This review may contain spoilers
2023 Review:I watched this drama for the first time back in 2016 (I think), and while I enjoyed a lot of things about it, I also remembered kind of forcing myself to overlook some aspects of the story. So when I decided to rewatch it recently, I was unsure how things would go.
Guys, the way they made this drama work should not have been possible.
There were absolutely places where I cringed my way through, but then the writers would pull me right back in and make me root for the main couple. The male lead would do something egregious, and I would want to shake him into pieces, then he’d give this heartfelt and meaningful apology, and he would MEAN it. Or the writers would give a really darn good explanation for his behavior that really made you understand him. Or they’d just make him so dang likable and sympathetic. The romance gave me plenty of frustration, but it also worked its way right into the depths of my heart.
One thing that was consistently nice about this drama was seeing the female lead getting so much joy out of her work and working so hard towards her goals. She clearly loves teaching and is very good at it. Then at the end of the drama, when the leads love is tested and she decides to quit her job in order to prove she’s worthy to marry the male lead, he is actually upset by her decision. I was honestly surprised by this reaction, as I assumed he would eventually expect her to quit. But then we find out that he doesn’t want that at all, and it made me very happy.
Granted, them registering their marriage right before she moves to New York in the final episode for an undetermined amount of time (the drama never tells us how long she’s going to be gone) makes no practical sense whatsoever, but this is a drama where you just have to go where the writers are taking you, and by that point, I was on board that train, lol.
I’m sure I’ll watch this again someday in the future, and I’m sure the same moments will make me cringe, and I’m sure the drama will win be back over every single time. I fully understand that there will be other viewers who won’t be able to deal with the male lead in this drama, and I totally get it. But just like Takane won over Junko’s heart, this drama won over mine.
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I loved the cast, good-looking and cute. I like that they're focus more on their job, dream but unsure about decision in life that wasn't easy through so it realistic for me and this drama have multiple couple as well. The view of city in Tokyo and Temple are beautiful, the little monk is super cute. So watch it, you won't regret it later, for sure.
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I love Ishihara Satomi and Yamashita Tomohisa so seeing a Romcom with these as leads were amazing.
This drama made me laugh a lot. Although it is based on a manga and I haven't read that manga, it was very entertaining to watch. I usually am an impatient person when it comes to romance dramas and around the end of it I get bored of the whole thing, but I didn't feel that way while watching this. That's why this one stands out a bit more than the rest of the romcoms I've watched.
I recommend it to romance lovers and happy people!
ENJOY!
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Well, at first me and my best friend watch this movie because one of our coworker show us the trailer and we’re so excited because we saw Yamapi in monk clothes hahaha.. ^o^ While we watch it, we realize that there’s Hayami Mokomichi in that movie, and the heavy fangirling begins. Never in my entire life I saw a monk as handsome as Yamapi! LOL
It’s such a good movie. Really. Not just because the actor is Yamapi.. :p I’m very grateful that the scene and plot on the movie is totally different from the manga (I can’t accept if Yamapi being treated like that -__-). The movie’s story is more logical and humane than the manga.
Acting/Cast:
We don't have to questioned and debated Yamapi and Mokomichi's acting, their acting was tested in so many series and movie. But this is the first time I saw Ishihara Satomi and in my opinion her acting is so natural and dazzling <3
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Peak comedy
Acho que nunca assisti um dorama tão bom em comédia. Os atores têm um timing cômico muito difícil de encontrar hoje em dia e o texto afiadíssimo, elenco maravilhoso. muito divertido e fofo, de maneira que parece que estamos assistindo a um anime.um destaque especial para a Ishihara Satomi que, nesse papel, brilha muito. O timing de comédia dela, suas micro-expressões, sua comédia corporal são espetaculares. O elenco e as cenas de comédia são incríveis e super criativas. Um dos melhores achados do ano, para mim
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Delightful
This was a delightful surprise. I honestly found the synopsis interesting and decided to watch it. There were so many cute scenes, funny scenes, heartwarming scenes. It was definitely a light hearted series, there was nothing over the top in this one. The acting is great, the plot is unique and the chemistry was so sweet. The supporting cast were good too. There were no crazy exes or overly dramatic scenes but you’ll get your drama. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a little pick me up.Was this review helpful to you?
It's cute and meaningful but you need to be patient and watch it slowly.
I saw many reviews said negative things about the ML and I am not sure if they actually watched the show. For example, he isn't the one make her fail the exam. He just took the blame for his grandma. I am trying not to spoil it any futher.The show started out funny so it kept me watching and then it got to some drama which can be frustrated but if you continue, you will understand the meaning behind it. I like characters who decide to put away their dreams to be with who they love and the consideration for eachother's happiness. Also, the family and friendship are lovely. Sometimes, I wanted to scream "just forget about it, love isn't worth the trouble", but the characters decide to follow their hearts and fight for it.
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- the characters were portrayed really well
- music there was not that much to rate
- the story was simple and cute specially if you are seraching something really cheese this will definitely satisfy you
- I wish it was a bit longer because I feel like I have fnished it in less than 5 hours but it's better to end it soon then making it booring
I'm still waiting to see something good as this one but it's really hard
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This review may contain spoilers
Almost dropped it since I'm not interested in religion background series (traumatized by a cult story in Save Me ㅜㅜ). Thanks to some suggestion on Instagram I decided to watch it, and there's no regret to do so.The story might seem classic — Hoshikawa chasing Sakuraba since first sight while Sakuraba tries to run away from him. However, Hoshikawa's effort to understand Sakuraba and want to protect her melted my heart away. The only disappointing point in this series is that midway through, Sakuraba gets swayed by the second or third(?) male lead. That blows my mind. How can she get swayed just like that? I know he was your crush a long time ago but still.
