STORY: The overall story was not much different from the first, nor will it be different in the later films. There is a haunted home and angry ghosts that pursue certain people. There were newer characters introduced and new small stories within the film, creating a bigger web, however I felt this installment of the Ju-On series left a few too many loose ends. I realized pretty quick that almost half of the movie recaps the story of the original family from the first movie. It is only after this that new stories begin and some from the first movie are continued. A few parts did not make sense.

ACTING: The acting was about as expected. No one stood out as extraordinary, but no one was horrible. There were more children involved but they were not awkward like some may fear. The cast was suitable for the movie.

MUSIC: Once again, there was not much music involved. The few tracks that were used were okay, typical horror music. The sound effects were not as good in this film; sounds did not always match with actions (that may be because my copy was very old - vcr tape format converted to digital). Perhaps, it is because I have watched the newer American versions as well, but the sound effects are even at times overdone - but the film is old and some older films do that.

REWATCH VALUE: I personally wouldn't really rewatch this one for a long time, perhaps if I was doing a marathon, but eventually I would. However, die hard horror fans might rewatch it often.

OVERALL: The movie was okay. I found it to be a little bit of a let down; I only jumped once. The idea behind it is great but wasn't executed as fully as I would wish for it to be, I may rewatch it once more to see if I missed anything crucial that could make it better. BUT IT WAS NOT TERRIBLE. Just OKAY. I think if you're a horror fan, especially Japanese horror, you should try it.

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OVERALL: Ju-On was a very good movie. However, I will warn those who have watched the English version The Grudge - you may be somewhat underwhelmed. If you love the franchise or horror movies in general then you will (hopefully) love this movie, but it does have a few flaws that some may not be able to get past.

STORY: Honestly, this is in a way just another ghost film. So the story is not 100% new, there are other movies about ghosts and possessed or haunted homes. BUT this movie does unique things with the story, focusing on the connections between people and places, rather than focusing on a singular person or place in a static manner. Everything ties together and has reasoning, making it not only horror and suspense but a little bit of a mystery as well. There are six stories within this first installment and each are equally entertaining. the suspense is there though it is more subtle than it's later English language counterpart. The film was made in the early 2000's and shows its older age with overall video quality, certain camera angles, and clothing but those things do not distract from the movie.

ACTING: The acting is not superb, I do not remember anyone as a stand out award winning actor. However, no one was bad. The dialogue shows some dating at times, but that is just because of the age of the film. Some characters are immediately recognizable and others are less memorable. Everyone seemed to suit their roles just fine, and I did not grow tired of anyone or hate any of the performances.

MUSIC: There was not much music in this film to begin with. What little music that exists in the film is well placed and does not distract from or dilute any of the performances or scenes. The sound effects were not as well pronounced and obvious as with the newer versions (this could be because of the older quality or the understated qualities that build suspense, I personally think both cases are true). The sound effects are well placed and really were one of the creepiest aspects of the film.

REWATCH VALUE: This film is not that long, approximately one and a half hours. With the six "mini-stories" time quickly passes. The film was enjoyable and creepy as well. These could make it a very rewatchable movie or a movie one only watches very so often - it depends on personal taste. Some may be bored, others may be too scared, others may love it. I honestly would watch it again. Actually, I hope I can find a better quality on dvd to own!

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I originally didn't want to watch this because I am not a fan of overly cute shows and music dramas have to have a really good soundtrack for me to become invested. BUT If you want a bite sized drama that is fun and fast paced, this is definitely a GOOD CHOICE! I ended up watching this as a way to introduce myself to Astro (my friends wouldn't stop bringing it up) and it was much more entertaining than I expected. Each boy plays their roles well, even if they aren't stretched too far from their own personalities. I can definitely see some potential with a few of them should they decide to pursue acting later on. The music is great of course (I have all the songs), but I think the dancing sold me on how fun it was to watch. The competitiveness between characters was apparent and not too cliche. I found myself getting hyped at points, cheering for characters, and angry at others (cue arguing with my laptop). So I got invested faster than I thought I would. The supporting cast was pleasant to watch as well, overall the acting and fairly original storyline made up for the sometimes cheesy effects. With the pace of the story, the amount of episodes, and the length of episodes this drama can definitely be rewatched. I have watched it twice already! I think everyone should at least give this drama a shot, it's not the best, but it's definitely good :)

