Same Story. Different Feeling.
I almost never write reviews but I couldn't stand the slander this series is receiving.Firstly, it is predictable. We all must have watched a similar story in this language or another, but this was different in the way the actors portrayed it. The dialogue was fresh and simple. Every episode made me think deeply about my life.
I saw a comment someone wrote about it not being relatable. And I think our problem is trying to find ourself in every story. Making us assume we are the centre of the world. Meanwhile, we haven't lived every struggle or every fantasy, so what makes us think we can relate to every story?
This story is light-hearted, but not in a flippant way. It will make you think.
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Maybe we all need therapy
I have a lot of thoughts about this drama. First off, I tuned in for Han Hyo-joo, and I absolutely loved her character. The story focuses on adults who are struggling with personal issues but are actively working to heal through therapy. As an adult with my own flaws and insecurities, that premise drew me in. The drama is very character-driven, which is my favourite kind.I also appreciated how the chocolate business was woven into the story. It wasn’t just a backdrop and it didn't overtake the story; it felt naturally connected to the characters’ growth and emotions.
However, I did feel that the writers forgot some of the character quirks they introduced early on — especially with the male lead. Initially, he seemed overly dramatic, and by the end, almost too subdued. The inconsistency made his character arc a bit confusing.
The second lead couple’s storyline also dragged on. Their dynamic felt toxic at times, and I eventually stopped caring about their journey. The supporting cast outside of the main circle was underdeveloped, which weakened the emotional impact of certain scenes. It was hard to feel connected when I barely knew who those characters were.
Despite these flaws, the overall plot was okay and refreshingly uncomplicated. The cast delivered strong performances, even if the writing sometimes glossed over how serious these issues truly were or suddenly made them make stupid decisions lol.
If you’re looking for a drama where two adults fall in love in a tender — if somewhat dramatic — way, Romantics Anonymous is worth your time. You probably won’t regret watching it.
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Disappointing
I've wanted to watch the original movie Les émotifs anonymes for a while but, I couldn't find it in any streaming service in my region so when I saw there was a Japanese adaptation starring Han Hyojoo I was psyched!!!The first couple episodes were interesting, cute and funfy.nThe actors are great in their roles and the chocolate looks absolutely divine, but I don't know, for me, there's something missing, I can't even explain why but somewhere along the way I got bored and struggled to focus and couldn'twait for it to be over already. The ending was cute but not enough to ease the feeling of disappointment it gave me.
Maybe it's me, maybe I expected too much,but it was just fine, not good, not bad, not something I would recommend or ever watch again.
Edit.
I was able to watch the movie and liked it so much better, the story is simpler and quirky, so if like me you thought this series was lacking a little something, give the movie a chance if you haven't.
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That being said, I felt something was lacking. The supporting cast stays in the background, while so much more could have been done to elevate the setting, the story and the drama as a whole. I would have liked to see more of Sousuke's dad and explore their complicated relationship. The second couple was also cute, but I do wish I had seen more of them, as individual characters and together. Akanishi Jin as Hiroshi is pleasant to have at any scene, haha. Also, the leads never get to the point of healing from their illnesses or exploring its source. We can infer that the reason Sousuke got his illness and Hana's remains a mystery.
I have to add that the drama is very predictable, and the last episode is soooo cheesy.
Can someone explain the last scene, though?
Overall, highly recommended for those who want to watch something light and sweet, with likable characters and chemistry.
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a shallow story that lacks substance
First off I would like to admit that a drama format of 8 episodes ~50 minutes each is sometimes not enough to bring out the most fleshed out characters, deliver the most believable and meaningful character development on screen, or to express properly the subtle changes in each character's emotional side or trauma, which is best portrayed through interactions with other characters and the choices that they make along the story. But still within the same time constraints of such a drama format, there have been many masterpieces that gave birth to memorable characters, moving moments, and heartfelt scripts, some even created a cultural phenomenon and left a long-lasting strong impression on many a viewer. so to say that simply a shallow story or half-baked character development arcs is owing to time constraints would be an insult to such successful short format dramas.watching this drama made me feel like I was reading a short comic book. Not just cause the story sometimes felt childish with an avalanche of convenient coincidences, or that the characters felt two-dimensional lacking depth, but also that the writers relied almost solely on the script to express all character's feelings, reasons behind their decisions and their regrets...I mean there is so much a script can do, but having to stretch it to the point of making it feel like an on-stage actor's monologue or a cheap speech bubble on a comic frame that summarizes people's intents and feelings in just a couple of words, it felt lazy on the writer's side.
