Best 2010/2011 Dramas
Jan. 14th, 2011 06:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dramasoliloquyI wasn't going to do one of these posts, partly because there are still 2010 dramas I want to watch, but then I thought, wouldn't it be fun to make a list of my favorites for 2010 and 2011 and compare them in a year's time? Of course it would! Be fun, that is. If . . . if you're me.
~The Best of 2010~
10. Wanida - (Thai lakorn)
This really wouldn't have made it to the list except for one factor. I call it the "Tik" factor. Really, this shouldn't be on the list at all. I mean, I liked the music, the sets, the clothes, but if only I had liked the plot which was riddled with cliches, stupid plot points or the heroine Wanida. Still, lovely scenery.
9. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho - (Korean drama)
This is another drama that barely made it on the list, (wouldn't have if I didn't want to have ten dramas). I gotta say, I thought the romance was more cutesy cutesy then real, and that the drama missed a lot of opportunities of exploring the gumiho's character, especially her darker side. Still, I enjoyed the music, characters and the story was okay.
8. Joseon X-Files - (Korean drama)
I've only watched seven episodes so far. Before the seventh episode, there was little chance this was going on my list. I've watched a lot of the original USA X-Files show and I'm a scifi fan in general, so most of the episodes contained elements that I was very familiar with and events happened that I could easily predict.
But then episode 7 happened, and from beginning to end, I was mesmerized. It told a different story and mythology that was new to me and I loved the directing and the look of it . . . . Now I have to watch the rest of the episodes to see if this earns a higher place on my list.
7. Nagareboshi - (Japanese drama)
The only Japanese drama I watched in full this year and the only one making it on my list. If you've watched Romeo + Juliet, the 1996 version with Leo and Claire staring at each other through the aquarium, and you loved that scene, then you'll probably love this as well. A lot of what the characters say and do are framed by water. This is a pretty low-key drama, with not a lot of dialogue and the plot's pretty simple too. It's more about family relationships then romance, and I would have liked it better if it spent more time on the romance part. But the atmosphere and the music made me want to watch and keep watching.
I watched this basically in two parts. First, I watched the first six episodes, in marathon night sessions. I didn't have an episode saved, so I skipped and skimmed over the rest of the episodes. I wasn't that impressed. Couldn't really get what was going on. But I rewatched it, starting from the episode 7 completely and I was moved by the characters even though I already knew what had happened. I especially grew more and more in love with Ou Chen and cried over some sad parts. Overall, a solid drama. I didn't really like the other male lead, Luo Xi, but the main girl is interesting and atypical character, gentle, yet forthright, love the soundtrack and it really won my heart with the last episodes.
5. Cinderella's Sister - (Korean drama)
The acting is good, I like the characters, but some things get in my way of liking it more fully. One thing is that its 20 episodes, the first four are spent in teenage years, and then a fast forward of eight years. The characters, situations, family dynamics seem frozen in time, nothing's changed in those years apparently. Also, there was a number of idiotic plot devices especially at the end that I could have done without. But really, Eun Jo captured my heart from beginning to end with her hidden pain and anguish.
4. Down With Love - (Taiwan drama)
Jerry Yan totally sells this drama from beginning to end. His love and devotion to Ella (who was sooo wince inducing at first, got better later on) really made the audience swoon at his feet. Nice romantic moments, you wanted them together, for his sake. Plus, the drama turned the 2nd lead into a meanie, didn't spend too much time on the mistaken identity plot and kept things moving for the most part.
3. Taddayo Bussaya - (Thai lakorn)
Punch plays the main character as Taddayo, a girl who pretends to be a guy to hid from her father's family and a killer. There's a lot of melodrama and overacting going on. Just about everyone here is guilty of it sooner or later. The main point here is Punch. She's as cute as Go Minami in Youre Beautiful, and it actually isn't unbelievable that she's a guy. In fact, I find myself totally seeing her as Punch first, a girl second. There are some cute moments between Taddayo and her love interest, who of course doesn't know she's a girl, but it's all pretty typical and wouldn't be much except for Punch's performance. Also some good performances in some of the smaller roles. Overall, pretty fun.
2. Wish Upon a Star - (Korean drama)
At 20 episodes, WUAS was too long and yet, not long enough. It started strong, and trailed off at the end. There was a lot to wrap up, and although almost every episode had some movement on the main fronts: aka who killed her parents, would PK make it through the day, etc, there was still a lot to ploy through. I think the writer did her best with the family dynamics and could have used that more to create tension and drama, rather than the last minute plot contrivances Really, the earlier episodes had me laughing, giggling and crying to myself. I loved the baby and the whole crew, well, except for Fish Face and family.
1. 365 Wan Haeng Ruk /or 365 Days of Love - (Thai lakorn)
By no means perfect, still, this hit the spot with me in a number of different ways. Ann Thongprasom and Ken Theeradeth are utterly believable and wonderful as a couple. Although Ann's character has plenty of defects, her struggles to save her marriage really moved me. I don't want to say more as I'll be doing more recaps on this later on.
~Best of 2011~
Okay, time for some fun. What dramas will I think are the best in 2011? Time to travel to the year 2011.
Okay, time for some fun. What dramas will I think are the best in 2011? Time to travel to the year 2011.
10. My Princess/Paradise Ranch/49 Days, S. Scandal, etc. - For the dramas that I'm watching or planning to watch in the near future, hey, maybe one of them will make the list
9. Mia Teng (Thai lakorn - Rome+Chompoo) - no real reason to put it on the list, just that it's one of those married without love stories that I enjoy. Plus, have yet to watch Rome or Chompoo in a drama.
8. Full House 2 (Korean Cast, details ?)/Full House - (Chinese)/You're Beautiful (Chinese) - there should be some remakes or sequels of popular Korean dramas this year, and I plan to check them out, although I'm not that hopeful that they'll be any good. Still, here's hoping for the best.
7. Ka Kaung Kon (Thai lakorn - Pong Nawat & Noon Woranuch) - Pong's another favorite of mine and Noon is so beautiful. Yeah, again, one of those married without love stories I'm a sucker for. This time, though, I actually like the actors. Just look at that picture. How can you not want to watch these two act as a couple?
3. Rainbow Sweetheart - (Taiwanese drama - Jimmy Lin, Cherrie Ying) - a remake of My Girl, I saw some preview and stills of it. Looking good. Seems like it's not going to be a strict remake, copying everything, but will have its own take on My Girl. And Jimmy and Cherrie seem very comfortable with each other.
2. Unknown Ariel Lin/and or Jerry Yan project - My favorite Taiwanese actress, she has a drama coming up she's excited about, so that makes me excited too! Yeah! I'm so watching this. Is it Extravagant Challenge (from Skip Beat manga) or something else? You know, I don't know and I don't care. I'm also looking forward to Jerry Yan's next project, who may or may not be starring with Ariel Lin.
1.? - Yeah it's kinda of a cop out, but since have very little information on what's going on especially in the latter parts of 2011, I want to reserve this.
~See you in January 2012!~
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