Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru (2006)

Perhaps it was because I am still head over heels on Hiroshi Tamaki. I decided to check his previous works and ended firstly on Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru (ただ、君を愛してる) - Just, Loving You [click here for info from Wiki].



Also known as Heavenly Forrest, its a romantic movie adapted from a novel; a genre I had abandoned for some time (just because :P).

I guess I rarely watched/ read story where both hero and heroin were being loser (so to speak) met and fell in love but that what TKWA started with. Again, I love every part of Hiroshi Tamaki as Makoto Segawa. Aoi Miyazaki as Shizuru was a weirdo turned friend in Segawa's world and just so that you know, I do not have any problem with her :). The story was sweet and light and made me smile all through, although I know some might be rolling their eyes and said, "yeah right, it's Rae's Tamaki-kun" *giggle*.

But had I forget how Japanese like to end their romance in a harsh way? I think I did because I was expecting a light and sweet ending. It was even harsher when I felt like being comforted by the "it's still going to be okay" closing. To be exact, it's like was given a BIG candy to consume while you were spanked and you can taste the sweet sugary bribe along with the pain. The disease that Shizuru inherited from her mother's genes was ridiculous and to see how Segawa learned about everything from Miyuki was painful. If that still had not made your eyes dwell with tears, just wait untill Segawa went to watch Shizuru's photo exhibition *tears*.

The theme song, Ren'ai Shashin was really lovely. I cried along again at end and I swore thereafter never going to watch a romantic movie for some time! LOL~~ Enjoy!! Yosh! xoxo

Renai Shashin (Romance Picture)

Aoao to shita yozora no shita de

Anata ga miteta ushiro koi sugata

tokiori miseru mujakina negao

atashi ga miteta koshii sugata

donna hitotoki mo subete

wasurenai youni muchuu de shattaa kiru

atashi no kokoro wa setsunai shiawase datta

tada kimi wo aishiteru (3x)

tada soredakede yokattanoni

ame furu toki no kawashita kisu wa

tsunagarete yuku futari no sugata

isshouni mou nai kono kimochi, umaku ie naikedo

Anata ni deatte atashi no mainichi wa kirakira to kagayaitayo

tada kimi wo aishiteru (3x)

anata ga kureta shiwaseyo

tada kimi wo aishiteru (3x)

tada soredakede yokattanoni

chiisana heya ni kazarareteiru

futari no egao, renai shashin

**************

Under the blue night sky

You saw the sight of a lover's back

That innocent look you put up on your face sometimes when you are asleep

Was the sight of love I have seen

Every single moment in my life

I kept pressing the shutter so that I won't forget

My heart was filled with bittersweet happiness

Just, loving you (3x)

I wish that was all it was

That kiss we exchanged the rain was

the sight of two of us linking together

This feeling that we will never feel again

I can't explain it well but

My days have began to shine ever since I met you

Just, loving you (3x)

It's the happiness you have given me

Just, loving you (3x)

I wish that was all it was

Displayed in a tiny room

The sight of our smile, Romance Picture

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Nodame Cantabile The Movie 1

It was in September 2009 when I get to know about the upcoming of this movie [read here]. Waited for so long that it felt like I'm waiting for my love one to return home from a VERY long journey far away from home. After my peaceful evening with Chiaki-sempai *heart*, not even the hot weather can spoil my springy feeling. Yes, I was in the pink Mozart moment. English sub however would have turn all the roses blooming. Reading the manga and watching the anime eventually became handy since it connected my way to the Weirdo Forest.


And so.. here I go sharing my beloved Chiaki's story with spoilers. By the way, just so you know... this is not a full recap (I watched it RAW). I will be explaining things based on the manga and the anime. Plus... a loving note to Redge, my brain worked in the most "weirdest way" especially when it involved Shinichi Chiaki so just laugh off and forget about my "own lines" that I made throughout this review when/if you're watching this with subs ya! *hugs* to Rin-chan, do you want to join me in the Weirdo Forest? huhuhu~~~

Anyway, previously from Nodame Cantabile SP (Europe Chapter), Chiaki and Nodame weird relationship had grown deeper. The movie started with Stresseman scene, riding on a horse somewhere in Germany. Suddenly I can't help but wonder if they already spilled the bean here regarding Streseman's condition so I will keep this to myself for a while just so that it will not spoil your mood. An owl that looked like it just came out from Harry Potter's world dropped a newspaper for Streseman, with Chiaki's news at the front page.

