Rich Man, Poor Woman

I can’t remember why I watched Rich Man, Poor Woman but I regret watching it late. I’ve already read posts about this J-Drama but I just didn’t take notice. I didn’t even thought of including this in the drama list that I will watch.

But here was the second surprise. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the story and I was able to relate to some of the characters’ personalities, or characters. Yes, I could even relate to Natsui Makoto (Ishihara Satomi), just not her chasing personality and too straightforward character. I am not that. I am not too bold with confrontations. Still, I admire her boldness and optimism. I can even relate to Hyuga’s prosopagnosia condition.

As for Hyuga Toru (Oguri Shun), I’m amazed with his dedication to his craft. It’s funny how he goes too focused with the task at hand. His childishness is also amusing, except when he’s being selfish and brat. But I admire his kindness, his loyalty to his friend. Despite his personality, something within him is really admirable. If it happened to me, it might take me time to recover.

One of the most unforgettable scenes involving Hyuga would be his visit to Todai. It was too much for me to bear. Yes, I cried of too much laughter.

It was nice to see Asari Yosuke again in a drama, in a lighter one. I’ve already seen him in >Code Blue. I hated him as Fujikawa Kazuo in that medical drama, but I’m fine with his character as Yasuoka Michiya in Rich Man, Poor Woman.

Like most Japanese dramas, Rich Man, Poor Woman left me with rocking words. I mean, those statements that hit me bulls eye. Close. I think what Hyuga said in third episode makes sense. If you’re going to give up anyway, do it soon. Stop wasting time, that’s what he didn’t said but I believe he was implying.

Natsui also said something sensible, though she was only quoting someone. It was nice and refreshing. It was on Episode 5 when they were testing a product. That visit was actually nice. I enjoyed that episode. The interaction with the locals and elders were fun.  I also like that retired artist, whose name I already forgot.

In the 6th episode, the ‘younger’ Hyuga said something that I love. It makes sense. One should not put a tag price on one’s value. Sure, results are important but financial results do not define everything. The real value of something and someone will never really measured by any figures.

“You think our worth is only about how much we can make?” When he said those words, my admiration for Hyuga increased. Of course, mine is not like his colleagues and employees. I didn’t overestimate him. Perhaps those around him hasn’t seen someone like him before.

There was another line that would be a great reminder of the value of things. Elders have always said that those things that cost us no sweat can easily disappear whereas those we’ve achieved through tears and sweat will be there to stay.

“It was made in an instant… it disappeared in an instant.”

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Originally posted on: 3 July 2013

Reposted on: 5 August 2013

Code Blue

Code Blue Season 1 and 2

I had a quick fondness to the fellowship for Flight Doctor, except for Fujikawa Kazuo (Asari Yosuke). He really pissed me off during the first couple of episodes. I just got to accept him later. Well, setting him aside, I also saw myself among the flight-doctors in training.

There are a lot of things that I got reminded of when I watched Code Blue. There were scenes that even moved me to tears, not because they were emotionally dramatic but because I saw the reality of life.

I like the development of the characters in the fellowship. I could relate to them. I mean, I saw myself in some of them during some situations. I was actually the one who made that confession *points at the first photo above* inJDramaConfessions. My most favourite relationship was that of Hiyama Mihoko (Toda Erika) and Shiraishi Megumi (Aragaki Yui). I love their honesty. I also like Shiraishi’s professional relationship with Aizawa Kosaku (Yamashita Tomohisa).

The relationship of Kuroda Shuuji (Yanagiba Toshiro) with his interns were also interesting. He’s not expressive but it was understandable. I’d be happy to have a C.I. like him. I also like Tachibana Keisuke (Shiina Kippei) as well as Mitsui Kanna (Ryo). As for Morimoto Tadashi (Katsumura Masanobu), I admire his humility. It’d be nice to have doctors who interact with others like him.

There was a conversation between Tadokoro Yoshiaki (Kodama Kiyoshi) and Shiraishi that has been really memorable. It was in the second season. Actually, those photos here were from season 2. What Tadokoro-sensei said really hit me.

Code Blue is not just a medical drama, at least for me. There are more to medical profession than what is basically known. Relationships really matter, especially with family. The grandmother-grandson and father-daughter relationships I’ve witnessed in Code Blue really moved me to tears. It’s like seeing myself in the situation. It’s like having an identification process.

Besides the interpersonal involvement of the characters, there were of course intrapersonal issues. By the way, I was really amused with how the doctors in this drama interacted with patients. Except probably for Aizawa during the first episodes, when he has been unnecessarily cold.

Despite Aizawa’s cold nature, I didn’t hate him. If I were a doctor, and still stuck with my old self, I might just be like him. I’d try to be caring though but I’d be so focused with the situation I won’t mind leaving my hypothalamus inside my locker, except to use it to sense temperature. I admire his focus. I’ve always imagined myself being one despite whatever thing I am carrying during work. It may slip through my mind but I’ve always believed and hoped that I’d still be able to stick to the task at hand.

I believe I am a fusion of Hiyama and Shiraishi. But I definitely do not have the admirable persistent study habit of Shiraishi. I can imagine myself to have Hiyama’s confidence, which actually masks the uncertainty being felt. But I have Shiraishi’s thoughtfulness though I lack expression unlike her. I think that’s when Saejima comes in. She doesn’t really show or tell what she feels unless given the green light. I still remember the first season encounter with Shiraishi. I’d probably do that too but most specially to Fujikawa.

Neurology has always been one of my favourite medical subjects. We may have not been actually taught of the medical side per se but I enjoyed exploring the subject, anything that has to do with the nervous system. I even thought of pursuing Neurology or Neurosurgery if I were given the chance to make it all the way to Medicine. I love the complexity in Neurology, neurodegenerative diseases included. So imagine my cardiac status when I saw what I saw. When I react that way, it goes without saying that my lacrimal glands become highly stimulated.

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Originally posted on: 25 June 2013 
Reposted on: 5 August 2013