I had heard a lot about J-drama from the other resident drama addict on the site, Dale North, but despite the fact that what he told me about them sounded good, I hadn't made the leap into actually finding one to start with yet. After all, the dorama world is kind of overwhelming. There's tons of new shows every season, in all types of genres. Where would I even begin?

Early last year, I met a friend who was completely obsessed with J-dramas, so when the topic came up, she was more than happy to tell me all about her favorite actors and actresses, what she loved about these shows, what she hated, where to find them and just about every other scrap of information I could possibly think to ask. Since I was already a fan of shōjo manga, she suggested the drama adaption of Hana-Kimi, which was about a girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to get into an all boys school so she can be near an athlete she idolizes. It sounded utterly ridiculous, and possibly just like what I was looking to start with. I went home armed with all my new information and prepared to watch my first j-drama!

I got all of five minutes into the first episode before main character Ashiya Mizuki (played by an actress who could barely pass for a boy  -- now one of my favorites, Horikita Maki), watches a group of male students  on their way to school surrounded by girls waiting in throngs screaming just to catch a stolen glimpse of them on their way to class.  You soon find out that students are admitted to the school not based on grades or potential, but good looks. This was the most ridiculous premise I had ever heard of! I had to see more!

By the end of episode one, I was absolutely hooked the chemisty of the huge ensemble cast, the ridiculously punchy soundtrack, and how every episode left me laughing. I'm ashamed to admit I watched the entire show in fairly low streaming quality, but by the time I finished I was so hooked I knew I had to learn the rules of the game. Now I watch all my drama in nothing less than crisp, beautiful HD -- the way it should be!

I'm so happy that this was the first drama I ever found.  Sure, it's not the best drama ever made,but it made me laugh, made me cry, caused me to fall in love with the characters and eventually the other works of the actors and actresses. In short, it made me a fan. Since then I've seen scores of dramas, but this one holds a truly special spot in my addicted little heart. Don't mind me as I sit in a reverie here and do my little "homo ja nai" dance -- I can't help but get a little nostalgic.