Easy Japanese - drama edition
The number one reason why I watched this show is the simple & clear Japanese language.Except for the business talk, I almost did not have to rely on the subtitles.
As an intermediate Japanese learner, it was pretty rewarding.
That's actually the only reason.
The story can be summed up into: "They should not be together. Will their love triumph?".
The reason why "they should not be together" is quite silly. It doesn't make sense, even considering the supernatural aspect.
In conclusion, it's a good study tool, but a pretty average drama.
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Annoying FL + messy writing
It was an average drama. The mind-reading plot had a lot of potential and it was fine in the beginning. Although only then. ML was the best. Very cute and straightforward. Chae Jong Hyeop is really good at doing these light and fun types. He was one of the best to watch. The side characters were good to some extent. However, many things bothered me in this drama.Starting with the main one: FL is so annoying!!! She acts as if she was a 13yo girl discovering how to talk to a boy. Ok, I get that she's unnexperienced but so am I and you won't see me struggling to connect two words whenever I'm around a cute guy. Her "innocence" is too forced. All of her jumpscares and her perpetual state of confusion is so irritating. Not to mention how all of her problems are solved by third parties cuz she's simply unable to do something for her life. It didn't make sense how she got to be a CEO with THAT personality. Seriously. It's so tiring to watch her just panic over all of ML's advances and any little difficulty.
The picture book story and why they should break up was weak and poorly explained. I didn't understand why they had to break up in the first place. What kind of misfortunes would happen if they were together? How did Min Hana know that her story was the rule? Why did she think that her failed romantic story happened BECAUSE of her power?! So many plot holes. She created a whole fiction in her head and tried to ruin the leads' relationship bc of that. It was so funny how she did all that through Hanaoka cuz the only two people in the world (or so it seems) who had the power of mind-reading never had one. single. conversation. in the whole drama! For real. Hana speaks with ML to convince him to break up, and with Hanaoka for HIM to convince FL of breaking up. But both Hana and Yuri never once talk with each other.
The connection of Yuri's powers with the Ainu legend was interesting but completely undeveloped. Mahiro, Onoda and Iiyama had all the trouble to search a way of making Yuri lose her powers so the leads could be together just for, in the end, she and Tae-oh deciding that it doesn't matter anymore. Was it true? Could Yuri lose her powers if she want to? Well, we'll never know cuz they never tried. Also, I missed some explanation as to why Yuri, and Hana as well, got their powers. What's the meaning of all that? Was there a purpose?
And the way all got resolved in the end was so fast and sloppy. There's a time skip and we go directly from the leads deciding to stay together despite anything to Hanaoka saying that Hana's boyfriend had a heart attack totally unrelated to her powers. That's right. So you're telling me she never knew her boyfriend's cause of death?! And she came all the way from Korea to Japan to try and separate the couple based on THAT?! Unbelievable.
I hated how FL rejected ML before deciding to be with him. Why did she do that? Was it bc she found out Hanaoka likes her? But he never SAID that, she just read his mind, so I don't get why she changed around him. And Hanaoka was obviously trying to get the leads together so it was strange how FL avoided ML in the first place. That didn't last long. Good thing. But their relationship is so frustrating. If ML doesn't advance and do something nothing will happen cuz FL is just an awkward ball of hesitation. Their 3 kisses were awkward as well. They just touch lips and that's it. The last one was better but still bad.
Side characters:
- Second couple (Mahiro and Onoda) were cute but the guy is too dense. How can anyone be that oblivious?! She had to do almost everything.
- Hanaoka was a good character. I thought I was gonna hate him in the beginning, cuz he's had a crush on FL, but he surprised me a lot. He deserved more screentime and a story of his own instead of just being there to solve FL's problems. Funny how she was the CEO but he was the one who actually looked like the decison-maker there.
- The office colleagues were ok. I missed the moment of them finding out that Yuri and Tae-oh are a couple. One of the things that the time jump at the last episode robbed me.
That was it. Like I said: an average drama. It wasn't the worst. I enjoyed the watch. ML is great. SML is good too. However, few things made sense and I felt like slapping the FL at times. Writing is all over the place. Do not recommend.
