Long Vacation - 1996 Jap Drama starring Takuya Kimura

Starring Takuya Kimura

Finally stumbled upon and bought the classic J-drama, 悠长假期 (Long Vacation).  First heard about this drama from Jerry Yan and Ella Chen's Taiwanese drama, Down with Love.   Jerry mentioned this while trying to cheer Ella's character up after she found out that she has been duped by her so-called boyfriend.

I always enjoyed  木村拓哉(Takuya Kimura)'s series (eg Hero, Mr Brain & Moon Lovers).  He's an interesting character.  Can't say that I am a huge fan of his.  However, the good thing about watching J-dramas is that they are usually short and succint (about 12 episodes long on average).

I am now midway through the series and already, I am bowled over by the famous lines by Takura in Episode 2...

"About the times when you are tired or when things are not going smoothly - to treat this period as a God-sent Long Long Vacation.  There is no need to give or do your best all the time.  It's ok to rest, take it easy, go with the flow, be kinder to yourself, no need to push yourself so hard...things will ultimately turn for the better..." 

"人生不需要终是盡全力衝刺,

人终有不顺利或疲倦的时候.

在这时候,我就把它当成是上天赐给我们的假期,

不必勉强衝刺, 不必紧张,不必努力加油.

一切顺其自然,然后一切就会好转."

These must be some of the best lines that I have ever come across in any TV drama or movies...Tbe story has a timeless appeal which allowed me to transcend beyond the dated fashion style that made the drama so 1990s.  I liked the character development especially the tentative but sweet budding friendship turned romance between the two lead actors.  The chemistry between Takuya and Tomoko Yamaguchi was palpable and most enjoyable.