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STORY: For me, this story was pretty original. I have never watched a drama that involves a webtoon coming to life. Honestly, I thought it was a very good storyline and most of it fit together. BUT it did seem as though the writers tried to make it a little too complex and struggled to bring that to life. There were some confusing parts and a few loopholes/empty spots in the plot making sense 100% of the time This is a drama you cannot overthink and try to rationalize. You just have to go with it and enjoy it, highly logical thinkers may have an issue with this and find it frustrating. I did not really have this problem but I know my friends did. There was also times where the show seemed to know that viewers may lose interest and they created unneeded problems; there were also moments of romance that did not quite fit the moment considering all the other occurring events at that time in the show. However, the production quality was simply amazing. That was one of the best parts. The cinematography and lighting fit everything, camera angles enhanced the experience a lot. The transitions between worlds and characters v. humans were fascinating and well done. For me, the only reason I am not giving the story a 10 is because of a few weak spots in the plot, some of the scenes that were written made it seem as though the writers were trying too hard to keep the attention of the audience or were trying to do exactly what the audience wanted - this occurred more towards the end of the show, and the ending was not quite what I hoped for, but much, much better than I expected. There was nothing super unsatisfying about the end, like what I have experienced with other shows. There was a balance of good and bad throughout the show, happy and sad, and I think the ending brought that fairly full circle.

ACTING/CAST: Holy crap. There were many actors in this cast and I loved all of them to an extent. I did not hate a single person, even the villains. I will break it down person by person, but I am not going into all of them. Han Hyo Joo (Oh Yeon Joo) is the main female. The only other thing I had seen her in, before W, was Postman to Heaven. I loved her in that movie and I loved her in this show. Her acting fit the character so well, subtle cues that added to a character that could easily be flat. From her interactions with other cast members to portraying different emotions, she did it all in a fairly realistic manner you can connect to- considering the subject matter of the show. For me, she alone deserves a 9 or 10. Now, Lee Jong Suk. I want to say he had a stellar performance, but it was not the best thing ever. I do not think that was him so much as it was the role itself. Kang Chul is, in general, a bit too perfect, a bit too flat. He was not written with the depth I was hoping, but I think Lee Jong Suk put forth as much as he could into the character. I would give him, maybe, an 8 on his own? The romance between Kang Chul and Oh Yeon Joo was a bit too perfect, withstanding all the problems a little too easily, but it was by no means the worst romance I have seen. It was not 100% natural, but I thought it was pretty good. BUT we must talk about Kim Eui Seong. Kim Eui Seong plays Oh Sung Moo (Oh Yeon Joo's father) and I loved his performance. He by far was one of the most complex characters, and Kim Eui Seong's acting throughout the show, no matter what was demanded of him, was simply amazing. I quickly figured out he is an actor I would watch in anything. He is so good at portraying emotion and interacting with his fellow cast. I assume this comes from his being older and having more roles under his belt, but I think he was my favorite in this show. By far, the best performance in the show. He alone would receive a 10/10. The reason I give the overall cast an 8 is because not everyone was a stand out in this show, but I think that was less about the actors and more about the character roles written. They seemed awfully flat and you could tell they were only there because they were needed to push the story at times. Do Yoon (Chul's best friend and bodyguard) was fairly good and I think pushed his character as much as he could considering how it was written, and Soo Hee (Chul's friend and secretary) was not as great as I was hoping. She was a letdown, but again I think I blame the writing.

