SMILE - Episode 2

:) two-1


Thanks to Konoban.com for the video above! Thanks also again to the grandest efforts of http://arashi.vox.com for subbing so fast! Wish I can contribute to the Jdrama community like that!

I just finished watching episode 2 of SMILE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woLzT-f6-qA)...so before I sleep I need to say something.

This is the first among the many heartaches Bito (let's just use this spelling since the subber uses this also anyway) will be facing. He just survived one...and then another comes his way. That's what dramas are about. And to think we know after 5 years...he still has a dilemma. Everyone does. But hey...how long will he stay in that cell???? I just can't wait for the resolution.

Forgive me for slight spoilers. Anyway, I gotta say Hana-chan played by Yui Aragaki is now my idol! She's such a great stalker!!! Haha! i have to learn more from her! LOL! And she's so brave!!! To think what she has gone to to save the guy she loves. Awwwww!!! Bito is still oblivious to the fact that Hana likes him so much! Kawaii!!! And to think Hana liked him since she was a kid! How old Hana is anyway?? Bito was a teenager already when Hana was still a kid. Hmmmm....

Anyway...I am hoping Bito's parents will show up in one of the episodes. I'm assuming they are not dead yet. Just like in Filipino telenovelas, who you presume as dead will suddenly pop up alive somewhere in the series. LOL!

It remains a mystery as to how Ito kazuma fought with Bito till the end...since at first he was reluctant to take him under his wing. Could be somthing interesting to know. Hmmm...

So again...FIGHT-OH Hayakawa Bito!!!!!! Now I know why Bito uses a Japanese surname.

SMILE - Episode 1

:) one-1


Thanks so much to http://konoban.com for sharing this video! It has no subs yet (update, now it does, 05/11/09), but I still took the time to watch it in its full original glory!!!!

Of course, firstly I loved how Matsujun looked! He's still hot as ever! He got a tan too, so maybe they could emphasize he's being half-Filipino. But heck, not all Filipinos are tan now anyway.

The story looks really heavy. We see the first part which is actually a future scene already...in a cell. So would that really be Bito's future? Let's see. So the current timeline is really 2009, but they showed a scene for 2015 already. I HAVE A DREAM.

Sa mga fellow Pinoys diyan...alam kong medyong masakit malaman na ipapakita nila na naghihirap masyado ang isang half-Pinoy sa Japan. Ang aking wish lang ay may positive result ito after mapalabas ang buong dorama. Sa tingin ko, kung sino man may gawa ng story na ito...may concern sa mga may ibang lahi. Di nila gagawin ito...na pinapakita pagmamaltrato ng ibang tao sa katulad ni Bito sa Japan...kung ala silang mensahe na maganda na gusto iparating. Tsaka kung wa paki sila sa story, bakit sila kukuha ng isang top-notch actor na katulad ni Matsujun di ba? Ang guwapo pa! LOL! Kaya sa gumawa ng drama na ito...saludo ako sa kanya!!! Alam ko in the end...kaya SMILE ang title...dahil ipapakita nito ang positive side sa mga half-Pinoys at ibang lahi. SMILE naman diyan!

I'm waiting for the subbed version!!! I don't understand all the details...but at least I can understand the basic plot! I'm so happy I got to watch it already! I'm wishing for some comedic scenes, but I know Matsujun may not make me laugh here this time. But still I know I'm gonna love this dorama since it has a story that a Filipina like me will be able to relate to. Thanks for showing a story like this! I know they will show something positive in it! Fight-oh!

**********UPDATE***************

I was able to watch the subbed version last week thanks to http://arashi.vox.com. Here's the link of the first part. You'll get to know the rest after this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7l2IIdYMaE

It hurts more after understanding evrything, nonetheless I still feel grateful Matsujun took on this role. To take on a role that is so far from his pretty boy roles before just shows that he is really maturing as an actor. And to think he's half-Filipino in this new roel, which makes me happier than ever! Can't we just get married? Hehe!!!! ^_^

