A Million Stars Falling from the Sky

Or also known as Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi. 

This is not your typical, average Japanese dorama. And I wouldn't be recommending this to everyone, either. But if you're seriously bored with your life right now, and you want to watch something new, something that would make you think, gasp, and probably cry (which I highly doubt, because it never happened to me), then this drama is just right for you.

First off, this is a dark drama. There is no mushiness, no over the top acting, no sweetness. Just plain and raw human emotions.

I assure you, the eleven hours of your life won't be wasted with this drama (that is, IF you really are interested in dark dramas) if you watch this.

Released in 2002 starring Kimura Takuya (as Katase Ryo), Akashiya Sanma (as Dojima Kanzo), Fukatsu Eri (as Dojima Yuko) and other stars that made a big impact to the drama as well.

Like I keep saying again and again, I'm not good at telling stories, but I'll give it a try. It's about this detective (Kanzo) who's investigating this man (Ryo) who has been seen in a lot of crimes. Kanzo wanted to know how Ryo is related to the victims, and at the same time warn his little sister (Yuko) to stay away from this man. But we all know she'll get attached to this man, even if she doesn't want to. I mean, just look at the first episode and women will know what I'm talking about.

Before watching this drama though, you shouldn't read any (and I mean ANY) spoilers at all so that it won't ruin the ending for you. Although you'll be able to guess the revelations, you still wouldn't believe that they would happen. Let's say for example, you're watching one episode, and as it unfolds, you'll think that that's what's going to happen. This is what this character will do. And even if you did predict that it would happen, it would still shock you. And there are also some scenes that would really shock the hell out of you, that you'd want to see it again and know what happened so that way you would better understand it.

And I have to say this again, this drama isn't for everyone. Even if they're a big Kimura Takuya fan. Because some might not like his character here. Although I loved him here (he's hot, as always, and I actually envy the women. lol), I think Akashiya Sanma (Dojima Kanzo) did a great job as well. He stole some parts of the show. It was my first time seeing all the actors (except for Kimura), and they did a really good job. Fukatsu Eri (Yuko) and Shibasaki Kou (the 19-yr-old Yuki-chan) were amazing as well.

This drama also killed me. I had to watch a light-hearted movie after seeing the last episode to get it out of my system. I actually watched a Korean movie (Doremifasolasido) after it, and I found it sooo boring. No offense, really. Lots say its good, but its not. Okay, maybe it was touching. But its still a typical movie for me. And while I was watching it, my reaction was like, ''Wtf? This happened to Eun Gyu?''. So, pardon me for this kind of reaction. It's just that, my mind was still on the drama while I was watching it. That's how it affected me so much that I literally had to watch a romantic, light hearted, comedy movie.

And after watching this drama, my standards for a good drama got higher. A Million Stars Falling from the Sky. Now this is a top-notch quality Jdorama. It maybe a bit slow and boring, but you'll love the characters and how each of them unfold through each episode.

final theme

I already posted on how much I adore Hana Yori Dango, particularly the Japanese version, that has been played countless times on my beloved laptop. 

For those who have seen and loved the Final movie (and installment, thank God! haha. I kid.), I would like to share to you this lovely song translated by Taiji Project, who translates Japanese songs into English.

KissHug by aiko (click to listen here)

Tomodachi da nante ichido mo omotta koto wa nakatta
Anata ni deatta sono hi kara

Kawatte shimatta mono mo aru kedo
Kawaranai koto no hou ga anata mo atashi mo ooi yo

Atsui kaerimichi ni mienaku naru made
Hontou ni chiisaku naru made miteita
Anata ga suki datta no ima mo ima mo

Natsugami ga hoho wo kiru mata toshi o kasanete kitto omoidasu
Anata no kage atashi no kotoba
You Love　You Love ah

Mittsume yottsume to kazoeta hoshi no namida ni negau
Anata no soba ni zutto itai

Mada shiranai koto darake no senaka to
Senaka o awasete kikoete kita oto
Kowarete mo shikata nai hodo ni atsui

Hikari ni te o kazashite sukima kara mieta tooriame kagerou
Anata no kage atashi wa omou
You Love　You Love ah

Atsui kaerimichi ni mienaku naru made
Hontou ni chiisaku naru made miteita
Anata ga suki datta no ima mo ima mo

Natsugami ga hoho o kiru mata toshi o kasanete kitto omoidasu
Anata no kage atashi no kotoba

Nakigao okotta kao totsuzen kuchibiru ni fureta kuchibiru o
Soba ni iru to chikatta atashi

You Love　You Love ah
You Love　You Love ah
I Love

English: 
 
I never thought of you as my friend even once
Ever since the day I met you

Some things have changed, but
There are far more things about us both that never will

