I really wanted to watch the 1996 version of Itazura na Kiss—I may watch the anime one day since it’s the only thing I can find but, I haven’t watched this version (Itazaura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo) after all. It seems like every time I go to MDL I find a new version of this drama to watch. This version is in Japanese and its making me realize I don’t watch many Japanese dramas. I should! Just listening to the language reminds me of my Sailor Moon days. I hope I like it! At least more than that horrible adaptation that I watched last month or the month before. Either way, I’ll rant and rave and swoon (hopefully more swooning than ranting and raving) in my own reply section so as to not crowd up the board with my nonsense. Heaven help me, here I go.

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    Ep 1-2:
    OMG WHY SO CUTE?! SO CUTE! Ok, I’m fine now. I just needed to get that off my chest. I’ve been fooled before Say That You Love Me (I won’t because I don’t) Besides. It probably won’t drive me as bonkers as that show which shall never be named again, right? I mean. That one was so long. This one is only 16 eps and I’m pretty sure these eps are shorter as well.

    Ok, here’s a confession. One of my favorite versions of this drama is Playful Kiss That is also one of the most annoying versions. It was one of my very first dramas and I kind of think that I love it because one of the first scenes (played by the adorable Jung So-Min who was so recently in Father is Strange the female lead explains very. clearly. how to say her name. As a complete newbie to the kdrama world one of my biggest annoyances was that I didn’t know how to pronounce anyones name! Ever! It didn’t matter how many times I heard it or how long the show was or even if I remembered the name or not—I couldn’t pronounce one stupid name. And then, five seconds in to Playful Kiss we have the female lead telling us, quite firmly, my name is “ Oh. Ha. NI! Got it? OH HA-NI!” And I was like…yeah. I’m here for this drama.
    This drama the lead is Kotoko. She doesn’t have a dramatic scene introducing herself but her name is just so much fun to say. Like Taliw in Kiss Me: Thai (And Pi Ah No from Bromance) The male lead is Irie. I like this show so far, legit (again, I’ve been fooled before) but I’m only on episode 2 but its so easy to see why these two dorks fall for each other. Irie is so bewildered to find himself halfway smitten with Kotoko. And can I, for just three seconds, Ki-Chan? He’s adorable. He’s flat out and if Kotoko decided to be with him? Just like Taliw, TenTen and King I would be like…yeah. I get that.

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      I love this drama to pieces and I assure you it’s worth it. The heroine is dim and I found her a bit annoying at first but she won me over. Nothing can beat It Started With A Kiss (Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng) but Itazura Na Kiss: Love in Tokyo is so worth it!!!

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        I just yammered for long minutes about my love ISWAK and TKA. Like, I had to delete my post because it wasn’t what Snaryjellyfish was asking–it was just pure love for ISWAK.

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          I loved loved loved that version so much that the original Japanese movie paled in comparison. 😄😄😄

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            I want to watch the original so bad! Modernflapper gave me the link to the youtube version so I’ll watch that one after this. Maybe. Or something,

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          Oh crap, my drama plate is full but I’m ready to ditch them all (temporarily ) and rewatch Playful Kiss Tokyo
          I think Kin Chan is one of the f the more tempting 2nd leads but Irie… I like tall and skinny brains. Think Sheldon/Jim Parsons

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            Right now, I’m still on a kdrama slump so I made it a point to catch up on my jdrama watchlist. Of all the jdramas I needed to watch, I can’t help rewatching Love In Tokyo. So cute!

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    Oh, hey, someone with expertise I can ask about this show! So, I’ve been on the fence about watching Itazura na Kiss (the more recent one) because I’ve only seen the k-drama, and there the male lead infuriated me. I’ve seen clips of both season one and two of the j-dorama, and been more tempted by season two, but kind of feel like season one is necessary for full enjoyment? Is season one as infuriating as the k-drama?

    (Also, if you need J-dorama recs I’ve recently been getting into them so I have a few, plus a mile-long list I want to watch.)

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      Watch it. It’s worth it. So much cute!!!

