nagi long vacation drama review

 

Cerita ni cerita biasa tentang seorang perempuan lewat 20 an, Nagi, yang akward dan satu hari dah mencapai limit kesabarannya dengan perangai collegue & boyfriend yang macam celaka. 

Haha marah benar bunyinya. 

Sebab akulah si awkward tu. Satu lagi perangai si Nagi ni adalah dia suka baca atmosphere dan akan beri reaksi ikut orang sekeliling. Macam contoh kalau tengah berbual, semua macam nak persendakan dia, dia ikutkan saja gelak konon tak terasa sebab tak nak spoil the mood. 

Her boyfriend, sorry ye Issey Takahashi. Awak hensem tapi karakter Shinji dalam cerita ni memang minta maki je. Terutama pada awal cerita.

Then, seperti tajuk, Nagi tinggalkan Tokyo dan pergi bercuti dengan duit simpanannya untuk berubah jadi Nagi yang baru. Dia jumpa dengan ramai orang dan dari situ belajar untuk menikmati hidupnya.

The same old story tapi masih interesting. Apa yang aku nak review kat sini adalah hubungan antara Shinji dan Nagi.

Mereka bermula sebagai rakan sekerja, dimana Shinji saja je 'jual minyak' kat Nagi masa mereka dalam bas balik dari kerja. Dia rasa Nagi cute, rambut Nagi lawa, dan mereka tinggal berhampiran...that leads to their love life. Tapi Shinji rahsiakan hubungan mereka sebab dia seorang Ace di pejabat, jadi tak nak kredibiliti dia terjejas sebab office romantic.

And I told you why, episode pertama aku rasa nak hempuk kepala Shinji ni sebab berperangai annoying sangat. Dia datang apartment Nagi hanya untuk 'play' dengan Nagi, makan makanan yang dimasak dan esoknya kat pejabat buat macam tak kenal Nagi. Then one night, malam hari jadi Nagi, dia kerja overtime. Nagi pun kebetulan tak balik lagi. Then Nagi terdengar perbualan Shinji dengan kawan-kawan dia. Dia terdengar part yang Shinji dating dengan girlfriend (iaitu Nagi tapi Shinji tak sebut nama depan kwn2 dia) just for sex. 

Mana bom atom yang jatuh kat Hiroshima tu? Aku nak pinjam.

Then bila Nagi pindah, he act like the creepiest ex-boyfriend dengan terjah masuk apartment baru Nagi, buat seolah tak ada apa jadi dan nak 'play' dengan Nagi. 

I mean get the fuck out of here,b***. Yang kau Nagi pergi jemput dia masuk kenapa!

Later we will realise setiap perbuatan jerk Shinji tu sebenarnya adalah sebab dia tak reti nak ekpresskan perasaan sebenar dia. Dia terlalu terikat dengan protokol upper class society nya padahal memang deep down dia cintakan Nagi. Evertime he hurt Nagi dia menangis mcm apa. 

You are not going to get my sympathy, mister.

Kalau kau rasa cerita ni adalah tentang bagaimana mereka memperbaiki hubungan toksik mereka dan kemudian akan hidup bahagia selamanya, maka kau salah. Cerita ni adalah tentang bagaimana mereka belajar dari setiap kesilapan dalam perhubungan mereka dan teruskan hidup ke fasa seterusnya. 

Yup, Shinji is a crap boyfriend, but sebenarnya lelaki yang baik dan bertanggungjawab. Dia sentiasa jadi penyelamat Nagi, penyelamat maruah keluarganya, penyelamat di tempat kerjanya. Dia adalah Shinji yang sentiasa boleh diharap. Penolakan Nagi utk kembali pada dia sebenarnya dah cabar egonya dan dari situ satu persatu kelemahan dirinya diungkai. Kalau nak bandingkan Gon (hero kedua) dan Shinji, aku rasa Shinji lebih matang dalam memperjuangkan cintanya berbanding Gon yang seperti lelaki baru lepas akil baligh yang baru belajar tentang tanggungjawab.

