Nobuta wo Produce

Finished watching Nobuta Wo Produce. Another J-drama with the school theme, this time about two boys “producing” a girl with no self confidence into the most popular girl in school.

It is simple, yet deep and meaningful, dealing with things such as friendship, sacrifice and social image. Great plot with a nice blend of funny, inspiring and touching moments. Found the last two episodes especially touching and sad (in a happy way) and even leaked some tears. Woah Jap dramas are good at making you cry, whether it is happy-sad or sad-happy or sad-sad.

Good looking actors and cute actresses who act really well. Love Mariko and Nobuko. Shuji and Akira… would if I were a girl (don’t wish to though). Makes me realise what I’m missing here. Sigh…

Anyway, I highly recommend watching this.

Some of my favourite dialogues:

“Have you gone to a place and regretted it?”
“Mm hmm, yes I have.”
“You came back by yourself?”
“No, I came back with friends.”
“I see.”
“My friends brought me back.”
Perhaps only people can save people.

“Its lonely being lied to.”
“But… lying for a long time can be lonely too.”

“Don’t you care more about yourself?”
“To do something for someone else, does it mean you’re not caring about yourself?”

Hana Yori Dango

I just finished watching Hana Yori Dango, another Japanese Drama. Great production. Funny and light hearted.

Especially amazed at the props, with castles and cars and clothes. The setting is good, I like the park with the row of advertisement best. The main actress is quite cute, must find out her name sometime.

The amount of violence is actually more unbelievable than the riches. There is this guy bashing anyone and everyone up when he feels like it. Must be a deliberate adaptation from the manga it was based upon.

Romance-wise, it is not as touching as in 1 Litre of Tears since it is supposed to be light hearted. Sweet, but they do not seem to really need each other. It also does not leave as lasting an impression as the previous two I watched, 1 Litre and GTO.

I guess it is unfair to compare, might even be my preference. Still, I think it is a really good drama to watch and highly recommend it.

Might be watching Nobuta wo Produce next, another school-based Japanese drama, when I find the time. And when I am tired of the school genre, I might watch Long Vacation or something else older.

No More Exams (for now)

Exams are over. Somehow I do not feel as happy as I did when I anticipated how I would feel.

The thought of being happy makes one happy; the thought of being free bring more joy than actually being.

The reason being drive. It is something that pushes you, adrenaline causing euphoria. To motivate yourself, you think of the ideal outcome of success. An outcome that makes you feel good, yet far from what is to come.

Like how a bird suddenly free from its cage feels lost in the vast world. Like how a person who lives for revenge and succeeded in it has nothing more to live for. There is nothing left to drive them, they have reached their goal. Their endpoint. Until they find a new goal, they would not be satisfied. This means that it is difficult to feel contented, once your goal is reached, you need a new goal, and when you reached your new goal, you need another.

That being said, I shall not complain and be contented for now.

(Note: sorry if it sounds confusing and the ideas keep jumping around with little link. I’m confused myself. Probably my state of mind so please pardon me.)

Hazy Night, Moon is Bright

At least before the haze came and blocked her and everything else.

A beautiful evening red as it just peeks over the rooftop. I tried to take pictures with a basic camera (lousy zoom) the few moments it is not covered by the clouds (or haze?). Too lazy to post.

Nobody walking outside with lanterns this year. Yet somehow I think there is enough smoke for kongming lanterns to float without a lighting up.

Mooncake festival this year might not be as fun, but certainly not any less dramatic as the previous.

When September Ends... Two Days Late

I can't believe I didn't listen to Greenday's Wake Me Up When September Ends for the whole month of September. A good song for the mugging mood right before exams (which starts in October).

Oh well, I guess two days late is better than never.