Only Just Married

It was sweet overall and the actors really sold it

Okay, I really loved this more than I thought I would!! The start was a bit slow for me, I initially wasn't really clicking with the FL, and ML's personality was too prickly. Storywise, it made me feel iffy that ML is so chronically in love with another woman, which seemed impossible to transform and justify into a believable love story between the FL and ML. I honestly almost dropped it after the first episode, but I'm glad I didn't! I actually came to really like the FL, she felt like a realistic character. For instance, I liked how the production decorated her room to reflect her personality, with all the little gacha toys, books, and trinkets. A working woman juggling responsibilities and having hobbies on top of her love life, very relatable and we love to see it!

I think this is my first time seeing Okado Akiha, and I enjoyed her acting! Takemura Kentaro is always perfect at playing the heartthrob in romances and he definitely didn't disappoint here. I think his character really played into his charms as an actor with the puppy dog personality, haha!

There were some oddities like the whole influencer twin thing, which I didn't think contributed much toward progressing the story. I also have a weird feeling about Miharu the whole time because she repeatedly did things and made comments to suggest that she had ulterior motives. On the other hand, I wish certain aspects were explored more, such as more backstory on why Shu fell so hard for Miharu and their high school days. Also, what made Shouko (she was so funny) have a change of heart about wanting to be with Shu later on? Overall, I highly enjoyed this series and the ending episodes got me blushing and kicking my feet. Good feels and a good time. For that, I give it a 8.5/10.

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A waste of precious time.

Story
I usually really like these fake marriage plots because they are often full of humor and charm, with something mischievous, exciting, and entertaining. This series failed in all aspects.

Acting/Cast
This is one of the series' main shortcomings. Both actors are terrible, with no chemistry and no charm. The man is not masculine, and the woman is far from feminine. Visually and expressively, they are both extremely dull. You find yourself wondering how the male character ends up liking the female character when she has no charm, looks almost like a man, and dresses, behaves, and appears masculine. On the other hand, he himself is nicknamed "white asparagus" for a reason. He is tough as a nut until the last minute of the series. His appearance is almost Western, which is even more disappointing. Having already watched him in several series, one can only wonder how he lands leading roles.
The supporting characters are uninteresting, and it feels like there is no proper chemistry between them, so I skipped all their scenes.

Rewatch Value
There is no character that goes all the way, pushes boundaries, is brave, or the complete opposite—extremely shy. There is no character who is overly crazy or tough, or with a dark past, something to spice things up. In such plots, there is usually some exaggeration of emotions or characters to a grotesque level. Here, there is none of that. The characters don't understand themselves or each other, they aren't moving, and the development is frustrating and drags to the point where it becomes unbelievable and you no longer want to watch this couple. I completely abandoned it by episode 8. I only got to this episode to see them together, and it was really one of the mistakes that made me regret starting to watch it at all, because even in the last episode, when they are finally a couple, it looks strange, forced, and unpleasant to watch.

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warning: this is a slow burn
i loved it a lot it was so sweet aaaaaaa
momose and akiha go into an arranged marriage due to their own needs. their rules wre the typical dont fall into love with the other person. however akiha does grow feelings for momose and thus starts the story of the two where smart and wanna be independent akiha tries to win over dense momose's feelings.
the drama started off sweet. the second hand embarassment was real omg momose was so persistent to marry someone. however gradually the story became lighter and took a good pace. honestly a lot of people might mind the slow burn but i didnt hate it. momose 's dense character did make me punch the air tho.
all in all it wasnt a bad one. i was definitely hooked for the first part but it did get kinda boring with all the going back and forth with the feelings. still liked it tho
ps - WHY IS THAT MAN THE SECOND LESD EVERYWHERE AH

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Marriage A Roller Coaster Of A Ride.

Eve dough I hate when people are portrait after the age of 30 as naïve and stupid about love but so smart about everything else it make me upset. He was smart enough too think he was in love with his sister in law but not with the girl he was living with or when she confesses her feelings. But over all I like this drama. The FL is strong and independent. She know what she wants and even when she has some set back she dealt with it and move on. ML was cute, but I found him rude. He is so smart but did not take time to think about the other person feelings or what situation would come up if he live with the other person. He lived with his parents and brother he should of known that living with another person and a stranger would be difficult. I like that he opens up to her but does not realize how it affecting him. I do not think marriage is for every one. To some people it gives a false Idea of security and that the partner is taking responsibility. It does not always works that way. Marriage is a roller coaster in your life and you have to put hard work to keep it together. If one partner veers of that roller coaster will crash. if you add children the roller coaster becomes faster and some times more dangerous. My opinion, from my long experience. I did like some of the subject that was brought out in the relationship and the sister and brothers marriage. The actors performance was great.

