There's something about jdoramas. I used to hate them but then I think turned wiser and got to love them. Been watching lakorns and tons of kdramas lately. Yet, I make sure that every season, I at least tune into one jdorama. I'm not really solve on the watching Rebound as my jdorama for Spring 2011 - Jin2 is also on and so is the new one with Shingo Katori. I'm pretty sure that having Mokomichi somewhat made the decision easier. Aibu Saki is also not bad, I even think they have some chemistry. I guess, I'm also curious as to how the story will center around a heroine who has to deal with the issues of weight loss in a country where XXS exits, fat means M and L is the biggest.
Then I tuned in....
First episode, I watched purely for the eye candy - Mokomichi in a chef's uniform, Aibu Saki working in a fashion magazine and of course the Nihongo "rensyu." Episode 2 made me really miss the cream puffs in Japan. I swear cream puffs and ramen make me say, "Tabetai!" and "Nihon he ikitai!" all in one breath. I now crave for the cream puffs near the Saiin Hankyu eki. Going back to the drama, by the end of this episode, I seriously considered giving it up. Episode 3 - the writers made Mokomichi fat too! I mean, please dorama no kamisama (seriously, there must be one) make them realize that the show won't rate if he stays like that. While I welcome the show discussing obesity in both sexes, I prayed that they really make Moko's character an exception.
Well, somehow the kamisama exists and the writers are attuned because at the end of episode 3, they made him return to the prince that he is. Well, I want to take that back because I would really be disappointed in myself if I think that the only thing that makes Moko's character a prince is his personal appearance. I really should say that it's his talent for creating those wonderful cakes.
All these things - contradictions, twists and departures from all those drama cliches made me stick to this one. Because really, the drama land is composed of good looking leads wearing fashionable clothes while navigating through a seemingly unfair universe that will strengthen out in the course of nine (shortest for jdoramas) to 50 or 70 plus episodes (usual fare for saeguks or morning kdramas). But somehow while watching these stuff, there's an episode, a scene or a moment when these predictable characters mouthed lines or showed gestures and suddenly light bulbs flashed, fireworks erupted and the "eureka" word uttered. Episode 4 did that - it's when Nobuko realized that getting married means being ready to give up all the other things that you want to do or the dreams that you want to fulfill. When she did all that, Taichi, the male lead, also made a realization that loving a person means letting her go, cheering her on and helping her achieve her dreams.
What can I say, amidst the mediocrity - I remembered O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi.