I watched you walk away in the heat until I couldn't see you anymore
Until you looked too small to see
Because I loved you... I still do, I still do

My summer hair stings my cheek, and as I age another year, I will remember
Your shadow and my words
You love you love ah

I wish on the tears of the stars we counted in threes and fours
To stay by your side forever

I stood with my back to yours, still knowing nothing
And the sound that came to us was so warm,
I couldn't help breaking down

I reached for the light, and in the spaces between the rain and heat haze
I saw your shadow and thought
You love you love ah

I watched you walk away in the heat until I couldn't see you anymore
Until you looked too small to see
Because I loved you... I still do, I still do

My summer hair stings my cheek, and as I age another year, I will remember
Your shadow and my words

Your crying face, your angry face, and the lips that suddenly touched mine
I wished it would all stay by my side forever

You Love　You Love ah
You Love　You Love ah
I Love

I just never seem to get tired of this song, no matter how many times I listen to it. It was only played once in the movie though, so I assure you its not overused unlike in the series. The soundtrack of the HanaDan series is very, very nice, with the relaxing instrumentals and the catchy vocals. And I'm glad about this insert song, because it really did capture the Domyouji-Makino love. And again, I thank the translator for sharing this song in english. 

If you haven't seen the movie, and if you're not really a fan, it's all right. Not everyone appreciates this series. You're just a human being. 

the end of it all

Not quite, actually. Japan may have ended it, but in the future, there might be more adaptations coming from different parts of Asia. That's where its popular, after all.

As I mentioned before, out of all the three versions released, I adore the Japanese version the most. It was the second version that I saw, and at first, I was a bit hesitant to see it since it wasn't popular in our country back then. And besides, we just went through the Meteor Garden craze, where everything was fresh and the F4 were all good-looking, and now the Japanese F4, meh, not so much. But curisity won me over, and so I was sucked into a whole new world of these rich men. Men, who, in my opinion, are much stronger and powerful than the Taiwanese F4. That's how amazing their acting is. You see that everyone is so engrossed into their own character, that you can't help but think that they were made to play the role. (if you read the manga hundred times, you'll know what I mean.)

So anyway, like I said, I don't really tell stories, but surprisingly, this post is about the last installment of the Japanese version, Hana Yori Dango. And I suppose I'll just talk about it for a few minutes(with no spoilers).

dangos would be better, thank you very much.

Ah, who would've thought that a simple hand-drawn manga entitled Hana Yori Dango would be known mostly in Asia(and in some parts of the world). I wouldn't wonder if Kamio Yoko would be proud of her accomplishment by now. Heck, I wouldn't even wonder if Domyouji himself would still be as arrogant as ever, knowing that he's not only just recognized in fiction, but in the real world as well. I mean, who would've thought, that a story about four guys and a girl would be one of the most adapted mangas on this decade. Mind you, this group of men call themselves 'Flower Four'. For the non-fans, you might find it cheesy at first. *reads the synopsis* You might say, 'They're the richest and most well-known people and yet, they call themselves F4? Flower 4? what the hell. But don't worry; some people go through that phase, especially when they are just getting to know the characters.

I was introduced to the first Asian drama Meteor Garden back in 2002, when animes were more popular in our country back then. It all started with this Taiwanese drama, and after that, the rest is history. I have grown to appreciate Korean and Japanese dramas more but it was very recent that I became a fan of Jdoramas. One jdorama that never fail to endear me is Hana Yori Dango.

Some may not appreciate this shoujo manga, since everything(read:drama cliches) just seem to happen to the main character. But just to let you know, and no matter how much you hate the drawings or the characters, this is still the most popular shoujo manga in Japan of all time. And you gotta admit, this is true love and destiny for our characters despite some of the sappy and mushy stories. And because of its popularity, after Taiwan, Japan released their own version in 2005 (following that is the second season in 2007, and the movie in 2008), and early 2009 South Korea had their own F4.

If I were to rate the three versions (and excluding the Mainland China version because its not an official remake and they don't the have the author's copyright), I would say that Hana Yori Dango comes first, then Korea's Boys over Flowers, and then Taiwan's Meteor Garden. Before you start bashing me and telling me that I don't have the right to say this, I want to tell you that this is my opinion (and this is my blog), and I have seen the anime and read the manga, so I know enough on which version is the best, in my humble opinion. And also, I'm the type of fan who doesn't watch a drama just for the heck of it, or because of eyecandy. I maybe a fangirl, but I do have my limits, as I know which drama to like. And I have also seen a wide variety of Korean and Japanese dramas. It may not be enough, but at least not everything is just for my pleasure. Sometimes, I like my brain working when watching something. On to my argument. When it comes to the quality of a drama, the production, the sets, the music, the direction and the actors, I consider Hana Yori Dango to be the best. On the other hand, Boys over Flowers has the loveliest actors and sets. Everyone just seems to be so pretty, that you can't help but be envious of the main girl who hangs out with the F4. And we all know that Meteor Garden is the series that started it all so you could say that they are the original.