Yelah yelah, aku memang berat sebelah ke karakter Shinji sebab aktor Issey Takahashi. Kali ni juga (lepas Tengoku To Jigoku) dia dapat partner heroin yang different but somehow complete to each other. Writer, why cant you let him to have happy ending? 

Ye, kalau aku Nagi aku dah choose Shinji sebab karakter dia best. Titik. Tak payah la nak acah girl power sangat dengan pilih untuk hidup sendirian. Haha. 

Hmmmmm kenapa kau tak pilih Shinji, perempuan? Kenapa? Why? Nande?

*masih tak move on dgn ending cerita ni

hell and heaven: soul exchange review (or rather spoiler)

 

Ost Song: Tadaima

So I encounter this drama. Not having big expectation at first. Maybe it is a typical investigation drama like Ouroborus, Border, which to be honest even starred by my favorite Shon Oguri. But I only watch them half because of the high level of seriousness. My favorite japan detective drama would be Bitter Blood, Mr Brain and Gallileo because they are much relaxing and fun to watch.

Yes, Tengoku To Jigoku (the drama name in japanese) begin with a serious tone. There is one female detective with a strong sense of justice that always being underestimate by her colleague. Her name is Ayako Mochizuki. She hope for a big case to come and yeah be careful what you wish for because later there is a horrific murder case happen. 

I remember the actress from Mr Brain so that fact make me hook into the drama. And duhh she is so pretty and famous for her great act. 

Then, seemingly, we encounter the antagonist of the drama, Haruto Hidaka, CEO of a cleaning product company. The two main character meet accidently in a train and later Ayako chase him for becoming the suspect of the murder case. And maybe a serial of murder case. 

Hidaka really give me a creepy feeling as I think his face is strange, like the evil japan commander you see in Mr Sunshine (Korean drama). His deep stare and smiling face, the actor really did it very well. I almost give up to watch the drama because of his unattractiveness but thank god I hold on to it. These two contra character's life turn misery when their soul exchange after an incident.

Can you imagine, a detective exchange soul with a psychopath criminal? It means Ayako would have all the evidence of him as a murderer but lets not forget Hidaka had become the police who can sent his old self to jail. Ayako would be the one who suffer and Hidaka can live freely or maybe do another crime. 

That situation is kind of bizarre. We see Secret Garden and the only things that bother them is the gender physical difference. But here, you have to quickly adapt to the new body and at the same time watch your action so that the other won't betray you.

But that is when things start to get interesting. The creepy Hidaka had change into a cute clumsy and the over serious Ayako had become the beautiful evil person. 

I love this scene because when we thought Hidaka become confuse and misery like Ayako, he is action is contrary. He is very compose and heartless.

Ayako as Hidaka being excited to her new living place

Hidaka as Ayako quickly adapt to his new pretty body by wearing make up

Both of them have to react in their opposite character. Ayako which is previously so strict with criminal have to cover Hidaka's evidence as a murderer. Hidaka who previously always seem like a psychopath has to loose his character as he don't want anyone to discover his secret. 

Entering the wrong toilet

The always calm Hidaka

Yes, a psychopath is known for their heartless. And many believe their evil character came from a bizarre childhood or a trauma. And thats what Ayako want to dig in. Why Hidaka become psychopath and the truth about his murder motive. 

I just realised, when she is nearly disclosed something about his character or past, he will get angry and be violence. He  send video of a second murder event just to scare the shit out of her. When she try to do something out of his knowledge, she can go to the extend of killing her himself. 

Ayako (as Hiraki) dont know that he is allergic to nuts

He can easily kill her at this moment

But as the story goes, they learn how to cooperate and tolerate with each other. Ayako investigate his past and get to know that he actually having a normal life without any bizarre experience. She learns that he actually have a fraternal twin brother who having a hard life and different life from the wealthy Hidaka. 

We learn that Hidaka is actually a warm person as he can having a good chat with the cleaner in his company (at first he did not realise Azume is his long lost brother)

He never had a chance to spend time with his brother as there is always a restriction 

The truth is Azume is the real murder. Due to his never ending ill-fated life, he decide to kill those people who destroy his life. He trying to live a good life but it never turn well. As he is having a stage four cancer, he decide just to 'clean' the world from the evil people. Hidaka, once know his brother crime try to hide the murder evidence which in the police term is a murderer accompliance. 

