Saki ni Umareta Dake no Boku (2017)

I found this drama in some ways similar to "Ashita no Yakusoku" (a drama I wish to finish someday... if the subs are complete). It is a school drama, but with more emphasis in the teachers and teaching, unlike other school dramas like "Gokusen" and Cia. The visual aspect is darker, but while Ashita no Yakusoku has a more complex story, this one is more on the human side.Story: (8/10) I decided to watch it without reading the plot. I guess because of not having the chance to finish the drama mentioned above. So I was pleasantly surprised, since there isn't nothing more gratifying than starting a drama without expectations and without having read spoilers. The story is about a man (Sakurai Sho) who is appointed to be the principal of a high school in need of a good remodeling. Since he is primarily a businessman (a salaryman) he first sees everything as a product, but all his ideas are good and he is a hard working man. I liked his perspective of hiring best teachers for the different clubs; it is true that if the school excels in, let's say basket, more students will want to attend that school. A strong club attracts more students. I like how, as the school gets better in education, both teachers and students are more motivated to be better themselves, on teaching and on learning, respectively. And also how eventually they all are proud of their school.Cast: (8/10) Sakurai improved greatly since "Kazoku Game", but it could be also because his role wasn't cartoonish. There were a couple of times where I was seeing Sakurai the Idol (his round face was a bit distracting), but most of the times he was Narumi. I think almost all actors did a good job, even the students (I like the student who was going to marry Kuroki-kun). I even liked Seto Koji, specially when he was teaching English. As a suitor, he was like a puppy: a bit clingy and a bit annoying, but harmless. I do feel like Tabe Mikako's character was a a bit wasted. Aoi Yuu's character was better developed.The 3 main ladies were the best for me. The two in the love triangle and the counselor (Igawa Haruka). There were a couple of times where I was thinking what a lucky guy Narumi was, to be surrounded by 3 intelligent, hard-working, beautiful ladies... who also happened to be excellent actresses.I didn't like the bad guy since his laughs were just too much... all of him actually. Even when he was eating his lunch it was disgusting. Such a 2-dimensional villain. And I also didn't like the trio of teachers who were against Narumi. Such a shame because I like YosiYosi.Music: (8/10) Arashi's "Doors" is not one of my favorites, but I came to like it more with this drama. And I liked the OST, since it wasn't serious.Rewatch value: (8/10) Actually I almost never rewatch anything since there are so many dramas and so little time, so the rewatch thing for me would be the "recommended?". Yes, I would recommend it but to people who like to see how a entity improves, from being a MEH school to a praised one.I do think that this is one of those dramas that deserved at least one extra episode, but overall, it ended well.

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This dorama gets a full 10/10 for its many merits (very interesting plot, beautiful message, great performances by the leads - Aoi Yu and Sakurai Sho - and by part of the supporting cast - most of all, Kazama Morio and Kinami Haruka - btw, too bad Morikawa Aoi's role is so small T__T) and despite its flaws (the naiveté of some details - active learning is indeed a great tool, but it's not so easy to implement it, particularly in a high school environment, as shown here; the ridiculously terrible performances given by Arakawa Yoshiyoshi - the guy can "play" only ONE character, and that's what he does *every single time* in *every single drama*...SO ANNOYING!!! - and by Takashima Masanobu - compared to him, even Dick Dastardly from "Wacky Races" was a credible, realistic and sober villain!!! >__<

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"Saki ni Umareta dake no Boku" loosely translated is "Me, who was just born earlier (than you)" and I think knowing that really says everything about this drama. This philosophy on education, which stresses the importance of growth and learning at all ages and the relationships between students and teachers, is so beautifully illustrated by the drama's story of a businessman being transferred into the position of a principal at a low-rated high school owned by the large corporation he works for. Narumi struggles with how to apply his business know-how to this new environment and it is exciting to watch him slowly figure out for himself (and then engage the teachers and students!) in understanding how education can motivate and inspire, and not just be a simple means to an end. They even get into pedagogical discussions, which I've never seen in a school drama before! The first half of this drama is definitely compelling for these reasons, but starts to lose a bit of steam in the second half because of an extraneous side plot involving Narumi's romantic entanglements. The drama could've easily minimized it or done without it, and still been interesting! Sakurai Sho is strong in his role as Narumi (though he's not straying all that far from his idol persona) and so is Aoi Yuu as Mashiba. (Unfortunately, Tabe Mikako is absolutely wasted in her role.) As a professional who works in education, it was really refreshing to see a school drama tackle some of what it is like to be an educator, with all the complexities that go beyond just teaching, and not just focus solely on the students. Definitely recommended to those looking for something a little different in the school drama genre. :)

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..WHERE SCHOOL IS A FORM OF BUSINESS?..

..school genre is one of my fave to watch - so many things to look on the past..
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..yeah I've watch a lot of this kind of drama but they have distinct uniqueness that makes me eager to watch..
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..as I far as I remembered, this one never tackle on othet drama - when a student ask a teacher, "why they need to study a certain subject that might help on them once they encounter the big picture if society" (I hope this question might give you interest to watch the drama)..
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..the drama goes the same until the end not like the othet drama that features certain character on each episode then jump to another one..
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..indeed it is very hard to give you a task which are not in your profession but somehow you can still apply it on your current job - it will cause some problem on the entire field if you are not aware on the surroundings especially the people you ae working with..
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..not that kind interest on the love story side - just good to see Marika Matsumoto and Mikako Tabe..
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..overall, some scenes are quite interesting knowing there still problems exist on the last episode but still the a solution is there - not thinking the make the drama so fast-faced, it is just direct to the point that you not need to think anymore, you just go with the flow and putting yourself as one of the staff there, so relaxing to watch, with funny scenes and characters that goes on your nerve (their acting are so effectivve that makes you feel the same)..
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..again, I am missing so much this kind of genre - to go to school is so fun with challenge..

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