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      I just babbled straight nonsense for like 10 minutes. Wow. I had to delete all of it because it was just paragraphs of squee. So. There’s that.
      I am really liking this recent version. I’m in ep 4 and I love that things that were dragged out in other (longer versions) are dealt with pretty quickly. Its pretty obvious already that has feelings that he doesn’t know what to do with and he doesn’t really want to have for Kotoko. I love that she’s not the smartest–but she’s far from the dumbest version of the character. She seems more like she lacks ambition and is lazy but if she puts her mind to something she could probably do it.
      Ok, there are so many different versions. Which one are you wanting to know about? The Love in Tokyo and Love in Tokyo 2 I’ll let you know when I get there. But I will say that of all the versions that I’ve watched my favorite is It Started with a Kiss and They Kiss Again . I don’t think you need to watch ISWAK to enjoy TKA–although there are scenes that take place that you appreciate more if you’ve seen the first one. And the relationship between Xiang Qin and the little brother is beautiful and to fully appreciate it you need to watch the first one. And this is exactly why I had to stop and delete my first response because I started rambling incessantly about my love of ISWAK.
      I will say, that so far if you’ve seen ISWAK and TKA Love in Tokyo seems to have the same vibe. And if you haven’t watched ISWAK and TKA–Do it! It makes me cry and feel all the feels in the best way. Like, it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen TKA (um…a lot more than 1, 2 or 5) there are certain scenes that make me bawl and others that still have me laughing until I’m physically in pain.

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        Clearly I should just watch all of them…I actually haven’t contemplated It Started with a Kiss even though I love Ariel Lin, because I’m just so turned off by the K version. But honestly, I think I just need to put my issues with that show behind me and move on to all the other versions. Will be adding it to my queue now.

        I was talking Love in Tokyo, which I may still watch soon. It’s basically been moving up and down my queue for the last three months, so maybe I’ll just bite the bullet with season one and see how I feel. Maybe I’ll make a project of it and watch it in tandem with ISWAK/TKA and toss Kiss Me in there for good measure. But I can’t do the K version again. Jung So-min was the reason I made it through because she was just so endearingly bright in but I hated the male lead with a passion (EMOTE DUDE).

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          I will always have a bit of love in my heart for the K version because I genuinely love the story (almost) anywhere I can get it. But, mainly because of Jung So Min (Oh. HA. NI!) and I really, really like the scene where they finally get together and he kisses her and she says its our 3rd (or however many) kiss and he tells her that she doesn’t need to count anymore. Its a swoony scene. But, its like the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice. It will do in a pinch–but it will never be my preferred version.
          Like I said, ISWAK and TKA is my favorite version. Followed by Kiss Me: Thai Just because AOMike are freakingadorable. That is more of an adaptation then a remake. Say You Love Me doesn’t make the list. At all. It was just…bad. And a complete waste of time.
          And I’m pretty sure whatshisface from the K version mostly just wanders around looking pretty. He couldn’t emote to save anyones life in BOF and everyone in that show needed saving at one point or another.

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            First: I also have a soft spot for the K.Knightley version of P&P (it’s sooooo pretty) and for all I can list what’s wrong with it, I’ll always watch it when offered.

            But back to the point, I totally agree re: the scene where they get together. I was literally about to drop it at that episode and then shit happened and I was like, “Alrighty then, I guess you knew what I wanted.” It was also really early in my drama watching career (definitely in the first 10 or so I watched). But Jung So-min was so good in that show that I have a bias towards her now in everything else.

            Will def give KM a shot because I loved AoMike in the FH remake – that chemistry was no joke.

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            Really? There are literally only three scenes in that entire movie that I like: (in no particular order)1. When Lizzy teases Jane about Bingley and Jane hides under the covers and wiggles in embarrassment. 2. When Darcy flexes his hand after handing Lizzy into the carriage 3. Mr. Collins and his random little flower when he proposes to Lizzy. Not when he gives it to her, when he’s holding it and looking at her over it as he twirls it. Little. Weirdo.
            That being said: I’ll watch it when its on because of my love of P & P but nope. Its not my jam.

