J-Drama "Shiroi Kyoto": Power, Politics & Ethics in the Medical Profession

As earlier declared in this blog, we are Japanese drama-addicts. Recently, we followed a very engaging Japanese medical series, "Shiroi Kyoto" or The Great White Tower at DramaCrazy.net. The story revolves around Zaizen Goro, a highly-skilled and ambitious surgeon specializing in cancer-removal, and his alter-ego Dr. Shuji Satomi. Both characters are into cancer treatment - Zaizen is a brilliant surgeon while Satomi is physician devoted to reseach, but their methods, ethics, and goals are poles apart. Yet, typical of an oriental drama, the yin-yang philosophy was the unmistakable undercurrent in the story. Zaizen and Satomi, while very different from each other (Zaizen is a realist while Satomi is an idealist), are drawn to each other like forever-quarreling brothers that have umblical cords that can't be separated.

The plot thickens when Zaizen, driven by ambition, moved mountains to get the professorship position in the Surgery Dept. of the Naniwa Medical School. He used all kinds of tactics and strategies, most of which are ethically questionable, to achive his goal. The story allows the viewers to peak into the politics and power-play of doctors, stripping them of the usual bright-eyed nobility associated with the profession. It also tackled the controversial issue of medical malpractice and how doctors close-ranks to protect their own.

The beauty of the drama is that it was able to develop the context and motivation of each character that one cannot villify a character for his/her action(s). No episode was dull as each draws and engages viewers as the story unfolds. Shiroi Kyoto was awarded as the best drama, best director and best screenplay at the 40th TV Drama Awards 2003 in Japan.

Oishii (Delicious) Proposal !

We watched another Japanese food comedy drama – Oishii Proposal. The plot centers on the relationship between Shiraishi Suzuko, a beautiful and strong-minded female chef of a small Italian restaurant in Tokyo and Koide Keisuke, a rich and handsome businessman whose father wants to take-over the restaurant. The movie has wonderful characters who have their own interesting roles to play – the restaurant manager, the sous chef, the waitress, the father, the businessman’s assistant, the rich daughter of a business partner, who is infatuated with Keisuke….everybody contributes to this movie which is full of comedy, romance and conflict.

Will Suzuko sacrifice the restaurant business and her chef job for love? Will Keisuke obey his father’s orders to take-over the restaurant of the lady chef to whom he is falling in love? Will Keisuke marry the rich girl so that their business will prosper or will he choose the lady chef instead? Will Suzuko accept the bribe given by the father so that she cuts-off her relationship with Keisuke? Watch it at http://www.mysoju.com/oishii-proposal/ or http://www.tv-links.cc/asian/oishii-proposal.htm and find out the twist at the final episode. It’s really a tasty (especially if you love Italian food like pasta) and enjoyable movie!

Appetizing Japanese Drama Series

I enjoy watching free Japanese drama online via http://www.tv-links.cc/ - some titles I already reviewed in one of my blogs in Multiply about Hooked on J-Drama.

Let me review two titles which combine food or gourmet and drama.The first title is a mystery/detective entitled “Kuitan” (meaning “Big Eating Detective”), a series about a detective named Takano who has the uncontrollable appetite in eating any kind of food and fights with his chopsticks. He belongs to the Holmes detective agency which includes a kid. The cases they solve – murder, kidnapping, robbery- usually have a connection to food – food quiz show, baking powder left as a clue, allergy to food, etc. Takano and his partners eat at the murder scene, at restaurants, at various food shops – their appetite leads to the solution of the case. While watching this series, you get to know the different kinds of Japanese food – sushi, okonomiyaki, nabemono, sweet bread, etc. It’s a mystery drama and comedy you will enjoy.



The second drama is “My Little Chef”, The story revolves on an unknown lady chef, Seri, who was assigned as a chef in a small French restaurant in Tokyo. Her special skill is that she prepares the food based on the background of the customer. She interviews the customers and prepares the appropriate dish for them. It’s interesting to watch her recreate the flavors her late father has mastered as a famous gourmet chef. She also concocts her own recipes based on the character or feelings of their customers. Each episode focuses on a specific customer who has his/her own story and the dish prepared by Seri somehow enlightens the customer about his/her life. If you love cooking and eating French food, this is an appetizing drama series.