So I’m in the mood for some slice-of-life romantic drama. But where does one even start with k-drama/j-drama? Poking around the net a bit there’s no For Dummies starter info. What are the shows that everyone has to see? I guess I’m leaning more towards j-dramas, because the other thing I want to see is just a slice-of-life in Tokyo sort of thing. I haven’t dabbled in much of this stuff before, but I did enjoy the Nana live action movies.
Give me your recs!
Just wait until you get to the lmnop-dramas…
Joe
What the heck is this “k-drama” and “j-drama” thing? I have honestly never heard either term before.
Me neither. OP, can we have some clarification, please?
Given ‘slice-of-life in Tokyo’, I’m wondering if it’s a reference to Korean drama and Japanese drama.
Which I don’t really know anything about either.
Korean and Japanese dramas.
I’ve watched a few k-dramas on hulu (keeping up my Korean). Of the ones I watched I think my favorites were My Lovely Sam Soon (original title My Name is Kim Sam Soon) and Coffee Prince.
Yes, and there was a thread with this question before. I can say from (unfortunate) experience that it really doesn’t matter where you begin. It’s all the same, undifferentiated stream of “drama.”
Yup yup.
Sorry, only so much space in the subject area, and I figured people who have seen any shows would know what the title meant! 
I suppose nk-dramas are pretty consistent - bleakness, broken by patriotic fervor.
i’m with guizot, japanese television drama is best avoided as it is mostly formulaic, poorly acted and purpose built to show of a starlet/boy band of the month.
Anyways one of the highest rated J-drama’s is Hero and would probably a good start, personally I’ve always enjoyed Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (and Nodame Cantabile for some of that japanese weirdness). And no look at japanese TV would be complete without taking in at least one episode of a Taiga series.
Two J dramas that I’ve liked were based on manga series, and also have had anime series on the same story: GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) and Itazura na Kiss. (The latter also was adapted as two Taiwanese drama series and as a K drama, but the J drama is much better.) Both of these are primarily comedies, though there is romance in both. And apparently the final episode of GTO was the most watched TV episode ever in Japan.
While the above caveats and complaints ring true, some of the dramas can be endearing. I’d suggest checking out Change, Triangle and k-drama Spotlight. Expect a combination of somewhat toned down melodrama (not so soapy), quirky plot developments and a loose story arc. But fun to watch.
I think I remember enjoying “Alone in Love” K-Drama for what it is (that’s the only one I can remember now); funny yet sad about perils of modern love.
Many of them are stupid formulaic manipulated tear jerkers (yet addictive if you like that kinda stuff) but some can be actually pretty good (addictive) if viewers/house wives don’t get to email/leave comments/call-in etc to pressure to change the plot or some of them are extended to milk the popularity. :rolleyes:
Many of directors, production people are highly educated in film making by the top film schools etc (as high education is a huge draw in Asia, especially for Japanese and Koreans). If they are left alone to produce "their"artistic visions they can be very good… but that doesn’t happen often as making money comes first. It’s the same old artistic vision vs commercialism.
There are many K-drama clubs and discussion boards here in US and other Asian countries such as China, Japan, Philippine, Vietnam, Mongolia, etc and even Middle Eastern countries. They often make homage trips Korea where their favorite dramas are shot and hoping to see/meet their favorite actors. K-Pop is also huge as well if you didn’t know.
Also “some” Korean movies can be surprisingly good. Well, Japan always had the top legendary film makers though that doesn’t mean all the movie are good. A number of old Japanese films by these directors are some of the best films.
Ha ha, I’m kind of a sucker for formulaic drama. If I could find the Gossip Girl of Japanese TV I’d probably watch it. I know, it’s a weird thing to bring up on the Dope, we’re supposed to be above such trash TV. :o
I don’t think people on the SDMB are above trash TV, I know I’m not.
I meant it more as a warning because I’m always a bit disappointed by the quality of Japan’s drama output in comparison to for example Britain. In my mind I often compare it with British television (both being island nations, though Japan has about twice the population, both have a mix of public and commercial channels and NHK being modeled on the BBC)
I guess I find it interesting how Japan in the last ten years has become a major (though tiny in comparison to the USA) culture exporter (East-Asia, western sub-cultures) but has had very little succes in exporting drama, in comparison to the british, or even the scandinavians.
Korean dramas are an acquired taste and tend to draw out the plot wayyy too long. Runs of 18 60+ minute episodes are the norm.
Be aware, for some reason most shows are VERY slow to start and the first episode is almost a complete throwaway.
Coffee Prince is very highly recommended, especially because it is paced fairly quickly and is consistently entertaining. Great acting and music!
Not sure why My Lovely Sam-Soon is recommended so often. The lead actress is really funny and sympathetic, but the plot drags in places and the male romantic lead is a first-class jerk (common problem, actually).