SMILE Interview

Credits to: asiangreencake@youtube

It doesn't have subs but according to KaychanCR13:
1st they were talking about what they might call each other, and the older guy said Matsun, the Jun said i havnt been called that since highschool. then at around 1:42 they start talking about when they smile the most. and the girl i the middle says on the ride home from the filming "Smile" (then jun makes a comment about "are you really that happy to get away from us? *he is such a tease* and then she says in the car she likes to do air drums, then the older guy says he likes to play air base, then Jun said we could start a band and i would be air guitar ^_^

It also shows a preview of their shoot...Matsujun is seen working as a delivery boy I presume. Wai!!! He's so cute with his new hair! I love it so much! can't really wait for it!!!! ^_^

SMILE (My first reaction)

Yes, si Matsujun aka Matsumoto Jun ng Gokusen/Kimi wa Petto/Hana Yori Dango/Bambino! and member of Arashi na love ko!!!!! Naiiyak ako...alam kong late ko na nalaman kaso naiiyak pa rin ako sa TUWA!!!!!!!! Kasi kahit papaano diba, may relation naman sa atin yung gagawin niya na bagong Jdorama!!!! Heto details na nakita ko:

Jun Matsumoto and Yui Aragaki will co-star in a new TBS drama series titled "Smile." Takayuki Takuma ("Hana Yori Dango") is handling the script, though he is using his real name rather than his usual pen name of Mikio Satake.

Matsumoto plays a half-Filipino (Hayakawa Bito) whose father has died and mother has disappeared. Despite his misfortune and the issues he deals with, such as race, he lives his life positively with a constant smile.

Similarly, Aragaki plays a young woman living cheerfully despite losing her ability to speak due to an accident. Her character is said to be modeled after a real actress in the theatrical troupe that Takuma runs.

The supporting cast includes Kiichi Nakai as a lawyer who watches over Matsumoto and Aragaki.

"Smile" will air on Friday nights at 10:00pm, starting in April 17.

credits: http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-4418

Kala ko gagamitin nila ang kanta ng Arashi na SMILE din ang title. Bakit hindi??? Kay Shiina Ringo na song ang gagamitin. Ohhhhkay lang!

Hmmm...ibig sabihin lang nito they think na guwapo talaga ang labas ng combination ng Jap/Fil...hehe!

Excited na ako! Aabangan ko talaga ito (as always...ehem!!!)

One blogger wondered...mag-Tatagalog kaya si Matsujun? Abangan! Di ba sila nag-shoot ng ibang scenes dito man lang???? Waaaahhh! Gusto ko siya makita!!!! LOL!

Hay basta...I'm just happy na they decided to include some Filipino element in a Jdorama. This better be a good portrayal! Si Matsujun kinuha nila eh!!! I just hope that they won't hurt our pride in this. But since the title is SMILE...so it should have a positive side to it, ne? Kyaaaaa!!!

Sabi ng isang blogger, para daw emo. Ngumimgiti sa labas, pinapatay naman sa loob. Sobrang drama ba ito??? Hay naku! Medyo nag-aalala lang ako sa race issue. Hope they do it properly. Bakit kaya half-Pinoy? Dahil ba sa naging kondisyon dati sa war? Let's see!

Naalala ko tuloy motto ni Soujiro Seta ng Rurouni Kenshin: "No matter how much pain, how much hatred, the only thing I can do is SMILE." Whoah!

Official Site (Jap version lang): http://www.tbs.co.jp/smile09

SMILE Teaser and Photoshoot

Here's the cast of SMILE during a photoshoot. Again, it does not show much. But I'm glad I get to see bits of pieces of it. I just can't wait for it!!! Lovin' Matsujun more and more!

credits: chio258@youtube



As I have said...I'll be following the developments of this drama closely since it would be the most significant Jdorama of Matsujun to me so far.

It really is a teaser. Does not show much...just their smiles and sorrow. We get the picture now from that.

Credits: lorelein8@youtube



Here's a news clip regarding the dorama. Doesn't show anything really. They were just reporting about the drama. I just understood "Firipin" which means Filipino and some other Jap words. LOL.

Credits: lorelein8@youtube

My Most Fave Scene from Bambino!

Advice to Ban Shogo aka Bambino -

I'll forever treasure this scene because it helps me persevere in my job. Fight-oh!!!

