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| Synopsis |
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| The life of the lead character has been a series of embarrassing events beyond his control. Yet his fate is sealed when he falls in love with one of his students, with a passion that seems to intensify in the face of social mores. This drama explores the complex emotions that lead to forbidden paths of infatuation. | | TBS |
| Soundtrack and Theme Songs (2) |
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| 1. | Tatoeba hoku ga shindara | | | 2. | Bokutachi no Shippai ぼくたちの失敗 [森田童士] | |
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| Drama Reviews (9) |
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!!WARNING!!
The review section may contain spoilers! Please understand
that you may find out about this drama's endings and plots!
| | 1. | Not a sick dorama--REALITY! [Rating: 10/10]
It is unfortunate that some previous reviewers have bashed this dorama based on their obviously limited knowledge of Japanese high schools and their focus on select scenes instead of the entire storyline. This dorama was far ahead of its time in 1993--By 2005 it is nothing new for those who have actually worked in a number of Japanese urban secondary schools as I have. The writing, acting, and direction in this memorable dorama are all first-rate and performed with great sensitivity, unlike the cheap trashy movie by the same name. This well-known writer is also responsible the most recent version starring Ueto Aya.
The issues covered in Kou Kou Kyoushi are controversial (a rape by a teacher, an abortion, another relationship between a young teacher & student, incest, etc.) but these accurate depictions did much to bring such topics into public discussion in Japan during the 1990s. The situations portrayed here are quite realistic--Japanese teachers have a higher responsibility for their students than in many other countries, and unfortunately some have intentionally or unintentionally abused this trust. I have personally known of teachers involved with HS students in Japan, while the administration covered up the situation time and again. Kou Kou Kyoushi brings all of these issues to focus during one high school year for dramatic effect.
What is lost among uninformed criticisms here is that the plot and acting are superb. Unbiased viewers will come to understand and appreciate the primary characters in this dorama as they develop in classic Japanese style. Unlike many dramatizations, the students portrayed in Kou Kou Kyoushi look and act like real students. Main actress Sakurai Sachiko was much beloved by Japanese boys during the 1990s for her role here and in others such as NHK serial Ten Urara. If you were not offended by syrupy Majo no Jouken, you should NOT be offended by Kou Kou Kyoushi. The main plot and premise are basically identical--Yet some of the same reviewers are willing to completely overlook that obstacle because they are so smitten by their idols Nanako and Taki.
My only question is how Kou Kou's producers were able to find a Japanese high school administration willing to allow the use of their school & students for the filming of this dorama. Kou Kou's plots must have caused great embarrassment to the school district officials, resulting in the subsequent "retirement" of the principal. | | Reviewed by meruchan on 1 October 2005 | | 2. | Addictive drama, despite the subject matter. [Rating: 9/10]
When I got this drama, I thought it was going to be a very straight forward "girl has crush on her teacher" style story. And I wanted to gaze upon the lovely Sanada Hiroyuki. Instead, it is a much deeper story and contains some rather "shocking" events. The theme song, the lead girl- Mayu's- downright STALKING of her teacher, and the cartoon CATS she keeps drawing irritated me at first. The English teacher-- my first exposure to rock star-actor Kyoumoto Masaki--is beautiful... but only on the outside it turns out. His character's storyline continues over into the 2003 version of this drama. If you've only seen that one, you've gotta see this one! I grew up in the USA, so I didn't have much prior knowledge of Japanese high schools. I learned a lot of culture from this. I confirmed with some Japanese friends that things really were much like that 10+ years ago in terms of how open (or closed) girls were about their emotions and bad things that happened to them. Essentially a sad story, and of course over the top (hey, it's a television drama, how realistic could it be and still entertain?), but "Koukou Kyoushi" has some memorable characters. If you're used to Sanada Hiroyuki playing an action hero, like I was, you'll be shocked to see what a wimp he can play too. This is a pre-cell phone era drama centered on the lives of two best friends at high school. Both have dark secrets in their lives, and both turn to teachers to help them. The first time I watched this series, I did it all in two marathon sessions, one night until I fell asleep, and then continued as soon as I woke up. It's very addictive. You'll really want to know what happens next. | | Reviewed by Miss Marty on 9 October 2005 | | 3. | Serious...and that's about it [Rating: 7/10]
A delicate subject: about the challenges and pitfalls of working at an all-girls high school. A new biology teacher (Hiroyuki Sanada) is falling in love with a lovely, possessive student (Sachiko Sakurai), while a fellow teacher (Maaki Miyamoto) blackmails the object of his affection (Noriko Watanabe). It's hardly light subject matter, but it's handled with sensitivity when it could have easily fallen prey to its potential pitfalls.
