With numerous drama remakes, Itazura na Kiss is a manga written by Kaoru Tada between 1990 to 1999, it has become one of the most popular franchise in dramaland. Unfortunately the drama was never completed due to sudden death of the author, however the remakes of the series continued.
The plot is quite simple. A high school girl confesses to the very popular, genius boy then to be rejected and humiliated in front of the whole school. Faith would have it, the girl looses her house and moves in with her dad's friend and family. Surprise surprise, of course the friend is no other than the dad of the boy. Thus starts the cohabitation between innocent, yet foolish girl and genius boy.
When I first watched one of the remake, I actually didn't know that there are several other versions. What I really like about this franchise is that all of them follow the same plot, however each of them are unique in their own way. I thought why not list them all and maybe give my opinion for each. Maybe this can help some of you to decide which to watch but also know the others that exist.
Country: Japan
Year: 1996
Main cast: Sato Aiko, Kashiwabara Takashi
Episode: 9
Because it was made in 1996, it is nearly impossible to find it subbed and good quality on the net. So unfortunately I can't comment too much on it.
However, it was one of the first remake so it needs to be considered as the starting point for all other dramas.
Country: Taiwan
Year: 2005/2006
Main Cast: Lin Ariel, Cheng Joe
Episode: 20
This series is quite popular one. With two season under its belt, it brought the manga alive. This remale really goes in depth into the storyline and also the feelings of the characters. Comparison to other ones, you really get to understand how each of the characters think and feel and how the relationship develops.
I really enjoyed this because it was long! However odd it seems, I really enjoyed that I could watch on and on the couple and how they interact.
Country: Taiwan
Year: 2007/2008
Main Cast: Lin Ariel, Cheng Joe
Episode: 20
As mentioned, this is the second season of the remake. This part of the drama brings you onto the development of the story after the couple finally gets together, because the trials and tribulations are not over!
On my part, I enjoyed ISWAK2 much better than the first one because of the in-depth story and also you get to see more lovey-dovey actions which I thought were missing from ISWAK.
Country: South Korea
Year: 2010
Main cast: Kim Hyung Joong, Jung So Min
Episode: 16
So this was actually the first remake I have seen. At the time, I really enjoyed it, however in comparison to the others out there, it is lacking!
When it was airing, it had good popularity among viewers due to the main cast of Kim Hyung Joong, who had massive popularity at the time, being a former idol of SS501. Other casts were also quite popular as well.
It's cute adaptation, however I think it doesn't relay the same sensation of the manga as others did. In contrast to other adaptations, after the drama ended, they also released few Youtube edition snippets about what happened after the drama. It was a cute addition to the drama!
Country: Japan
Year: 2013
Main Cast: Miki Honoka, Furukawa Yuki
Episode: 16
Similarly to ISWAK, this remake explores in depth the story with two seasons. The first season focuses on how the two main characters get together, while the second explores their story after getting together.
I would say that this remake is the one that completely reflects the drama because of the behaviours and actions of the main characters, really highlighting her silliness. Additionally, the guy was fitting image of how you would imagine a cold blooded genius. It was really able to create the same feeling as if you were reading the original manga.
Country: Japan
Year: 2014
Main Cast: Miki Honoka, Furukawa Yuki
Episode: 1
Side story to mark the beginning of the second season. The story focuses on the honeymoon of the main characters.
Country: Japan
Year: 2014
Main Cast: Miki Honoka, Furukawa Yuki
Episode: 16
Following the cute interactions of the main characters. This part of the series goes more into depth of their relationship.
What I really liked about it was that you get to see more and more lovey-dovey interactions, which I LOVE! And seriously, you can't get enough of it! I don't think I would be able to count up the amount of times I rewatch this remake!
Country: Thailand
Year: 2015
Main Cast: Mike D'Angelo, Manaying Sushar
Episode: 20
There was a lot of hype about this particular remake because of the main casts. Coincidentally, the two main actors were the two main leads in the remake of 'Full House', which garnered huge popularity both in Thailand and overseas. The coupling is similar to the one from Taiwan Mike He and Rainie Yang (if you don't know them you should google it).
A bit of a different take on the drama, especially with the blonde hair for the main guy, however it was quite refreshing and cute!
There is also a special episode with behind the scene footage, usual for Thai dramas.
Country: Taiwan
Year: 2016/2017
Main Casts: Lee Dino, Wu Esther
Episode: 39
Most recent of remakes, this is similar to the Love in Tokyo series. What I really like about this one, is the take on the main girl. So in other versions like Love in Tokyo and ISWAK, the girl is portrayed as really foolish, however both in this one and Kiss Me, it's not as bad which I liked. However, I really do think we will never see a series where she is not head over heels about the main guy since that's the point of the plot, hehe. Cute adaptation with great cast!