Meanwhile back in Paris, Nodame kept admiring the gift that Chiaki bought for her while she was on the bus with Tanya and Frank (friends from the conservatoire). While they were having their conversation, Frank spotted the advertisement for Deschamps Orchestra with Jean Donnadieu's face on it (Chiaki's strongest opponent in the Platini Concour - a Conductor Competition). The advertisements were everywhere including on the flying blimp on the air :). While Frank and Tanya arguing each other on the possibility why Chiaki was not the one hired by Deschamps Orchestra (since he was the one who won 1st place in the Concour and previously was the guest conductor of Deschamps Orchestra (in Nodame Cantabile SP), Nodame sat there in silence (**probably thinking is Chiaki will be okay?).

Then there was Elise's laughing... laughing happily because Jean (she's a BIG fan) secured his place at Deschamps Orchestra instead of Chiaki. She however got Chiaki another deal... as the resident conductor with Roux Marlet Orchestra. Least to Chiaki's known that Roux Marlet is a once-so-famous-but-falling-lately orchestra house. But knowing that it was where Stressman first began his music career with sparked him with interest.

Elise with her outrageous way of work as so-called-Chiaki's manager but teasing him for losing his Deschamps Orchestra to Jean Donnadieu. (Note: Notice Jean's face on the blimp way behind at the background?)

Later in the day, Chiaki and Nodame had a simple meal (as Chiaki called it). After dinner, just when Chiaki was about to ask Nodame to come with him to watch Roux Marlet Orchestra performance the next day, Chiaki found Nodame was already asleep. Chiaki looked at the sleeping Nodame and said, "Lately it's always been like this, even though she said nothing. More so, she must be tired with all the things that she studied in the conservatoire. Me too... there's still much for me to learn "

A dinner of celebration? How long had we missed these two? xoxo

The next day, while Nodame at the conservatoire and was talking with Kuroki, there was a sudden commotion. As Nodame ran to see what was it all about, Tanya told Nodame that everyone was excited because the number one pianist, Son Rui had come to the conservatoire. Just to refresh you memory on who Son Rui was, she did a concerto with Chiaki before while Chiaki was still training under Streseman and the concerto actually once broke Nodame heart and spirit.

Meanwhile, Chiaki was dragged by Frank to play as an extra in Roux Marlet Orchestra (Chiaki was also good playing violin). Chiaki tried to resist and told Frank that since he was going to be the orchestra permanent conductor, they will surely recognise him. But Frank had back-up plan for that. He made a disguise for Chiaki and man was Chiaki looked weirder (but Rae loves him anyway :P). Chiaki ended up following Frank's suggestion thinking this might be a good opportunity for him to actually have a sneak peek on the orchestra after all. Inside the hall, Chiaki looked at the pieces that they're going to rehearse for the day and thought, "It had been a long time since high school. I might enjoy myself," and started to play (or something like that :P *giggle*. oh my super confident Chiaki!!!). As he played tremendously well (since the other members stopped doing what they're doing), the concert master came in and told him not to expect to much. Of course Chiaki recognised him from before. Before Chiaki could actually listened (and rehearse) with the group, the orchestra manager rushed in and told them a bad news - The recent conductor who were supposed to conduct them in the next concert had canceled his participation and returned home.. and practise for the day was canceled. Chiaki later overheard the conversation between the oke's manager(oke = short form for orchestra) and the concert master regarding the conductor issue. But from what he heard, it did not sound like the oke was feeling so happy to have him as their new conductor. Worst of all, the oke manager said they decided on Chiaki because he's young and CHEAP!! LOL~~~



After hearing what the concert master commented on him, Chiaki decided to do a well preparation for the next practise. But in the midst of this, he was disrupted by a phone call. It was Son Rui.

Chiaki went out to meet Son Rui not knowing that Nodame had been following (stalking) Rui from the conservatoire.