The acting is first-rate, and even the younger roles have surprising depth. That said, there's also a self-conscious seriousness that squeezes every bit of humor or brightness from the drama. The filmmakers knew they were making a controversial project, and seem to have done their best to show their seriousness - at the expense of a balanced mood.
What it does best is to show the varying standards or "moral" behavior in a culture what is still trying to weigh issues like honesty and dishonesty, purity and defilement, and youth vs. maturity. I don't believe that the drama was exploitative in the least, but certain cliches in doramas (like making characters silent only until dramatic exposition is needed) can be tiresome.
KOU KOU KYOUSHI is too serious for its own good; emotional breadth would have given this a dimension it almost always lacks. | | Reviewed by jdoramadotcom on 9 September 2011 | | 4. | Watch this with your gf! [Rating: 6/10]
OK, you think it's a normal story, high school girls, high school girl crush on teacher drama, nothing new right? Well, imagine this one a step ahead of that. Predictability is how I judge dramas nowadays. After a haitus of over 2 or 3 years of not reviewing any, this one is a somewhat bitter welcome back into the world of jdrama. Strong points go towards those few moments where the drama leaves you hanging and wanting to know what happens and what happened. Sadly, it is mostly these plot points that keep you glued to the story and they conveniently happened mostly at episodes' end. I cannot refute the point that I stayed up late just to find out what happens next, however, maybe a few feelgood moments couldn't hurt and give me brighter dreams maybe. Dark, dark, dark. I'll watch the 2003 version, maybe the world would be a better place by then. | | Reviewed by gizm092 on 22 March 2007 | | 5. | One of the best I love to watch! [Rating: 10/10]
I first saw this back in 1993, I think around winter time. I was still living in L.A. and Channel 18 (international) showed it every Sunday. At first I was shocked at the various storylines, but I was just fascinated, not only with how it was written, but it showed a bit of everyday life in Japan. My Japanese penpal has told me that this has caused much controversy in Japan at that time and I dont think she even watched it!
I think the actors did a wonderful job portraying their characters and I absolutely had a big crush on Sanada Hiroyuki!
I havent seen the 2003 remake, but I hope I will soon! | | Reviewed by meowminx on 26 July 2006 | | 6. | Only 10 I have given [Rating: 10/10]
The first drama I have ever seen, and the one that hooked me like a fish. Evidently one that had much controversy when realeased in Japan due to a father/daughter relationship plot (as if the student/teacher one wasn't enough). Well acted, good soundtrack and underappreciated. The tape I have of it is wearing out! | | Reviewed by contiki on 15 November 2003 | | 7. | Dark but amazing [Rating: 10/10]
This drama is very dark. Don't let anyone tell you different. Don't think you will walk away from this in a cheerful mood because you won't (If you do get therapy!!!). The acting was incredible. Perfect performances by all. The music really stuck with me as well. This drama is packed with powerful emotions. | | Reviewed by MonsterZero65 on 15 August 2010 | | 8. | Serious and Awesome. [Rating: 10/10]
Some of the finest acting ever in this dark and interesting drama. A really important story and you can't help but feel conflicted while watching this. I highly recommend. | | Reviewed by MonsterZero-65 on 6 November 2009 | | 9. | First Memorable Dorama [Rating: 10/10]
This is the second dorama I've ever seen and the most memorable and touching. | | Reviewed by RedR8der on 17 February 2003 |
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| Comments From Users (36) |
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!!WARNING!!
This section may contain spoilers! Do not proceed if you
do not want to read about this drama's endings and plots!
| | 1. | Comments by ilovetakuya [Rating: 10/10]
This drama was disturbing, but it made me to think about a lot of social issues as well as what I live for as a human. It was really a deep drama.
A lot of the social problems present in this drama is still present today..Though disturbing, these things exist in real life. Fujimura and Mayu's dad are psychopaths, but then...psychopaths do exist...In this world, everybody wishes to have someone you can love unconditionally, and be loved passionately back. If you have that person, nothing matters anymore. I think Mr. Hamura was like that to Mayu. To Mayu, Mr. Hamura was probably everything...Though socially unacceptable, their love was beautiful..I'm not sure if their love would have lasted if they survived though..
I think it was really brave of Nojima Shinji to touch these issues in a TV drama...especially in 1993!!
Sanada Hiroyuki gave a very good performance. Though I saw him in Ring and The Last Samurai, I didn't particularly think of him as a good looking guy, but I discovered that he is actually quite sexy. Sakurai Sachiko and Mochida Maki were also cute.
