Everything in this drama was realy great and shown realy well. The actors fit the characters very well. This was was my first j-drama after a three month break and I'm realy happy I watched it... ^^
About the cast : They all were amazing together. Keiko was Riko, Tomohisa was Naoki and for me they will always be these. Because they were amazing and it's like these roles were made for them to play. When you see them fighting you can feel your heart aching and when they make up you can finaly feel at ease
There is one main song (like in, probably, every j-drama) but it's enough to say that the music is perfect because the song is amazing fot the show.
So, I can surely say that for me this drama was outstanding. At first you can think that a violinist and a basketball player would never be good for each other, but later on you see that you were wrong. ;)How they meet, how they talk, how they help and advice each other was beautiful. How they see each other by coincidence and how they feel embarased. You can feel their emotions yourself and you feel like it's effecting you, too. And that's why you fall in love with this drama even more. And that's amazing.
I'd definitely say that it's a must-watch drama!
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I especially enjoy a drama where the love builds unexpectedly between the lead couple. What I also liked about this drama is that even though there is necessary conflict and a bit of angst between them for drama's sake, they come to the realization of their feelings quickly and that kept me interested. Their chemistry was great and their scenes together so satisfying.
The writing is good. I liked the story trajectory for the main characters. The 11 episodes go by fast. The supporting cast was also fun. Riko's roommate Mei was a standout for me. She was so sassy and blunt. I loved her character.
Yamapi was good. He is one handsome bloke but I liked his acting in Nobuta wo Produce and he didn't disappoint me here either. In watching Kurosagi, I have decided I like when he plays quirky characters a bit more than when he plays a straight lead.
The soundtrack wasn't as standout as other Jdramas I've watched but I did love the opening song and the Beetles and Stones songs in the background.
I give the re-watch value a 9 because this was a very fun watch. I really liked the romance and the friendship of the OTP. Like the Jdrama Pride, this is set in the sports world but there is a great balance of both basketball, character study and romance.
I recommend this drama highly. It's a fast, enjoyable watch. Sweet, romantic and it has something for everyone.
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Yamapi (Naoki) is a great actor here but sometimes he falls a bit flat, making his character feel a bit two-dimensional, though it's mostly due to his lines (not his fault - he's a great actor).
The chemistry between Naoki and Riko was wonderful, though it's true when Natsuki said their relationship is just to "lick each other's wounds" I felt that it was true, in a sense that they played more on the "dream" part than the "love" part.
I love the way they portray characters and each and every single one of the character, be it minor or major brought an interesting part to the show.
Props goes to Shuji, Mai-chan and Utsu - they were supporting actors but they were FANTASTIC. Love the way they bring out their characters!
A light hearted drama without being too pointless or too serious - great watch. You can't help but to fall head over heels with Yamapi here!
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This review may contain spoilers
I stayed up all night to finish this drama when I watched it. This a very sweet story about 2 people who meet each other and fight to not fall in love. Yamapi in all his super cuteness, plays a naive basketball player who is on the rise. Keiko plays a sweet innocent violin player who is making no money and about to give up. By chance they meet, and keep running into each other, and eventually become each others support when troubles come. I know i cant give any spoilers but...... watch out for the girlfriend she is an unbelievable mess.if you like romance stories this is an awesome one that doesn't bog you down with too much basketball terminology.
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I liked the cast; There were Yamapi and Kitagawa Keiko as leads: I really like those two plus their chemistry was perfect in this drama.
Mixing sports with romance, friendship and sacrifices was so cool even though we didn't see a lot of basketball during the drama but there was many interesting events.
The music was nice i remember it until now! Buzzer Beat is a drama that left a great impression within me.
It doesn't matter if you're sports fan or not, give it a go and you'il like it!
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I finished it just now so my thoughts and opinions are fresh. I am giving it a 9 even though the last two episodes bored me. I expected a little bit more. Still, because everything ended the way it should have I am quite happy. Mostly I am biased for this drama because I adore Yamapi and Keiko equally and them being together on the show was all that I could ask for. They looked amazing together and their chemistry was very good. Plus, they had the best kissing scenes I have seen in any Jdrama till now.
It has a good story, and even though some parts of it are cliche I liked how they ended things. They weren't afraid of risking a different ending. I have often encountered such stories of cheating and affairs, and they always end the same way. I am happy to see something different here. Almost all the situations and their reactions were realistic. That's probably why this drama stood out.
Apart from that, the sports and music plots are both great in it. I liked a lot of characters and also hated the ones that deserved to be hated. The romance front was flawless in this show. Plus, the friendship between the main characters was also depicted very well. The cast all gave incredible performances- especially Keiko. Yamapi oozed hotness and he had a shirtless scene every other episode. I am so glad I discovered this drama because it had all the elements that I typically love.
So, if you're fond of music, basketball or even romance- this is the drama to be watched. It is not the one to miss out on. I will surely rewatch the parts of my favourite couple.
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I don't watch Jdramas as a general rule, I tend to find the comedy in them over the top. But my friends were curious about it, so we all watched it together and I was really pleasantly surprised by what I saw. This is only my fourth completed jdrama, and it has me hopeful that I can find other jdramas that are similar.
The acting in this drama was really believable, and quite good. I never once found myself rolling my eyes at what was happening onscreen, and the romance in this relationship was just spectacular. Jdramas have a leg up on Kdramas in the romance department, in that all of the kisses are so sexy! I thought Riko and Naoki had really great chemistry with each other from the get go, especially when they were just friends. It was so easy for them in the beginning, neither had to put in any effort while they were with the other and that kind of friendship is just endearing to watch.