After the "love attack" by Nodame (they tried very hard to make it look like from the manga *me love*), the three of them went to Chiaki's house. While Son Rui told Chiaki that she's going to stay/ study in Paris and all, Nodame left them after introduced herself as Chiaki's wife. As Rui was about to leave, she give a quick kiss on Chiaki's cheek (of course a gesture the European normally do). Nodame, shocked by Chiaki's "normal"acceptance argue about it and she was then "thrown out" from the Chiaki's apartment. (** Rae knew that Chiaki however felt bad about it.. sigh)

Son Rui, Nodame and Chiaki at Chiaki's house while Nodame was all-up-acting as Chiaki's wife.

Now, having seeing this scene (not included in the trailer from youtube), I was slightly disappointed just like when I watched the anime. This scene could have been funnier if it was presented like in the manga (where Son Rui and Chiaki had conversation in English and talking bad about Nodame - Nodame speaks French and know very little English while Son Rui was not supposed to be good in her French*sigh*).

The two of them eventually went out shopping together the next day while Chiaki had his first rehearsal with Roux Marlet Oke

Well okay, so I had not introduce this person well enough. Let's meet the person who was going to make Chiaki's life even more miserable; the Roux Marlet's manager. Personally, I think the live-action manager looked more comical than the manga's version. In the manga, his name was Theo.
By the way, did I already mentioned Son Rui was like getting in between Chiaki and Nodame? Owh... I did :P but nothing could be more "nan desu ka!" moment from me when Son Rui played the celesta instead of Nodame (yeah!! thanks to you Mr. Roux Marlet Manager!!- sarcastic mode). It broke my heart more when Nodame insisted Chiaki to let Son Rui played instead of her after seeing the change of the orchestra's atmosphere to more positively after they met the world-well-known Son Rui (and thought that she was the one Chiaki's suggested to play the celesta to replace the missing person).

Nodame was so happy when Chiaki called and asked her to fill in the celesta seat that she even had a celebration @ Weirdo Forest.

Only to ...

Chiaki: Don't hide! Come out!
Nodame: It's okay sempai
Chiaki: But you're the one I asked
Nodame: It's okay. I'm not going to play! It's fine if Rui does it. (Nodame changed her tune-->) You have to observe the mood here. This is what I'm good for... (Nodame's hand movement..)
silence..............
Chiaki: I'm sorry

Okay, I had been through this scene numerous time through the anime and the manga but it still breaks my heart!

At the end, the performance *with Rui on stage* ended with a BIG wohoo!!! (another sarcastic comment).

Matsuda-sama making faces while listening to the orchestra.
I think I missed Matsuda (the R*Star*oke conductor) from the previous season.

For those who have not yet watched the first season and SP, there was a flashback on what happened before (and how I missed those old days of Chiaki and Nodame) and it sure brought lots of memories *heart*.

Kuroki then made another appearance when he was practising with Tanya in order to join Chiaki's oke at Roux Marlet.

And while we're at it, you should not miss Nodame's killer stew that almost killed (literally speaking) Kuroki-kun earlier. Yes, that's why he excused himself from having dinner at Nodame's house leaving poor Frank and Tanya which, both of them later suffered from stomachache (and Tanya fainted at the end of Kuroki's audition to enter Chiaki's oke).

In the almost 3rd quarter of the movie, there's a short appearance of Jean and his Japanese girlfriend (forgot her name *sigh*) doing some advertisement activity (shouldn't this done by other people??) and met with a Nippon style of advertisement thanks to Nodame. I actually missed this another-weird-couple very much.

As the story went on, Chiaki finally improved his PR skill, getting along with the concert master and the rest of the orchestra, along with some more new additional team members (and Kuroki-kun of course since he made it into the oke). But while the movie closed with Chiaki's excellent performance (it really was!!) and managed to stand proud... Nodame sat there with her eyes staring on the floor.

and with that... the movie 1
~fin~

I knew what will be coming in the second movement, "thanks" to the spoiler at the end of the first part. Therefore it made my heart cried out for more. While I find Kuroki to appear more manlier, Chiaki had grown much older (comparing to the very first season of NC) but man he glow. Well okay, I could have biased here :P but Chiaki was like my ultimate sempai okay... so hush!!! Even though that this series were by far the best adaptation from manga to live screen yet (in Rae's opinion), there's of course flaws (which I think were hard to resist) in attempting to get the comical manga feeling. Yup, in case you have not notice... the double-body of Nodame by using a plush toy (it looked plushy to me) was epic <-- sarcastic comment.

