Sean Akizuki's East Asian Drama and Movie Blog

I wonder if I'm just being biased or not considering January 3, 2021, was the 10th birthday of  Dream High - a series that was shown on ABS-CBN (dubbed) and I later watched it on Netflix (subbed). I was thinking about the time I wasn't so much into Korean series (yet) until I felt Japanese entertainment was on the decline or that I just needed a break from it. I can't deny that Dream High is obviously J-Drama inspired. They even had episodes in Japan and their theme song even has a Japanese cover. The series is pack full of Japanese influence and K-Pop is obviously inspired by J-Pop. Though, I'd rather really use Dream High to bash one Nickelodeon show that I used to watch until it got so stale. That show is Victorious  and I feel like Stephen Hillenburg did the RIGHT THING to leave Nickelodeon.  How does Dream High actually end up making it shine better than Victorious ? One thing I really hate (now) about American humor is how often character development is ignored. I...

I admit that I like the Japanese version better but the Korean version gave me an earworm. I usually don't like K-Pop songs maybe except those sung by Suzy Bae or are a cover of well-known songs. So, how is that happening? I can't explain. I guess it's just like that I think Suzy is way better than Maaya Uchida (no offense Maaya fans) and I'm not really big into Korean entertainment. I usually prefer Korean food over Japanese food and Japanese entertainment over Korean entertainment. Here's the translation of the lyrics I found and I'd say, it's got to be one of the best opening theme songs ever: I dream high I dream a dream When it's tough, I close my eyes and The moment my dream comes true continue to recall and get up at the end of fear today too I tremble Like a baby bird, would it fall, unable to fly repeatedly I can do it, can my dream come true every time I'm fearful, my belief walking step by step again I dream high I dream a dr...

I just finished Dream High and I admit -- it's addictive. I'm glad I didn't watch it on ABS-CBN (and I don't care about GMA-7's stupid dubs either). I thought about how Dream High is almost everything Victorious isn't. It's a show where characters develop and you don't get the same running gag such as Kat not getting any smarter or Jade always getting jealous. Okay, not everyone's got an equivalent though I kinda want to compare Hye Mi and Baek Hee to Tori and Jade in some way. So how're things with Hye Mi and Baek Hee? They started out as friends, became rivals and friends again. It was nice to see Hye Mi have the flaw where she got somewhat arrogant due to her classical singing. It caused her friendship with Baek Hee got ruined. Baek Hee ended up nearly dropping a flower pot on Hye Mi (and I wish she voluntarily served time for it as part of her character development) and how the two eventually patched up. Baek Hee is pretty much how Jade i...

It's no secret that I would usually ignore K-Pop and go for J-Pop most of the time. There's something about the Korean language that I find "unusual" even if I'd rather watch the Korean shows in their original dialect. I still find the Japanese to be a more pleasing language though I really don't like Japanese cuisine as much as Korean cuisine. Give me kimbap over sushi any day. Then I thought about the time Dream High spent filming in Japan. I even wonder did she run into the Akibarangers? I even imagine the Akibarangers dancing with Suzy Bae in this drama.  What was interesting was to see the cast sing the song in Japanese. Yup, I admit I prefer Suzy's rather more mature voice than Maaya Uchida's voice that sounds like an Anime character. Maaya ends up sounding up she's never biologically grown beyond her teen years. Suzy has a more mature, adjustable image which may explain why she ends up playing serious roles. I still can't get over...

Love triangles are really common on TV drama aren't they whether it's two guys going after one girl or two girls going after one guy -- then you can have a rollercoaster going on when there's more than one love triangle involved! So what's the next part? A love triangle is about to be developed when country bumpkin (but talented singer) Sam Dong falls for Hye Ri while Jin Guk is her childhood friend. It always made me think which guy should get her? They are both nice in their own way.  I thought it's probably harder than Meteor Garden's love triangle between Tsukasa Doumyoji and Rui Hanazawa for Makino Tsukushi. Tsukasa's a jerk with a heart of gold while Rui is a nicer, gentler soul so we know who Makino is better off with, right? But Dream High somehow makes it difficult because all three characters are in need. Hye Ri has an idiotic father who has an unpayable loan. Sam Dong is a country bumpkin. Jin Guk is an illegitimate child of a powerful poli...

It's no secret that I usually don't care about K-Pop (and I just ignore it most of the time) because while I prefer Korean food better -- I'd still think J-Pop is better. Then I thought about watching Suzy Bae's first debut drama where I think she might be a bit of "exception" to the rule. I really didn't find her Japanese doppelganger Maaya Uchida's voice all that special (and Maaya crying in Akibaranger can be quite forced ) compared to Suzy. Though I wish that Suzy sang in Japanese instead of Korean. I don't really find myself liking K-Pop that much, if not at all and I'd rather see those K-Pop guys perform military feats and taekwondo than sign on stage. Suzy's interesting (and challenging) debut is carrying out the role of the spunky Hye Mi. Hye Mi is full of frustrations due to her broke status which isn't her fault. Her stupid father owed so much money that she has fallen into such a state. She doesn't want to get to the ...