Drama Marathon Weekend with Rondo (2006)

Rondo (2006)

Stars:
Choi Ji Woo as Choi Yoon A (Yuna)
Takenouchi Yutaka as Nishijima Shou/Kanayama Takumi
Lee Jung Hyun as Choi Yoon Hee
Sato Ryuta as Hide
Shin Hyun Joon as Kim Young Jae
Hasizume Isao as Song Gyu Hwan
Ichikawa Yui as Kazama Kotomi
Hayami Mokomichi as Kazama Ryuogo
Naoki Sugiura as Kazama Ryuichiro

Synopsis

A Japanese/Korean collaboration combining stars from both countries for this big-budget drama. Nishijima Shou  (Yutaka Takenouchi) is a Japanese detective whose father was murdered in Korea when he was still a boy. In hopes of discovering the truth behind his father’s death, Shou works undercover in a mafia organization.  Choi Yuna (Choi Ji-Woo) is a South Korean woman who goes to Japan in search of her father, who left her when she was young, and ends up opening a Korean restaurant in Japan. They cross paths at a bar at night ... She opens a Korean restaurant with her younger sister, but soon faces the mercy of fate. The couple meets in a corner of Tokyo and fall in love. But what waits ahead of them... A "rondo" of fate, love, and history is about to begin. source: MyDramalist

My Take
Okay, let me preface my review with the fact that you must be a lover of the crime/suspense/action genre. If you are not, this is not the drama for you.

Shou/Takumi

Yuna

Acting: What can I say, I was pleasantly surprised by all. I've seen them all in different works but in this collaboration between Japan and Korea; they reined supreme. Takenouchi Yutaka as Shou/Takumi was phenomenal. As the gangster Shou, he played the role really well. I loved that! And boy is he a sexy man! Choi Ji Woo as Yuna was a treat! Except for movies, I'd never completed one of her dramas but as Yuna (the ever changing Yuna), she was on point. 

Hide

 I would be remiss in leaving out Sato Ryuta as Hide. Afro-ed down and funny as hell!! I thought I liked him in Detarame Hero (my guilty pleasure drama), now I have to go watch him in others!

Action: Okay, this is a dark. dark drama. You are talking about gangsters, crooked cops; no drama of this ilk would be complete without some serious action! No, no club and knives but serious gun action so the squeamish, beware.

Filming: A Lot of the shots are dark and I guess the director was trying to project darkness because of the subject matter.

Romance: It was nicely done and I must say, very believable. You will definitely feel and experience as these two, Shou and Yuna fall for each other. The chemistry between Yutaka and Ji Won, off the charts! It was also nice to see that they expressed that affection too with hugs, kisses, etc.

Twists: Talk about a roller coaster ride!! There are so many twists and turns in this drama, I guarantee, your head will spin like you are possessed. HAH! I'm kidding but you will be shocked, dismayed and pleasantly amazed at the number of twists in this story; well done

Music: There really wasn't a lot of variations to the music; however, what was featured was very nice. I loved the songs that were featured and there were times that the instrumental music reminded me of one of my favorite movies called Ghost Dog; same beat. You'll be bopping your head from time to time listening to it. But this song by Ayaka, very nice melody and played throughout the drama.
Overall, the writer definitely closed this drama with a bang and I was very, very happy. But as usual with JDramas, you must watch until the very end. I'm always sad when I do not understand why a drama has a certain title. Now I know what Rondo means.

You can watch on DailyMotion or Gooddrama!!

Post Note: Hayami Mokomichi, I did not know you before but you are now on my radar. What a handsome devil, don't you think so?

Hayami Mokomichi