Definitely a Gem.
This series was surprisingly good. It is a bit slow paced but it was consistently endearing. I’ve watched many Jdrama’s and this one is by far one of the best I’ve ever seen. Aside from the initial awkward moment, it’s genuinely a well written series. No supremely weak and and easily manipulated females. No forced dating. No weird triangles. Just good friendships, communication and humor. I loved how supportive the friends were towards each other and how they treated each other like family. It was a very warm series. There were some sad moments but so many heartfelt and funny moments too. I highly recommend this and will most certainly put it on my rewatch list.Was this review helpful to you?
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Unexpectedly Not Triggering and Heartwarming
As a CNBC (childless-not-by-choice) woman, I tend to avoid plots that would provide lots of potential triggers for me. Although I have accepted life as CNBC for about a decade, there are still some shows that trigger my infertile side. I knew this would be about an ob/gyn clinic, but I was nicely surprised because it wasn't triggering AT ALL. Most likely it's because of the layered aspects of the clinic part. It's not all roses and happy endings for couples or individuals when the female gets pregnant. Things can get complicated. This drama has managed to show a lot of different layers of pregnancy/birth/grief experiences. Different individuals react differently, but the overall tone of this show is positive and heartwarming.As for the deaf/mute plot, I've seen more serious ones, but this one is kept heartwarming and positive, too. I have a slight problem with the way they dealt with the (spoiler alert) "villain" in this drama, but at the end of the day the way they continued the road with how they dealt with him was still acceptable for me. In some of the scenes, the villain character surprised me with his acting chops, so even though I hoped in real life they would deal with it differently, he got to show more of his acting chops because of the plot.
The dynamics + chemistry between the two main leads are awesome, too, for an age-gap drama. I love the way they communicate with each other. I appreciate the way that (spoiler alert) the ML kept repeating signing "I like/love you" to the FL because he said he didn't want to regret anything. This is something I can relate to and it feels realistic based on his background of losing both his parents. Plus I love the OSTs, so much, especially Yuka's "Hoshizukiyo". It fits the drama and the lyrics are so good. And Doyoung's voice is so soothing and hauntingly beautiful.
This drama has made me ugly-cry so many times. I'd consider this a healing drama. Sometimes healing takes a decade or more...healing from complex grief isn't a straightforward journey. It can take many different twists and turns. This drama also reminds me to cherish the time I have left with my loved ones and that family aren't only made up of blood relations.
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A solid noona romance with a touch of déjà vu
If I were to blank my mind, then this is a sweet noona romance/healing drama. However, while watching it, I can't escape a sense of déjà vu as I recall another j-drama called Silent as well as Move To Heaven(Korean). Both are excellent but more focused on their main theme. I suppose good storylines are timeless. ;)Let's start at the beginning. The FL is 10 years older than the ML, but it is not too obvious. The show doesn't call it out specifically as an issue. Most of their friends and family accepted it readily. Our leads do tease each other about it. Quite cute. This adds to their chemistry, and they don’t shy away from skinship either.
The genre bending comes from the ML being deaf since birth. He is well adjusted and does not see himself disabled. In fact, he has a particular insight into human nature which gave his character added depth. It is nice to see our FL making a big effort to integrate into his world. C’est amour, mon ami. ;)
Speaking of romance, it progresses quite quickly. Yes, the meet-cute is forthright. It would be non-PC these days. Many older movies/shows have used this trick to signify the raw attraction between the leads. For what it is worth, it gave their relationship a momentum lacking in similar dramas. In fact, the general pacing of this show is spot on.
Both leads confessed their love for each other within a relatively short span of time. No silly word games while they dance around each other. Drama gods be praised! Our OTP looked at each other intendedly as they signed their simple yet heartfelt confessions. Is it easier to confess in sign language? Interesting.
Of course, nothing is ever that simple in dramaland. We must deal with unrequited love and dark pasts. Old wounds reopened and inner demons braying for attention. Thankfully, the show doesn't weaponise the angst until we beg for mercy. We do see their pain and aggravation as the show progresses.
Acting is solid from the ensemble cast. Kudos to the actors playing deaf roles and to those who learn the sign language just for this show. The support cast is a mix bag of quirky characters so typical to j-dramas. One or two are a bit over the top but the majority are worthy inclusions.
