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Because of the series' fame, many countries followed in Itazura na Kiss's footsteps, remaking their own country's version: Playfull Kiss (Korea, 2010). It Started With A Kiss (Taiwan, 2005), Cowok Impian (Indonesia, 2006), Kiss Me (Thailand, 2015), Miss In Kiss (Taiwan, 2016), even Japan itself then remade it again in 2013 with the title Michievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo. (source).
And the interesting fact is, I watched all the versions. LOL.
However, not long ago, when I was surfing online, I accidentally found out that Taiwan in 2019 also made a film version. Oh My God!
FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST KISS
ORIENTATION
The premise is about Yuan Xiangqin (Jelly Lin) who attends Dunan High School, where the school has a special class called Class A which is only inhabited by students with high IQs and geniuses. On the first day of school as a high school student, Xiangqin accidentally kisses a handsome male student who is later discovered to be the smartest student with an IQ of 200 and a resident of class A. The male student is named Jiang Zhishu (Darren Wang).
From that accidental incident, Xiangqin immediately fell in love with Zhishu. However, their love story did not go that smoothly. Zhishu will not easily accept a girl like Xiangqin who is in class F. Meanwhile, Xiangqin will continue to persevere and fight to get into the top 100 in her school for her promise to Zhishu.
PROJECTORS
- Yuan Xiangqin (Jelly Lin)
Despite knowing that she has limitations when it comes to doing well in school, Xiangqin is cheerful, unflappable and strong-willed. This is evident in the way she patiently pursues her love, the way she insists on getting into the top 100 even though it seems impossible, but thanks to her hard work, everything she wants can be achieved (Love is also Education).
Xiangqin is also known for her sincere character, so it's no wonder that she has A Jin, a kind-hearted male teamn, as well as two other friends who are always loyal to whatever Xiangjin decides. To top it all off, she's beautiful. In any version, the female characters of all Itazura Na Kiss remakes must be beautiful and cute. As depicted in the manga version.
- Ziang Zhishu (Darren Wang)
Handsome, tall, picky, introverted, and a genius, are the complete characteristics that describe Ziang Zhishu. As a genius who will also inherit his family's company, Zhishu naturally takes life seriously. Studying seriously to get top marks at Dunan High School is also a role model for his younger brother at home.
Zhishu also knew he was popular with the female students at his school, so he had a rather harsh mouth if approached by a girl who wasn't his cup of tea. The cold and introverted Zhishu is also not very forthcoming, until one day the arrival of the cheerful Xiangqin changes his life bit by bit. Darren Wang portrays the character of Ziang Zhishu well. I couldn't wait to see Ziang Zhishu start to fall in love with Xiangqin.
INTERPRETATION
Even though this genre is a romantic comedy and falls into the light-hearted category, strangely enough, I got a lot of moral messages from every character in this film. Persistence, sincerity, and other students of life.
Also, for me who grew up with Itazura Na Kiss, watching a remake like FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST KISS is like recalling memories and good things from the past.
SUMMARY
If you still miss Kotoko's silliness or Naoki's coldness that slowly melts because of a girl as silly as Ktoko, this is highly recommended. Especially with a duration that is not too long and immediately parks, this film is suitable to accompany your leisure time.
How about it? Ready to fall in love with the ‘Itazura Na Kiss’ vibe again?