Hana ni Keda Mono (2017)

Like many other j-dramas, Hana ni Keda Mono is a live adaptation of a manga. I have not read the manga, so I will base my review on what was presented in the drama itself.

The plot starts out with a female student, Kumakura Kumi, who transfers schools and ends up falling in love with the most popular guy in school. Kakizono Hyo is known to be a playboy and he also steals her first kiss upon their first encounter. The story is very cliche; we've all heard of these plot lines before, but even so, I was curious to see if this could be a unique take on an overused plot. Unfortunately though, everything in this drama continued on the cliche path to the point where you can easily predict what will happen next, especially if you are an avid drama viewer. While trying to adapt to the new school, Kumi becomes friends with an outcast named Ogami Kanna, who is surrounded by many bad rumors due to her past that she has kept hidden. Eventually Kanna and other students Kumi becomes friends with become entangled in the complicated/romantic relationship that ensues between her and Hyo.

I can handle cheesy lines or scenes in some dramas, even if I'm not fond of them, but there were so many cringe-worthy scenes in this one that I ended up skipping through some. There are several scenes where it looks like the actors are going to kiss the camera or are talking straight into the camera as if the viewer is the main lead and it was just way too cringey for me. Filming aside, there was not much history or development given for any of the characters in this, so it was hard to connect with them unless one actually read the manga. I also lost interest in the relationship between the main leads and wished there had been more scenes to show the development between the side characters (Ogami Kanna & Hiyoshi Tatsuki) instead. The endless drama that kept happening between all the main characters could've easily been solved with proper communication, so it was frustrating to watch up to the very end.

ACTING/CAST: On a positive note, I did not expect oscar-worthy acting from anyone, especially for a high school drama. If I had to put it bluntly though, the acting was below average.

[Sugino Yosuke]: I initially started this drama because I was interested in Sugino Yosuke's works after seeing him in the second season of Good Morning Call, but out of the two dramas, this was hands down his weaker performance. I felt his acting was a bit too stiff and even some of his facial expressions were unconvincing (he was still superior to Nakamura Yurika), but overall a weak performance from him. I didn't feel any chemistry between him and the main lead like when he was in Good Morning Call. Even his recent cameo in Kakugo wa Iika Soko no Joshi was better than his acting in this drama. I hope he gets a better project in the future, so I can pretend this one never happened lol

[Nakamura Yurika]: Honestly, Yurika was the weakest link out of the cast lineup. She is very pretty, but her acting was stiff and her facial expressions didn't match what was going on in the story. She seemed very expressionless the whole time and I think that's partially why I didn't get invested into Kumi and Hyo's relationship. I didn't see or feel there way any chemistry, especially with how much they supposedly loved each other. There were also awkward hug scenes and exaggeration in other parts of Yurika's acting, such as one occasion where Kumi falls. She literally rolled several times on the ground lol Hopefully she can improve her acting over time.

[Matsuo Takashi]: Here's my guy! There wasn't much to Takashi's character because Izumi Chihaya is supposed to have a very quiet, calm demeanor and he also wasn't around some of the time. So with that in mind, he did play the quiet character well lol But the second lead syndrome was real for me. On one hand, I wanted Chihaya to get what he wanted and on the other, I think he deserved someone way better. This is my first time seeing Takashi in anything and I think he did ok, nothing above average. I might have to watch something else he's been in to get a better idea on his acting.

MUSIC: I was pleasantly surprised to see that Da- iCE sang the ost for this drama because I'm a fan of their music. They used their song "Waruguchi" as the main theme while various instrumentals were used for other scenes. If you haven't checked out anything from Da-iCE, I recommend doing so!

REWATCH VALUE: I would not watch this drama again, but I do think someone could watch it to pass the time. It's not a breakthrough drama, but it is still a high school romance and those who like that genre might enjoy it. I personally found it a bit too frustrating for my taste, but fans of the cast members might find it entertaining.

