Hirose Michi, an engaged high school teacher encounters resistance from family, friends and peers when she falls in love with one of her 17 year old students, Kurosawa Hikaru.
The Cast
Matsushima Nanako - Hirose Michi
Takizawa Hideaki - Kurosawa Hikaru
Bessho Tetsuya - Kitai Masaru
Foxi Feels
I'm telling you, before the Koreans managed to conquer the hearts of global audience with their creative, colourful and well constructed entertainment industry - which they have rightfully and deservedly so - the Japanese were well on their way to creating classics of international standards.
I am not even talking about the 50s and 70s classics like Akira Kurosawa's 'The 7 Samurai' or Toshiya Fujita's 'Lady Snowblood' or even Yoshi Yamada's 'The Yellow Handkerchief'. That would take me a thesis.
Let us just go back to as far as the 90s and early Millennium, with the more popular genre of today that brought us classics like The Ring (horror), Princess Mononoke (anime) and Beautiful Life (drama). And of course, at the point of writing, only Marvel and DC combined can outbid the Japanese Manga industry.
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| Beautiful Odagiri Jo & Yukie Nakama of Shinobi |
One of my all time modern Japanese favourite is Majo no Joken aka The Innocent Witch aka The Temptation of the Witch aka Forbidden Love.
Produced way back in 1999, the drama tells of the taboo, forbidden love affair between a young 20-something teacher and her 17 year old student.
There have been too many brilliant reviews written on this drama series and to write another version will just be wasted efforts on my part and will definitely show my literary incompetencies if one were to make comparisons (grins = lazy).
So, I'll just link and credit some good ones below and instead talk about the great lead actress and actor that made the drama into what it is. And also divulge some spoilers at the end. So, if you guys are up for it, read on for thou have been duly warned....
Before that, my revered and humble acknowledgement goes out of the following reviewers (especially the first two) - for during the early days of foreign movies without subtitles, they were my ultimate salvation and I would forever be grateful and in their debt.
- Episode Recaps by CJ Morikai (3 Nov 1999) - This wonderful lady started her recap blog way earlier than the ever competent Javabeans and GirlFriday did, or the ever up to date Koala, can you imagine? And in the early days of foreign movies without subtitles, she was my saviour! Thank you is just not good enough for you, CJ (bowing profusely)
- Reviews by Gunner (10 Aug 2004) - Gunner is known to lace his/her reviews with quotes and connotations derived from the dramas/movies; always one with the intellectual take of a drama/movie. You are a guy, right, Gun? I've always wondered (scratch head)
- Reviews by TheFatGeisha (23 Jan 2011) - a concise, tongue in cheek take on the drama series; this lady writes as if we are in the same room as her (ha ha)
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| Revered Actress |
I'm not really a big fan of hers. She's often quite whiny in her portrayal of damsels-in-distress. And her Michi is no less. And if one were to speak about the drama as a coming of age story, I personally believe that this story is really about Michi's coming age rather than Hikaru. It was Hikaru who was often the more matured on in the story. But then again, her popularity proved me wrong :P
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| Talented Lad |
Once you get passed his weird, course, anime like orange hair, you'll soon find out that this dynamite of a boy (now a man) packed a fistful of talent in him. Despite his young age, he delivered a very believable portrayal as the poor-little-rich-boy Hikaru; only unlike most irritating born-with-silver-spoon characters we have out there, Takky's Hikaru is matured, sensitive and intelligent in most aspects. All the ladies I know online and off said that, if the boy in question was Takky, they would run away with him too.
Also, while gushing on Takky, let it be known that this boy's career started as a member of Johnny's Junior in 1993 (you may switch on your light bulb as to where the Koreans got their idea to form Super Junior, perhaps...dink) with a talent agency Johnny's Jumisho that staterd their operations representing and creating boy bands from way back in 1960s till now (re SMAP, Kinky Kids and Kat-tun).
(spoiler alert)
Question is - did Michi die in the end? My take is that she did. Why? |
| Forbidden Love |
Secondly, if your girlfriend were to wake up from a coma after a long while, would you just stare and smile at her, or would you jump up from your chair and grab the first passing doctor, nurse or even the cleaner, to look into the matter.
Thirdly, I was secretly hoping that Hikaru would end up with Jun; they actually have quite a chemistry together - and besides, she was more his age and height (grins).
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| Yamada Maiko as Jun |
Last but not least, what would this dorama be without its hugely popular theme song - First Love. You may not think that you know it, but once it is played, you will recongnise Utada Hikaru's sweet debut instantly. While the single only peaked at the number-two spot in the Japanese charts, her debut album First Love went on to sell over 7 million units in Japan alone, with an additional 3 million overseas, bringing it to a sum of at least 10 million units, becoming the highest selling album in Japan's recent history. (credit - wiki)
Seriously, give it go. Despite the grainy texture to the film, you may actually be surprised that you will like it.
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