MUSIC: I really enjoyed this soundtrack. The songs used in the show are pretty recognizable and some get stuck in your head. It was not a soundtrack you end up hating, at least not for me. I actually saved up money and bought the entire soundtrack, which I have only done with a few shows. The best song for me was Without You by N of Vixx and Yeoeun of Melody Day. However, not all the songs are great or memorable, you realize that it was how they were cut and used in the show that made them better, but it is by no means a letdown. I must also mention, the placement and editing of the songs for the show were very well done. They simply added to the moments of the show and made things happier or more heartbreaking depending on the scene in action.

REWATCH: I actually have watched this show twice, once by myself, once all the way with my friends. I also enjoy it if I need a dose of romance or action for the background while doing homework. Many would probably rewatch this show, it definitely has the potential to be rewatched, and it has a bit of everything to appeal to different audiences. I have watched it on my own and with multiple friend groups - all the way and random episodes. But I do think it is a show you have to be in the mood for, It is not something I watched religiously but in binges. This is a very binge-worthy show. But I struggled to watch it week to week while it was airing.

OVERALL: I would give this show a 9/10. It has great acting and a good storyline, but it is not perfect. Many dramas are not perfect, so I have learned not to nitpick but I Think this show did a fairly good job and considering it was much anticipated I did not find it to be disappointing at all. I think many will like this show and should give it a try, especially those who are new to dramaland or want a high production show (think high production like City Hunter or Descendants of the Sun).

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One Missed Call is a movie everyone has probably at least heard of. For a horror movie fan it is almost like a staple, alongside The Ring and Grudge series. However, for me, it was not the best BUT it was more than okay. The story was original with a haunted phone, but it was another vengeful ghost story. What I really liked about the movie was the more mystery thriller tone rather than pure ghost driven themes - like with some movies i.e. The Grudge (Ju-On). I found myself a little surprised at times and even nervous at other moments.

The acting was pretty good. Nothing seemed exaggerated or sub-par. I didn't really find any new favorites but I didn't hate any of the cast members. They filled their roles well and seemed to work together well; there were no awkward moments or insincere times that I could catch.

As for music, it wasn't bad, but it was not stand out either. it seemed to be sort of your typical horror music to build suspense or draw attention to scenes. The sound effects fit well and nothing was distracting. I found it to be just "alright".

This movie could be rewatched, but I probably won't rewatch it. This would be good for Japanese movie fans and horror fans - it would be good to watch and compare to the American counterpart. For anyone wondering about my score, I have also seen the American version and I like this version better but I"m not a huge fan of either one. I would say it is good to watch once, especially if you have nothing else to watch. That being said, I will finish the series just so I can say I have seen them all. I might like the others better.

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From the start anyone will notice that this show is very well-made which is something many know even if they have not watched it, so it is definitely good for a drama beginner.

The story is revolves around revenge, but it is not without comedic and romantic elements. There is also a heavy emphasis on friendships and family relationships; so there is never a dull moment. The writing is well done and utilizes all these pieces to create a scenario that immediately pulls you in and keeps you hooked. Even the parts that could have been cliche or exaggerated were executed perfectly and I was actually surprised with some of the happenings within the drama.

The acting was a lot better than I was expecting. I am not the biggest fan of Lee Min Ho, he can be stiff at times and never quite fulfills the role as I would hope, HOWEVER he did well with this show. The action scenes were wonderful and his interactions with the other cast members were more authentic than I expected. I think the development of the characters was spot on and very well timed throughout the show. Everyone suited their roles well and I had no complaints.

The music was wonderful. I have downloaded the soundtrack of course! The song choices were very nice and the placement of all the music was wonderful. I hate distracting music and I never found that with this drama, everything fell right where it was needed. There was only emphasis to the story and acting due to the music, the atmosphere was great.

I would say that this can be highly rewatched and I will more than likely watch it at least one more time in the future. I would recommend it to anyone who would like a fast paced and intense story. I also think this is a good show for those who are not the biggest Lee Min Ho fan, because I think it is one of his better shows. However, It is not light whatsoever and there are moments you may not expect. it is really a roller coaster.