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The story starts oddly between the new girl at school and the most popular/handsome guy in school which is a total playboy. I think the story line jumped ahead so many times it was hard not to cringe all through this drama, it repeats itself so much it's not even funny but to make it clear this drama is underwhelming overall. The main of the story seems to revolve around the 2 main leads but there is so little background story to the characters in general, the male lead wasn't given much of a background and the female lead had a bit of a good background story that if used properly it could have been a great part of the story line but who needs to follow that, right? It's not like the story will turn out crappy... oh wait, it did. If you're looking for something to fill in your time in between dramas or just waste time give it a watch, but if you're looking for/expecting a good drama out of this it is not and it's in no way, shape or form anything like Hana Yori Dango or Boys Over Flowers or any of the relative titles in any given remake of said titles. This is just a simple story gone bad, the only reason I finished it is because the actors were kinda handsome and the girls weren't totally terrible. WARNING: If you do watch this you will face endless cringing.

Also, I watched the last episode without subs, so I can only guess from what I saw a lot of what happened other than the very few words I do understand in Japanese, but the ending didn't make much of anything better overall it's something that could have happened 5 episodes back and saved me the all the nuisance of watching the same thing over and over in a different way.

I wouldn't re-watch this at all, ever. But I am obliged to mark something down on the ratings. The music wasn't bad at all, the acting was pretty stiff and I can't for sure say it's the actors because it could also be the way their characters were written. The story had the potential to be a good story but the writer just went in circles with the idea and turned it into a cringe annoyance fest.

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I can't say it's a Japanese SKINS although, for a second there I thought it might be when Kumi meets Hyo in the secret room of the high school. Yeah, this short drama has some intrigue to it.

Actually, I watched this for Sugino Yosuke (who made this the same time he was in Good Morning Call) Actually, my favorite character of his is in Good Morning Call. Now I know they consider him a womanizer in this, but he comes off a bit aimless and just lets whatever happens with the girls he meets. So as the story develops you do see his character grow. Still, with that dazzling smile of his, there is a certain darkness we need to appreciate.

I found Kumi quite immature and oh so confusing. Because when the second lead Izu shows up, she's not the smartest tool in the shed. Honestly, I found the side kick Tatsuki the most endearing. And if I were writing this show I know who my main lead would be.

This is a very short drama which is a plus. Yet, I found it stilted and a little too sappy at times. You'll find the traditional Japanese male ..cold and never much for words and the traditional Japanese female with a sweet voice and full of goodness surrounded by bad girl students who want to make her life miserable. Oh, the drama of high school!

You might be on the fence of the importance of it. Still, it's a drama that makes you wonder if people ever saw you that way when you were in school.

The music was OK. Nothing that great. I did like the way some of the segments were shot. Honestly, I would have liked the drama to be a little darker, a little more suspenseful. I would have liked to have known Hyo's brother and the idea that maybe Hyo was a bit mental. There were moments I was certain it existed.

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Updated now that I’ve actually finished it. I really like this high school romance that also includes valued friendships and the complexities that come up with multiple people and teenage angst.

Personally, I like the acting. Hyo was perfectly cast with his gorgeous smile. I’ve seen several comments about Kumi not having any expressions but that is how she is written in the manga. The rest of the actors are doing a fine job.

The music fit the story, although I didn’t find it outstanding in any way.

Overall, I will probably watch this again sometime when I need a happy ending story.

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Thank goodness the episodes were short

I don't mind cliches. Actually, to a certain degree, you can't, if you watch Asian drama. Original storylines are few and far between. However, this drama took the typical new girl/most popular boy and ran with it until I felt like I was parked right in the middle of "Cliche Central". He was the most popular boy in school - we get it. All the girls are falling all over him, they are constantly talking about how much they like him, they are selling tickets to win a date with him, and he's given a ring to 99 different girls. To me, this made the girls seem ridiculous and the male lead look like a jerk. There wasn't any evidence to show how he came to like the new girl and why he was willing to give up his playboy ways. I kept waiting for the obligatory "I bet my friend that I could get you to like me, it started out as a joke," but that never happened. Plus, it's a high school drama, but these kids barely ever went to class. There were festivals, planning for festivals, hanging out on a bench, meeting in a secret room, but not much learning going on. Why did she like him? Never really got that either.

I found the acting in this to be bad, especially by the female lead. She spent a lot of time with a look on her face like she was in pain. Was it an editing issue? Sometimes her facial expressions didn't even go with the story line. That was odd.