In hindsight, this series didn't go down the rabbit hole as deeply as the other two shows and the medical side is a bit lightweight. It is still a solid presentation. Good effort by the writer-san to incorporated multiple themes into one script. I enjoyed it and I would not hesitate to recommend this to any fan of this genre
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Unbelievable in all the worst ways
Unbelievable crap. The start of it is bad enough. The usual Japanese penchant for men forcing themselves on women and then backing off so that they can be portrayed as caring and considerate. This is the very first scene, so no spoilers here. But then later it's so clear that the writer has zero experience of how a clinic would operate in the circumstances of the plot. Not reporting to the police? Work procedures and regulations anyone? If you have even an ounce of professional work experience this will be so ridiculous as to be unwatchable. Let alone the childish and annoying ML and the token weird characters. I struggled through to Episode 7, before finally drowning in incredulity.Was this review helpful to you?
Also prominent in this drama is the topic of found family, how blood may not be always thicker than water, and there is no prerequisite when it comes to loving someone.
There's a few things that irked me about this drama, manely (pun intended) the bad hairstyles sported by many characters.
If they were meant to be endearing, they were not. Also, everybody seems to be up in each other's business and coincidentally run or know someone who knows someone. I guess this is typically true of small seaside towns. There are loopholes in how people show up suddenly without any logical reason, because "they just happen to be there."
The saving grace for me is Kitamura Takumi's portrayal of a deaf/mute man who doesn't let his lack of hearing/speaking deter him from enjoying life to the fullest. Hiragi Issei is the anchor that holds everyone together; his big heart injects everybody else with warmth. Issei believes that even broken people are only mean, because they are hurting and deserve love too.
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Learning sign language because of love
I started this drama sometime last year but only watched one episode and then kind of forgot about it. Shame on me. But this year I thought about it again and watched it on two evenings. It was worth it!The drama is about the 35-year-old gynecologist Suzu. On a starry night she meets Issei, who is ten years younger and works for a packing company that clears out houses of deceased people. Issei is deaf. So the two communicate through gestures and text messages.
The love story is very heartwarming and positive. Issei is such a cheerful young man. His smile is contagious, his charm is enchanting. However, the drama doesn't focus on the couple all the time, but rather on the working lives of the two and their friends.
I wanted to see so many more interactions between Suzu and Issei. They really captivated me. Especially their kiss scenes. I want more. I was happy that Suzu was motivated to learn sign language so quickly. She did great!
What I didn't like was the fact that they didn't call the police during some scenes. I think the villain should have been held more accountable.
Nonetheless I enjoyed this series. It's a wholesome age gap romance about deafness, work life, friendship and healing.
[finished watching on 13 January 2024]
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A RARE NOONA ROMANCE FROM J-DRAMA
It’s basically a known fact at this point that Japanese writers come into this world with one mission: to emotionally wreck you and leave you lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling like you just got dumped by a fictional character. They treat melodrama like it's a light jog before breakfast. And trying to find a J-drama that doesn’t make you cry?Never mindBut there I was, scrolling through Viki like a woman on a mission, craving some “Arigato Gozaimasu” energy and not emotional devastation for once. And boom—On a Starry Night appeared like a soft little miracle. Now, the poster gave me that classic Japanese drama vibe that practically screams, “Brace yourself, pain is coming,” but the synopsis said warm and fluffy, and the reviews backed it up. So naturally, I ignored all my past trauma and hit play.
Now listen—I’ve watched my fair share of Japanese dramas with deaf and blind leads, and they really do a brilliant job at making you understand the daily realities of those communities. It's done with so much grace and care that you can’t help but walk away with your heart a little fuller (and maybe your tear ducts permanently damaged).
The FL returns to her seaside hometown after a work scandal, and meets the ML, who is younger and deaf. And let me tell you, I was bracing for the usual drama land mine, but instead? No angst. No love triangle. No dramatic misunderstandings that could’ve been solved with one text. Just two people who meet, fall in love, and genuinely want to be together. I kept waiting for the emotional freight train and it never came. Instead, it felt like being wrapped in a warm kotatsu blanket.
Yes, the editing at the start is like, “Wait, did I miss an episode?” But if you hang in there, it clicks and flows beautifully. And the supporting cast? Total gems. It's got that charming little-town-who-knows-everyone vibe, and everyone is rooting for the main couple like it's their part-time job.
Finding a Japanese drama that doesn’t emotionally gut you is like finding a unicorn, and On a Starry Night? Absolute unicorn. 10/10 would recommend for anyone who just wants to feel good and not emotionally spiral at 2 a.m.