Back to the story. They're rich. They're bullies. They're powerful. They're lady-killers. They're good-looking. And anything you do to humiliate them can jeopardize your life at school. This is what F4 can do to you. But why the heck would they call themselves Flower 4 if they have that rough image? And why is the manga's title english title Boys before/over Flowers when in Hana Yori Dango, 'dango' means food in Japanese? (For a more detailed and further explanation, I will now take you to this wonderful site. Nothing to worry; its a spoiler-free post, and the blogger couldn't have said enough.)

For a fan, it all depends on how you perceive the three versions. And if you are a new fan, or if you just want to try something new, you can give this drama a shot. If you did love it, but somehow feel ashamed of liking something like this, that's normal. After all, some women just can't resist the F4's charms.

like crack II

As I said on the first part, I'll post a pic spam for all the epic Hana Kimi moments, ones that never fail no matter how many times I view them. And some are really just for fun, to introduce the characters of the show.

Don't say I didn't warn you for putting some 'spoilers' (if you consider them as that), because personally, for this drama, you wouldn't care about spoilers as you'll want to watch it right away anyway after seeing the first episode. And besides, would you actually care about the story of the drama if you're distracted by these crazy ikemens?

like crack I

One of the Japanese dramas that never fail to amuse me is Hanazakiri no Kimitachi e. A 12-episode series shown in the summer of 2007 which was originally based on a manga with the same title. A Special was shown in Fall 2008, with the actors reprising their roles, and some new characters were also introduced.

Now, I don't tell stories. What you can only get from me is the main plot of the story, which I'll talk about later on. Before I saw the series, I read the manga first, which was a good thing, in my opinion, and I think it was during that time that the Taiwanese version came out, which I never saw (and probably never will). I have nothing against Taiwanese dramas, I have seen some before, but its just really not my thing. They don't have that same impact that I get from Japanese and Korean dramas, and I guess for me there's just something missing with their shows which I could probably never comprehend.

aww moments

Just when you thought you've had enough of 'aww moments', here I go with my own version. Once in a while, when I watch a drama, or a movie, or read a book, I come across with these lines (or quotes, as I'd like to call them) and out of the blue I decided to post it here on this blog so I can look back on them (and be all mushy and sentimental? please. I've had enough of that with the dramas I watch, thank you very much.) and share these to you as well. And all the credits will be given to them, of course, I'll even rack my brains just to remember where I took it. And I would be posting more in the future, when a line strucks me or if it reminds me of something.

Poster from the 2009 Korean drama Boys over Flowers Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho) and Guem JanDi (Gu Hye Sun) ep4; edited using Picnik

But there is no logic in love.
Falling in love is an irrational thing.
Even just by falling in love with someone, you'll hurt people, and you'll get hurt yourself.
To be truly in love with someone, you have to be ready to put your life at risk.

+ Hana Yori Dango Returns, ep4, Nishikado Soujiro (Matsuda Shota)

Love in the past never changes
because it remains in your heart forever.

+ Heartbreak Library, Cho Eun Soo (Eugene)

What do you think love is?
Love knows no past and no future,
it is just a means to connect at the very moment
when you feel your heart swelling with love with the next moment right here and now.

+ Innocent Love, ep10, Akiyama Kanon (Horikita Maki)

Being in love itself holds a great meaning even if it didn't work out.
The moment you fall in love, that feeling will always remain inside of you.

+ Tokyo Love Story, ep , Akana Rika (Suzuki Honami)

A man wants to be a woman's first love.
But a woman wants to be a man's last love.

+ Proposal Daisakusen, ep , Yosei/Fairy (Mikami Hiroshi)

Fireworks are not fun at all when you're watching them by yourself.
Fireworks disappear right away, but it's something to see with your friends.
Even if you forget the colors and shapes of the fireworks,
You will always remember the faces of the friends next to you.

+ Honey and Clover Japan, ep , Ayumi's father

When it comes to precious memories,
the more you go back to them, the more important they get.

+ Bokura Ga Ita manga, Nanami Takahashi

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

+ Moulin Rouge!, Toulouse-Lautrec (John Leguizamo)

I like you. Maybe. Probably.

+ 1 litre of Tears, ep9, Haruto Asou (Nishikido Ryo)


note: I have my reasons for including the last line from the Japanese drama 1 Litre of Tears. First off, I'm a Ryo fangirl. Second, the last scene in ep9 is worth watching with its 'aww moment' , and its not just because of this line, but because he mentioned something that's even better than this, which I will not post, and for you to find out, if you are curious. (The drama is really worth watching, by the way.)