As for the baddies, I have said this many times for other characters, and I am sure I will say it many more times as I am fickle, but I have never hated anyone as much as I hated the cheerleader! I think we all refused to learn her name because we hated her that much. This is a family friendly site, so I will just say that the best word to describe her starts with a B and it needs to be a giant, massive skyscraper sized B for her. She was petty and selfish and couldn't figure out why people would be upset with her over the awful things she did.
One of the best things about the shoe came from Mai and Shuji. Their comic relief was hilarious and I really loved watching them grow as characters.
The ending hit some bumps, a lot of the drama seemed pointless towards the end. I think that's why the rewatch value is so low. In fact, the only thing I will rewatch in this drama is a certain scene where Riko is screaming at Naoki from a window :)
All in all, this drama is worth the relatively short amount of time it took to watch, and even in the depths of your hatred for Cheerleader, there is still something going on that you can be happy about. If you haven't watched this yet, give it a shot! Naoki and Riko might just surprise you :)
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Story was quite cute,a romance that slowly builds up thru time,life decisions,sport,music,friendship..I never watched a sports drama before but I loved it!
Acting was very satisfying..Yamapi,oooh Yamapi *__* I became even a bigger fan now.He was awesome!The chemistry between him and Keiko was just right!All the characters are very lovable,even the 'bad' ones :)
The music could have been better,but overall this drama got into my top 5 dramas.
Oh and if you're looking for a light drama with lots of handsome guys that are half the time naked in the locker room,this is definitely a drama for you :)
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First, let's talk about the story, shall we? Just, yes. A big old yes from me, the story is a YES. Not a very complicated story, simple and to the point, and it delivers. Drama, love, humor and chasing your dreams - four of my favorite things.
What I enjoy most of all has to be the fact that the main characters are aspiring to become something, that they have a goal that they work towards, and that makes it easier to digest the romance for me. That way ALL of their focus is not directed to the love interest. Because when everything is about that significant other it becomes stuffy and too much. Personal dreams creates some distance, and distance makes the heart grow fonder, right? At least that's what I feel.
What I think makes a great actor is how they cry, and the emotional and physical investment they put into it. I think that Kitagawa Keiko (Shirakawa Riko's actress) nailed it! I felt it when she was acting, the way your face scrunch up, how heavy your chest feels and how your stomach pulls into a void.
Now I'm not an expert in the acting field at all, and I can't really analyze it that well, but I feel that the cast pulled it off really nicely! Even the small things expressed something, and I think that might be the most difficult part in acting - those small, everyday things. So a 10/10!
A specific thing they did with the music in this drama is that it'd suddenly stop at especially dramatic times. Now, that's not a very unusual thing, true. But usually there'd be some kind of fade, or a "duuun" kind of sound, right? Not in this drama, mate. I specifically remember when the main character was feeling very happy, the day had gone smoothly and the main was one step closer to his/her dream. The music was chirpy and uplifting, and then the friend comes in with some shocking news and the music immediately stops. Im-me-di-ate-ly, like you put it on pause. I thought that was cool, and it gave a nice effect - like a heart-dropping kind of effect.
Other than that I thought the music choice was good! I really liked the intro song.
I've mentioned in another review that I rarely ever rewatch any drama I've already watched, beause I know what happens and I feel that kind of takes away from the experience for me. But I would rewatch this one! I actually would! This drama made me feel good, the romance was great and the drama was out there. It's not like I definitely WILL rewatch it, but I most certainly could and I'd still enjoy myself.
I gave Buzzer Beat the greatest score available and gave some founding reasons for it. But there's so much more to it, like the scenery and the overall atmosphere, I loved those so much! I feel that anyone could could come to like this drama, so if you haven't watched it already, please do! I wish to see many more reviews that gives this one a good score.
Well then, thanks for reading, and until next drama!
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The story is so cute. I like that the progression of the relationships made sense (for the most part). It was fun to watch, and I never once felt the need to chuck my computer into a wall. Its not the most thrilling of plot lines, but that's what action movies/dramas are for, right?
The acting is really good. No complaints from me. So, I may now have a HUGE crush on Yamashita Tomohisa now - seriously. SERIOUSLY. And I didn't realize when I started this show, but this is the same lead actress from Paradise Kiss. I loved her in that! She's so awesome!
The music is so catchy. What is up with all these J-dramas and their ridiculously catchy OSTs? It fit the tone of the drama so well and really gave it a "fun and energized" feel.
I could definitely rewatch this. Seriously, its so light-hearted and fun (which is kind of a relief in this sea-of-tears known as dramaland)
If you want a cute, fun, smile-inducing, well-made drama, this is the one for you! (plus all those bathtub scenes...sizzle'n...)
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Yamapi may even be a better actor than my personal favorite, Kamenashi Kazuya, and that's saying something. Although, yes, I admit that watching Yamapi kiss does knock Kame down a couple of rungs on that ladder. It's always a shock when an Asian actor kisses like he means it, and Yamapi definitely acted like he meant it. That's what I mean, the passion between him and the leading lady, Keiko Kitagawa, is amazing. And I thought Kame and Haruka in "Tatta Hitotsu no Koi" was awesome!
What more can I say. Well, one little thing, I don't love dramas with a sad ending. *winks*
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