As expected from Yamashita Tomohisa and Ishihara Satomi. You can trust them and watch their projects. Besides them, this series is filled with many talented actors like Tanaka Kei.
OST by Back Number titled Christmas Song (クリスマスソング) is very good. It brought the scene emotion. You can hear it on YouTube now. The music video was just released last year although the song was already popular years before.
You can rewatch this when you have some free time. I already did, and it's still interesting each time.
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If the creator of the show is crazy enough to make a sequel, then sign me up real quick.
Used to watch horror films and Anime as a kid, seen a few RomCom too but this is the first ever JDrama that made my heart sigh, made me wanna laugh, cry then laugh again. Sometimes wanna do both at the same time.Story wise, it's not that complicated. It's the typical girl meets boy by chance or fate. ML was a straight laced guy that wouldn't know fun even if it hit him on the face. He met FL and fall for her sweet smile and bubbly persona. She's a sweet girl with a loving family. A hard worker driven by her dreams. ML pursued her relentlessly, sometimes a bit creepy but it was just his unique way of doing things.
He's really unique in a way, he has his dominant ways that were never cruel unlike some other typical shows. His way maybe a bit weird but it's sweet and pure.
FL maybe sweet but has steel for a core. She's honest about her dream, about her feelings. Her dream was clear even from the beginning. Back when she didn't like the ML yet, she told it to his face. And when she decided to love, she gave her all, no half measures.
Actors did a good job, good chemistry. Entertaining supporting roles. Short but sweet backstory. And the most important thing, everybody has their own happy ending. If the creator of this show is crazy enough to make a sequel, then sign me up real quick.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cute Drama Perfect for Holiday Season!
This drama is surprisingly good for holiday season, since the setting was from Halloween to Christmas. Before, I tried to watch this drama once or twice but was turned off by how pushy and stalkerish the ML Takane is that I did not finish the first episode. Finally I picked it up again and after I got to know more of him and the rest of the characters I was hooked. This drama is cute and surprisingly well executed for a live action from manga. Since I never read the manga I reviewed the drama only.WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA
(+) Unique plot for a typical love story: Typical, since a man (Takane) and a woman (Junko) from two different worlds romantically meet. Unique plot because the Takane is a monk who is being sheltered the whole life in the temple with only his Grandma and the monks around him. And Junko is a career woman who dreams to move to New York.
(+) Overall story not draggy. Plenty of hilarious scenes, and heart-breaking scenes in the 2 last episodes with satisfying endings for everyone.
(+) It is well worth to note that the drama screenwriters are not the manga writer Miki Aihara, therefore the script is not choppy like coming straight out of a comic, but flows more with the plot. Although not excluding the uniqueness of manga storyline.
(+) Character Takane is mostly the main source of hilarity. since he is not familiar with how people act and live in the real world. His sincere yet clumsy adaptation to society after meeting Junko, her family, and ELA crew is funny and touching at the same time.
(+) I am glad that the story actually makes the Junko goes to New York in the end of the drama to pursue her life dream
(+) Interesting characterization choices the manga writer picked for her comic
(+) Seven cold shower scenes under takigyo (waterfall where monks meditate)!
(+) Great chemistry between Takane and Junko.
(+) The other couples' chemistry: Arthur-Momoe is good and Hachiya-Masako is okay (probably not much character growth and screen time for the last couple).
(+) Actress Ishihara Satomi is beautiful and hilarious at the same time. I saw her in Rich Man, Poor Woman but her role is better here.
(+) I have never seen the acting of Yamashita Tomohisa (Yamapi) prior to this drama. Although the monk Takane role does not make him talkative but his facial expression communicates amazingly well. Surprisingly good for a Japanese idol, and by looking at his filmography he acted in interesting and unusual dramas/movies.
(+) Remarkable casting overall, even to the supporting cast like Junko's family and neighbors, the ELA crew, the temple monks even to the little monk Naha. Overall, it seems like everyone were having fun filming this drama!
(+) I squealed when I saw Kaga Marikofor showed up in the screen the first time, played as Takane's grandmother! She is the villain mother from classic Hana Yori Dango. The actress is 75 years old now and is still active in dramas and movies, which is amazing.
(+) Stunning cinematography using fall season and holiday season backgrounds
(+) The OST is surprisingly good! The theme song is "Christmas Song" a romantic ballad by Japanese rock group Back Number (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEqOLMXqOlM). Other songs are mostly upbeat jazzy, and the softer tones are good for background music. I even played them while I was writing this drama. The playlist can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kbmiLfvUq0
WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA
(-) I feel like some scenes are like being dragged but others are being rushed. Probably editing issue. For example: the drama does not tell more about Amane and how he is redeemed by Takane. His character development from antagonist to protagonist is just too fast I have the impression the story just wants to add Amane character as a filler.
(-) Not really a dislike, but I wish the drama is longer. For example: I read in the reviews/comments that the manga gives more story to Arthur-Momoe couple.
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