Love in Tokyo made every character likeable.
Kin-chan was awesome, Kotoko was cute and Irie-kun was human.

As a shoujo, the story isn’t really my cup of tea.
Watching this drama reminded me why I love this completely over the top and sometimes infuriating shoujo manga and honestly? Each time Kotoko out-sassies Irie? You go Kotoko! Smack that cold hearted Irie in his stupid behind!

Love in Tokyo is a very good adaptation and made an excellent casting choice with Kotoko and Irie.
Kotoko isn’t annoying like in ItaKiss from 1996 and even Irie is a tiny bit sweeter.
The actor that played Kin-chan was also an excellent casting choice. I hate when dramas have a secondary love interest but you know they have a 0% chance of ever getting with the lead girl. Kin-chan, while never stood much of a chance, was really funny and charismatic so it was impossible not to like him.

Because the drama had 16+16 episodes the story stays really close to the manga, so if you want to see an almost direct adaption from the original manga I would say this would be the version to go with.
I've not seen the most recent japanese movies, but of all the different versions up to 2014 this one is my favorite.

PS: Irie's mother is the best.