Although I was thinking of giving 9 out of 10 for this drama, I'll go with 10 since it was so new to the drama world. This kinda thing can't be aired even in U.S. (I think..) | | 2. | Comments by occultangle [Rating: 9/10]
The perennial classic of Japanese lolicon culture. But it doesn't stop there, add in incest, rape, homosexuality, infidelity, suicide, and a little murder and you have a deep cesspool of immorality. The thing that is so wonderful about this drama is very simply that they actually go there, so many dramas, which have come after this no less, only have the courage to toy with these issues, but back off before they depict anything that might actually offend people. This show is very responsible for inducing a lot of self-righteous rage in large groups of people. It's actually rather amazing to me, to watch people get more worked up over a relationship between a teacher and a student, than they do in response to the incest and rape. I can only conclude this is because they are fine watching things they know they would never do, but they get defensive about behavior that they themselves would do if they could...
Taken as an immoral classic I love this series, but it really only has shock value as its reason to watch, and honestly it still doesn't really go far enough with that, though I am certain that's only because TV stations wouldn't have aired anything worse than this. | | 3. | Comments by sadacori [Rating: 9/10]
This is a dark story of a high school teacher who falls in love with one of his students. There are scenes that were hard for me to watch because it felt like I was prying into the secret lives of the people in this drama. Though this drama made me uneasy, fearful, and hateful at times, I thought it was well done. Fans of Nojima Shinji's screwed up stories will eat this one up.
Most noteworthy was Akai Hidekazu as Shinjou sensei. Though he seemed like a typical jock-turned-PE teacher, he proved to be a much more complex character by being a caring father and friend and also a protective teacher to the point where he got into trouble. | | 4. | Comments by yume [Rating: 4/10]
It is a very blunt and flat look at high school girls and their crushes on their male teachers. At times, I felt as if it was written by a pervert who had fantasies of high school teen girls, what with all the ridiculous lines about having to see her homeroom teacher, and feeling so from the bottom of her heart? Oh, give me a break! It paints a very scary picture of an overstepped line between teacher and student. While possibly aiming at realism, it comes off as crude. | | 5. | Comments by Cerebus [Rating: 8/10]
Dark and shocking but with a degree of subtly you don't get in modern dramas, and not a pretty boy in sight. Apparently it was very controversial at the time, and it's easy to see why. As with the sequel it does leave a bad taste in the mouth over how some of the characters are made sympathetic despite the despicable things they do. I just hope this isn't a real indication of what happens in Japanese schools. | | 6. | Comments by Phi [Rating: 6/10]
Very provocative drama, plain and simple. I think that it has lost nothing since the day of the first broadcasting, the themes of the drama are still a matter of discussion. Even nowadays you won't be able to broadcast it in a lot of other countries. Why just 6 then? Well, I didn't really got through to it, even though the themes are serious, I was bored quite often. | | 7. | Comments by compaqmac321 [Rating: 10/10]
((WATCHING)) ah..this show is hard to watch...there arent many things i thnk are taboo..but this is one of them...in school everybody has a teacher that they might have a crush on, but an adult has to be and adult and decline...seeing this is a bit like WOW, but its good.. | | 8. | Comments by jusco240sx [Rating: 7/10]
Ueto Aya is really cute, as always, and Narimiya Hiroki is awesome as a bad guy. The dorama is a bit dark in nature which is a nice change from the norm. Overall though it's really only ends up being so-so. Worth a watch though if you get the chance. | | 9. | Comments by eltinator [Rating: 10/10]
The original Kou Kou Kyoushi is a legend in itself. The themes they touch on are a bit disturbing but true in everyday life. Sakurai Sachiko performs amazingly as the student and Sanada Hiroyuki fits his role well too. A must watch people! | | 10. | Comments by Smiley_18 [Rating: 9/10]
Wow, I really enjoy this drama. It really kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the whole show. The topic might be a bit sensetive to some people, but I really think that the actors did an excellent job in this. | | 11. | Comments by williu [Rating: 10/10]
There's a reason why this one is called a classic. It's damn good, not only in the acting and script department, but also in the emotional value. While the moral of the story can be questioned, it's quality can not. | | 12. | Comments by Sleepingstar [Rating: 7/10]
This was probably somewhat shocking back then, but nowadays not all that much. It's fairly good drama and there is important moral issues covered in show, so it's not just a good drama, there is some message too. | | 13. | Comments by sinned12 [Rating: 7/10]
It's a little disturbing how the characters liked messing around with each others head. However this drama is when I first noticed Ueto Aya for her cuteness and Fujiki Naohito's talent. | | 14. | Comments by sweetkisses7574 [Rating: 5/10]
i didn't like this drama very much... i found it pretty boring and i hated the ending!! i really don't like suiside and it was just sad. down right depressing!! but it was watchable | | 15. | Comments by xhidex33 [Rating: 9/10]
Better than the 2003 version in my opinion. The reality shown in this drama is scarier and the characters seem much deeper. Dark drama but good. Sakurai Sachiko is a great actress | | 16. | Comments by Mujer [Rating: 9/10]
Incredibly dark but not sentimental. I love Sanada Hiroyuki's Hamura Takao...though shy and wishy washy but, nonetheless, sweet, sensitive, and childish at times...so kawaii! | | 17. | Comments by abelcmcr [Rating: 5/10]
The plot is normal but overcomplicated and coward. Why couldn't he just tell her that she wasn't the one who was ill but him? The theme song is great though | | 18. | Comments by Andro [Rating: 10/10]
This is the darkest dorama, I liked it better than the other. And what happend in the end? | | 19. | Comments by Ushiroyubi [Rating: 9/10]
poignant, controversial, and tragic....
