What should be loved? Looks or personality?
A lot of dramas, in general, have used the body-switching concept before but Switched managed to step up their game and completely own it.Most of the dramas carrying the same concept mainly focused on the comedic aspects of swapping bodies, as it's usually fun to watch how two different characters struggle with their new lives, right? But not with Switched. Seeing how the conventionally attractive girl lost her perfect life to an unpopular and bullied classmate, is like a huge slap to our faces that this is the truth; physical appearance can be a measure of how others would treat you. However, it didn't just stop with the ugly truth as the characters tried to overcome the hurdles of reality and change themselves for the better, which is a satisfying resolution for me.
That's why I had a hard time parting with this drama because I know that I won't easily forget such an impactful story. The acting was really superb, and it's more astonishing because they're still at a young age! Makes me look forward to their future performances because I'm sure that they would be promising actors & actresses someday. The cinematography is a bit different from what we usually see in Japanese dramas as there is a high production value, but it still didn't lose its usual essence and rawness. The only thing that I am frustrated with is the number of episodes. I don't have any problem with its conciseness, but just like what I've mentioned, I don't want to be done with it yet lol. This also made me love Japanese dramas more because I realized that it's possible to effectively tell and wrap up a well-written story in just six episodes (I don't have any issues with the ending haha), so what's stopping the other series to avoid dragging their audience with their numerous episodes and never-ending seasons?
Anyway, I think Switched has become one of my favorites so far, with Kaga also being on my list of favorite male Japanese drama characters. I'm late but now, I understand why the ladies love him!! Hoping that the success of this drama will open a door for others to explore engaging Japanese dramas like this. Give this a try if you're looking for a short drama that can blow you away in one sitting.
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A Teen Body-Swap J-Drama
SWITCHED is a Japanese drama. Although rated M for mature, it did seem more aimed at teenaged audiences. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and I didn't mind the silliness amid the darker subject matter. However, I tend to agree with many reviewers about the offputting techno dance music feeling jarring and out of place in this drama. The sound director really botched this one up. I understand anime's usually fly with this kind of music and this series was inspired by webtoon/manga, not sure if there's an anime yet, so that kind of explains the vibe they we're going for. Even still, it was kind of obnoxious, even for a teen series. It just didn't fit.Overall, this was a good series, not the greatest due to some predictable, and slightly problematic writing and the aforementioned music choices. Was worth a watch and had some good messages about living in another shoes and what not. It was entertaining, but had a lot of wasted potential, I felt. It only scratched the surface of what it might have achieved, and I'm not sure why it didn't go deeper. Still, it was worth a view. Definitely a well made series.
[NOTE: Kaga rocked!]
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Surprising Good
I know the plot before watching it and expected it to be average but it is surprising good and real in some sense. The first episode when she laughed with her best friend during the painting scene got me, wow it is such beautiful scene. Then the rest of the episodes didn't disappoint either. Acting is good too and there's a good message to this show about the body and self.The downside is perhaps the supporting character kaga didn't get the girl but it is a realistic portrayal of romance. Then this series is too short, only 6 episodes. I am hoping to see more of normal ayumi but there isn't much except for the last episode.
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Yet another body swap tale, though this time told in a slighly darker form.
The popular body swap genre has been around for over a well over a century. From F. Asley's Vice Vera to Freaky Friday, it's essentially the same rehashed tale of individuals who switch places, live each other's lives, gain a better understanding for each other before they switch back and all is good again.Though the story has been done many times before, Switched to it's credit brings something new to the genre by creating a much darker and more dramatic storyline based around depression, loneliness, envy and bullying. An while the darker plot-line is effective, it's also full of silly plot holes and slightly dumb characters. When the male leads discover the female leads have switched bodies, the reaction is not of shock and astonishment but instant acceptance.
The acting was a bit mixed, the two male leads were at best pretty average but excellent performances from the two female leads essentially carried the show along.
For me there were moments I liked it and at points the story was quite emotional, but in equal amounts it was pretty silly and tedious. It's ok as a live action drama but probably would have worked far better as an anime.
