Both dramas center around emotionally sincere relationships where one or both leads carry invisible burdens. They take their time building trust, never forcing big dramatic turns, and focus on gentle support, communication, and healing. If you appreciated how Jitenshaya-san no Takahashi-kun portrayed quiet companionship and growth, Koi Desu offers a similar sense of emotional warmth and genuine connection—this time with a youthful twist.
Both dramas are about a fugitive man "bad boy" falling in love with a person that cannot see properly. There are a lot of similarities in the story telling method as to how they address all the matters with blindness and being independent and loving despite everything. The dynamic between the couple is also sweet in the fact that they love and respect each other without any pity. There are also similarities later in the last episode but I don't want to spoil. Both stories are beautiful ??
If you already watched Koi Desu, What She Likes could be a better or an alternative ending for the story for Shishio & Izumi. To be honest, I am torn with the ending they had whether it is even a good or a bad one.
On the other hand, if you already watched What She Likes, Koi Desu features a story similar to Jun but has a different reason why they want a relationship. I was struck with the conversation they had in the laboratory (the one Ono overheard/eavesdropped) and I feel like there is a similar conversation in Koi Desu. If you like watching people with such depth about getting into relationships, you'll probably want to watch Koi Desu.
On the other hand, if you already watched What She Likes, Koi Desu features a story similar to Jun but has a different reason why they want a relationship. I was struck with the conversation they had in the laboratory (the one Ono overheard/eavesdropped) and I feel like there is a similar conversation in Koi Desu. If you like watching people with such depth about getting into relationships, you'll probably want to watch Koi Desu.
Both MLs have facial scars and are very warm hearted but people misjudge them and are afraid of them. They hang out or work at a restaurant where the owner/workers are their friends. The main female character has a special trait (visual impairment vs. reading minds) which leads her to not misjudge the ML like most people do. Both shows have a similar quirky humor and some sweet moments.
Jun is an 18-year-old high school student. He hides the fact that he is gay from his mother and other people. Miura-san is a classmate of Jun. She likes reading books about BL (genre depicting homoerotic stories). Jun tells Miura-san that BL is just fantasy and that gayness in real life is dirty. Miura-san tells Jun that his remark is offensive to gay people. Nevertheless, Jun and Miura-san become close. Jun becomes interested in Miura-san, and Miura-san begins to have feelings for Jun. One day, Miura-san tells Jun that she likes him.
University student Sorano Kakeru, who carries emotional trauma related to human relationships, notices a woman quietly reading a book alone during one of his classes. One day, Kakeru is forced to attend a class gathering with his dorm roommate, where he meets Fuyutsuki Koharu, a visually impaired woman. She turns out to be the same woman he had seen reading in the classroom.
There, Kakeru learns that Koharu cannot see, and through a series of circumstances, he begins supporting her with her coursework. As Kakeru is exposed to Koharu’s brightness and positive outlook on life, he gradually finds himself drawn to her. Koharu, in turn, becomes attracted to Kakeru for treating her naturally and without special consideration despite her blindness.
Having avoided deep relationships due to a past incident, Kakeru nevertheless decides to help fulfill one item on Koharu’s “things I want to do in life” list, launching fireworks. As he sets out to make her dream come true, Kakeru begins to confront his own fears.
There, Kakeru learns that Koharu cannot see, and through a series of circumstances, he begins supporting her with her coursework. As Kakeru is exposed to Koharu’s brightness and positive outlook on life, he gradually finds himself drawn to her. Koharu, in turn, becomes attracted to Kakeru for treating her naturally and without special consideration despite her blindness.
Having avoided deep relationships due to a past incident, Kakeru nevertheless decides to help fulfill one item on Koharu’s “things I want to do in life” list, launching fireworks. As he sets out to make her dream come true, Kakeru begins to confront his own fears.
