Continuing with my short introductory series of "Why I like...", Today's post is all about "Why I like Japanese Dramas." I think my reasons for why I like Japanese dramas are the most different compared to all of the other countries (except maybe Thai dramas...). Some of the reasons will be the same, as I said in my "Why I Like Cdramas" post but some reasons ARE COMPLETELY different, which I like because it isn't boring.
"WHY I LIKE JAPANESE DRAMAS"
1) HANDSOME ACTORS/BEAUTIFUL ACTRESSES. As I said in previous posts, THERE ARE HANDSOME ACTORS AND BEAUTIFUL ACTRESSES IN THESE DRAMAS! Japanese dramas are NO EXCEPTION.
2)SLICE OF LIFE ROMANCES. Japanese dramas are my favorite when it comes to the romance genre. I love that overall, the romance seems organic and natural. The romance in jdramas aren't always a Cinderella story...not saying they NEVER have this OF COURSE! There are always some IN ANY COUNTRY that have the Cinderella story element and everything has a happy ending. Japanese dramas don't guarantee the happy ending always. Even their romance dramas focus on other parts of the plot a lot and take a more realistic take on romance. Japanese romance dramas are more laid back, relaxed and more unpredictable in my opinion. A lot of their dramas, not just romances, are SLICE OF LIFE dramas so they are very relatable and comforting.
3)DARK AND CRAZY CRIME DRAMAS. Japanese dramas do crime dramas SO WELL! One of the reasons I think that Japan does AMAZING crime dramas is because they aren't afraid to discuss tough topics. They can be very depressing and sad BUT also fast paced and exciting. There is something just unique when it comes to Japanese crime dramas! Japanese crime dramas LOVE a good detective story and a lock roomed mystery. I think I love these types of Japanese dramas because I am obsessed with these same topics. Japanese dramas also have a reputation of getting SORT OF CRAZY which make them unpredictable and fun to watch...especially when a crime drama throws in supernatural/fantasy/sci-fi elements.
4)OST. What I love about Japanese OSTs is that they seem to take the most risk compared to other countries. I find them to be the most unique compared to other countries' OSTs. Now this might just be due to the type of jdramas I watch. Whenever I hear a Japanese drama OST, I always find me thinking "Huh, I wouldn't put this into a drama as a soundtrack but ODDLY, it fits." I like that they are so different because I am always surprised and have quite a long playlist for Japanese OSTs that I love.
5)CINEMATOGRAPHY. I love how Japan shoots their dramas! Japanese dramas give off a comforting and cozy feel because not everything is glossy. The cinematography has a more realistic feel, almost like it was shot on a home camera. The color palette for dramas can also be muted sometimes and even colored in a golden hue which makes it feel cozy and on a smaller budget. I think this type of cinematography fits with the more realistic and natural approach that Japanese dramas take in their story telling.
6)SMALL NUMBER OF EPISODES. Japanese dramas tend to have 8-10 episodes and then you are done. It is a very binge-able number and can easily be watched in one sitting. This also prevents the story from dragging because the story has to play out in a small number of episodes.
7)THOUGHT-PROVOKING/LIFE ISSUES. Japanese dramas have always had a lot of social commentary in them. I think their dramas examine characters and do a lot of character development which then bring up thought provoking topics and issues and make the audience think. On the surface, Japanese dramas can sometimes seem superficial but as you watch them, you realize there is always a layer underneath that bring up these topics and have characters say dialogue that make you think. For example, you might have a work place drama, that on the surface, is all about fixing the problems that come up at work but an underlying story is actually fixing the problems in all the workers' personal lives such as being a working mother or a lack of self-confidence. I think this has to do with the fact that Japanese dramas do slice of life dramas SO WELL!
8)SKIN-SHIP. Compared to other dramas, Japanese dramas historically have been known to have a lot more skin-ship. Now in 2020, we have progressed somewhat in other countries with dramas but Japanese dramas still sometimes show more on their screen. I think this again has to do with my love of the Japanese romance dramas and how they feel more natural and realistic. The skin-ship and the human connection (all types of human connection and love) made with that physical interaction is what makes the Japanese romance dramas click with me. Humans need physical contact for a deep connection especially in the romance department. Now I am not saying ALL Japanese dramas do this...there are some that HILARIOUSLY don't BUT Japanese dramas do tend to show more physical contact/interaction on the screen.
9)ESCAPISM. I find that I relate a lot to Japanese dramas because of the slice of life take on their dramas. That is my escape, I find a drama that deals with the sort of stress that I am dealing with and watch it be resolved on screen.
FAVORITE JDRAMAS OF ALL TIME:
FAVORITE JDRAMAS OF 2020 SO FAR (Ones I watched in 2020, not all were made in 2020):
-Seven Days (Both Movies - MONDAY - THURSDAY & FRIDAY - SUNDAY)
CURRENT JDRAMAS THAT I AM WATCHING:
Why do you like Jdramas? Have you ever watched a Jdrama? What are your favorite Jdramas? What Jdramas are you watching now?
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT MY FIRST POST OF THIS INTRO SERIES - "WHY I LIKE KDRAMAS"
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