The plot is quite simple. A high school girl confesses to the very popular, genius boy then to be rejected and humiliated in front of the whole school. Faith would have it, the girl looses her house and moves in with her dad's friend and family. Surprise surprise, of course the friend is no other than the dad of the boy. Thus starts the cohabitation between innocent, yet foolish girl and genius boy.
When I first watched one of the remake, I actually didn't know that there are several other versions. What I really like about this franchise is that all of them follow the same plot, however each of them are unique in their own way. I thought why not list them all and maybe give my opinion for each. Maybe this can help some of you to decide which to watch but also know the others that exist.
Explore all remakes below XD
Itazura na Kiss (1996)
Year: 1996
Main cast: Sato Aiko, Kashiwabara Takashi
Episode: 9
Because it was made in 1996, it is nearly impossible to find it subbed and good quality on the net. So unfortunately I can't comment too much on it.
However, it was one of the first remake so it needs to be considered as the starting point for all other dramas.
It started with a Kiss
Year: 2005/2006
Main Cast: Lin Ariel, Cheng Joe
Episode: 20
This series is quite popular one. With two season under its belt, it brought the manga alive. This remale really goes in depth into the storyline and also the feelings of the characters. Comparison to other ones, you really get to understand how each of the characters think and feel and how the relationship develops.
I really enjoyed this because it was long! However odd it seems, I really enjoyed that I could watch on and on the couple and how they interact.
It started with a Kiss 2 (They Kiss Again)
Year: 2007/2008
Main Cast: Lin Ariel, Cheng Joe
Episode: 20
As mentioned, this is the second season of the remake. This part of the drama brings you onto the development of the story after the couple finally gets together, because the trials and tribulations are not over!
On my part, I enjoyed ISWAK2 much better than the first one because of the in-depth story and also you get to see more lovey-dovey actions which I thought were missing from ISWAK.
Playful Kiss
Year: 2010
Main cast: Kim Hyung Joong, Jung So Min
Episode: 16
So this was actually the first remake I have seen. At the time, I really enjoyed it, however in comparison to the others out there, it is lacking!
When it was airing, it had good popularity among viewers due to the main cast of Kim Hyung Joong, who had massive popularity at the time, being a former idol of SS501. Other casts were also quite popular as well.
It's cute adaptation, however I think it doesn't relay the same sensation of the manga as others did. In contrast to other adaptations, after the drama ended, they also released few Youtube edition snippets about what happened after the drama. It was a cute addition to the drama!
Itazura na Kiss - Love in Tokyo
Year: 2013
Main Cast: Miki Honoka, Furukawa Yuki
Episode: 16
Similarly to ISWAK, this remake explores in depth the story with two seasons. The first season focuses on how the two main characters get together, while the second explores their story after getting together.
I would say that this remake is the one that completely reflects the drama because of the behaviours and actions of the main characters, really highlighting her silliness. Additionally, the guy was fitting image of how you would imagine a cold blooded genius. It was really able to create the same feeling as if you were reading the original manga.
Itazura na Kiss - Love in Okinawa
Year: 2014
Main Cast: Miki Honoka, Furukawa Yuki
Episode: 1
Side story to mark the beginning of the second season. The story focuses on the honeymoon of the main characters.
Itazura na Kiss - Love in Tokyo 2
Year: 2014
Main Cast: Miki Honoka, Furukawa Yuki
Episode: 16
Following the cute interactions of the main characters. This part of the series goes more into depth of their relationship.
What I really liked about it was that you get to see more and more lovey-dovey interactions, which I LOVE! And seriously, you can't get enough of it! I don't think I would be able to count up the amount of times I rewatch this remake!
Kiss Me
Year: 2015
Main Cast: Mike D'Angelo, Manaying Sushar
Episode: 20
There was a lot of hype about this particular remake because of the main casts. Coincidentally, the two main actors were the two main leads in the remake of 'Full House', which garnered huge popularity both in Thailand and overseas. The coupling is similar to the one from Taiwan Mike He and Rainie Yang (if you don't know them you should google it).
A bit of a different take on the drama, especially with the blonde hair for the main guy, however it was quite refreshing and cute!
There is also a special episode with behind the scene footage, usual for Thai dramas.
Miss in Kiss
Year: 2016/2017
Main Casts: Lee Dino, Wu Esther
Episode: 39
Most recent of remakes, this is similar to the Love in Tokyo series. What I really like about this one, is the take on the main girl. So in other versions like Love in Tokyo and ISWAK, the girl is portrayed as really foolish, however both in this one and Kiss Me, it's not as bad which I liked. However, I really do think we will never see a series where she is not head over heels about the main guy since that's the point of the plot, hehe. Cute adaptation with great cast!
Other adaptations
So the listed above are the main drama remakes, however they also have done an anime based on the manga, and there are a few movies as well. However, I definitely think that watching one of the dramas is better because you really get to know the characters and understand the feelings which shorter dramas and movies might not be able to do.
THE END
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