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While the plot for this movie was not the most original, a hitman facing down those he worked with for a new life has occurred in plenty of other productions and some of them have been executed a little better than this one. However, this film was enjoyable and I couldn't believe how fast the time was passing. The biggest issue was the scripting for the movie - it was, occasionally, cliche. There were great action sequences, romance that was cute and awkward but the tension and thrill was not constant, falling somewhat between the faster paced sequences; if you are a viewer that highly enjoys action movies and you have seen quite a few (as I have) the plot became slightly predictable.
The cast however makes up for this wholeheartedly. So Ji Sub is an actor that I was already aware of as being good although that was in more romantic roles. I was pleasantly surprised that action suits him as well. His character was awkward and lacked harmony with the female lead at times, but that offset the action and "company" life that he was flawless in. I thought this was a messy writing mistake at first, although I came to realize it displayed him as a more dimensional man with things he is good at and lacks experience in. Lee Mi Yeon was wonderful in her role, capturing the charisma of the character's youthful dreams and the struggles that come with age and of being a mother. Supporting cast members worked well within their roles and the chemistry between everyone was fairly good as well.
Music did not play to big of a role in the movie, although it was present. Where and how the music was utilized was highly enjoyable and fueled the scenes onward. This is not a soundtrack I would download, but it definitely did not ruin the experience of watching or distract me from what I was watching.
The movie is rewatchable with good action and a time of about 1 hour 30 minutes, but I would not rewatch it often, especially not for the romance.
Overall, not bad. A fairly good way to pass some time, especially for action fans and So Ji Sub fans. I also think I have found a new favorite actress in Lee Mi Yeon. Fr me, a 7.5 because it is pretty good but not a masterpiece.
I hope this helps and happy watching! :)

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STORY: This isn't the most original story, not by a long shot - typical shoujo high school romance with a pretty boy and an introverted girl. However, it was executed fairly well. The story was somewhat rushed, some of the most critical points from the manga and anime were hit but the events happened almost back to back with little spacing between the and the characters lacked some of the development the manga gave them. That being said it was not a bad adaptation; the writing conveyed the cuteness and bittersweet moments of a new relationship, the importance of friendships and the growth someone can experience as they go through high school.

CAST: The casting for this movie was very well done, and they worked well with how fast paced the movie was. I was unsure of Fukushi Sota as Yamato - having never seen his work before - to me, his look was almost too cute at first when he smiled. As the movie progressed I quickly realized he fit it well because of how well he took on the character and his mannerisms. I found every member of the cast did very well with their roles and I regretted not watching this film sooner. Kawaguchi Haruna was perfect as Mei, she did so well getting into character and doing things subtly. Seeing her upset made me upset.  My only wish is that they had extended Kai's role and the situation with him more as well as the Megumi conflict. Final thought, the cast made this go from meh to pretty good.

MUSIC: I didn't pay to much attention to the music in this film, the instrumentals fit well into the background, perfectly fitting the emotions. The final song for the credits was catchy and it took me a moment to realize it was an English song. I surprised by how much I enjoyed it and it stayed in my head for just a pop song, but the lyrics made it apparent why it was used.

REWATCH: I probably will not rewatch this for a while, but not because it isn't good. This is a decent adaptation, I simply want to watch other things at the moment. The story is cute, fast paced, the cast is very good and the film is only 1 hour and 40 minutes. Not even 2 hours! It isn't without fault but it is enjoyable enough to watch when you need a sweet romance and a cute story.

