I like jdoramas about jobs in Japan because it is the fun details that make a jdorama interesting. The one that comes to mind is Isharyou Bengoshi about a lawyer who specialises in getting compensation for divorces. It is something that is so Japanese and unique that regardless of the quality of the show it is worth watching for educational purposes.
Sorette pakuri jyanai? or 'Isn't that a rip off?' is a show about intellectual properties and patents, two things that 99% of people do not deal with but is so important in today's society. It has Yoshine Kyoko (Old Rookie) playing a person who worked in drinks development who is moved into the legal department after she is suspected of leaking information.
Yoshine Kyoko knows how to play the shoujo hero well. She has an incredible backup cast including Tomosaka Rie, Tokiwa Takako and Asakura Aki and Hidekazu Akai who are both criminally underused!
Yet it was rough getting through the first 5 episodes of Sorette Pakuri Jyanai. I really wanted to like it but something is missing from the relationship of the two main characters. Its the typical grumpy guy being mean to girl he likes but the chemistry isn't there. I think mostly this show lacks humour and the episodes are too long at 51 minutes!
Normally jdoramas are 46 minutes long but the extra 5 minutes just pads the dorama as there are not much twists and turns in regards to intellectual properties and patents. There's interesting stuff like when is something a parody or an imitation and not using people's pictures without permission but there is not enough meat to the bones.
I don't want to drop Sorette pakuri jyanai but the fact that I am not compelled to continue watching probably means I should drop it. It is good seeing Tokiwa Takako and Tomosaka Rie. Why couldn't it have been funnier? Meh.
Your comment - "Yoshine Kyoko knows how to play the shoujo hero well" struck me as interesting in that it feels like it's from a time that is now passed.
ReplyDeleteSadly, J-drama world has changed so much in the last 18mths that our previous takes many would have relied on for choosing a drama may no longer hold. Sure I get what is probably driving it, but it has been so quick and pervasive that it will take a lot or recalibrating.
If you do an other general Japan post (i.e. not about a particular drama) - that is probably a better forum to discuss.