There are dramas that you watch that linger briefly and then pass into oblivion. Very few make such an impact that it transcends the entertainment value and becomes something symbolic in ways that validate its purpose. 2005’s J-dorama 1 Litre of Tears (Ichi Rittoru no Namida) is one of those dramas that seeps into your bones and never really goes away, the feelings of hope and sadness it evokes so profoundly moving. Starring Sawajiri Erika in her star-making performance as Aya, a high school girl suffering from spinocerebellar degeneration, this dorama launched her into her generation’s A-list and she would have stayed there had her real life bitchy attitude and rude behavior not shot herself in the foot a few years later. Erika was absolutely luminous and raw in her performance as Aya, and she actually cornered the dorama market on “girl dying from incurable disease” roles when she followed this up with Midnight Sun (Taiyou no Uta). 1 Litre is one of those seminal J-doramas (along with Beautiful Life with KimuTaku and Tokiwa Takako) that tells a tale without a happy ending but in ways that celebrate the joy in life. Co-starring Nishikido Ryo, Fujiki Naohito, Matsuyama Kenichi, and Yakushimaru Hiroko, 1 Litre is based on a true story in the form of a journal written by a high school girl named Aya who was indeed suffering from this disease and died young at age 25. Korea has now decided better late than never and MBC is readying a K-drama version to star Park Bo Young. My reluctance for Korea to remake it has been outweighed by my excitement on Park Bo Young’s long awaited television return and the complete confidence that she is the perfect actress to play this role. This is Erika’s iconic role but Park Bo Young has the looks and acting chops to portray this character from carefree teen to bed-ridden invalid. MBC is interested in airing I Litre in October after Lee Jun Ki’s Two Weeks. I can’t believe I’m such a glutton for punishment, I really haven’t ever gotten back the 1 litre (and more) of tears watching this dorama seeped from me. Check out the awesome MVs of the original below and be prepared to sob like a baby.
I Litre of Tears “Stop and Stare” By One Republic:
I Litre of Tears “Keep Holding On” by Avril Lavigne:
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i stopped watching this half way it was just to sad
I have all the episodes in my laptop. I have seen the movie and bought the English translation of aya's journal. I know this story pretty well, but I'm boy sure how I feel about it bein remade. I'm gonna have to wait until I see it myself honestly.
Not= boy, stupid auto correct
Me too. I also have all the episodes on my laptop, and I have switched my laptop a few times throughout the years, but 1LoT will always be there. The OST songs moved from my mp3 player to Iphone 3gs to Iphone 5. I have the Chinese copy of the journal on my bookshelf. The film is good too. It felt more raw than the drama.
Where did you get the episodes from?
Yay for Park Bo Young's return to television.....
I haven't seen the drama by the way..
As much as i love watching this drama, i dont want kdrama to remake this because they tend to prolong their romance thingy,and left important things in their pieces.This drama is the most saddest drama i've ever watch!!Every episode make me cry!!!I dont want it get ruined.Most of their j-remake are sucks!
Oh no.. 1LoT is my all-time favourite drama and it the only drama ever that actually made me cry in front of my parents and sister while watching it because I am usually quite good at holding back my tears in front of people.
I'm not too excited for the Korean remake though. Simply because I love 1LoT too much and seeing how Kdramaworld raped Jin.. hm.
I dunno if it's just a coincidence but today (23rd May) is actually Kito Aya's death anniversary.
Dammit. i remember crying not litres but gallons of tears for this show.
I agree!We cried more than a Liter of tears. This is the only drama that my mom, my sister and I cried the entire series. We finished it in just 1 day. I remembered that we end up having bloated faces and puffed eyes the next day. I just hope they will not butcher the original.
Ugh, this show. A part of me wants to watch it again but another part of me doesn't because I don't want to cry again.
"Konayuki" by Remioromen is my favourite OST from this dorama especially the scenes between Erika and Ryo-chan.
That is also one of my favorite song too...
oh my goodness, me too! I memorized the freaking song. "Konayuki mau kisetsu wa..." Sigh.
I definitely lost more than 1 liter of tears because of this dorama. It's so so special to me.
I do not watch masochistic stories. There are enough stories in RL that make me cry. I don't watch them on TV too.
+ 1
THIS. I've heard that it's a fantastic drama, and I hope the Korean remake lives up to it. But I'll be over here, not going anywhere near either of them.
Same here! I just felt sad reading all the comments and I havent even seen this one!
The title "1 Litle of tears" is really perfectly chosen. I cried sooooo much and i couldn't stop watching even though i knew it would get worse and worse..... I think as i was watching i was still hoping that she would get her happy ending somehow, a life, that it was so unfair...Ahhhh This drama is really something and i weirdly recommand it, it hurts but this is a lesson of life that you won't ever forget.
PS: The music is great but i won't watch The MV that you put, i'm too scared LOL, just the thought of it... But i'm definitely watching the Korean version with PArk Bo young. I will be able to handle it. I have to.