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Decent
I watched this a while ago, but I forgot to write a review on it for some reason. It was one of the earlier J dramas that I’ve watched. I thought the female lead was a little bit naïve for running a company and a little spaced out and innocent, and for some reason she keeps following the male lead for everything and can’t seem to think for herself. She’s not a very strong character. The male lead is a little bit annoying, and I don’t find him to be that good looking or charming. But he seems to think that he’s all that. I actually liked the second male love interest, and I thought he was more attractive than the male lead. But as we know the second love interest never gets the girl. At least not in J dramas. No matter how hard they try, or how kind they are, or how much they helped the female lead, apparently it all boils down to chemistry. I thought the female leads superpower was pretty cool, and I would love to have that for myself. I would use it a lot more boldly.Was this review helpful to you?
Super cute, quirky but lovable
Yes this absolutely has all the quirkiness of a Jdrama, but hey thats why I love them. With one of my fave K actors, it felt a little trippy at first experiencing the two combined. Glad for my Korean understanding because not all his thoughts are subbed (not sure why).The story is cute and the chemistry between the too is sweet. Here we have an already introverted FL carrying a heavyweight of a secret and plenty of PTSD it seems. She is only going to shine with the likes of out Teao from Korea. Fun, kind and loving throughout he’s the perfect partner for Yuri.
It slows a little in the middle, but the whole drama is short enough its no matter. Even the oddball research buddy comes into his own eventually ❤️
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Act One divine, act two runs out of fuel
I enjoy a little magic as a catalyst, and this manages to apply it in the best way: it shapes the story, but the characters still make decisions that anyone could make. For better and for worse.That said, I find our heroine to be a bit bland, and the introduction to aspects of her character beyond the magical premise were slow to materialise. Both male love interests are by turns beautiful and charming, which certainly keeps things afloat.
This dropped in two parts on Netflix in my country and my experience of watching was that the first five built up well and the last five could have been a tidy second act but it felt like the action was split between several plot lines, which took the punch out of the eventual resolution. Cute, but not essential viewing.
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Why are Japanese FLs always weak, shy and indecisive women?
Japanese series (with a typically Japanese production style and format) but with Chae Jang Hyeop as ML.Meeting between a chocolate factory CEO, who hears thoughts by looking into the eyes, and a young Korean living in Japan. He becomes an intern, then an employee in her company, and they fall in love. But she is afraid that her secret power will be fatal to them...
+++ Very good actors, production without downtime, clues given at the right time, a touch of Fantasy.
### The FL in perpetual doubt and hesitation (such as Japanese directors love their heroines), is really annoying; Very Kawai OST; the story is even not realistic (breakup just because of a children's book??); some characters, present for a touch of humor, are truly caricatures.
=> Watched it for Chae Jang Hyeop (whose talent I appreciate), but I won't watch it again.
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Série japonaise (au style de réalisation et au format typiquement japonais) mais avec Chae Jang Hyeop en ML.
Rencontre entre une CEO de chocolaterie, qui entend les pensées en regardant dans les yeux, et un jeune coréen installé au Japon. Il devient stagiaire, puis employé dans sa Cie, et ils tombent amoureux. Mais elle a peur que son pouvoir secret leur soit fatal ...
+++ De très bons acteurs, une réalisation sans temps mort, des indices donnés au bon moment, un brin de Fantasy.
### La FL en doute et hésitations perpétuelles (telle que les réalisateurs japonais aiment leurs héroïnes), est agaçante ; OST très Kawai ; la story n'est pas très réaliste (rupture juste à cause d'un livre pour enfant ??) ; certains personnages, présents pour la touche d'humour, sont vraiment caricaturaux.
=> Vu pour Chae Jang Hyeop (dont j'apprécie le talent), mais je ne le regarderai pas à nouveau.
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I'M COMPLETELY IN LOVE
Even though the FL is 30 something and acts like a 12 year-old baby girl, I am addicted by the ML. He's everything a girl could experience in a true love drama story. Its like u can really feel his love for her. The actor obviously is charming, captivating and made everything possible for this show to work. Without him I dont even know if it would be possible to be made ahhahaha (yeah I really like Chae)Is the drama cliché? DEFINITELY, but he makes it everything look amazing and just like a dream ahhahaha.
The actors were good as well and had good chemistry, I totally recommend this!