After MONTHS of waiting for the first part of the movie... I can't help but wonder, "Can I wait until the end of the year for the second part?". Worst yet... I might had to wait for NEXT YEAR! *faint*.

Pasta

A blogger friend, Redge recommended Pasta some time ago. She's an almost-all-Jdorama girl turned into the ONE whose suggesting kdrama to watch *atta girl* \(^o^)/

This drama was about a woman who aspired to be a chef. To be precised, she was inspired by her love towards pasta and some loving memories of her late mother. Gong Hyo Jin (as Seo Yoo Kyung) was the chef wannabe also had a hate-and-love relationship with her head chef, Lee Sun Gyun (as Choi Hyun Wook). Later as feeling evolved, coping with work professionally at the kitchen was one of the hurdle that they had to cope.

Personal afterthought:

The first half was very entertaining. VERY. It's getting slow at the middle but pick up the pace back again. The cold war moment and misunderstanding between the Italian team and the Korean team was quite a draggy but luckily they ended it nicely. The owh-must-have-entanglement between the main lines was nicely, sweetly and lightly sort off without making it such a drama. It's a perfect drama to enjoy the morning sun (urghhh... what am I saying) and surely made your tummy rumbly just looking at the food(a little bit of Pooh the bear 's love ^^).

Although I didn't fancied Gong Hyo Jin, Lee Sun Gyun was enough to make me hooked to this drama. I love everything about this man; his gesture, his facial expression, his voice... man was he one superb actor. He's definitely the man of this show.

cold war between

Italian Team (above)
vs
Korean Team (below)

ahh.. I almost forgot to mention about Noh Min Woo as Philip (the Italian team). He is so pretty and even made this ahjumma jealous of him *green eye*. Even my mom said he was too pretty even for a lady when she saw him in The Star Golden Bell Challenge at KBS World recently.

The beautiful Noh Min Woo ^^

As closing, I finally found my connection of the short memory of mine. I am indeed a goldfish... well atleast my memory span is. Lucky though I did not have the memory of the elephant :)

Gigolo Wannabe

Released in 2006, this comedy genre movie is about a group of non-related men trying their luck to be the next host at a host club called the Dog Days. The future hosts were all in the photo above ^^.

The story begins with all seven men deceived by a much older man who called himself the manager of the club where they paid him deposit in order to be hired as a host. Upon arriving at the club on their so called "first day at work", they realised they were all conned when they met with the real owner, Mr. Katagiri accompanied by his adorable and sick grand-daughter, Chika.

Later, both parties (the group of the deceived men and Mr. Katagiri) agreed to let the men run the club which later end up in a disaster. Then another wake up call for the men to do it right for the sake of getting money in order to save Chika who needed a heart transplant. Shun as Ryohei was their only hope to bring in a group of rich business women. Their one shot plan was a gamble to see if this group of non-experience hosts could attract and deliver their job well to get 10 millions yen.

At the end, [highlight to read] they managed to get all the money they needed for Chika. Mr. Katagiri and Chika later left for America to get the transplant done after handling them the club as an exchange for their help. But the worst for the fresh hosts are yet to come. While cleaning their so called newly owned club, another Mr. Katagiri came up, claimed that the club was really his and he was just coming back from his vacation. Apparently the first man who claimed he was the manager, the grandfather who called himself Mr. Katagiri and Chika was a group of con artist. They boys managed to prove his statement and realised then... that they were actually conned TWICE!

