131. Liar Game ライアーゲーム (2007) Japanese

Matsuda Shota, Toda Erika, Suzuki Kazuma, Hiroko Taguchi

Drama Rating: 8/10     Neck Score: A+

I don't know if I should have watched this first, but after I loved the Korean version of Liar Game, I had to watch this one.  The only problem is I tried watching it too soon and got a bit bored because I knew what was going to happen already, which was sad, because this is so good.  I also have to compare it to the remake, because I watched it first, which is sad in some ways, because this one was first and very well done.  Well, being from 2007, it is also super dramatic and a bit cheesy in how it is dramatic.  Like a million fast zooms to each character's face every time anything sneaky or dramatic happens.  Also, this one comes off a lot more sinister and sketchy in how people get roped in and trapped, etc., since this is literally a con set up by super rich and cynical people rather than a game show.  I think it probably would be better to watch it first.  I still loved it.  It has many points that I liked better.  One big one is Matsuda Shota.  He does happen to be on my list of 10 sexiest necks, and with reason.  Rawr.  Lee Sang Yoon did a good job, but Matsuda Shota did a million times better.  He rocked it.  I did miss Shin Sung Rok, but what can you do?  Even if you don't decide to watch this one first (I didn't, but I think it would be good to) it is worth watching.  I am also planning on watching the second season and the movie as well, it's that good.  Sinister games, good honest people winning with their goodness, bad boy con artists with secret soft hearts, what more could you want?

2015: The Year of Sexy Necks

Every year I make a calendar for myself, so I get exactly what I want and that sense of accomplishment.  I usually have a different theme each year (such as smiles or flower boys), and this year I decided to use my list of the Top 10 Sexy Necks as the general theme of 2015's calendar.

There was so much I could have put in here, and so many ways to do this, but I finally decided to count down to the number 1 on this list, and use the two remaining months for the other honorable mentions and general hot guys that I like and wanted to use.

70. Clinic on the Sea 海の上の診療所 (2013) Japanese

Matsuda Shota, Takei Emi, Fujiwara Norika, Fukushi Sota, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi

Drama Rating: 7/10      Neck Score: A

Didn't expect this one to be as awesome as it was.  It's one of the best little comedies I have seen.  They set up their running jokes so well and then proceed to make fun of them themselves.  For instance, every episode Kota Sensei (Matsuda Shota) falls in love with a girl every episode, announces that he's going to leave the boat, and then is brokenhearted.  After a few episodes of this they stop paying attention to his announcements.  Later, they make fun of him by having another character do the same thing, using the same words.  Or at the end of each episode he says he's going to play a song on his guitar and then each response to this builds off of the other.  It's only 11 episodes long, and it's very delightful.  It is a medical drama, but it's never so serious, or takes itself serious, but is also very appropriate.  Also the chemistry between Kota and Mako-chan (Takei Emi), as co-workers, friends, crushes, etc, is wonderful.  The running jokes of him teasing her, stealing her pudding, or getting hit by her slipper, are some of the things that keeps the show lighthearted and lovely.  It was a really well written drama and just what I needed at the time.  It was a real joy to watch.  Plus Matsuda Shota is on the list of Top 10 Sexy Necks, and him in a doctor's coat, or those cute bad sweaters he wears, is reason enough right there to watch this.  So good.

17. Hana Yori Dango 花より男子 (2005) Japanese

Inoue Mao, Matsumoto Jun, Oguri Shun, Matsuda Shota , Abe Tsuyoshi

Drama Rating: 5/10     Neck Score: A

The Japanese version of Boys Over Flowers, but actually based on the Taiwanese version and the manga.  So much better than the Korean version, but that isn't saying too much.  I just think that it shows the right flavor a bit more.  Also, it might help that I only watched the first season that didn't get to the amnesia part, which is the worst plot device ever.  However, I hear that it is handled closer to the manga which makes more sense then what was randomly thrown into the Korean BOF version.  Also, no offense to the Korean F4 who are super super hot, but when you have Matsumoto Jun and Matsuda Shota to compete with... well... they're just hotter.  Especially MatsudaShota, although he has really bad hair in Hana Yori Dango if I remember correctly... at least he does in the movie sequel of it... yes, I watched that too.