So, it's an easy and quick watch if you just want something mindless and you don't expect much.

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Im back!!!! Hehehe.... okay so the storyline is great... it's purely puppy love and friendship story soo highschool.. but hey hisghschool romance are cool right?? Oh well the characters especially the boys are so japanese cute.. the main girl here is not attractive like her girl friend... her feature is so old than here age here... she is not a lady bear but a mother bear..hahaha...

Why I finish only the 9 episodes it is because the 10th episode is not transcribe in English... how can I understand.. I can only understand "arigato" "baka" and "suka"..hahaaha.. anyway, that girl ku-chan even her hair so short but I think she has a long hair having two handsome guys fighting for her heart.....waaaaaaaah!!!!

Anyway, the shirtless from episode 1 is cool for a highschool guy... I mean I notice people in the comment box criticise the shirtless scene because Hyo has no abs... my gosh!!! Why a highschool kid will have a 6 packk abs?? He is just an adolescent not an adult.. he is still on its way to grow... hello?? Hahaha...

The story is about balancing love and friendship... so which is which... I just hope that they will talk and settle the issue behind the two exes...

So better watch this so you will know what im talking about. Hahaahaha... and. Oh how lovely to have a school who has so many activities. Im so jealous. I dont have that kind of activities in our school before.. how I wish we have also rings with our uniforms.. hahahha..

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Even Japan has bad, shallow shows about "high schoolers"

The cast is an eye candy. Kumi is pretty, Kanna even more, and the same can be said about the boys. Hyo is handsome, Tatsuki even more, only poor Chihaya is ugly.
Else, this is really bland and absolutely incomparable to any of the shows listed here in "Recommendations". Perhaps except 'Hana ni Keda Mono Season 2'.
Might be the combination of weird "acting", unfitting music and too short a runtime, but you don't get to really tune into any of the "lovestories" presented in this one... What's more, you don't really get to find out what's the story supposed to be about, even after you watched it. It's pretty unclear, the characters unfathomable. If this is an adaptation of a manga, it must be either poor adaptation or poor manga, possibly both.
Can one enjoy this one at least in a shallow way? The two mains have such a ridiculous looking onscreen kisses. 1st one would be exciting if it actually happened. It's delayed and happens when it's dark, in weird angle. The height gap makes it even more awkward. Another time, when the guy wants to plant an exciting surprise kiss, it's like he needs to do a super quick limbo dance move first, LOL. She looks like a startled fish. Goodness me.
Last episode kiss looks pitiful and it's preceded by a shot of Hyo looking like he's going to fall on the ground asleep, lol. After it, the camera offers a detail of the girl's clenched hand.
The whole final has 25 minutes, meaning it has about 2 minutes on each element presented in there: main couple's relationships problems also get solved in 2 minutes.
Weird to see Japan also has shallow & bad shows about "high schoolers"... LOL.

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manga is nothing match to this live action ....its fucking boring for me and charcters cant able to keep up with there characters. personally manga showed to much charcter developmnet but in this i was so bored with unnatural acting ......actress is fucking boring to begin with. male lead is pretty mch good for me if he got good directions ....
i hope japan seriously make shoujo mangas like orange ,ao haru ride,etc they were almost perfect live action ...
even supporting roles are annoying for me
ahhahah too much complaints becoz i love totally loved manga one of my fav mangas ....in million of shoujo's haha

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Actually the story is cliche but honestly, I might want to give it a try, stories like this is fun only if done right. But after seeing episode 1, dang, the female lead doesn't for me doesnt suit her character. and she forcibly acts cute with those actions, expressions and even her body language, even the way she moves her head or feel the taste of her Ramen, its soo cringy and acting really all cute and tough especially with the male lead doesn't suit her. I have seen so many Japanese dramas with girls act like her character but they have done pretty good, but with her? Nah, I dont wanna comment on the visual side because its unfair but you know, the guy is too handsome for her and they have zero chemistry. She is a newbie probably, but that doesnt excuse her very poor acting cause in one way or another, it will affcet the dramas quality.

On a sidenote, Hyo-kun, the male lead is really handsome, like a mix of Kentaro and Kento. They couldve casted him as one of the F4 or C5 rather, oh well.

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