The 8.5/10 is just because it's a J-drama,there is always something wrong 😂
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Heartwarming masterpiece
This drama had comforting and warm vibe and I really enjoyed that about it. No complicated storyline, conflicts or misunderstandings, just a nice story to chill with. Our main leads Yukimiya and Hiiragi coincidentally meets while camping and then when Hiiragi have to handle the belongings of Yukimiya's deceased mother. I loved their first encounter and their bonding, even tho Hiiragi is using sign language to comunicate but Yukimiya is learning fast so she can understand him better.Another thing that I loved about this drama was the friendship whether it was between the leads or in work, everyone were so friendly here! And every character had a story to tell. Whether it was our leads or the patients in hospital, happiness is different for each person and everyone was through at least one hardship. I think this made the drama even more interesting. I also loved how passionate and hardworking Yukimiya was. She did her best at work as an OBGYN doctor and tried hard to learn sign language. And I absolutely adored her hobby in solo camping! But Yukimiya is carrying one not so pleasing memory from her previous workplace and it all comes back with anonymous comment and sudden visit of husband of her deceased patient. That period was for sure hard for Yukimiya but I feel like she carried it well, and it's only thanks to all the amazing people she had around herself.
The relationship of our main leads was really sweet. I felt like Hiiragi is putting a lot of effort to show Yukimiya how much he loves her and I absolutely adored his hugs, little kisses and all that. He was straightforward not only in this but in life too and his disability didn't stop him in anything. I loved how Yukimiya and Hiiragi were so supportive of each other, the meaningfull quotes this drama had and the ending was pleasing. This drama was heartwarming!
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Just perfectly adorable
This might be my new comfort watch. The leads are likeable and there is no unnecessary drama. It's a love story. Simple. Doesn't need bells and whistles. It's got a charming cast who you end up caring about in a short 9 episode arc. I will be looking for more with Takumi Kitamura who is a hug personafied.As the main FL is a gynecologist there are some pregnancy problem storylines which may trigger some though it is very well done.
It's currently free to watch on viki but with ads. So, unfortunately if I want a quick Takumi fix to a certain kiss scene it is hard to jump to it. Lol, only complaint
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The show gracefully explores life, healing, and love.
"On A Starry Night" is a lovely Japanese show about life, love, and finding happiness. Imagine a quiet seaside town where two characters, Suzu and Issei, lead us through their stories.Meet Issei, a lively guy who happens to be Deaf. But guess what? The show doesn't make a big deal about it. Issei's zest for life steals the spotlight, and actor Kitamura Takumi makes his character shine with enthusiasm and authenticity.
Then there's Suzu, an older doctor who's feeling a bit worn out. Yoshitaka Yuriko brings her to life, showing us Suzu's strength and how she learns to heal. The seaside setting adds a calm touch, making it almost like a character in the story.
The best part? Issei and Suzu's connection. They make an unlikely pair, with an age gap and different experiences, but their relationship is genuine. The show avoids the usual drama clichés and instead focuses on their support for each other.
While some might find the story a bit simple, it's perfect for those who love slow, peaceful tales. It's like a break from the rush of the real world, giving us a chance to appreciate the little moments.
Issei's Deafness is just a part of who he is, not the whole story. The drama teaches us to look past our differences and see people for who they really are. It's a call for everyone to be included and appreciated.
In the end, "On A Starry Night" is a heartwarming journey through life's ups and downs. The actors, especially Kitamura Takumi and Yoshitaka Yuriko, make us feel all the emotions. If you're up for a gentle, thoughtful show that feels like a warm hug, this one's for you.
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Sweet, but I wasn't feeling the chemistry
Liked:Kitamura Takumi as Issei. His soulful eyes and his expressions were a joy to watch. He conveyed so much without saying a word. I also liked the silence when we were seeing things from his point of view. He couldn't hear, but in no way did he feel sorry for himself. I found him to be very endearing and believable.
I enjoyed most of the friendships, and the fact that they didn't skate around Issei's deafness, but he had a stalwart friend that could translate for him, and others were willing to learn sign language in order to communicate with him.
The main couple was cute, but chemistry was lacking.
Unfortunately, there were a few characters that were completely over-the-top. I notice this in a lot of Japanese shows. I feel like they want to turn things into a farce, and then move back to being serious. It spoils the mood for me.
It's an easy watch, and I'd recommend it for Kitamura Takumi.
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Right Time
First time writing review after so many dramas. I almost never give 9 and 10 for shows unless I love them, they stick with me, and I want to rewatch.I must have just watched this at the right time for me because I found it the perfect blend of silly and endearing with a dash of thrill and romance. No it is not a big budget production but just a simple story that I thought was told well.
Nice music and warm relationships all over make it feel like hot cocoa on a rainy day. The shorter length that jdramas tend to have was a nice change up for me too. Other dramas and particularly cdramas can become their own worst enemy with too many episodes on stories that don't need it. This one hit the sweet spot where you get to know a little bit about almost everyone. I began to be attached to everyone and could easily see more stories about this little troupe of folks that made a found family.
I would recommend it to everyone who needs a brain break. It's not a huge time investment and you will prolly smile at least once :-)
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