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Couple Issue
The story line was quite fasinating actually. Kaga was superb cute with Ayumi as Umine. After every moment we experiened with Mizumoto, i felt that he was a real bad guy. He is acting so well! I hesitated when i figure out who was the bad one but there is no bad one. I think the message they want to say is so important. In these days, pretty much everyone knows what really bullying is. I was also the one who bullied from some girls that i knew them as a friend and I kinda get Umine's feelings. What Umine had done was also wrong in some ethical way. But you'll get it why she is acting that way. Also the wrong couple was together in the end but aganist all odds, it was so good! Give a chance please!Was this review helpful to you?
This Japanese drama is so good!
Honestly, Koshiro (the supposed villain) changing near the end of the show is typical in J-Drama, and that despite the treatment he gave Ayumi, he secretly was supporting her and was trying his best to get her body back. His character doesn't make sense, did he fake wanting Kaga's body? Or was that just a ploy to get Umine to trust him?Anyways, Kaga is and always will be the main hero of the story, the one who realized Ayumi was in Umine's body first, the one who made everyone happy, and the one person anyone could rely on. It's sad how Dramas always dangle the "best friend" as a choice for love interest but never follows through. I watched so many dramas that the best friend is never the choice in the end, so I kinda guessed it.
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Rollercoaster of emotions
I watched this series a long time ago and rediscovered it recently. It was just as emotional, if not more, as when I watched this the first time. The acting is very good and the switches from body to body feel so real to me. The different personalities these actors and actresses can portray is something so unique.Although, I did find it hard to believe that Umine was ugly when Tomita Miu is such a beautiful woman.
Really good and emotional nostalgia trip from 2018.
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Akatsuki
This drama impressed me so much as I rarely watched a Jdrama with this genre (not into this genre). I'm mostly into detective dramas that when I came across this drama, no matter how many times I read the plot, I still wouldn't watch it. I eventually convinced myself to watch because of WEST. Tomohiro Kamiyama. I fall for the group so much that I came to watch his acting alongside Daiki Shigeoka "only" but it turns out to be the best choice.I may have a bias towards Koshiro's character at first but he turns out to be my favorite character up until the end even though other reviews have said he's the villain and that Ayumi should just end up with Kaga. I could say that wasn't the case at all and I truly like how the drama goes as is. I treated the drama lightheartedly that a lot of scenes became an absolute comedy but then I started seeing all the reasons why each of the characters acted the way they do, everything made sense and I wouldn't wish anything to change in the story. I'd only wish the drama is longer but I'm fine with how it ends due to the plot being predictable after solving the root problem.
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Me senti na obrigação de resenhar esse drama em português!
Switched passou pela minha FY do Tik Tok. Era rapidinho, 6 episódios pela Netflix, fui ver sem medo, mesmo sendo desconfiadinha com j-dramas. QUE GRATA SURPRESA EU TIVE.Que história incrível! Somos apresentados a Ayumi Kohinata, uma garota que tem tudo: uma família amorosa, amigos leais, popularidade, beleza e ainda por cima, namora o cara por quem ela sempre foi apaixonada. Ela é muito feliz e por isso, não faz ideia do quanto outras pessoas ao seu redor têm certas dificuldades. Uma dessas pessoas é a sua colega de escola, Zenko Umine, que é exatamente o oposto da Ayumi: ninguém a acha bonita, não tem amigos, seu pai a abandonou e a relação com a mãe é péssima. Além de tudo, a menina ainda sofre bullying!
Se fôssemos pelo padrão das histórias, a Ayumi seria a garota má e a Zenko a mocinha injustiçada. Porém, esse drama é muito mais profundo que isso. O pontapé inicial da história acontece quando a Zenko descobre uma forma de trocar de corpo com a Ayumi e se tornar a garota mais bonita e desejada da escola. Em contrapartida, a Ayumi vai para o corpo da colega de classe que não tem nada na vida além de desesperança.
É um triste vermos o quanto a Ayumi, que era tão feliz, sofre uma mega injustiça e vira alguém como a Zenko. A primeira reação é colocar a Zenko no patamar de vilã e torcer para que a "mocinha" recupere tudo que lhe foi roubado. Mas é aí que a magia drama começa, e começamos a pensar que aquela vida horrível é a mesma que a Zenko viveu durante os 16 anos dela. Será que ela é tão culpada assim por querer desesperadamente ser feliz?
