karened - Livejournal

All pictures from the TBS official site. You should check out the site! It even has a section whereby they explain the traditions and customs in the Edo period.

I've just finished watching 「JIN-仁-」. Despite the little expectation I had when I bought the dvd, I was pleasantly surprised by the the end of episode 2.

My close friends would know how much distaste I have for period dramas other than Chinese period dramas, because I cannot stand the costumes. Well, mainly for Korean and Japanese period dramas. The former because of the grape-like hairstyle many women of that time has and the weird tall hats that the men wear. The latter because of the slightly less weird bun/onigiri-like hairstyle the women spot and the strange half-bald hairstyle for the men. Of course, in Chinese period dramas, there're weird hairstyles for men (Manchu hairstyle, or the rest with the bun on top of the head) and also women (Especially those royalty). But I guess I grew up watching them, so it's kind of 'usual fare' already.

Aniwaes, I digressed but the point of bringing that up is to illustrate just how amazing it if for 「JIN-仁-」to have been so enjoyable. I haven't watched a single Japanese period drama before. Even for the popular Ooku series, I've only managed to watch one or two episodes.

But 「JIN-仁-」 had charms that brought me past that superficial phase. This is what Japanese does way better than Korean tv. It's SF + Romance + Human. I enjoyed Code Blue up till 2/3 of the series, but after the lead doctor's arm got amputated, everything just went downslope. My greatest criticism would be that the lead actor failed to carry the show on his shoulders. I know many would disagree, but that's how I felt, especially after comparing it to 「JIN-仁-」. Or maybe it's just the writing, because I felt that comparing Minakata Jin and Yamapi's character, the latter felt too fiction. The conflicts he felt seemed too contrived. I can't remember clearly, but it seems that his character was written to look cool. On the other hand, I empathised more with Jin, who was more human and real. Osawa Takao's acting as Minakata Jin was also more convincing and heartwrenching than Yamapi's.