Adding insult to injury the script was just so amateurish and cringe it pushed me to eye rolling and shutting my eyes to avoid watching the pure cringe taking place on screen.
the story and chatacters were cute and all but lacked in believability and relatability which didn't help, add to that the fact that the story featured an extra dose of cliché to the point I actually appreciated the meta moments where the drama made fun of its own clichéd tropes.
the romance to be honest was lacking imo, which might have been for several reasons, one of which is that the whole story felt rushed to the point that it didn't provide enough material that shows the gradual development in their relationship. we need the back and forth in intercations, the ups and downs in the relationship, the pushing and pulling of their mutual attractions etc, such scenes are exactly the key to building a strong and believable chemistry between even the most unlikely Combination of actors. this drama mostly skimmed over all that and rushed to create attraction out of thin air, the writers depended in this part on the unexplained "card" of each being the other's miracle exception to their phobia, she's literally the only person he can touch and he's the only person she can maintain eye contact with....that is a sure way to provide an inescapable base on which to push any romantic scenario to its climax without the need of much gradual development.
to put it bluntly, I felt the two actors didn't exude chemistry between them, even watching the finale I felt like it was just that "two actors doing their job to earn their paycheck" that's how their chemistry was lacking for me.
the acting overall was not bad, oguri shun did the best with what he was given and delivered the most cringe script with his utmost degree of professionalism, and even though I mostly like the actress I was annoyed with her acting here, I know she was aiming to portray someone who has to avoid eye contact with surrounding people, but sometimes it felt her movements even when she was alone felt so over the top fake and annoying.
would I watch this again. no probably not. and it will join other dramas that I will eventually forget into oblivion.
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1
1Your soul touched me with your eyes!
⚠️Disclaimer: I'm a romcom, slow burn junkie. Not every single romcom works for me because it takes certain mood, actors and storyline to kick that serotonin and dopamine to flow, surely it checked every single one of those. So keep that in mind, my opinion, rating, and this review is subjective.Romantics Anonymous is that kind of drama which can sweeten up your life just by looking at the process of making luxuriously crafted chocolates.
✧ Storyline:
When Sosuke, a germophobe whose fear stems from a traumatic past, meets Lee Ha Na, a gifted chocolatier who conceals her identity because of her own fears of social interactions, they both realize there's something in each other that can make themselves at ease in each other's presence. As someone who suffers from mild conditions of both of the leads, I could totally feel how they felt. Even though the storyline revolved around the store Le Sauveur, the way they blended the background story of each skillfully crafted chocolate with dedicated attention, it was a wonderful experience in itself.
✧ Acting:
I'm a fan of both the actors, Han Hyo Joo and Oguri Shun. As usual, their on-screen chemistry was absolutely amazing. Their interactions were effortlessly chaotic and therapeutic to witness. But I discovered Akanishi Jin here for the first time and his charming aura left a bold impression on my heart. The side characters were equally well crafted, they reflected their own brand in their acting.
✧ Cinematography:
I'm a big fan of aesthetic cinematography. Stunning visuals of vast scenery, warm colouring, and the cinematography are no joke. This drama will give you a movie-like feeling right from the beginning. This created the whole atmosphere very relaxed, inviting and intimate. Loved it!
I don't know how to criticize this 8 episode drama; even though it is a remake, Japan took the food drama to another level. The visual impression of those high-end beautifully crafted chocolates got me drooling. It was heartwarming to know that every chocolate doesn't only contain the sweetness and flavorings but also bears the most important memories of our lives, which brings us joy in our darkest moments. Surely it wasn't without flaws but it was a lovely, sweet and enjoyable ride that didn't disappoint me till the end, so those flaws were really ignorable to me.
Overall, if you are looking for something sweet that will fill the cracks of your broken heart, then this lovely heartwarming drama wishes you to make sure you feel cozy and happy.
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1This review may contain spoilers
To Be Seen and Still Loved
OVERVIEW:Romantics Anonymous is a heartfelt, layered story where chocolate becomes a metaphor for connection, healing, and love. Ha Na, a scopophobic prodigy, finds solace and growth under the guidance of her mentor Kenji, whose sudden death sets off a series of personal and professional challenges. The series shines in its portrayal of Ha Na and Sosuke’s slow-burning bond, built on mutual healing, trust, and emotional vulnerability.