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Contract marriage - not the most interesting I've seen

I like the trope of contract marriages. However, for me, this one left a lot to be desired. I didn't find it that interesting and I couldn't really relate to either of the characters, so it was hard for me to care what happened to them. They were together, then they weren't. There were a lot of ancillary characters that didn't really get fleshed out but served to act as filler. I did like the guy that liked her, and he was good about warning the ML that he'd better step up or he would step in, but that made the misunderstanding more difficult to tolerate. Why can't people just talk to each other?!?! Then, when they did get "back together" she didn't want to re-marry him - that made no sense. A couple of very uncomfortable, open-eyed kisses added to their lack of chemistry. I'm glad there weren't more episodes than there were, I was just anxious to get the whole thing over with.

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It made me angry.

The leads enter into a marriage contract, but I was not a fan of how condescending the ML was towards the FL. Unlike most people I didn't have an issue with him liking another woman at the start. I only hated how he treated the FL like she was stupid right from the start.

Then I started to agree with him.

FL causes so many problems for the people around her... but you're still meant to like her because she tries to make up for it... Over the course of the drama most of her issues are caused by her trying to go above and beyond to please the ML or his family but she just ends up cause grief instead.

Then she sulks... she's like "I know I messed up again, but he shouldn't brush me off." Honey... I'd do the same thing.

I hate the fact that she falls for him first for the most superficial reasons.... Complaining that she's being mistreated by the guy but you're getting hurt and jealous within 3 episodes? Please.

Also the misunderstanding at the end was dumb.

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A Sweet & Funny J-Drama

ONLY JUST MARRIED (Tonin kodoke ni han wo oshita dake desu ga) is a sweet J-Drama Romcom that was worth the watch. Firstly I must say the male lead definitely under preformed here, in my opinion, and was just a huge let down. I don't really know the actor but he almost sunk this love ship. He was very hard to stand, with a few little instances of being "meh-okay" sprinkled throughout. Maybe it's just me? The female lead, however, (Akiha Ohkado, played by Nana Seino) was awesome, totally lovable and really grows on you though, so she definitely stole the show. She made it worth the watch and made it highly memorable. She's definitely an upcoming name to keep an eye out for in future years. Just loved hero much! So fun, quirky and genuinely down to earth.

Even though the male lead frequently grated on my nerves, the show was quite pleasant besides, with an assortment of interesting side characters as well, a few great settings and some cliché, but still enjoyable sub-plots. Overall, a good watch and pretty enjoyable show, mostly for the female lead's sake. The romance was alright in the end. =)

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My Prescription for J-Drama Sanity: A Dose of Sakaguchi Kentaro

In my ongoing quest for a J-drama that wouldn't leave me drowning in a pile of tissues, I reached out to my main man, Sakaguchi Kentaro. And let me tell you, I hit the jackpot! This drama, Konin Todoke ni Han wo Oshita dake desu ga, was the kind that keeps you teetering on a high wire. One moment, you're ready to punch a hole in the wall out of sheer frustration, and the next, you're glued to the screen, desperate to witness just how much character development a human being can squeeze into ten episodes.

Japanese scriptwriters, bless their creative, often bewildering hearts, are masters at walking that razor-thin line between perfectly normal and utterly unhinged. This particular project? It sailed right to the top of my "What were they smoking?" list. At its core, it's your standard contract marriage trope: a rich, stable male lead paired with a struggling female lead. But then, they sprinkle in a generous dose of an ML with extreme OCD, who's an introvert with social awkwardness so profound it's almost an art form. All of this, of course, is wrapped up in a handsome face supported by an ethereal jawline that I swear every camera operator dreams of.

Now, if you're someone who gets a bit ruffled by cultural quirks you don't quite grasp, this might not be your cup of tea. Or, you could just lean back for ten episodes and simply bask in the breathtaking glory of Sakaguchi Kentaro, even when he's hiding behind what I lovingly refer to as "the Tokyo haircut." It’s true, contract marriage plots aren't exactly realistic in our 99% world, but the writers just decided to plonk two people from completely opposite universes under one roof. The ensuing chaos? Pure comedic gold.

Watching this unfold on a platform with a live comment section was an absolute game-changer. It felt like being in a sports bar watching a nail-biting football match. Some viewers hated it, then inexplicably fell in love as the episodes progressed, only to swing back to hating it again. By the end, there was nothing left to say but blame the referees – those endlessly inventive Japanese writers.