Most of all, I reallllllly like the hate care relationship between Hidaka and Ayako. There are like Ying and Yang but both are actually having the same perception of kindness and justice. 

Ayako (after getting in their own body) reenact the scene that he once do to her 
 

Kyaa his reaction.

Ayako try to reunites him with his brother before capturing Azume

the way he look at her. yeah calm down people if you think this is a love then just keep it by yourself

A detective and a psychopath (which actually not so psycho)? Hmm. I dont think the marriage will going well. Here is why

This is Riku, Ayako's roomate who love Ayako

At first when Hidaka exchange body with Ayako, he even have sex with Riku for unknown reason. That's the disturbing thing that I found in Hidaka. Plus, he also said that he once go to a hideout hotel room with his male employee. So Ayako just deduce that he is gay. 

*sigh

Back to the ship scene, Azume is actually on the same ship to Amami and he happen to be with Riku (they are actually senior and junior in work). Azume and Hidaka reunite but not so long after that Azume die due to his sickness. Hidaka convince the police that Ayako is actually chase after him and Azume, not accomply him with the murder. But senior detective Kawahara said that he has a prove that Ayako is also an accomplice in the serial murder. 

Ayako defending herself

Hidaka being Hidaka try to take all the blame. He make confession that he did all the murder and just using Ayako to mislead the investigation. He did all that as a gift to Azume because he (Azume) is having a hard life. 

Ayako feel frustrated with his confession as he did not want to reveal the truth. So she try to find much strong evidence to make Azume the prime suspect. 

Riku who happen have the evidence, an SD camera card which stolen in the first Azume's murder case

But he reluctant to give it to Ayako because he kinda jealous of how much attention Ayako give to Hidaka.

After that he still give it to the police and save Hidaka from the accusation. Again, Hidaka being Hidaka still confess that he did it and did not want to change his statement. But words from Detective Kawahara and Ayako strikes him.

Detective Kawahara said that the murder is Azume's voice.

Okay, ada orang lain bagi jawapan untuk soalan Ayako.

Hahahah. This drama is playing with our heart. When we expecting of their love, it kills our hope with fact that Hidaka is gay. But his action speak louder at the end. Maybe he intentionally make Ayako thinks he is gay just to hide his love or just to show the typical character of a psychopath. Like the American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

And you thought Ayako start a love life with Riku?

Nope. Riku left after this scene although she promise to buy him a food when they get home.

At first I kind of disappointed. Because a strong character like Ayako need a simple man like Riku. Two strong character would make the marriage a hell place. But maybe Riku realized all these while only he love her. Ayako is good to him and care about him (despite her tough character) but not to the extend of loving him. I dont blame him if he feel tired. 

Ayako resign from the police department but start to teach at the police academy with Yamaki (her assistant). She don't hear anything from Hidaka even after he been released from prison. 

After years (2025. Wow, the earth still exist in 2025 without world war 3 or apocalypse), he contact her and ask to meet her.

He show her the stone that been used for first murder. It is actually belong to his mother and he deduce that all these (switching soul) happen because her mother want Ayako to help her sons fix the things that they did (murder & murder accomplice).  

Things get awkward because they dont know what to talk anymore. As they say goodbye and part ways, they suddenly stop and turn to each other. 

Hahahah can I assume that this is a hint of their love relationship? They still love to connect with each other because their personality fit. 

Well this is okay than the ending of Scarlet Heart Ryeo which breaks my heart to know that the director intentionally did not release the clip of Hae Soo reunites with Wang Soo. 

Overall I am satisfy with this drama. The core reason is the characters and storyline. There are tons switching soul event in drama but this give a different meaning. Other stories only highlight the physical struggle of characters but this one do it lightly and not overdo. Hidaka as a strong and calm person adapt well in Ayako body. And of course all woman will have fright if they are stuck in a man body. 