For me this is a 7 overall, not ward winning but definitely not bad. I enjoyed it and I hope you do too. Happy drama watching, everyone! :)

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This by far is my favorite of the series so far. The story is not the most original overall, girl and boy meet and there's romance and complications. But the details made it very unique. I loved the twist on the usual trope of drama personalities: a cute and bubbly boy with an air of innocence and a closed off girl, not to mention a lot of dinosaurs. T-Rex is my favorite U-Prince so far, I don't think there is anyone who could not love him. As for BaiPlu, she was frustrating at times but understandably so. The cast did well in their roles, knowing when things needed to be simple and when there needed to be more cuteness and cheese. The music was great; instrumentals were used subtly but enough to capture your attention and this drama added another individual song to the overall OST while keeping the original theme song used by each installment to tie them together. This show is very binge worthy with only having 4 60 minute episodes, undeniable cuteness and pure romance. Due to these reasons it is also very rewatchable, and I think it is a show I would not just cherry pick and episode but take an afternoon to completely rewatch when I need something fast, funny and sweet.

I hope this helps gives a little perspective and you check this one out. Happy drama watching :)

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STORY: The overall idea of women wanting revenge is not all that new, I will be honest, shows from every country have done it in one way or another. However, this drama was beautifully written, very well executed and multi-dimensional. It did not 100% follow through with the usual makjang tropes, although it easily could have sold out and become "just another makjang drama" (don't get me wrong I am not knocking that genre), but there was much more to it. Drama, hints of romance, so much friendship and various aspects of family but also comedic elements that balanced out incredibly serious tones very well. It utilized bits of multiple genres that can appeal to a wide variety of audiences. There were no characters that were build up and then fell apart from lack of dialogue or use in the script either. This show was very high quality and as for cut scenes, transitions and end credit moments and "next time" montages they were incredibly well done.I would be highly surprised if it was not pre-produced. The writers make use of every detail and are so consistent in scripting this show. There are no real loopholes; and for once I was not let down by the show's completion. It is a story that comes full circle in an incredibly gratifying manner.

CAST: I cannot applaud this cast enough. Firstly, this is a female led and dominated cast. They are a group of women, not young girls, that fight to take control of their lives. Each member of this cast was strong, portraying raw emotions and struggles that anyone can connect or empathize with. Ra Mi Ran acts as Hong Do Hee, a widow with two children that faces struggles but always keeps her strength and a sense of self worth. She takes a role that can be simple and gives it so much heart and you understand the work that a mother, especially single in one way or another, faces. As for Lee Yo Won, she takes the character Kim Jung Hye and gives her a depth that could be overlooked. Kim Jung Hye is a character that could have easily been a stereotypical, flat pretty rich trophy wife without a mind. But with writing and Lee Yo Won's performance she becomes so much more and you feel foolish for expecting anything less. A role that is one of the more difficult in the show is that of Lee Mi Sook, done by Myung Se Bin. Her character could easily be written off as weak and too mild to be capable of much; that is not the case. Myung Se Bin works with the character but also pays special attention to the situations her character finds herself in and the interactions/relationships she has with the surrounding cast members. These three women were knockouts, delving into their characters and then some. You watch the story begin as mere strangers with lives and struggles that on the surface are so vastly different that by coincidence meet. However, the growth shown of each character and what they face, individually and as a group, is what keeps you watching and engaging. At first I did not think it could get any better, but then Jun entered. I underestimated how critical his role on the show would be and I also underestimated how much skill and promise he himself would show in the role. Holy crap. I have rarely seen an idol that is as natural as he is on screen. It is very hard to believe this is his first real role. As for the supporting cast, they were all very good. The chemistry between everyone was stellar and it is not hard to see that this show was very character driven. The cast is what took a not so original idea and made it something new.

MUSIC: There was not too much music involved in the show. But what little there was added to the scenes and each time I heard a song at the end of an episode I grew more excited to see the next one because even if there were no "in the next episode" moments the music created an ambiance that left you wanting more and to know how it played out. As for the high energy song that was used the most, I absolutely loved the violin in it and I need to find it to download.  

REWATCH: Oh yes please, especially at only 12 episodes. So for this category I am also taking into account the ability to BINGE WATCH the show. For me that is a 10. However, because they are each over an hour by a little bit I am knocking off a little of that score. But this is also a show you could put on a random episode and still totally enjoy the experience again. So for me, this category is an 8.5 even though I don't have time to rewatch it yet due to all the other dramas I am watching.