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            I just love the visuals and the way that version really makes you feel like you’re in a family. For all the 6 hr miniseries is hands down the best (and my fave) version, I have a soft-spot for the over-romanticized, over-prettyfied, stripped-of-nuance (I wasn’t kidding when I said I could list all the flaws — and this is the short version) Keira Knightley version. I may even own the DVD. Actually, I think I do, because I recall marathoning the 6-hr version in uni, and then turning around and watching this version immediately after. (We were really hopped up on sugar and had taken over the main floor lounge, scaring away all other non-P&P loving students. Ahhh, first year…) So basically 8-9 solid hours of P&P were consumed.

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            That seems like a solid way to spend a few hours. I own every copy of it that I can find. The A&E version the BBC version, Mormon, Bollywood, Kiera Knightley there’s another one that I can’t think of. Maybe the 70s version where everyone is at least a decade too old. I didn’t really like Pride and Prejudice until my freshman year of college. I worked in the library and they had all 6 movies on VHS–they were on the top shelf and every day I would walk by and become a bit more smitten with Colin Firth until over a long weekend I checked them out. I sat in my room and watched that 6 hour miniseries 3.Times. In the scene where Caroline is going on about what a woman should be –my roommate who was using the only computer (hows that for aging myself?) in the house (mine) turned and said, “What. A. Bitch” and I turned to her with crazy, Colin Firth obsessed eyes–“We should watch it from the beginning. Let me rewind the tape.”

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            I’m still kinda mad that K-Drama P&P wasn’t an adaptation.

            But three times in one sitting? Damn. That takes skill. Granted, I did watch Silence of the Lambs three times the night I saw it for the first time though, so I’m never allowed to judge anyone ever again. (I mean, I’m not insane, we watched other movies in between, but still.)

            But when it comes to P&P I would probably be right there rewinding the tape before the words were out of your mouth, so I totally understand. Granted, I watched the entirety of You Who Came From the Stars in pretty much one sitting when I was supposed to study for the state-required ethics exam for lawyers, so I probably have some skills too? (Also, I passed in all 50 states, so take that MPRE. Stupid test.)

            Um, one question: Mormon P&P? Saywhatnow? Why have I never heard of this until now?

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            I remember watching P&P with my boyfriend, and we were admiring one of Lizzys and Darcys arguments discussing how awesome it was that the winner is the one that keeps their composure and their temper in check when most couple fights are all about who’s loudest. And speaking of awesome banter Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in My Girlfriday. The Best!

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            Yes! Its Pride and Prejudice: A Latter Day Tale. My roommate had a friend who’s roommate looked exactly like the guy who played Wickham in the movie. He was so hot. And so rude.
            Every single time I see the Pride and Prejudice drama I get excited. And then its not Pride and Prejudice and I get bitter. Every Time. I’m glad its not on dramafever’s home page anymore.
            All 50 states? Dude. I’m pretty sure no one with sense has ever doubted you.

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            I hate it when the reply button goes on a walk.

            I LOVE MY GIRL FRIDAY. And this is backwards, but it always reminds me of my favorite episode arc of the old tv show Ghostwriter.

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            (It’s not a super hard test to be fair, but most people don’t study for it for more than a day, so most people fail the first time and then pass on the retake. It’s the stupidest exam ever. And required if you plan to practice. I fully expected to fail, considering I’d signed up for it at the last possible second and looked up the study materials five days before the test and watched the vids at 1.5 speed.)

            But I will now have to look up this Mormon P&P, because seriously.

            Have you seen the web series The Lizzie Bennett Diaries? That is one of my fave adaptations, and it’s really good at updating the tale and characters. It’s all on YouTube, but because it’s the 5 yr anniversary they’ve been reposting on FB like it aired (eps on M/W/F) with all the transmedia stuff so it’s like watching in real time all over again. But that series is what kept me sane in law school I loved it so much. I’ve probably rewatched it twice already.

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            I have seen the Lizzie Bennet Diaries and tried to read the adaptation. I didn’t like it that much though. I thought Lizzie was really mean. But, I’m the only person I know who feels that way.
            Its not the first time I’ve been in the corner all weird and whatnot.

