Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ８： タイヨウのうた

Erika Sawajiri is back! This time starring as Kaoru Amane in the J-Drama 「Taiyou no Uta」 which would roughly translate as Song of The Sun.

Synopsis from DramaWiki:

Kaoru Amane, 18 years old, did not attend school but instead sang herself away every night after dark at a square in front of a train station with a guitar in her hands. She led a lifestyle opposite the norm, sleeping during the day and active at night. Kaoru was suffering from XP (xeroderma pigmentosum), an illness, which also might be described as an allergy to the sun, and was not allowed to be exposed to sunlight. The only motivation in her life was singing, which also was the only connection to the outside world. One day, an incident drastically changes her life . . .

Kaoru returns home at 4:00 am, before sunrise. Outside her room window, she spots a high school student standing with a surf board in his hands. It becomes her routine to watch him and his friends come and go to the ocean every morning, before going to sleep.

Their destined encounter takes place during the few hours before the break of day, drawing together two individuals that would have never met in daylight. However, Kouji does not know about her illness. The two rapidly fall for one another and continues to meet in the city at night. Then one day, an incident leads Kouji to learn of Kaoru's illness. Kaoru gives up her first love telling herself that, "I shouldn't have allowed myself to dream of a happy life. I am not normal after all." She even gives up singing. Kouji seeing Kaoru at such a state encourages her by suggesting, "Let's meet only at night," and comes up with a brilliant present for her.

She had been leading a life carefully placing herself beyond the reach of harm, with no intent to pursue a dream. However, Kouji had shone a light on her heart making her want to sing once again. However, her illness which has quietly progressed, has started to pressure her nerve system, keeping her from playing the guitar at her will . . . - Shochiku


Hmmm, seems like she's reprising the role of an illness stricken person again, similar to Aya in 1 Litre of Tears. (But heck, it'll probably be worth watching just to see her =P) Apparently, she had a guitar crash course too before the series started in order to play her character. However, fans of the movie 「Taiyou no Uta」 shouldn't harbour too high expectations with regards to Erika's playing and singing, since YUI, who played Kaoru Amane in the movie, obviously set a much higher standard already!

Anyway, here's the PV for the song "Taiyou no Uta" sang by Kaoru Amane . . . I found the song to be rather decent in my opinion, and like it a lot. ^^ (Is that really her voice ? o_O)

Dreaded Phase: Combat Survival Training

Day 1 (31st August) :

Woke up at 6am feeling slightly nervous and apprehensive, only natural due to the many incidents which occured during past CST courses. Did some basic preparations and waited for the bus to arrive, which eventually did so at 7.30am instead of the 7am timing which had been briefed to us the previous day. Reached the course location at around 8am, and to our utmost horror, found out that we had been only expected to arrive after lunch. Depositing our belongings in a storeroom, we despairingly proceeded to the canteen. After lounging around in the canteen and checking out the E-Mart (wasting a couple of dollars in the process), we were eventually informed that no bunks had been allocated to us, so we were required to stay out. (And we were sooooooo looking forward to staying in). When we finally started the lesson for the day, we found out that it was computer based! Had a fun time finding ways to kill the character in the "game" that followed. Proceeded to collect our belongings and book out after that.


Day 2 (1st Sept) :

Viewed several setups and structures designed to source for/collect water, trap animals and provide shelter. Proceeded to build an A-Frame Shelter and Temple Fire place. Had a crash course on some plants which could be used for food if neccessary. Highlight of the day was the killing of livestock, which was supposedly an essential portion of the whole course to simulate times where you had to cook the animals which you've caught. Basically, you had a demonstration of how to kill and skin some of the animals and prepare them for cooking. For the practical session, we had to kill either a crab, frog or an eel. I chose to kill an Eel . . . which I was quickly made to regret. Firstly, the phrase as slippery as an eel didn't just apparate into the english language from nothing. Took some time to actually hold one and drop it onto the chopping board, where I proceeded to chop its head off while it was still alive (Step 1). Was quite a disgusting experience, coz' the head and body were still wriggling about for some time after that. Had help from Brandon in removing its innards (Step 2) with blood spewed all over our hands. Went to wash off the blood and the eel's body after that. Rest of the afternoon was spent attempting to cook the animals we killed, chicken wings, potatoes and carrots. Booked out after the debrief.


To be continued . . .