Telecasted in the year 1998, this is one of the most touching and meaningful love drama series I remember right until now. The theme song "I for You" by Luna Sea enhances the nostalgic feeling one has after watching the show. It's just 12 episodes long so if you haven't caught it yet (esp. if you missed it cos you were too young back then), I strongly recommend you this show (go to tudou.com and paste the chinese title).
Came across a very detailed review of the drama (from spcnet.tv) and here's something to whet your appetite for the show. It's a long read but a very in-depth, meaningful one-->
Cast:
Kaneshiro Takeshi as Keigo Ishikawa
Kyoko Fukada as Masaki Kyouno.
Plot:
Many themes have been incorporated into this Japanese TV series, such as HIV, friendship, bullying, abortion, parentage and of course, love.
The story revolves around Masaki, a swoony 16-year-old high school student who is an avid fan of Keigo, a music producer. In order to get enough money to buy the tickets for his concert, Masaki engages in a night of sexual intercourse with a complete stranger.
After attending the concert, Masaki and Keigo met up by chance. Keigo bought Masaki to his home where he was entranced by her bubbly and naive nature. After this one nightstand, Masaki left his house, having no regrets at all.
Three months later, Keigo came back from his music tour and chose to meet up with Masaki. However, Masaki at that time found herself HIV positive. And through here the story continues to unveil itself where Keigo and Masaki's relationship continue to develop, from sympathy to friendship to love. Throughout this time, Keigo stayed by Masaki’s side, supporting her without truly understanding his underlying feelings for her and in the end, falling in love with her.
Themes:
Many themes are evident throughout this series and have thoroughly impressed me, as not many films are willing to touch on this subject, one of which is HIV. While most people tend to duck from this topic, this series managed to carry it out without problem, allowing viewers to experience the pain and confusion one goes through but it also shows how these people can still have a normal life despite these obstacles. However, not many view it this way as Masaki’s friends showed. They kept their distance when they heard of this news (though not directly from the person herself) and also made Masaki’s schooling as horrible as possible. However, upon hearing Masaki’s speech in the school hall, they embraced her and gave her the support and friendship she needed.
Although I’m not too fond about this sort of friendship where ‘friends’ disappear as soon as trouble appears, it’s good to know they still cared for their friend once knowing her position.
Parentage is also quite a poignant topic, displaying the ways Masaki’s parents acted towards the situation. Not only that but the relationship between the parents themselves. They may be a family but it did not carry that feeling in the beginning. The father only cared about his work and spent most of his hours in the office; the mother was the typical homemaker who was having an affair outside the house; and the younger brother was always buried in his studies.
Throughout all this, Masaki was left to do whatever she pleased, including pubbing into the late of night. Upon realising the mother’s indiscretions, Masaki was devastated to learn she has no one reliable to rely on. However, her mother desperately tries to create a bond with her daughter. In the end, after learning Masaki is HIV positive, something that she has kept from her family for a long time, each individual member of the family reacted differently.
The mother, maybe due to guilt, supported her daughter; her father was ashamed of this piece of news and won’t allow Masaki to go to school anymore; while her younger brother was cold and distant, perhaps now losing the role model he needed to look up on, and blamed all bad happenings on his sister. Nevertheless, as the plot progresses, the family comes together despite the mother and father having a divorce… although it’s for the better.