It's a good story about how to overcome your current difficulties by keep moving forward every time you fall. But it also reminds us to be alert of the real world and the cute snow white may had her own agenda after all. Yes, I as well wished that the Snow White ate the poison apple and got choked for this matter. *teheee~~~*

Queen Seon Duk @ ep 32

I tried to search for recaps on this series but I hardly found any. I tempted to have a sneak peek at the latest episode to get myself some "future" insight on how well my favourite Bidam will be but my sunbae said it would be less the fun later. Yup, she probably is right. The calling for a spoiler gets to me after getting myself spoiled with some hints here and there on how sad Bidam is... thus, I made a pledge [ ooo... very sound like a hwarang!] to stick with this main route of episode after episode! ^^

Now then, let me ramble a bit^^.

Earlier, I almost abandon this drama when I thought that I could not endure the evil Mishil/ Seju (by Ko Hyeon Jeong). I did stop for some time... for a few days, then I pushed myself to watch it. Amazingly now, Mishil is one of those fabulous villain and I love to have her on my screen.

Along with the evil queen want-to-be, I fell in love at first sight with Mishil's abandoned son, Bidam (by Kim Nam Gil). Bidam have the blood of royals and great leaders. Thanks to his parentage's DNA and being trained under the greatest *cough* Gukseon, he's one great fighter as well. So what if he have the calling to the darker side? It's the angst inside him that made him resistible! That's why I love Anakin Skywalker as well ^^.

Alcheon (by Lee Seung Hyo), I have different view of him now than the earlier him ^^. I love him for his discernment and then able to stand on his ground steadfastly. Later, after his favourite princess die, he appeared to be the prettiest hwarang of them all with that ready-to-die makeup on his face. Yup, Rae envied his lips! Dang!! lol~~~

Moving on to the Queen soon-to-be, Deokman (Lee Yo Won)... personally I think that she's just like a second Mishil. Both of them are fighting for the throne and Seju only lacked royal blood to do so. That's why Seju's afraid of the people. Both had eye for the throne triggered by revenge (Deokman's was due to the death of her sister and Seju's for the lost of her true love).

As for Deokman's first love, Yukshin-rang (by Eom Tae Woong).... he's a naively good.. GOOD hwarang who lacked sense of direction, sensitivity and skills. I totally understand why Deokman left him out from her earlier plan to conquer the world Shilla. In other words, he just didn't get my vote. He's in this post because he was supposed to be one of the main character :(

The Restless (2006)

This is one of those movies that have splendid settings, beautiful casts, nice effects, awesome wardrobes but draggy storyline and just a so-so love story.

Luckily enough the movie did not manage to send me to Zzzz-land. Yup, though hubby and I yawned again and again through the film, we managed watched it till the end the combo epic of the spiderman-like villian+Storm Warrior wannabe+Lord of the Ring demons+StarWars' scene.

Will I recommend this movie? If you're a sageuk fan or fantasy-like fan or love story die hard fan or ghost/demon slayer fan or Kim Tae Hee / Jeong Woo Seong's fan, do watch BUT lower your expectation. Watch it in HD as well to make sure you enjoy the beautiful scenery because that's the only thing that manage to get me stay put to watch this till the end. :(

Review/Synopsis:

Its the story of a YI Kwak (Jeong Woo Seong) who can see demons/ spirits of the dead. However, because of his ability, he caused his fiancee (Kim Tae Hee) died when people accused her of being a witch. Later, YI Kwak was chosen to be one of the royal demon slayer team knwon as the Chuyongdae only to learn that the team also want to fight and change the so-called corrupted world. Since YI Kwak decided not to join the rebellion, he's the only one whose not killed by the royal army but later to be hunted down as well since he was the Chuyongdae late appointed leader. Injured while seeked for a refuge in an abandoned shrine, he "magically" transferred to the mid-heaven&earth kingdom where he saw his dead fiancee but seemed to lose all her memories on him. It also happened that the dead spirit of his Chuyondae colleague were after his ex-fiancee as well to get the magical stone she appointed with that can give them power to open the gate to the human world and enable them to have revenge for their death and to change the corrupted world *yawn*. YI Kwak pledged to defend his ex-fiancee from whoever tried to kill her this time although its mean to kill his own ex-team mates. Everything end with a disaster for the heroes and heroines but at least the earth and, the middle earth&heaven are safe.