I hope you enjoy this show as much as I did and, like always, happy drama watching! :D

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FOR ANYONE CONFUSED THIS MOVIE IS A CONTINUATION OF THE TV SHOW, NOT A REMAKE.
For anyone that wants to know my thoughts on the tv show I also have a review for it but moving on!

STORY: This story was much longer since it is a movie, but it is a continuation of the show. The show had a vague but somewhat satisfying ending - if you're not allergic to cliffhangers. This movie offers a more solid conclusion and just enough rivalry between cast members to get you excited. if you love the show you will love the movie. It has many of the same components of the tv show, love, friendship, family but it also offers more of a backstory for the characters that you did not get to see in the show.

CAST: Once again, the cast was simply perfect.The main cast was a part of this film, no one was replaced or anything which is a big pet peeve of mine. I did not have to worry with this. I was not a huge fan of Michelle but she was not a bad actress by any means, just the character was a little too flat until almost the end.

MUSIC: The music and sound effects were great and once again production did a very cool job with blending anime-like quality and tones with live-action and digital capabilities.

REWATCH: This is not quite as rewatchable as the show with shorter episodes that have self-contained stories but this would be good to watch again every once in a while. I highly enjoyed it. If you watch to see the club get into more situations, be their cute selves, and have a more definite ending concerning the romance you should definitely watch this.

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STORY: The story was not the best, nothing super original, it was a live-action version of the anime and manga. There were many of the same shenanigans, but it was a very interesting live version. The creators of this show even managed to create similar effects. I will not lie, at first it was cringe-worthy and many fans of the anime say they do not like this show, but it grows on you. The actors are such a large part of this that it is hard to stop watching. I honestly loved this show and how they blended what has been seen before in other versions with new things they create to fuel the story. I expected it to be nothing but romance and be horrible but the humor, family, friends, and love were all so well balanced that I found myself binge-watching.

CAST: The cast fit their roles so well, it was incredible. Yamamoto Yusuke did an amazing job as Tamaki, I was so surprised by just how extra he could be. Daito Shunsuke caught me off guard as Kyoya as well, pulling off the cool and collected character perfectly, but leaving just enough to make you swoon. And the twins were perfect, devilish but adorable. I was happy with how their characters seemed more complex, not happy go lucky blank slates. I found the main cast gave a lot to their roles, to show growth and keep the interest of the viewer. Everyone worked very well together. Kawaguchi Haruna was wonderful of course.

MUSIC: The music and sound effects for this show were very good, however, "friday ma magic" did get slightly old as the theme song. While I absolutely love the song, I wish there had been maybe one more but there is a charm to a limited soundtrack at the same time.

REWATCH VALUE: This show has a very high rewatch value for me simply because it is hilarious, also every episode has a different story, and the cast is so good. Even is you do not think it will be as good as the anime I highly suggest trying at least one or two episodes. Especially since it does not have 20 or more episodes. There are only 11 (plus a movie but it's not NECESSARY to watch that.)

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Story: This story was very interesting. The creepy tone was set from the very beginning, but other tones of mystery, romance, and sadness were all interwoven very well. The morbid twist on Alic in Wonderland with ghosts and nightmares was refreshing for me. The use of history and urban legends was a nice touch as well. The fact this is loosely based on some true events and an urban legend that resulted from said events can be taken with a grain of salt but I truly believe it's possible. Granted it can be a little confusing in places, due to some unclear scripting.

***The cinematography is absolutely beautiful for the film. There is no doubt that the location is meant to be a hidden wonderland in the real world.***

Acting: This is not the best acting on the parts of the main cast, but it was well suited for the script. I think the actors did their parts as well as they could with what was scripted. The chemistry that develops between Hong Jong Hyun and Jung So Min is a little fast, and it could have benefitted from a few more details but the ending ties up the loose ends well enough before leaving you slightly frustrated.