I'm giving this a solid 8.0/10 and heartily recommend it. Why? Because, for once, nobody tragically dies, and Kentaro's presence alone is enough to glue me to the screen. Even if they did craft him into arguably the "slowest," most "brain-frozen," and quite possibly most virginal male lead I've ever encountered. Oh, and prepare yourselves: you might just walk away with a fresh diagnosis of SLS (Second Lead Syndrome) by the time the credits roll!

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Good start but a let down in the second half; seemed forced romance

This is only my third or fourth ever Japanese drama and maybe that's why my rating is affected but I'm just not able to get into Jdramas.

The entire drama felt rushed to me, but I don't know how to explain it because, at the same time, it also felt quite repetitive to me. Both of these are opposite ends which is what confuses me. I felt the FL's job scenes were so overdone, extra and not needed in that frequency given the length of the show which is why I call it repetitive. The show could've easily done without them. But at the same time, the story between them was so rushed as if they just had to somehow wrap it up and end it because they have a limit on episodes.

I actually quite enjoyed the beginning where the story was building and the FL's transition to love was quite smooth. But the ML's transition to leave seemed rather forced to me. I also did not enjoy the entire sequence with the SIL look-alike.

Safe to say my favourite character has been Yuito. He's been a good friend to Akiha throughout and also somewhat to Momose. He was a hilarious and well-thought-out character. Other than him, I did not see depth in any character, not even the leads to that extent.

As good as the first half was (probably an 8), the second half was just a letdown. The entire relationship seemed forced and then suddenly the remarriage to which she was so opposed, I don't know, does not make any sense to me.

Maybe I just don't understand the format of Jdramas or maybe this was just not a good one. I don't know. I would say this is easily skippable.

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CLICHÉ CONTRACT RELATIONSHIP TO REAL RELATIONSHIP DRAMA

There are times I enjoy very cliché plots, especially if it’s made very well. Although this is not the best of this type of story I have watched, I can say that it has its good parts.

STORY:
Two people enter a contract relationship for some reason and then realize that they love each other. The plot is actually simple but somehow there are confusing parts. One is the male lead, I don’t think his reason for getting married is as strange as it’s portrayed. I do get his side but what I do not like is how naïve his character is and it’s a little frustrating. Also, there’s too much misunderstandings that the flow of the story seems to focus more on conflicts.

The ending is not my favorite, I feel like it could ended better. Up until the end there’s still lack of communication. It could have been simple and a cute moment but it wasn’t. Also, I feel like the main leads lacked in chemistry which is disappointing because at first I think they have a bit and expected a build-up throughout the story.

ACTING/CAST:
The actors did well (main and supporting), I think that they’ve embodied there character. The male lead being an introvert, very straight to the point person, very naïve (frustrating) who wanted to be married as a camouflage (so he can continue loving someone he cannot love). The female lead who is a warm hearted woman and very passionate in her career.

In terms of supporting characters, I liked that they have a story outside the plot, but for a 10 episode drama I think that some of these story wasn’t executed properly instead they become a distraction. A character I like though is the sister-in-law. I like her at first and then I didn’t and when I got to know her side I understand. I feel like her story and choices would give a lesson to the viewers that sometimes it takes more than love to be somewhere you want in life.

REWATCH VALUE:
The drama has some cute moments and I think that it’s worth a watch. I am glad I watched it and I do recommend it but I don’t think I would rewatch.

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How to Ruin a Marriage Before It Even Starts

CRAAAZY. Momose (Sakaguchi Kentaro) is actually out of his mind in this drama. Like—HELLO?? Who proposes to a woman with zero preparation? ZERO. Not even a flower, not even a speech—nothing.
And the first meeting? A mess. This man literally proposes to her… in a restaurant… IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Sir, please. And her reaction? ICONIC. She throws a glass of water right in his face—10/10, no notes.

But here’s the thing—somehow they end up agreeing to a marriage deal. MOMOSE, SIR, YOU’RE A JOKE. Who even thinks this is a valid proposal method?? The poor woman says yes only because she needs money, and now she’s basically in debt to him. Tragic.

And don’t even get me started on his emotional intelligence (or lack thereof). This man is thirty—THIRTY—and still can’t tell the difference between liking someone as a friend and actually being in love. Like… babe, pick a struggle.

But the cherry on top? He has a crush on his sister-in-law. HIS SISTER-IN-LAW. Saying stuff like, “Just seeing her from afar and smiling is enough to make me happy.” Sir, BE SERIOUS. Meanwhile, your wife—your ACTUAL WIFE—has real feelings for you. It’s giving clown behavior. I’m screaming.

Honestly, there are no words to describe the sheer level of stupidity we’re witnessing here. Watching Momose is like watching a slow-motion car crash—you can’t look away, but it’s painful every second.
My blood pressure? Through the roof.

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