recently watched 2 JDoramas; Hanazakari no Kimitachi e and Karei-naru Ichizoku.
these 2 box sets were really good purchase! and worth my time watching them! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL YOU JDORAMAS FANS! a definite 5 out 5 ratings for both!

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (HanaKimi)
Mizuki, a Japanese girl from America, who has secretly enrolled herself in an all ‘only-hotties’ boy’s school.

why?

to persuade her idol, who is the school’s and also national’s all-star high jump athlete (Sano), to get back into the sport after suddenly quitting a year ago reportedly due to an injury, which she’s convinced was somehow her fault.

along the way, we’ll meet with the colorful characters of the students and the many funny events that took place during her time there disguised as a boy.

other characters to look out for (not bcoz of their looks! their role!) : Nakatsu, the 3 Dorms’ Leaders, Umeda sensei, Shibari Four

the drama is based on the popular manga of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya. It was also dramatized in Taiwan, but I like this better!

Mizuki [Horikita Maki]
Sano [Oguri Shun]
Nakatsu [Ikuta Toma]
Nanba senpai [Mizushima Hiro]

ps: while watching this, I even managed to make a mental note on which actor might just be suitable for the characters in Bleach people-movie, if any! hehehe…

Karei-naru Ichizoku
For the first few episodes, you’ll get a feel of your typical “Dallas” and “Knots Landing” soap opera. It’s quite slow for those of you who are not so into these kind of genre.

But, it’s definitely worth your time and patience.

The story, set in the 1960’s background, tells the rivalry between a son, Manpyo Teppei and his father, Manpyo Daisuke. Teppei, following his late grandfather’s advice, decided to be a “steel-man” against his father’s will of becoming a banker, like himself. His dream was to bring his steel-firm’s iron bearing to the world’s market and thus, making Japan one of the developed countries in the world.

However, he faces many challenges in making his and his late grandfather’s dream comes true.
Everyone, from his competitors, the banks, and even his own father wanted to see him fail.
Not wanting to give up, Teppei, with his determination and the encouragement and support of his friends and co-workers, it looks like he might just succeed. Until something happened…


The Manpyo Clans

A really heart wrenching, nerve gripping story played by great actors. Some of the ‘bad’ characters can really get to your nerves and you wish that they would just go die and leave Teppei alone!

Takuya Kimura, as Teppei, is (I might be a bit overboard) phenomenal! Not his typical role, but the best yet. He won The Best Actor Category in the Seoul Drama Awards for his role in this drama.

This is originally a novel by Yamazaki Toyoko, and later a 1974 movie.

ps: There’s one scene that really got the best out of me. Not gonna tell you which. I tried my best to hold back my tears but couldn’t. Later when I looked in the mirror, my eyes were all puffy. I cried… and sobbed! Well, maybe a bit… no, really… yeah, whatever…