Princess Hours and Full House (Kdrama)

*I intended to focus on Princess Hours only, but in the end I ended up reviewing both Kdramas because of the similarities*

I knew it! I knew it! Time and time again I was always right! I shouldn't have tried to watch this show! Well, because now I'm still addicted to it eventhough I finished the whole series already. Drats. I'm still stuck in the palace. I can't get out. I have to get out! I feel as if I'm one of those servants that keeps saying "De, mama" (is that right? I dunnot the spelling!).

I did not want to watch the show initially because they were high school students. Okay the characters are, but the actors and actresses are not. Wahahahaha! Yipee! Well for your information the actress who played Shin Chae-Kyong (Janelle in the Phil. dubbed version) was born on Oct. 3, 1984. While the actor who played Lee Shin (Gian) was born on May 16, 1982. Also, would you believe the actor who played Lee Yool (Troy) was born on the year 1980! he does not look like someone with that age! i mean I'm sure they were at least 2 years younger when they shot the series, but still! He loks so young!!! Anyway, as for Min, she was born on the year 1981. Yehey, at least I'm younger than them! LOL!

Okay, okay, enough with the age! At least after watching it I knew I still can relate with it.



The series has so many similarities with Full House, which is another Korean soap. First of all, I both love them. Hehe! Next, both the lead actors were not my type at first (Rain and Lee Shin), but the longer I looked at them, the more I realized that they are really good looking. take note, both of them also have very small eyes that seems unattractive at first glance only. But when they smile...yey! Hehe!

Next, let me focus on the pesonalities of the lead characters. I'll go first with the lead female characters of both shows. janelle of Princess Hours and Jessie of Full House are both lovely caharcters that are perky, funny, clumsy and seem immature. Both of them are also unloved at first by their object of affection (Huhu!). But because of their sweetness, they eventually won their hearts.

Then let me compare similarities between Prince Gian of Princess Hours and Justin of Full House. Both are very popular with the girls (duh, one is aprince and the other is an actor). They are also coldhearted, haughty and loves to tease their partners (Janelle and Jessie). Both also have problems with a girl they really want initially (lorraine for Justi and Monique for Gian). Both of them also has a problem with their father. Justin wants to prove that he can really be independent while Prince Gian wants to show that he really has potential to be the next emperor for South Korea.

Next focus would be on Monique of Princess Hours and Lorraine of Full House. Both characters are lovely, sophisticated and talented. The exact opposite of the other female lead characters. Both also love the lead actors (Prince Gian and Justin) but they have problems with them. Monique does not want to get married with Prince Gian because being a princess would hinder her dream to become an international ballerina. As for Lorraine, actually she was really in-love w/ Luigi (their friend) initially. It was too late when she realized her love for Justin.

Lastly, let me discuss regarding the 2nd lead actors for both shows, Prince Troy and Luigi. These guys both possess ideal characteristics that any woman would swoon for. Both are sweet, gentle, caring, sophisticated, rich, handsome etc! But unfortunately the woman they love have eyes for someone else. To think that particular guy is portrayed as the opposite of their sweet personality! It seems that the sweet guys don't get the girl? Not actually, but maybe because it is cuter to watch a haughty guy being changed into a sweet guy because of the love of a woman. Ayiiii!!!! Yeah, you may feel sorry for Prince Troy and Luigi but that's how the story goes.

I'm finished with the character comparisons. Let me now move to the plot comparison. Okay, I may have revealed some already in my character description. Both shows have a forced marriage involved. The Full House couple must comply with a contract (that was made due to the confusion made regarding the ownership of FULL HOUSE). As for the Royal Couple of Princess Hours, they were victims of an arranged marriage planned by their grandfathers. At first, both disliked each other, but as the story moved on, they eventually realized their feelings for each other. Of course, you can't miss out the frequent bickerings between the couples. Both shows also have the "Love Square" conflict. The issue of divorce was also brought up for both couples. But of course it did not push through anyway. Different setting, sifferent characters but same love story that will truly leave a mark on you. Plus, both have a very nice soundtrack that will make you want to play it again and again.