting and theater, and someone who is single-minded and dedicated to love. They fell deeply in love and became lovers. But their relationship faced strong resistance and objections from both families, especially Yue Ru's father, a rich banker. Another midwar Chinese drama, seriously can't stand those. Lots of overacting and naivety don't add credibility to already dubious story.   Overall Rating: 5/10

24. Shokojo Seira [小公女セイラ] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Life, Youth Seira was raised in India, but she was sent back to Japan to continue her education at an affluent boarding high school. Although she has lived in luxury, the well-bred Seira is kind and generous, earning her many friends at the school. One person who dislikes Seira is the school's director, though she treats Seira well due to her father's fortune. Then, during Seira's 16th birthday party, the director informs her that her father has died, leaving her penniless. As a result, she is forced to work as a servant in order to pay off her school bills. Adaptation of 19th century novel means no good for me. Another boring tearjerker cinderella story.   Overall Rating: 5/10

25. I'll Give You Everything  [다 줄거야] (Finished 1/150) Tags: Romance, Drama Bo Young began her career as a teacher in a small village. Alone in a remote place, Bo Young was approached by Jung Gil, who introduced himself as a single bachelor. Their relationship became serious over time to the point where they promised to marry each other. However, Jung Gil turned out to be a married man and his wife, Yong Shim, and mother-in-law, who learned about his affair, assaulted Bo Young in front of him. Betrayed by Jung Gil, who helplessly let Yong Shim and his mother-in-law humiliate her, Bo Young decided to get back at them. When Bo Young and Yong Shim happened to give birth to their daughters at the same hospital, Bo Young deliberately switched the newborn babies in an act of revenge and in the hope of her own daughter being raised in an affluent environment. While raising Yong Shim's daughter, Bo Young did not care about her at all, and as a result, Yong Shim's daughter felt deprived of love. Bo Young only wished for her real daughter's happiness. Yet, contrary to Bo Young's expectations, things were going the other way around. How many episodes? It's shorter format, so allows SOL cases without the usual big family circus. Melodrama tropes and revenge and typical instrument such kinds of messy long stories. Absolute zero interest.   Overall Rating: 5/10

26. The Qin Empire [大秦帝国之裂变] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Military, Historical, War, Political In the mid-fourth century BC, during the Warring States period, groundbreaking political changes occur in the Qin state in western China. Qin, weakened by poverty and internal conflict, is in peril of being annexed by the six other states in the east. Duke Xiao, the young new ruler of Qin, seeks to restore his state to its former glory and retake the territories lost by Qin in its earlier humiliating defeats by rival states. Duke Xiao recruits several talents to help him in his ambitious plans. The most outstanding one, a statesman called Shang Yang, cooperates closely with Duke Xiao on massive political and economic reforms in Qin that lasted two decades. The changes transformed Qin into a powerful state, with legal and military systems that helped to lay the foundation for Qin's eventual unification of China under the Qin dynasty nearly 200 years later in 221 BC. As Kingdom anime shows, Qin empire conquest is the main story in China history, so it should be epic or I can't accept it. Sadly, it's far from epic while combat here is the usual buffonade with acrobatic pirouettes that I can' stand.   Overall Rating: 5/10

27. Soot Sanaeha [สูตรเสน่หา] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Drama Alin is a dwindling actress unable to compete with younger rising starlets. When she is approached to do a cooking show “Soot Aroi Gap Alin (Delicious Recipes with Alin)”, she accepts, hoping it will save her career and also to bring her closer to the owner of the show, Anucha. One problem, she can’t cook. She hires Din, a foul-mouth chef, for cooking lessons. Slowly she learns how to cook and her show is a major ratings hit. Also at this time, Alin develops a personal relationship with her cooking teacher, not a romantic one. She begins to consult with him about her life and love. As her relationship blossoms with the man of her dreams, she begins to question about the relationship she has with her chef. Though Anucha is the man of her dreams and can give her things she superficially desires (glamor and stardom), Din makes her happy. Who will she choose? Thai comedy with usual horrible actors is instant no.   Overall Rating: 5/10

28. My Girl  [マイガール] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Drama The story revolves around a 23-year-old man named Kazama Masamune. During high school, he had a girlfriend four years older than him, but she suddenly decides to study abroad. Six years later, he receives news that she has passed away. In addition, she secretly gave birth to Masamune's daughter. Now the five-year-old daughter, Koharu, is left without a mother, and Masamune decides to raise her on his own. Oh, come on, another tearjerker childcare. Guess all my empathy was spent on Bunny Drop, and now each time I'm feeling that seen once - seen all.   Overall Rating: 6/10

29. Untouchable [アンタッチャブル] (Finished 1/9) Tags: Mystery, Comedy, Drama When reporter Narumi Ryoko loses her job at a first-rate publisher and ends up at a trashy tabloid called "Shukan Untouchable." She now chases celebrity scandals and sensational stories, but she hasn't lost her sense of duty or her persistence. While investigating her stories, she tends to notice details that imply some hidden truth beneath the surface, leading her to probe deeper into dangerous secrets. Journalist investigations aren't much different from detective investigations since they are also investigations, they move in plot increments in the shape of cases and they also deal with mysteries. But they are better since they don't have authority or coercion mechanisms. Still just a single such case in one episode already makes me tired of it and reluctant to continue.   Overall Rating: 6/10