So yeah, thats all folks. Waiting for another not famous but good drama to watch.

Oh, before I am watching this drama, I actually watch Akane No Hana. It is about an arranged marriage between a school girl and a wealthy heir.

*sigh

I can only stand one episode. I dont mind the cliche but it just why a heir speaks like a retard person in an arrogant way and why he is so free to date a high school girl? 

It is Japan, okay. If you are wealthy then you are WEALTHY. That wealthy should come with a giga workaholics attitude. Even Hidaka,as a CEO ride train to go to work and his parents only live in a simple house. 

* the font is haywire dan aku dah penat nk edit

kelabu

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56952345

aku realise aku semakin takut dengan benda ni. bila garisan antara yang salah dan yang betul semakin menipis. manusia semakin menafikan hak sebagai hamba Tuhan dan lebih mengagungkan hak kebebasan asasi mereka.

i am not the right person to give opinion. aku tahu. aku tak pernah rasa struggle mereka. struggle aku lain, boleh la sembang cakap mereka salah.

tapi.yes, dia boleh buat cara dia. you do you, i dont mind. 

cuma untuk muslim yang terperangkap dalam masalah yang sama, yang sedang mencari diri dan jawapan, tolong. 

mengubah ciptaan tuhan bukan jalan penyelesaiannya. 

you can take a retour atau jalan jauh dalam hidup, tapi pastikan kau masih keep track pada jalan yang lurus. jangan bermain jauh sangat dari hakikat kehidupan. sebab kalau kau sesat, takut tak jumpa jalan balik. 

ustaz nouman ali khan pernah beritahu dalam salah satu lecture dia di youtube. kita takkan jumpa kebahagiaan dalam dunia ni. hakikat dunia memang akan penuh dengan rasa positif dan negatif. sesaat kita suka, sesaat kita mungkin berduka. bahkan perjalanan hidup Rasullullah saw bukalah sesuatu yang dihamparkan ros tapi lebih banyak duri. itu Kekasih Allah tu. Kita ni manusia biasa. 

Kebahagiaan sebenar kat akhirat sana. So kejarlah ia. 

aku tak kata mereka yang terlibat dalam masalah begini adalah mereka yang kurang beragama. bahkan ada je orang beragama yang mempunyai masalah yang sama. bezanya, mereka lawan perasaan itu sebab keyakinan pada agama dan Tuhan itu lebih tinggi. kata kak fynn, semua orang buat dosa. cuma yang membezakan seorang pendosa dengan pendosa yang lain adalah bagaimana dia melawan dan kuatkan hati dari tunduk pada bisikan syaitan itu. dia mungkin terjatuh berkali-kali tapi untuk menyerah kalah pada kebatilan tidak sesekali. 

untuk aku pula, aku sedang cuba memadamkan perkaitan dengan beberapa individu yang menjurus kearah ini di media sosial. aku bukan buang mereka, tapi aku kenal diri aku yang mudah terpengaruh. jadi lebih baik aku putuskan perkaitan itu dahulu.

kau tahu tapi kau tak akukan. 

lelaki yang berpakaian seperti wanita atas nama seni persembahan, ia kedengaran tidak membahayakan. tapi ingatlah apa yang kita amalkan dalam hidup seharian akan menjadi sebati dalam diri kita. macam aku kata tadi, you do you. terutama untuk selebriti dan public figure, aku tak mengenali mereka secara personal dan begitu juga mereka. boleh saja aku menulis di media sosial mereka dan menegur tapi aku lebih memikirkan tentan diri aku. 

apa yang aku rasa selepas menegur tu? aku rasa hebatkah?

apa yang dirasai atau tindakan yang diambil oleh individu tersebut? dia akan terus berubah selepas teguran tu? 

kalau aku sudah tahu jawapannya, aku tak perlu buang masa dengan mereka. hanya doa sebagai saudara seIslam mampu aku beri. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56275274

ini pula hak yang mereka minta, iaitu hak sama seperti perempuan biasa walaupun sudah terang-terangan menjadi trans. 

apalah yang kamu mahukan, aku pun tak faham.