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            OK, I just saw the trailer for Pride & Prejudice: A Latter Day Comedy, and I feel like my life has been missing this insanity. Also, everyone in that trailer has terrible hair. I get that it was 2003, but that’s not an excuse. I guess I know what I’ll be watching tomorrow.

            (Also, hell yeah Ghostwriter — LOVED that show when I was a kid.)

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            I can get passed the hair. I can. Its the shirts–specifically Lizzy’s shirts. Its like she went to the store, tried one on and said, yes. I’ll have one of these in every color, pattern, material…wrap those suckers up. And the striped pants. Its…not a great combination.
            Fun fact for when you do watch: They filmed the library scenes in the Utah Valley State College (now university) library. They are in the back on the second floor and right over the rail on the first floor in that corner there was a dude who used to sit there every.single.day. and look at the nastiest porn. He would get put out every day. The movie was made before I worked there, but every time I see it I’m all (to myself), hey…do you remember creepy porn guy? And they pass the apartments up the street from where I used to live.

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          I really wanted to like the korean version, more because I’m a sucker for that story than because it was good. Oh Ha ni was sweet, but they made her into a joke little to often. And they had too many filler scenes of the second lead running around looking ridiculous. Seung jo was actively mean sometimes instead of disinterested which is irritating.
          I’m also a fan of Pride and Predjudice, Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in the A&E version is probably my favorite but I liked the music and look of Keira Knightlys . M. Macfadyen has an awesome deep voice, very attractive

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            Matthew is an attractive man. I always forget about him. Probably because he’s not my Darcy.

            Oh Ha Ni did frustrate me alot in that version. I’m still shocked that I became so addicted to the story I would get so frustrated watching it. I remember thinking on more than one occassion, “can’t she be good at something? Anything at all?” But….nope. Thats why I like the other versions better. She’s still not bright. At. All. And she can’t cook and she can’t do a lot of things either but her stupidity wasn’t the butt of every single joke either. I love in other versions how she loves and respects herself enough to walk away (and mean it) when the male lead treats her like garbage.

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            Oops ‘His Girlfriday’

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            Making more P&P noises. Lol
            The most readily available version that is freaking unwatchable is the ’40s version w/Greer Garson and L. Olivier. It sucked so bad. And they wore hoopskirts. Blech. Just wrong all over

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            That cant be the most readily available one because I cant find that one anywhere! Admittedly I havent looked recently because it’s terrible but I used to want to own every version ever (until I realized lifetime and hallmark make terrible adaptations) and thats the only one I cant get my grubby (obsessive) hands on.

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            Oops My bad. I seem to catch it on tv, usually onTCM. Way more than the quality warrants. There’s always Amazon

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            Oh, no no no no. I dont want to WATCH it. I want to own it and set it on my shelf with the rest of my P&P collection. Ive seen it. More times than I’ve wanted to, actually.

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            O get it , I have a weakness for Jane austen anyway. Collecting copies of her books. And audio books. I love to listen when I’m walking or trying to sleep. Although I have had a hard time getting a P&P reader that sounds “right” So if your interest lies that way I’m looking for recommendations for a believable Lizzy

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            For audio? I have yet to find any Jane Austen that I like on audio. The ones that I’ve heard have all been deadly dull. What narrator do you prefer?

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            That s the problem , I can’t seem to find one that sounds right , as Lizzy and if they’re not bad they try too hard to do the men’s voices, and it just comes out sounding wrong. I have Mansfield Park, and Sense&S. by Juliet Stevenson

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          I was turned off by the Kdrama version too and ended up dropping it after the first episode. That was saying a lot because back then I really like Kim Hyun Joong. My major problem with the korean version was that the heroine was too stupid. I mean, her character was meant to be stupid, but not this stupid. The 1996 j-dorama did better with her characterization.

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      Also please try watching We Married as a Job. It’s soooo cute! Not heavy on the romance but it’s so addicting. Plus they also have the adorable Koi Dance.

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    1996 version of Itazura na Kiss is very special for me. It was my first drama dvd, and also a gift from a dear friend. Too bad the flood came and the disks are ruined. I too wish to watch it again

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