Ice World (1999)

Ice World is the best of its kind according to me...and i'm not exaggerating.
Thanks for believing.

This is an investigative Drama in which Romance is not a throw in the window.

Unlike your everyday detective story (especially the episodic one), This one has only one case through out
and it doesn't rely on how genius or clever the Protagonist is... or how awesome they solve the case.

Its a kind of drama that needs character investment. Every twist the plot will give you will strike lightning in your emotion. Observe, feel, analyze, it was very enjoyable and involving.

I know many viewers will pass this up because of its oldness and unfamiliar cast and if some random user attempt to watch it will drop it once he/she mis-concept it as a boring drama since the atmosphere isn't the same as the one we everyday saw in this generation. But if You have some dedication to taste a somewhat unfamiliar territory...you will be rewarded BIGtime as this was a genuine drama that are so rare and original.

Story

The first couple of scenes will give you an idea what the show will be going' and the first couple of episodes (which is somewhat slow but just need to build up the complexity of the characters).
It may somewhat buffles you especially for casual viewers..but after that..you will have the sense of it after you see ".....!!" and it will start to hook you..till the end. with Mind blown included. You will appreciate it greatly.

Characters

They are all 3-dimensional, They are all ingredients of the story..if one of them is not there, the story will not be completed. All of them behave different.
Any change in their behavior as the plot progresses affects a lot of consequences.

MUSIC

The OST here are overwhelming
The variety of music pieces have a sense of subtlety which is mesmerizing that doesn't need a lyrics to tell what they mean and let say it has a SOUL.
The sounds often tells many things more than the words not only just there to accompany the scenes.
Some dramas often have "saranghe" songs which is somewhat generic but sounds great ..that uses over and over again which is sometimes cheesy and you will not see it here

Replay

I think this drama is even better when see the second time around.
You know already the twist but you will get a lot of reasoning after repeating.

Good!
-Has a Very Complex Plot
-Moderate pace but detailed
-All Characters you see has a 100% importance to the plot
(3 dimensional characters)
-OST are very varied and haunting
-Very replayable especially for its kind
-Unpredictable
-Realistic (some plot devices can be superficial)

Bad?
-Old Drama
-Not Fast enough for casual
-Actors/Actress may not be familliar to you
-There is only one Song (OP)
-Some will think that a mystery drama has low replay value since you know what will happen the 2nd time around
-No Genius detective that uses more than 10% of their brain (this was proven a myth)
-no wacky moments out of nowhere (like we see in others of the same type)

My Enjoyment statistic
E01 8.5 / E02 8.0 / E03 9.0 / E04 10 / E05 9.5
E06 9.5 / E07 9.5 / E08 10 / E09 10 / E10 9.5 /E11 9.5

note: This is a Dark' Mystery Romance Drama but it is Moving.
There are less violence and not as disturbing as you think.

note2: I just put 9 on Cast and replay just you to notice how astonishing the 'story and the 'music is.
I really want to put 10s on all category in the first place.

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"Insurance was the last love letter."

..is one thing that I've learned and reflect from watching this drama. This is hauntingly beautiful story that brings you to a world of dark mystery of a young woman Egi Touko. There aren't that many mystery or suspense dramas in Japan. Usually, you'll get an episodic drama with a "detective-genius-who-solve-all-case" so when a good one like this, it should deserve a good rating. Well, just because the genre is mystery doesn't mean it's always an episodic. Sometimes, it was to confuse and leaves to audience to think for themselves about the events regarding of what the conclusions will be.

The script was very well-written that gives a chilling feel and yet captivating. The actors did pretty well in portrayal especially Matsushima Nanako. She has this cold and creepy aura in this one that her acting transitions made me "never-to-be-forgotten" of her. Eiki and Touko has a very good chemistry, well.. this is not just an eye candy drama though.


Now, in this drama.. YOU are the Detective! :) I advise you to just go with flow in it or else, you may lose concentration to the story. Do not "overthink". :DD

I recommend you to watch this drama, nothing to lose if you try.. Who knows? You'll never know that you're missing. :)

ENJOY! ^_____^

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