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Loved the main couple
Finally got to finish the last 5 episodes and I have to say that I loved the main couple. The chemistry between them is awesome. I loved the energy and tenderness of the ML. They were the reason I wanted to keep watching this series.I also found the partner cute.
In general, the series had good production and photography, with beautiful landscapes in both countries.
The plot, however, was the biggest weakness and it seemed a bit silly with poor development.
I didn’t like some of the secondary characters and I wasn’t interested at all in the second couple.
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Japanese Korean cultural merge
It's a cute start of a rom-com with Japanese and Korean fusion. Foodie nuances made it a warm interaction between the leads & the plot is pretty good too.Like the legend of the blue sea mermaid, FL can hear inner voices of people but with ML she couldn't understand the language of his thoughts as he's Korean and this is where the show gets interesting.
A beautifully setup office rom-com, story weaved intricately with hints at villian being someone close in 4 episodes so far. Waiting for the rest of the episodes.
Some subtitles are missing when the ML thinks in Korean & FL couldn't understand.
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Charming and enjoyable
One of my first Jdramas, and it was an enjoyable watch, with some funny moments adding to it’s charm.The storyline had an original twist to it, but do bear in mind it is in the fantasy-genre.
I found the FL charming and suitable, and thought the chemistry between her and the ML was quite good.
I must admit: 80% of the time when I set the stars here I don’t really remember the music, so I usually put that “around the middle”, unless I actually really noticed the music.
Overall, this was sweet and entertaining.
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Needs more gochujang
This is a nice and sweet romantic j-drama. It has heart and there are plenty of emotions on display, but it doesn't seem to hit any highs and flounders toward the end.The premise of a person who can read mind is not new, but it has potential. However, in this case, I never felt the writer-san fully explore the theme. It almost feels like a parlour tick at times.
A case in point, soon after the ML met the FL, every time she read his mind, he is thinking thoughts like "so cute" or "I like you". Ok, I get it, but he is a full-blooded 20-something male . . . that's all he can think of?! Ergo, you’d think a mind reader will go far in the business world, but the FL's business is just staying afloat. I get that she wants to use her power for the greater good so why not start a charity? Read the minds of all the crooked business elites and take them to the cleaners.
To be honest, it felt like someone came up with the initial pitch and they ran with it. However, once they start to spin the yarn, they don't quite know how to close the deal. The whole story book plot is weak and contrived. It dialled up the angst and provides a way out but it is a stretch.
Ditto, the 2CP is way too “quirky”. They have next to no chemistry and no reason to be together. Yet, there they are unto the bitter end. Go figure.
Yes, this show has issues, but I loved the Korean crossover aspect, and I can't fault the ML. I’d go as far as saying that he is the saving grace of the show. If he was not there, there would be no show, mind reading superpower or not. Even then, the show could be improved with a better script. It felt a bit lame after the 2/3 mark. Thank the drama gods for the HEA ending or I’ll have to pull out what little hair I have left. It is a decent series but a one-time watch for me.
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Chae Jong Hyeop - seriously!
Story - it was a really interesting premise, but wasn't executed as well as it might have been. I loved the idea that he thought in Korean, so she had no idea what he was thinking. However, she's known and worked with Akito for years and never heard his thoughts? She said that she has to look in someone's eyes, but there were times when she was hearing their thoughts and not looking them in the eyes. I really loved her being able to "talk" to her dad - that was very touching. However, the writer of the book showing up in the last two episodes felt like it was just thrown together. The older scientist guy was seriously overacting, the second couple was a wasted of time, and Nikaido Fumi as Yuri often seemed outmatched by Chae Jong Hyeop.Chae Jong Hyeop is absolutely the star of this show. Open, energy-filled (think puppy on the loose), and innocent, I loved his joie de vivre. Him going back and forth between Japanese and Korean was a feat in itself. He was open about his feelings, not afraid to put himself out there. His smile could seriously power a city.
Nakagawa Tuishi as Akito was very good as 2ML. I adored him in Today's Kira-Kun, and if you haven't seen it, you should.
Though there was something a little off about this show, it was short, low angst and Chae Jong Hyeop made me smile, a lot. Watch it, I think you'll enjoy it.
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