Taiwan's "Skip Beat:" Stars Fall Short

Review: Television Series-foreign

Release Date: 2011-2012

Run time: 15 episodes, 30 minutes per part

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Rating: ***

Wikipedia

Plot: Gong Xi has been used by the boy so heartedly loved, Shang, and wants nothing more than to beat him.  The way to seek revenge – become bigger and better than him in the entertainment world

Anime/Manga: This Taiwanese drama is based off of the manga series Skip Beat (still being made) and relates to the anime series, also known as Skip Beat (hasn’t had an episode since 2009).  The biggest difference between the manga/anime and this live-action series is that the characters look quite different.  Gong Xi did not die her hair blond at the end of the first episode, and Shang’s hair IS generally lighter, but the appearances of quite different. 

The names of the people are also different.  In the anime/manga, Shang is called Sho, Gong Xi is Kyoko, and Lian is Ren. 

The scenes are also exaggerated, like the anime/manga, and the story line is the same, though done in a slightly different way.  For example, in the first episode, Gong Xi rides her bike to get Shang’s poster.  This series shows her passing by cars, a train, and even Superman to show how fast she was going.  There are also more details, making one anime episode as long as three live-action

Positive Elements-The first episode is humorous with exaggerated motions and socially awkward, entertaining personal attributes, at time.  The first episode also develops the characters, making them unique.   It also lines up well with the anime/manga, while adding in additional scenes.

Sexual-A man and a woman have their arms around each other.

Language-It said bast*** once.

Drug/Alcohol Use-There was no drug use or alcohol consumption

Violence-A character was punched by his father in a flashback scene.

Spiritual Elements-The anger that was held inside her chest was released, causing “little Gong Xi demon” things to circle around her.  However, I believe this to not be literal demons, but a representation of how angry she really was.

Negative Elements-compared to the anime/manga, it feels exceptionally long.

Conclusion-The show is entertaining and uses far less language.  However, it feels long and may not necessarily be an improvement to what is already out.