Asian Influence

I’m surprised myself how I came to make people like what I like a lot: Japanese dramas.

Ironic to think despite the language barriers among the countries in Asia, thank goodness for determined fans and organizations that laboriously work on subtitles to their native toungue, each country is able to share a bit of their life and entertainment genres to neighboring countries.

Everybody who knows me knows well I indulge myself to a lot of Asian DVDs. Anybody who sees my collection will see 90% Asian products and among that 90% primarily composes 80% of Japanese shows. Call it fandom if you wish, but I call it love and appreciation to another culture I have seemed to be acquainted with as a child even if I had never been to Japan.

I try my best to share to anyone I could influence just how good Japanese dramas are. A lot of people I get acquainted with aren’t particulary interested or will readily receive my recommendations on anime. It isn’t because they think anime is for kids, but most people my age (except for bonafide otakus) won’t be interested in things 2D. Recommending Japanese dramas are way easier, since all does watch movies or tele novelas. So seeing LIVE actors instead of moving cartoons is acceptable to most.

Looking back, I try to remember just how many people I have lent my collection to and which shows made the most positive impression on everyone.

Number One in the list, no doubt, is Hana Yori Dango Season 1 & 2. It is the Japanese version of Meteor Garden. Personally, I prefer HD over MG anytime. Story wise, pace, characters, atmosphere, even the OSTs, I think everything in HD exceeds those in MG. I’m not saying MG is not good. It has its good merits but compared to the simple but emotionally heart-felt execution of HD, it portrayed how dragging some of the scenes are, especially when they had their season 2 and introduced a ‘royalty’ and prolonged the story. The story was prolonged, almost forced, just to make a story prolong its airtime. One thing that MG is better than HD is probably the face value. No doubt MG has better looking F4 members than MG but still will not trade HD over anything else.

Kimi wo petto (My Pet). A story how a 20 year old boy became the human ‘pet’ of a 29 year old woman. The concept is silly, stupid even if you wish to think that way, but the moral of the story is,

“Pets (particularly dogs) are initially submissive to their human masters. It is the reason why they are so loyal and loved. They love so much and don’t expect much in return. It is this reason that most human masters don’t hide their emotions in front of their pets. Humans hug their pets for comfort, kiss them when lonely, play with them when happy, comfort them when sick. Humans are very open in showing their weakness in front of their pets instead of fellow humans. Because humans have too much pride.”

Now isn’t the concept interesting now? As to what happened between the woman and her human ‘pet’… That is for you to find out. ^^

Bambino. A college student dreaming to be a chef came to Tokyo to be a helper at a high-class restaurant during his sem break. Extremely confident of his skill, he was bombarded with insults, physical injuries, and lashes against his ego when he realized he didn’t know much yet of his chosen career, as was harshly made known to him by his colleagues. The plot is very simple but what makes the show memorable is, it reminds everyone the neccesity of humble-ness in everything one does, even though he has the skill for it. The story centers finding oneself while overiding obstacles, proving the neccessity of failures for growth and success. For working people, doesn’t that remind you a lot of your first day at work right after college? ^^ The people I lent it too loved the concept and of course, who would not love the Italian food showed often in the program? It just makes your mouth water constantly. :-p

I am recently getting so hyped up over Japanese dramas, I just realized I get to have a new DVD set twice a month.

Recently, the latest person I influenced is my boss. XD

I showed him a segment of Nodame Cantabile, wherein the S-OKE class played Rhapsody in Blue of Gershwin. What made the segment so memorable is the presence of a mascot and the rest of the group dressed in full Japanese regalia. Hahaha! The usage of a pianika also made a great revised edition of the piece, with the instrument delicately introducing each part of the music before each part blasting into a jumpy, carefree tune of spring-like happiness. My boss loved this part so much that he wanted to know more of the series and I readily lent him my copy of Nodame. :)

Am I good or what? Haha! I believe I already have a knack to stake out good Asian shows. I also believe my love for Asian dramas and cinemas will last until the end of time. :)

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