Musc/Sound Effects: Pretty great! The overall soundtrack, vocal and instrumental, is very nice. It is a soundtrack I would love to download if I could find it. The songs are well placed and even aid in the plot and relationships between characters. The sound effects are very well done. Everything amplifies the experience, creating moments of intense thrill and softer moments of melancholy. This is one of the best features of the film I think.

Rewatch: Honestly, I would rewatch this film multiple times because of everything you can experience and what you can take away each time. This is a film that contains enough hidden details and vague moments that you can understand more each time it is watched. If anything, you should at least watch it once.

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I had never seen the Japanese version or read the manga (Kimi Wa Petto) but now that I have there will be a few comparisons (you have been warned!)

The storyline is okay, compared to the jdrama and manga it is kind of weak and (I noticed my first time watching it) somewhat rushed. I didn't feel like I had missed the main story, but some of the finer details that would have made everything a little more realistic - as realistic as a story like this could be.This would have been great as a drama! I think it needed more development but the emphasis of music was fun (except that final song. I hated that.) And it vaguely followed the manga but not really.

Jang Geun Suk was adorable in this film, he acted the part of MoMo really well and I honestly thought he was perfect until I encountered the original. I don't think they could have picked a better Korean actor for the part. The rest of the cast seemed to fade into the background for me and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best. Kim Ha Neul was okay; some people complain she is creepy and even the whole idea behind the film is horrible, but I think she emphasized the role of a woman joking and proposing an outlandish idea to get rid of kid and then getting in too deep pretty well. However, I just didn't feel that much chemistry between her and Jang Geun Suk.

If you haven't seen the jdrama version or read the manga you will probably like this. The story is quirky, cute and funny. I loved it until I encountered the originals. I might rewatch this, especially if I want something super cute in a very short amount of time and I think everyone should try it BUT the Japanese version is better in my opinion. That being said, I cannot wait to try out the remake of the Jdrama with 16 episodes.

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Kimi Wa Petto has one of the most original plots I have encountered considering the manga and the year. While the older woman and younger man trope has hit a boom in recent years, this show has more than just that in its value. Career, gender, tradition, public image, self image and worth, romance, [very little] sex, love, and age are all components of this show. Of course it varies from the manga somewhat, especially where it ends seeing as the actual manga was not finished in 2003 but 2005 and it is only !) episodes. However, it was very good. There is comedy, competition, romance, and even a little bit of heartbreak/angst - something to appeal to almost everyone. Compared to the Korean version (which I saw first) I prefer this version. Each version has it's own pros and cons but this version was a little more on the realistic side than its Korean film counterpart, which was a little disappointing. The cinematography was nice enough, some things showed its age, but nothing was wrong or annoying. The camera angles definitely enhanced the involvement of the viewer.

The acting was mostly pleasant, a little iffy at times, but never cringe-worthy. This is Kato Koyuki's first main role beyond a few minor parts in shows/films and modelling so it makes sense for her to be awkward at times, especially because stiffness is the main trait of her character Sumire. While she was not the best actress, it is nothing that can"t be ignored. No one was a super stand out star for me except the wonderful Matsumoto Jun, or rather, MoMo. He officially made this show, he was the best character out of everyone (in my opinion.) As much as I want to say I love Jang Geun Suk as MoMo in the Korean version, Matsumoto is the best. The other actors were pleasant enough to watch, especially Sumire's best friend. She was another fun character.

There wasn't too much music involved in the show. When it did occur it had good placement and the dance scenes were fun to watch. I could sense the passion and found them interesting, especially with it being more contemporary and expressive dancing.

Overall, I really loved this show even with its few flaws. It is also very rewatchable. I would reccommend this show to many people. There is also no weird feeling that makes you question Sumire's intentions with MoMo, something many complain about with the Korean film as being creepy. I think you should definitely watch this if you have time to kill, want something cute, have read the manga, or want to compare versions even. I'm also looking forward to watching the 16 episode Japanese remake, hopefully they can flesh the story out more.

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