Meet Me after School

Onuma Mihono works at a travel agency. After breaking up with her boyfriend of six years, someone she had been thinking about marriage with, she realizes she is already 30. Then, a man transfers into Mihono’s company. It is Ureshino Eisei, the “accomplice” with whom, despite both of them having lovers at the time, she had a physical relationship 10 years ago. Mihono is shaken when Eisei speaks to her with a cool expression, but she resolves to treat him normally. However, when they are alone together, Eisei whispers in the same sweet voice as back then. “Don’t you feel like we’re destined?” The pleasure and desire that revive with their reunion. And yet, even after 10 years, she still cannot grasp his true feelings. Am I the one he truly loves? Or am I just for fun? Even as adults, unable to break free, she sinks deeper into a secret relationship.

Tatta Hitotsu No Koi starts off with Hiroto talking about his love that happened years ago, in the Chugakusei Nikki also begins with sensei talking about her love that happened in 2015. Both stories are romance-melodramas.

This is a love story between Akira Kuroiwa, a 15-year-old boy who knows nothing of love, and Hijiri Suenaga, his new 25-year-old homeroom teacher. One fated summer, Akira begins to realize he has feelings for Hijiri, but Hijiri has a long distance fiancee. The story follows the pair over the course of several years.

Both have vast age gap between leads. Though focus of the shows are in different directions both are top-notch in quality

Aiko had left her career behind to focus on her family and was living what seemed to be a happy married life. However, she discovers that her husband, Seiichi, who works for a prestigious company, has been having an affair. Believing that he would eventually return to her, Aiko endures the pain and continues their marriage. But then she uncovers a shocking truth, one even more devastating than the betrayal of infidelity itself.

After becoming pregnant, Aiko resolves to raise the child on her own. Determined to focus solely on her own happiness and that of her child, she begins to take control of her future. Meanwhile, Seiichi comes to realize both the depth of his love for Aiko and the foolishness of his actions. Hoping for a second chance, he struggles to make amends and rebuild what was lost.

Native Title: ?????
Also Known As: Junior high school diary , Meet Me After School , Chu-Gakusei Nikki , Chuugaku Seinikki
Screenwriter: Kaneko Arisa
Director: Tsukahara Ayuko, Tsuboi Toshio, Takemura Kentaro
Genres: Romance, Youth, Drama
Tags: Forbidden Love, Older Woman/Younger Man, Taboo, Disapproving Parent, First Love, Infidelity, Time Skip, Student-Teacher Relationship, Adapted From A Manga, Lovers Separated

This is a love story between Akira Kuroiwa, a 15-year-old boy who knows nothing of love, and Hijiri Suenaga, his new 25-year-old homeroom teacher. One fated summer, Akira begins to realize he has feelings for Hijiri, but Hijiri has a long distance fiancee. The story follows the pair over the course of several years.

A psychological drama about unhealthy interpersonal relationships explained often through elaborate flashbacks. Takanako Mayuko, who grew up in an idyllic mansion with the perfect loving family, blames her childhood best friend for everything that has gone wrong in her life. While maintaining the façade of friendship, Mayuko finalizes the revenge she’s been secretly plotting for decades.

Also Known As: Junior high school diary , Meet Me After School , Chu-Gakusei Nikki , Chuugaku Seinikki
Screenwriter: Kaneko Arisa
Director: Tsukahara Ayuko, Tsuboi Toshio, Takemura Kentaro
Genres: Romance, Youth, Drama
Tags: Forbidden Love, Older Woman/Younger Man, Taboo, Disapproving Parent, First Love, Infidelity, Time Skip, Student-Teacher Relationship, Adapted From A Manga, Lovers Separated

Both ~10 years age gap and as per title the older FLs are quite rational
Strong hardworking FLs
The leads are great actors
Both First love (for ML :P)
Pestering moms in both (More so in Chugakusei Nikki)
Chinese one is definitely a lighter watch after Chugakusei Nikki

A love story between a young FL teacher & ML student in junior high school. So many obstacles & troubles for them to be together. 1 of my favorite school romance drama & OST also good. Okada Kenshi soooo adorable. Worth watching drama & must rewatch again. Based on manga/comic book.

This is a love story between Akira Kuroiwa, a 15-year-old boy who knows nothing of love, and Hijiri Suenaga, his new 25-year-old homeroom teacher. One fated summer, Akira begins to realize he has feelings for Hijiri, but Hijiri has a long distance fiancee. The story follows the pair over the course of several years.

Hirai Miyuki is a terminally ill girl, who dreams of going to Finland to see the northern lights, and falls in love with an orphan boy Watabiki Yusuke, whom she had formed a contract relationship with.

Both dramas are about a relationship between a male student and a female teacher in high school, age gap and forbidden love.

The directing is similar, with great lighting that creates similar tones. They both have characters that seem truly real.