I think it was very good. Sakurai ... goodness. | | 20. | Comments by Amika [Rating: 8/10]
Shocking drama with a lot of crazy relationship.. but it's worth watching. | | 21. | Comments by Replicant [Rating: 10/10]
Great Story! It's truly a classic. And what a fantastic soundtrack! | | 22. | Comments by thetenken [Rating: 7/10]
Think of every kind of forbidden relationship, and it's in here. | | 23. | Comments by Boogoo8 [Rating: 8/10]
Though it's quite weird and sad but really ate my heart out. | | 24. | Comments by loveaomori [Rating: 8/10]
not that good but it inspired a lot of dramas after. | | 25. | Comments by johuth [Rating: ?/10]
Bought means available for trade! COMPLETE | | 26. | Comments by Miss Marty [Rating: 9/10]
See my lengthy review. This is a classic. | | 27. | Comments by Kaoruko [Rating: 5/10]
Not nearly as good as the 2003 version.. | | 28. | Comments by xbot [Rating: 9/10]
Good story, i have liked to watch it ^^ | | 29. | Comments by kamikaze54 [Rating: 7/10]
Pretty dark drama, didn't expect it. | | 30. | Comments by Andan [Rating: 7/10]
Very dark and dramatic story... |
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Read all 36 comments from users
| Users who voted for this drama (11) |
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| 1. | occultangle
The perennial classic of Japanese lolicon culture. But it doesn't stop there, add in incest, rape, homosexuality, infidelity, suicide, and a little murder and you have a deep cesspool of immorality. The thing that is so wonderful about this drama is very simply that they actually go there, so many dramas, which have come after this no less, only have the courage to toy with these issues, but back off before they depict anything that might actually offend people. This show is very responsible for inducing a lot of self-righteous rage in large groups of people. It's actually rather amazing to me, to watch people get more worked up over a relationship between a teacher and a student, than they do in response to the incest and rape. I can only conclude this is because they are fine watching things they know they would never do, but they get defensive about behavior that they themselves would do if they could...(food for thought) Taken as an immoral classic I love this series, but it really only has shock value as its reason to watch, and honestly it still doesn't really go far enough with that, though I am certain that's only because TV stations wouldn't have aired anything worse than this. | | 2. | Miss Marty
The original series. Sanada Hiroyuki is amazing as always. The lead girl will drive you crazy with how she stalks him! Kyoumoto Masaki plays a horrible villain, but looks so good!!! Pre-cell phone era Japan. Back when girls kept quiet about many bad things too. I think this was really a landmark series. It has a shocking, unspoken evil going on... it's HEAVY, what can I say, but highly recommended. | | 3. | for3vergirl
This is one of the sickest dramas out there for normal people, as everyone said it brought up the controversial issue in Japan. However, this drama plot is so great that you always curious of what is happening next and you're so glued to the dramas until the end. From my point of view, the story may be crazy, but the characters were so perfect that it flows so nicely. | | 4. | takezo
taboo storyline to generate ratings but the chemistry between the two main characters made it palatable. one of the first dorama i watched and especially noted the, then unconventional, sad ending. good overall flow in storytelling. | | 5. | MonsterZero65
Extremely dark and very disturbing but really good. This drama made a strong lasting impression on me. I will never forget it so it deserves to be voted as one of the best dramas I have seen just for it's impact. | | 6. | Doramafan113
Fantastic acting, I was blown away. This drama takes you through every emotion. I can see why it has spawn so many copies. Great Great Show. | | 7. | supaflysista21
This is not one of fujiki's best acting roles. Story-line is okay. Miss Ueto character is very cute in this drama. | | 8. | Replicant
Great Story! It's truly a classic. And what a fantastic soundtrack! | | 9. | Mujer | | 10. | Tougen | | 11. | haana |
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Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003
