Japanese Drama - Blast From The Past

Singapore Broadcasting Corporation's (SBC - presently MediaCorp) Channel 8 televised Japanese dramas as far back as the late 70s. Back then the dramas were dubbed in Mandarin and even the theme songs were adapted and sung in Mandarin.

The three contemporary dramas which I enjoyed during that time were:

1) 網球雙鳳 (Tennis-themed drama)
2) 排球女將 (Volleyball-themed drama)
3) 前程錦繡 aka 錦繡前程

I've done some research and also found some gems at YouTube. Thought I should share them with my readers. I'm sure there'll be at least a handful of you who remember them ;)

Drama 01
Title: 網球雙鳳, コートにかける青春, Court ni Kakeru Seisyun
Cast: Chieko Morikawa (森川千恵子) , Hiroko Kino (紀比呂子)



If I remember correctly, this drama is about two sisters with the younger one bearing a grudge against her elder sister (can't remember for what reason). But ultimately, the two sisters become a formidable team. This show should be noted for those out of the world 'ball-defying-gravity-and-sometimes-logic' special attacks. I remember one of the sisters accidentally smashed a ball into the coach's eye and making him a One-Eyed Jack. Of course, the drama has a memorable opening song:

Song title: きめろ!スマッシュ
Singer: 堀江美都子 (Mitsuko Horie)



Drama 02
Title: 排球女將, 燃えろアタック, Moero Attack
Cast: Yumiko Araki (荒木由美子) as 小鹿ジュン(aka 小鹿纯子)



This drama is about a girl from Hokkaido hoping to join the national volleyball team and realise her dream to take part in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. This show also has the eye-popping 'special attacks' e.g. Somersault spike and that 'confuse the opponent' UFO ball attack. Another drama with a memorable opening song:

Song title: 燃るアタック
Singer: 堀江美都子 (Mitsuko Horie)



Drama 03
Title: 前程錦繡 aka 錦繡前程, 俺たちの旅, Oretachi no Tabi, 'Our Trip'



Synopsis: Determined not to become 'salary-men', three dudes drop out of college and form their own handyman business. Yet another drama with a nice theme song:



Hope you enjoyed the videos like I did :)

Anyone who knows where I can buy these dramas on VCD/DVD (VHS conversions or Mandarin dubbed is fine), please e-mail me.

UPDATE:
Click here for PART 2 of JAPANESE DRAMA - BLAST FROM THE PAST