Sherlock [BBC Series]

So I took a bit of a break from Asian Entertainment to watch the much-talked about and loved BBC show Sherlock. A lot of people had told me to see the show, it seemed like something right up my ally and I remember as a kid I absolutely adored Hound of the Baskervilles but I had seen one episode (ironically while on vacation in Japan) and while it was interesting I didn't find it as impressing and amazing as everyone made it sound. When I told a few of my friends this (who love the show) they told me I had seen "the most boring episode"... truthfully I was a bit skeptical but finally I relented and decided to watch the show once and for all. Also I absolutely loved Martin Freeman in The Hobbit.

The verdict? It's OK. I don't understand everyone's fascination with the show, or Benedict Cumberpatch. In fact, truthfully, I'm honestly not that fond of Sherlock and if it weren't for Martin Freeman's spectacular jo as Watson I would've dropped the show almost instantaneously. I know Sherlock Holmes is supposed to be slightly arrogant, and cold but in the books he never actually came off as rude, maybe stand-offish but Watson is correct when he says that Sherlock in this series is an absolute dick most of the time. Also Sherlock Holmes' moral compass in the books is generally understood but in the BBC series they make it slightly more ambiguous which I don't like and will elaborate on in the next paragraph.

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries: Ep.98 - Gratitude

OK. So. This is coming way out from left field because this has absolutely nothing to do with Asian entertainment, or games - but does have slightly to do with books.

I'm sure everyone has heard of Pride and Prejudice that wonderful book by Jane Austen. I'm not one for romance stories but I did enjoy this book quite a bit - as well as the BBC series from way back when. Then, one day, I stumbled upon this little gem. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries - a modern re-telling of Jane Austen's story in the form a vlog run by none-other than the main character herself, Lizzie Bennet.

Let me just say - this series is A-MA-ZING. So please, if you have not, GO CHECK IT OUT.

(everything beyond this will be spoilers for the series - especially the ending)

Reply 1997 [Korean Drama]

I'm not a fan of Korean dramas. I'm only seen 5 (including this one) and although I've enjoyed all of them they're all a bit too melodramatic for my tastes. With that being said, I'm not much of a Japanese drama fan either, nor .. really, any sort of drama fan. BUT - I was in the mood for a cute, sweet, innocent romance and I'd seen gifs of this show from tumblr from a friend, who also told me about how cute it was etc. etc. and I thought "why not?" so I tried it out.

Truthfully... I pretty much decided to watch the drama smiply because within the first 2 or 3 minutes or so we see Yoon Jae and Joon Hee playing DDR, and I absolutely LOVE DDR - and they were playing one of my most favourite songs Butterfly so naturally... I was like "ok, this drama seems awesome - let's check it out".

With that being said it was a great drama and I really enjoyed it. I don't know much about KPOP, especially anything pre-2010 so I was a bit confused but I realized that it didn't really take away from the enjoyment. This was a truly simple and light drama and I'm a sucker for friendships, and also Shi Won's relationship with her dad/her parents in general is just absolutely hilarious and endearing. Hak Chan was like a giant teddy bear for me... one that was obsessed with porn, but nonetheless a total teddy bear. He was just so awkward, yet adorable, and of course he did the stupidest things as a boyfriend but I can see why it was hard not to get back together with him when he had such a natural puppy dog face. Like those basset hounds.

I was kind of... creeped out by the fact that Tae Woong liked Shi Won. I mean, she was 18 years old! Huge age gaps where one of the people is in their teens/early twenties kind of weird me out. I'm not sure why, I think it has to do with the maturity level one generally has at that age. Granted I realize people in their early 20's can be very mature (my sister being one of them) but it still creeps me out a bit. Once both people are over 25 I'm pretty much OK with it. But yeah. That whole thing just made me severely uncomfortable. At first I thought they were still dating 6 years later and I was like "OMG WHAT NO" but then I realized that wasn't the case and felt so relieved. But yeah. His first meeting with that nurse was amusing and I clued in right away - that's his wife.

Overall, I found that after they got to Seoul and had all grown up I was rolling my eyes a lot. The first 8-or so episodes, when they were still in High School it was generally pretty light and innocent and yay great but then all the lead up for Yoon Jae and Shi Won getting together just made me roll my eyes. How dramatic can you get? And that episode... (14?) where the whole theme was about brotherly love and Yoon Jae just sobbing at the table at the end and I was like "... really?". Was I not the only one that felt that was ridiculously overplayed and like.. come on.

ALSO - how they kept playing that "So. Who is her husband?! :O" game, that also made me roll eyes. Way to dramatize something which everyone already knows the answer too. I found it cute when they got together though. Shi Won and Yoon Jae's relationship is just hilarious. In fact, all the relationships in this drama is pretty much the girl beating up on the guy. ALL OF THEM. Talk about Girl Power!