30. Mongkut Saeng Jun [มงกุฏแสงจันทร์] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Action, Romance, Drama Princess Sisira meets Theetayu while wandering alone in town and is drawn to his kindness, though he initially rejects her due to his hatred for the king. After the king's death, Konjanat seizes power, killing the queen and forcing Theetayu to protect Sisira. Their romance grows, but complications arise with Kanyapak, Theetayu's cousin, who is obsessed with him. Konjanat forces Sisira to marry Theetayu, who secretly plans to restore the throne and imprison Konjanat, while pretending to comply for Sisira's safety. As conflicts escalate with Kanyapak's schemes and Konjanat's attempts to reclaim power, Sisira struggles with her feelings for Theetayu, who is torn between his duty and love for her. Stage is different than usual, but the gist is typical lakorn.   Overall Rating: 5/10

31. Beyond the Realm of Conscience [宮心計] (Finished 1/33) Tags: Historical, Drama, Political Imperial Household Bureau is responsible for managing and directing all household services to the Emperor and the Imperial family in Tong Dynasty. It is comprised of four departments, namely Jewels, Attire, Food and Furnishings. Lan Sam Ho and Yiu Kam Ling are introduced into the bureau in their tender age and brought up in the disciplines of the palace. The two girls are diligent. Yuen Tsui Wan, Head of the Jewels, and Chung Suet Ha, Head of the Attire, are both very fond of Sam Ho for she is a kind-hearted young girl. Soon, they start fighting for the fellowship of Sam Ho. Sam Ho always remembers her mother's words left to her before she passed away, that she was told, 'Doing good deeds, Speaking good words, Showing goodwill'. She lives her life of being gracious and kind-hearted in the palace. On the other hand, Kam Ling believes her survival in palace is achieved through cruel and calculating tactics. She cheats and schemes her way to the top and finally becomes the concubine. Though she realizes that Sam Ho has fallen in love with the chess master Ko Hin Yeung, her jealousy still arouses by Sam Ho's attraction to the Emperor Lee Yi. Fearing that she is losing power, she ruthlessly makes up a false allegation against Sam Ho for murdering the Empress and condemns her to death. No matter how clever she is to scheme, things do not go the way she planned. By using a strong comparison of the two distinctive characters, Sam Ho and Kam Ling, the message of the drama is that "benevolence" is the only way to gain final victory. Nice to see Hong Kong series quality finally improving to adequate level, but the concept is just palace intrigues, so not for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10

32. Fumo Chitai [不毛地帯] (Finished 1/19) Tags: Military, Business, Drama Iki Tadashi is a military leader who was captured by the Soviets during World War II. Treated as a war criminal, he was sentenced to many years of labor in a harsh Siberian detention camp. After 11 years of imprisonment, he is released. He returns to Japan and begins readjusting to life as a civilian, rejecting an offer from his former colleague to work on a defense project. Tadashi has decided to never involve himself in war again, much to the joy of his family. Instead, he attempts to set off on a new path working at a major trading company. Anniversary titles are usually more expensive and patriotic than average, this one included. Since I did not like even The Family postwar business drama with KimuTaku, there was little chance this one would impress me. There are many notorious actors here, but Amami Yuki again got a poor role, and others can't be called centerpiece. This dark filter only irritates more. Overall Rating: 6/10

33. Saka no Ue no Kumo  [坂の上の雲] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Military, Historical, Drama, War The 19th Century was a turbulent one for Japan. Enduring the throes of change brought about by the Meiji era, it still struggled to join the world and be considered a “civilized, modern nation.” After 300 years, samurai turned to labor, farmers sought other industries, and technology became king. Saka no Ue no Kumo covers the later years of the Meiji, when Japan—still wrestling with its identity—fought the little discussed Russo-Japanese War. We join the story with brothers Akiyama Yoshifuru (Abe Hiroshi) and Akiyama Saneyuki (Motoki Masahiro), and their friend, the poet Masaoka Shiki (Kagawa Teruyuki), as they face these travails with decided Japanese spirit. NHK special can hardly be called taiga, plus Meiji restoration lacks any excitement for me. But there's a trump card that reverses the odds - Hiroshi Abe. First two episodes with backgrounds are terribly boring, 3rd one with context of upcoming war is nice and 4th is war itself, but it still goes on, and for me it's too pretentious and repeating and watery to go on.   Overall Rating: 6/10

34. News Sokuho wa Nagareta  [ニュース速報は流れた ] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Thriller Set in a television newsroom, it is described as a "real-time" suspense drama, in the style of the popular American series "24." The story focuses on an incident that unfolds during the hours between late night and morning.  Suspense thriller, huh. I'd rather call it closed quarters mystery investigation in the spirit of Twelve angry men. I usually favor such intensive format. Did not expect such saturated pace. In the end it's better than Bump off lover, so can't rate it lower than that.   Overall Rating: 7/10

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