Enquanto tenta ter o seu corpo de volta, a Ayumi aprende algumas lições sobre amizade e lealdade. Na verdade, as duas aprendem, pois mesmo estando linda, a Zenko ainda não se sente suficientemente boa como a Ayumi. Esse drama ensina que o que temos por dentro, diz muito mais sobre nós que aparência e beleza!
Outro destaque é para os meninos do drama! Meu personagem favorito inclusive é o Kaga, melhor amigo da Ayumi. Ele é divertido e da leveza ao drama. Inclusive, friendshipp goals para o trio de amigos principal! Eu costumo detestar triângulos amorosos, mas esse aqui foi muito bem construído! No fim, mesmo meu shipp não tendo acontecido, fiquei feliz e torci pelo casal ❤️
No geral, aprendi muitas lições com esse j-drama. Eu amei e quero ver novamente em breve!
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Resenha Crítica de Switched
Switched é um drama japonês que utiliza a troca de corpos para explorar temas profundos como identidade, autoestima e as complexidades da vida adolescente. Apesar de sua premissa um tanto familiar, a série se destaca por abordar questões psicológicas e sociais de forma genuína, muitas vezes desconfortável, mas necessária.O destaque de Switched está no desempenho de suas protagonistas, Kaya Kiyohara (Ayumi) e Miu Tomita (Umine). Ambas conseguem transmitir as emoções conflitantes de seus personagens com uma intensidade surpreendente. A angústia de Ayumi ao perder sua vida perfeita e ser forçada a experimentar o isolamento e o desprezo que Umine enfrenta diariamente é palpável. Da mesma forma, Miu Tomita traz uma complexidade fascinante para Umine, que não é apenas uma "vilã", mas uma jovem marcada por traumas profundos e uma busca desesperada por aceitação.
A série acerta ao evitar respostas fáceis. Switched não pinta o mundo em preto e branco; em vez disso, mergulha nos tons de cinza das motivações humanas. Umine, por exemplo, não é desculpada por suas ações, mas o público é levado a entender o que a levou a agir daquela maneira. Essa nuance é rara e bem-vinda em um gênero muitas vezes propenso a estereótipos.
Por outro lado, a narrativa às vezes tropeça em sua tentativa de equilibrar drama intenso com momentos leves. Algumas subtramas parecem subdesenvolvidas ou adicionadas apenas para prolongar a história, o que pode frustrar espectadores que esperam uma resolução mais coesa. Além disso, embora o final seja emocionalmente satisfatório para alguns, outros podem sentir que ele resolve as questões morais e emocionais de forma um pouco apressada.
A direção e a cinematografia são sólidas, com momentos visuais que destacam o contraste entre as vidas das duas protagonistas. A trilha sonora também complementa bem o tom melancólico e reflexivo da série, elevando os momentos mais emocionais.
Pontos Positivos:
Atuações impressionantes de Kaya Kiyohara e Miu Tomita.
Temas complexos e bem explorados, como autoestima e empatia.
Retrato sensível e realista das pressões sociais e emocionais da juventude.
Pontos Negativos:
Ritmo desigual, com algumas subtramas desnecessárias.
O final pode parecer apressado para certos espectadores.
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Umine es una adolescente solitaria, con una dura vida familiar, que cree que todos la odian por su apariencia. Si bien ella es agresiva hacia las personas que quieren acercarse, eso no les da derecho a los demás de molestarla y hablar sobre ella. Sus compañeros de clase son tan falsos, pasan de tratarla mal a tratarla bien cuando se convierte en parte de los chicos populares. Aunque, por la forma en que trataron la historia, nunca pude sentir mucha empatía por ella.
El personaje que más me gustó fue Kaga Shunpei, el eterno mejor amigo de la dulce Ayumi Kohinata, es un chico muy amable y adorable.
Lo que menos me convenció fue el episodio final. Todo se resolvió muy rápido, no hubo grandes consecuencias para ningún personaje y nadie nunca se dio cuenta de todos esos suicidios.
La moraleja del dorama es que lo importante es lo que está dentro y no cómo luce una persona. Muy bonito y todo, pero creo que con este tipo de tramas se debería empezar a hacer notar que hay todo un sistema que establece lo qué es atractivo y lo que no, y eso se debe destruir.
El mensaje que más me gustó fue este porque siempre puedo identificarme con él: basta con una persona que te aprecie y apoye realmente para poder sentir un poco más ligero el peso que cargas.
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