And can we please talk about Joon Hee. My god the entire time I was hoping he'd find somone nice to be with. Even just a mention, or a glimpse of a figure, and they finally did give him someone at the end and that made me so happy. I wanted him to find someone so badly. He really is one of the sweetest people, and I just felt so bad for him. But of course, everyone gets a happy ending.

So. If you're all looking for a cute, innocent, sweet romance drama about growing up, youth, and your "first love" and also something REALLY predictable (because damn this drama was predictable) then this would be the one. =D

Himitsu no Arashi-chan

So. The day has finally come - the end of Himitsu no Arashi-chan.

The show started airing in 2008, just after I became an Arashi fan. I didn't really realize they were starting a new show until it finally started airing and honestly I wasn't all that interested in the concept. I had fallen in love with Arashi by watching Shukudai-kun, CxDxG no Arashi, and MMA. This new 1-hr info-show wasn't that appealing and I actually barely watched the show at all for the first year. Sure I've seen the main stuff, Hana Yori MatsuJun, the Haunted House Clips, the Super Mario tournament and Child Minder but that's about it. Then when all that stopped I totally dropped the show and ended up coming back when they started the Mannequin 5 segment.

嵐 - Full of Love

(Translation Index: Here)

Full of Love

風になれ...

Become the wind

いつの間に雨はあがって　月と星が顔を出して
朝を待つほど　想う distance
同じ空見てる？　君の中僕はいる？
止まってない時間　迷い込んで

All too soon the rain stops, and the moon and the stars show their faces
A distance as long as waiting for the morning
Are you looking at the same sky? Am I inside you?
I'm lost within this time that won't stop

眠れず　遠くに　滲んで見えた
朝焼けの空は奇麗で
優しい　ぬくもり　胸に込み上げ
確かなものを探すため

Without sleeping, far away, you looked at it tearfully
The morning glow of the sky was so pretty
Gently, warmly, my heart swelled
In order to search for something certain

親愛なる君へ　舟を漕ぎ出して　風になれ
その奇跡を描いて　想い溢れ出て　すぐ君のもとへ

To you, my dearly beloved, I begin to row the boat, become the wind
Picturing that miracle, overflowing with my feelings, I'll come straight to where you are

あの約束を　囁いたこと
君はまだ覚えてるの？
波がたぐり寄せた　理由なんていらなかった
心が触れ合った　瞬間を

Do you still remember
When I whispered that promise?
I don't need the reasons pulled in by the waves
In that moment when our hearts touched

海へと　連れ去る　涙の跡は
幾つもの記憶繋いで
いつからだろうか？　君を想うたび
微笑みさえも切なくて

The trail of tears that took me away to the ocean
are tied with many memories
Since when did this begin? That every time I think of you
Even smiling is painful

重なり合う日々に　記した想いは　忘れないで
イタズラな未来に　変わりはしないさ　いま君のもとへ

On these days which pile up, don't forget those feelings that you've written down
In this tricky future I won't change. Now I'll go right to where you are

夢の中　君を見た　触れたら　儚くて
月夜に...　会いにゆくから

I saw you in a dream, If I touched you, you would disappear
Because I'll come to meet you... in this moonlit night

親愛なる君へ　舟を漕ぎ出して　風になれ
その奇跡を描いて　想い溢れ出て　すぐ君のもとへ

To you, my dearly beloved, I begin to row the boat, become the wind
Picturing that miracle, overflowing with my feelings, I'll come straight to where you are

重なり合う日々に　記した想いは　忘れないで
イタズラな未来に　変わりはしないさ　いま君のもとへ

On these days which pile up, don't forget those feelings that you've written down
In this tricky future I won't change. Now I'll go right to where you are

食わず嫌い [2013.02.28] - Aiba vs. Tabe Mikako

Probably not the most flattering screenshot I could've taken...

So I said I would make a post about this show, and I will. I love Kuwazugirai, not just when Arashi members appear but other guests as well. It's all about food (usually good food) and Tunnels is amusing but since an Arashi member is appearing it makes this all the better.

I know I said I might translate a few parts but I underestimated how busy I would be so I'll just give a summary of what happened and highlights.

Arashi - Calling/Breathless Review [single]

So the latest Arashi single, Calling/Breathless was leaked online this weekend, it is a double A-side therefore the two song titles, and I actually haven't listened to it yet so this review will very honestly be my first impression of the single. I've already heard Breathless and Calling of course thanks to Music Station though so it really will only be the two other b-sides that I'll be talking about.

Music Station 2013.03.01

I really like Breathless. Ever since the Short PV came out for it I'd been absolutely addicted to this song and I couldn't wait for them to perform it on Music Station because I was expecting an amazing performance (along with Calling) and Arashi did not disappoint.