I'm also seriously thinking of starting an acrylic stamp collection. Acrylic stamps defer from rubber stamps because you can see where you're putting them. This is because acrylic stamps have a clear mount, where you stick the clear stamp, put on some ink and voila! After you finish using them, just clean the stamp and put it away. It seems so easy to manage because you can just put them in a folder. I'm guessing it will also save storage space.
Apparently, the clear acrylic mount can be used with unmounted rubber stamps, but it's such a hassle to buy and prepare the cushion and vinyl cling. Guess I'll just stick with the acrylic stamps if I ever decide to start my collection.
With my recent surge of interest for arts and crafts, I thought I'll finally get started on doing some scrapbooking. I bought all (if not most) of the material I needed to get started back in year 12, but I never felt motivated enough to do it. I had so many ideas but I didn't know where to start. After much contemplation, I now know where to begin. From primary school.
I was hesitant to start with primary school because I only have one photo from that period of time. A photo at camp with Karen. However, while I was cleaning my room, I found some beads, a t-shirt and other random items that serve as a reminder of some special moments in primary school. I can't wait to get started. Just gotta go to Big W to print off some pictures.
Anywho, apart from my scrapbook project, I'm also in the initiation phase of another project. I've just bought most of the items I need on eBay and can't wait to get started. This one, however, is a secret until it's completed. I will definitely post pictures as the projects progresses.
* For anyone interested, the store was in the Flinder's Station subway. Karen wouldn't go with me cause she says it's a place where people get raped :(
Despite any changes that these adaptions made, Hana Kimi was only changed to suit its target audience in its country. Taiwanese idol dramas are in abundance with overacting with exaggerated facial expressions, and that was the case for Hana Kimi. People who aren't accustomed to Taiwanese idol dramas will be turned off, but for those who are, it's just another manga adaption.
As for the Japanese adaption, it had the dorms competing for something in every episode because that's how Japanese dramas tend to be - episodic. Anyone remember Gokusen or G.T.O? One problem at a time. And well, the drama was pretty crazy which is characteristic with a lot of other Japanese dramas out there. Despite these changes, these dramas can still be recognised and considered as "Hana Kimi" because they are still true to the characters that make up the Hana Kimi world.
Overall, I understand that certain aspects need to be changed so that the source can suit the audience of its country, but only if it's still in the realms of the Hana Kimi world. This is clearly not the case for the Korean adaption, especially with the information we've been given.
Firstly, changing some important characteristics of Nakatsu, one of our leads, will without a doubt change the Hana Kimi story. The characteristics that belong to Nakatsu define him as well as the choices he makes and his reactions. If something so elementary is changed, then the Nakatsu presented to us in this Korean adaption is not the same. He will not be one of the first friends Mizuki makes who offers her his umbilical cord as a sign of friendship (Jiro), nor will he have nose-bleeding fantasies of her (Ikuta Toma).
Secondly, I'm guessing a lot of the homosexual relationships and elements will be removed for the benefit of the Korean audience[1]. This is an integral core of the manga. Removing it will lose a lot of what makes Hana Kimi what it is. Not only that but we can expect a lot of the sexual innuendos or pervy jokes to be scraped too. Also, the angst
By the looks of it, Hana Kimi will be changed to be any other rom-com out there in Korea. Like Boys Over Flowers, it will become a drama that will just happen to share some very shallow similarities to its original source.
The final verdict: I will watch it, but with very low expectations. I'm going to go into this and forget that it's even an adaption of a manga that I love.
The "semi-final" casting has been released (with teasers) and I would like to make some final comments.
- The character of Yamashina Rina plays a very minor role in the manga. If I remember correctly, she arouses the jealously of Mizuki but is never a threat to our OTP. Well, Korea has decided to upgrade her to second female lead. Typical of most Korean second female leads, she'll be the "crazy bitch" and come in between our OTP. This change is like a double edged sword. Second lead females are all "evil bitches" in dramaland in Korea, but it may actually play out well in this drama. Rina is a female who can easily be direct about her feelings for Sano, but Mizuki can't because she is cross-dressing. But Sano will spend more time with Mizuki because they're roomates and go to the same school...
- Can't believe they cast Kwanghee as Nakao. He's a homosexual that is short and effiminite looking. Kwanghee looks nothing like Nakao. Doubt he'll be gay.
- DR. UMEDA WON'T BE GAY!
- Two additional characters have been added. Hm..
- Some very important side characters are no where to be seen. What happened to Kayashima (ghost guy)!?!?!? And Sekime!
- The teaser where I could see Nakatsu tells me he isn't acting like a jerk. YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! He really was the deal breaker for me.
____________[1] South Korea don't believe in homosexuality. To them, it is non-existent. Possibly one of the reasons why you can see guys touching each other and no one cares.