is the first Korean drama that has a Japanese version, no doubt due to the immense popularity of Bae Yong Joon in Japan.
Most of us who watch both Japanese and Korean dramas would know that there’s a difference in style between the two. While Japanese dramas are faster in pace and thus a little more direct, Korean dramas tend to be slower and a little more subtle (that’s why you often have scenes where people do nothing but stare into space in deep thought^^). So like Cloud9 said, how do you squeeze 20 episodes into 9 episodes? Well, I guess you have to simplify a lot..
After watching the first episode of the Japanese Hotelier, I concluded that besides the interesting story line and the great chemistry between the 4 leads, the supporting cast was another big reason why I enjoyed the original version. There was a certain spark to it from the word ‘Go’ which unfortunately I did not feel in the Japanese version. And whilst I thoroughly enjoyed watching Bae Yong Joon (and listening to his voice) on screen again, his role (as Frank Shin) in the Japanese version was really quite redundant. If they managed to persuade him to be a guest star in the drama, I wish they had made his role a little more memorable and outstanding.
Odagiri Kyoko (Ueto Aya) is a very sweet manager but she seems so….formal and straight. Somehow I missed the scatterbrain, direct and sparkling Suh Jin Young. Remember the ‘300 Roses’ and the ‘Missing ring’ scenes? hehe! How not to notice a girl like that?
Eloise on Hotelier2002 mentioned that the actor who took up the M&A role was very brave. And indeed he was….because the world would be comparing him to Shin Dong Hyuk (Bae Yong Joon). I think he’s a very credible actor but again I missed the professional, hunter feel of Shin Dong Hyuk
And as much as they have to simplify the plot, how could they possibly cut out the room service scene?
Still, this is only the first episode, so I should keep an open mind as things may change…..
A very special thank you to cloud9 for helping me find out the names of the characters in the Japanese Hotelier. ^^
I miss my Shin Dong Hyuk…
omg , really? A Jap version? I would love to watch it, although it would be a totally different feeling watching someone else act as BYJ.
OK, I admit lah.
Although I am not a fan of BYJ, the sound of his voice – whether it calling “YuJin ah” or “ajumma” – his voice does give me a wee bit of goosebumps.
Of course, it would have been more bumps if it’s not for Kyung.
haha! I can’t imagine SSK calling out ‘ajuma’..
I must admit I can’t remember how he sounds like when he talked (except for the very strong American accent) but I do remember how tall he was. :p