Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World Review

Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World

Sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu

Japanese Title: 世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ

Chinese Title: 在世界中心呼喚愛

11 episodes, 1 special

Genre: Drama, Romance

Telecast: 2004

(currently unavailable on Amazon)

Synopsis:

In a rainy day at the wake of a teacher, seventeen-year old Matsumoto Sakutaro meets Hirose Aki, a strong-willed girl in his school. The two fall in love with each other and have always communicated through a tape recorder. As their innocent love flourishes, Aki starts to show symptoms of illness. After the couple’s trip to an island, Aki is rushed to the hospital. She is diagnosed with stage 4 leukemia. Sakutaro is devastated. Fast forward to present, the 30-something-year-old Sakutaro is now a doctor. He is still depressed over the death of his first love, who has died shortly after the diagnosis. He has never married. This story is about a man’s struggle to get over the loss of his most beloved woman.

Cheerfulnuts' Review:

I have never shed so much tears from watching a drama series before. I have seen other series which were recommended by friends. They guaranteed that they would make me cry. I was disappointed after watching them and decided that I would hate “tear-jerking” series for the rest of my life.

In the first few minutes of the first episode, I thought to myself, “This is another tear-jerker that wouldn’t make me cry.” I watched it anyway because I like Yamada Takayuki (Matsumoto Sakutaro) after seeing him in the movie Train Man. The first few series is okay. They were mostly about the development of the young couple’s relationship. After the diagnosis of Aki, the series tackled things that had never been brought up in other series with a similar plot (a dying lover). It does not only show the sweetness and innocence of Sakutaro’s love for Aki, but also the ugly side of the disease. I know this is only a fiction, but it was really heartbreaking to watch the couple. To the drama’s actors, I give them a round of applause for doing such a terrific job! Both Yamada Takayuki and Ayase Haruka (played Aki) won the best actor and best actress award, respectively, for their performance in the series. Aside from the great cast, the dialogues are very meaningful and have always been planted in my memory. This is a must-watch for anyone who loves to contemplate about life’s purpose. I especially recommend this to people who haven’t completely gotten over the loss of a loved one and to those who are still in emotional pain.

Cheerfulnuts’ Verdict:

10 out of 10 stars

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Koukousei Restaurant Review

Koukousei Restaurant

Japanese Title: 高校生レストラン

Chinese Title: 高校生餐廳

9 episodes

Genre: Drama, Cooking, School

Telecast: 2011

Synopsis:

After resigning his job in a Tokyo restaurant, Muraki Shingo is asked by his childhood friend Kishino Hiroshi to go back to their rural hometown to become a temporary high school cooking teacher. The school is about to open its own restaurant that would employ its students as chefs and waiters. They desperately need an experienced chef to lead the students. Hiroshi believes that Shingo is the only one who can do the job.

On his first day of teaching, Shingo is immediately repelled by the school’s dirty kitchen. He asks the students to clean it, which outrages the students and causing half of them to quit voluntarily. With only half of its students and a little time left before the opening of the restaurant, the team faces a big challenge that would change their life forever.

Cheerfulnuts' Review:

In the first episode, Koukousei Restaurant looks promising. Though teacher-students stories are very common, the plot is a bit unusual to me. I’ve never heard of a school running its own restaurant that employs its own students. I love that idea and I strongly wish that we have this kind of education in my country. Before setting foot to the real world, Japanese students are given a preview of what life after school is like. With this exposure, students can decide which career path to take.

I totally love the episode 3. The students’ passion for cooking and their attitude towards their “job” greatly moves me. It is truly inspiring. I enjoyed watching them cook! The dishes make me drool. I was at first bothered by Muraki Shingo’s facial expression (played by Matsuoka  Masahiro). I find his eyebrow-raising habit a bit weird. But this is only a trivial matter and doesn’t affect my love for the series at all. I learned to appreciate him and find him suitable for his character.

I highly recommend Koukousei Restaurant to teens who are clueless about their career path and to any individual who are yet to find his passion. Before I forget, I love the drama’s OST.

Cheerfulnuts’ Verdict:

7 out of 10 stars

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Shiawase ni Narou Yo Review

Shiawase ni Narou Yo

Japanese Title: 幸せになろうよ

Chinese Title: 一定要幸福

11 episodes

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama

Telecast: 2011

Synopsis:

Thirty-two-year-old Takakura Junpei works as a marriage advisor in B-ring, a matchmaking agency in Japan. He is considered the best employee in the company since he is the only one who can handle “hopeless” cases. For this reason, his employer values him and his colleagues look up to him.

One day, Junpei is summoned to the lobby to meet an applicant. To his surprise, the new applicant is a beautiful young lady named Yanagisawa Haruna. With her impressive background and qualifications, Junpei wonders why Haruna has to look for a husband in an agency.

Another member with good qualifications named Yashiro Hidehiko has recently joined B-ring. He is a rich and handsome lawyer who only requires his prospective wife to be gorgeous. Being a good advisor, Junpei is getting confused whether or not to set up Haruna with Hidehiko. As he decides which man would be the perfect match for Haruna, he finds himself falling for his client.

Cheerfulnuts' Review:

The cast fit their role perfectly that it makes this drama more convincing. Katori Shingo looks like a real marriage advisor, and Kuroki Meisa is very beautiful. Shiawase ni Narou Yo is very entertaining to watch. I can’t stop laughing especially in Komatsubara Susumu’s scenes (played by Ohkura Koji). Although anyone can watch this drama, it is highly recommended to individuals who have been heartbroken, or those who are still in search for the “right one”.

P.S. If you’re a Boss 2 series fanatic, this drama has a special surprise for you!

Cheerfulnuts’ Verdict:

8 out of 10 stars

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