Seoul In Love Now ~♥: October 2013

Title: Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo / Mischievous Kiss Love in Tokyo /イタズラなKiss Love in Tokyo
Genre: Romance, Comedy, School
Episode: 16
Broadcast Year: 2013
Country: Japan

Synopsis:

High school student Kotoko Aihara (Honoka Miki), who is not clever have a crush on Naoki Irie (Yuki Furukawa). It was love at first sight. Kotoko initially doesn't express her feelings, but finally tells him how she feels. Unfortunately, Naoki turns down Kotoko and said "I don't like dumb women."

One fine day, Kotoko Aihara's house is damaged by a big earthquake. Until the house is restore, Kotoko Aihara and her father decide to live with her father's old friend. When Kotoko Aihara arrives at her new temporary house, she is surprised to learn that Naoki Irie lives there as well.

Note:

~ Based on the manga "Itazura na Kiss" by Kaoru Tada.

~ Actress Aiko Sato makes a guest appearance in ep.10 as a nurse. She played the lead role in 1996 TV Asahi drama series version.

Comment:

Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo is one of my favourite manga and anime. I have watched all versions of the adapted drama; simply love the light-hearted story and all the characters! My favourite version is Taiwan's 'It started with a kiss', I absolutely love the pairing of Joe Cheng and Ariel Lin! Overall, I find this adaption of 'Love in Tokyo ~ Itazura na Kiss' awesome and hilarious; I love the casts, Honoka Miki is really pretty and cute as Kotoko Aihara. Interesting to know that Yuki Furukawa (born in 1987) is 10 years apart from Honoka Miki (born in 1997) but because this dude looks really young, its as though they are the same age! I like the fact that Yuki Furukawa is fluent in English and his sincere/direct personality (he's also a cat lover like me!). I especially love watching Tokyo's beautiful scenery in the drama

and the lovely apartment of the Irie family, very cozy and heart-warming.

Even after watching 3 adaptions from Taiwan, Korea and Japan, my favourite character will always be Ikezawa Kinnosuke aka Ah Jin/Bong Joon Goo, he is such a loyal, honest and hardworking chap you just cannot bring yourself to hate him. Occasionally, I even hope Kotoko Aihara aka Qin Zi/Oh Ha Ni will choose him instead, as I find Naoki Irie aka Zhi Shu/Baek Seung Jo too cold and quiet at times, haha! The leads of the first Japanese adaption of Itazura na Kiss in 1996, Kashiwabara Takashi (I think the first and original Naoki Irie is still the most handsome! ^^) and Sato Aiko also make a special cameo in both episode 10 and 15 of 'Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo' respectively, so cool, isn't it? Surprisingly, I enjoy watching this Japanese adaption and the wonderful couple which I cannot get enough of; I am looking forward to their season 2, Itazura na Kiss: Love in Okinawa, which has been confirm on their official website!

Gallery ~♥

Title: Perfect Couple / Jin Yu Liang Yuan / 金玉良缘

Genre: Period Drama, Romance, Comedy
Episode: 38
Broadcast Year: 2014
Country: Mainland

Synopsis:

Set during the early years of the Ming Dynasty, the only son of an aristocratic imperial family, Jin Yuan Bao (Wallace Huo - Also starring in Love Me If You Dare) is in charge of weapons manufacturing. A rich, pampered young man who is well aware of his rich family background, Yuanbao unexpectedly meets Yu Qi Ling (Tang Yan - Also starring in Lady and the Liar and The Legend of Fragrance), a clever and witty maiden who travels around the country. Their friendship sparks off a series of hilarious and touching stories.

Comment:

I am very excited over Perfect Couple (金玉良缘) ever since I saw the trailer; it seems like a witty, fun, humorous and touching storyline. Wallace Huo and Tang Yan collaborate again after Chinese Paladin 3 and the drama is film in Heng Dian World Studio. I like the pairing and chemistry of Wallace Huo and Tang Yan, both look cute together in their colourful period outfit (the embroidery on their attire are so pretty).

Interesting to know that the famous novelist, Tong Hua is the screenwriter of Perfect Couple and Wallace Huo is one of the producers. The Chinese title 'Jin Yu Liang Yuan' also represents the couple's name, with 'Jin' as Jin Yuan Bao ~ Gold (Wallace Huo) and 'Yu' as Yu Qi Ling ~ Jade (Tang Yan). Perfect Couple is definitely on my watch list! (As I translated from Chinese, hence please pardon if there is any error, etc.)

Character Introduction ~♥

Wallace Huo as Jin Yuan Bao (Gold Ingot)

Born with a silver spoon, held an unique position among the nobility. Aloof on the surface but is in fact a person with a soft heart. Equip with high IQ and excellent taste, never follow the crowd and has a poisonous tongue. Position higher than others and more knowledgeable. A very detailed person who will not think twice on spouting others' embarrassing facts and still take it for granted. The word 'Social Skill' is never in Jin Yuan Bao's dictionary.

He is waiting for a woman who will move him. A loyal and conservative lover, once his heart is flutter, there will be no hesitation. Until the appearance of Yu Qi Ling.....if Jin Yuan Bao is ice, Yu Qi Ling will be fire. Although fire can warm you up, it can also burn you. Yu Qi Ling bought Jin Yuan Bao loads of unprecedented 'surprise', but also let his life undergone enormous changes.

Tang Yan as Yu Qi Ling (Jade Kirin)

Witty and street smart girl, together with her adopted mother's keepsake, Yu Qi Ling enter the capital all alone and had a chance encounter with Jin Yuan Bao.

Kong Mi as Jiang Xiao Xuan

Endowed with both looks and talent, Jiang Xiao Xuan seems to have a weak heart on the surface but is in fact a strong character with an effort to pursue happiness.

Vivian Wu as Madam Jin

Jin Yuan Bao's mother, elegant and powerful. Madam Jin is a shrewd mistress, yet loving mother. She ensure Jin Yuan Bao is bought up in her tender loving care. The wealth in the Jin's family is all thanks to her many years of painstaking efforts in building it up. However, the greatest crisis in the Jin family is also due to her.

Wang Yang as Liu Wen Zhao

Jin Yuan Bao's cousin, accidentally become Jin Yuan Bao's identity of informant, and it begins the fight between the two of them.

Huang Ming as Gu Chang Feng

Passion for medicine, Gu Chang Feng is not really a brilliant physician but yet always want to give medical treatment to others.

Wang An Di as Liu Qian Qian

Together with her brother, Liu Wen Zhao grew up in the Jin family. Childhood friend with Jin Yuan Bao, Liu Qian Qian loves him with all her heart and am willing to give up everything for him.