#ainori

hear me out: this season was GREAT. I had so much fun? admittedly, I didn’t feel the couples as much as I did in past seasons but there were soooo many memorable moments anyways: yuina’s forbidden love story? uzi and the perfume drama? genove going to vomit in the middle of his confession? husky and joykun’s love confession in the swing? pretty much everyone getting sick? (this is BAD memorable but wtf there were only 3 members at one point) this season also proved that violent-dramatic-over the top people (ok, depparin) aren’t needed in order to provide good reality tv!

hopefully we will get another season in the future if we get over this hell of a year? please?

March has passed, but it left behind some fantastic new Japanese learning resources in its wake. In addition to the helpful apps and websites that usually grace our screens, we also found a conversational podcast and a book about kanji! Let's check them out.

Let's learn Japanese from small talk!

The Kanji Code

Niai

Benkyou

Kana - Hiragana and Katakana

Decks (Memrise)

Terrace House: Opening New Doors, Part 6

Ainori: Love Wagon: Asian Journey, Season 2

+ Nagi no Oitoma (2019)(6/10) ~ Airing. ★★★★☆

This drama is a lot of fun.  It feels sooooo very fresh and new.  Nagi is such a cute and endearing character.  I wonder if a lot of viewers can find ways to relate to her.  I know I do, but I find that I relate to most female protagonists in their late twenties to early thirties.  

+ Terrace House:  Tokyo 2019 - 2020 (2019)(13/?) ~ Airing. ★★★★☆

Yay! Yet another season of Terrace House to become obsessed with!  All caught up which isn’t surprising, especially considering my love for Terrace House.  So far, I love this season!

+ Ashita no Kimi ga Motto Suki (2018)(3/7) ★★★☆☆

This drama is like a time-warp.  I can’t believe this drama aired last year; it feels much older.  The references and some of the plot devices emulate a drama that is much older.  The stylistic choices certainly make this drama interesting to watch at the very least.

+ Ainori Love Wagon: Asian Journey (2017)(s1:5/22) ★★ ★☆☆

Started this since a friend recommended it to me. I decided to take the plunge since I was out of new Terrace House episodes to watch. I am started to he the hang of it. If you are looking for something like Terrace House, expect a more variety-like formula and a lot more energy. Overall, it has a similar concept. I think I will grow to really like this show.

DROPPED.

+ Natsuzora (2019)(54/156) ~ Airing. ★★★☆☆

I’ve slowed down significantly watching this drama.  Slowly, slowly I am ebbing away at the seemingly never-ending list of episodes.  This is the first asadora that I’ve really tried to watch.  Getting used to the episode length and the story pacing is certainly quite new for me.  

I fell way too far behind.  I may be able to pick this one up down the road, but right now, it’s too much. 

+ When the Devil calls Your Name (2019)(2/16) ~ Airing. ★★★☆☆

Just still struggling with kdramas royally.  Trying to just focus on the ones, I am loving, and this wasn’t cutting it.  I feel like I have failed Jung Kyung Ho.  Maybe later, I will want to try to pick it up again. 

COMPLETED.

+ Terrace House:  Opening New Doors (2017)(7/19-8/20:9/10)

This may be my favorite season of Terrace House so far.  Which is saying a lot, since I seem to love every season of Terrace House.  I am absolutely in love with this formula.  This was a great balance of great members to root for and juicy drama to keep me coming back for more.  I am so happy they are back to filming in Japan.  The members are so lovable in this season!  I’m so happy my ship sailed!

Other Things I Watched.

+ The Family (2019)(8/11-8/20:6/10)

+ Pose (2018)(s2:6/13-8/21:9/10)

+ The Farewell (2019)(8/24:8/10)