The narrative balances romance, humor, and high-stakes chocolate drama, with twists like Ha Na’s mistaken crush on Hiro and her secret identity as the anonymous chocolatier keeping the story engaging. At its core, it’s about the transformative power of human connection: how one person, or even one piece of chocolate, can change a life.
Sweet, tender, and emotionally satisfying, Romantics Anonymous is a delightful exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery.
COMMENTARY:
I didn’t expect Romantics Anonymous to wreck me the way it did. I pressed play thinking I was getting another cozy culinary drama and instead I got a story that cracked me open like a cocoa pod and scraped out everything raw and sweet and painful inside me.
The moment Ha Na appeared, I felt it. That quiet, aching competence that comes from someone who’s brilliant but terrified of being seen. I know that feeling. I know what it’s like to pour your whole soul into something just so you can hide behind it. She doesn’t want to be looked at, but she wants to be known. There’s a difference, and the show knows it too.
Kenji sees her. Of course he does. He’s the kind of mentor you meet once in a lifetime, the man who sees through your fear, not around it. When he dies, while making her birthday cake, of all things... it’s brutal. He dies mid-love. Mid-care. It’s the kind of death that feels too real because it happens in the middle of something good. And Ha Na’s there, helpless, her world tilting sideways, and I swear, for a moment, I felt like I lost someone too.
Then there’s Sosuke. This corporate heir who looks like he’s never touched a warm thing in his life. Cold, clinical, neat. The kind of man who probably irons his soul every morning. And yet he’s the one who understands her. Not with words, but in that strange, quiet way people with damage recognize each other. He can’t handle touch; she can’t handle being seen. They’re two halves of the same wound, learning how to exist without flinching.
I’ll admit, when Ha Na started crushing on Hiro, the jazz-playing bartender-slash-kendo-boy-slash-gorgeous mess, I rolled my eyes a little. But then it made sense. Of course she’d fall for him. He’s safe from a distance, fantasy-level safe. She thinks he saved her once, but it turns out it was Sosuke all along. That revelation hit me like a sucker punch. Because isn’t that always how it goes? We fall for the wrong person because we can’t bear to look too closely at the one who actually saved us.
And then there’s Irene, the psychiatrist-slash-counsellor-slash-emotional grenade. I swear, she might be the most unprofessional professional I’ve ever seen on screen. She’s supposed to help people navigate their feelings, not tangle herself into their love triangles like a drunk cat in a string of fairy lights. She counsels Hana, Sosuke, and Hiro, but she’s also romantically involved with one of them, lying to another, and ducking accountability like it’s cardio. She breaks her own boundaries and mixes therapy with self-sabotage. Therapists shouldn’t blur lines this way.
The thing about Romantics Anonymous is that it doesn’t sugar-coat its sweetness. Every romantic moment is balanced by something sharp and uncomfortable. Ha Na shaking, forcing herself to show up at Le Sauveur for the interview she never wanted. Sosuke trying to run a company that feels like it runs on ghosts and melted sugar. The way they circle each other, terrified, curious, so careful... it’s maddening. I kept yelling at the screen, “Just look at each other! Just touch!” And when they finally do, it’s not even sexual. It’s sacred. It’s like they’re both saying, “Okay, maybe I won’t die if I’m real with you.”
And the chocolate. Every scene that features it feels like poetry. When they describe the texture, the scent, the balance of sweetness and bitterness, it’s not about food anymore. It’s about being alive. The show somehow manages to make a truffle taste like forgiveness.
The moment that gutted me the most wasn’t even the romantic climax, it was when Ha Na goes to the island, looking for Kenji’s legendary cocoa. She’s chasing his ghost, but really, she’s chasing courage. She doesn’t even realize she’s walking into danger, because she’s finally brave enough to walk at all. That kind of growth, that kind of quiet bravery? I ugly cried. I cried like I was the one trying to find my way back home.
And Sosuke following her there, saving her again, and realizing she was the miracle all along. The one person who didn’t repulse him, the one who cracked open his sterile world and filled it with mess and life. Watching him finally touch his father’s hand after everything? I just broke. Because trauma doesn’t end with some big cinematic closure, it ends with trembling fingers and a shaky breath and the choice to reach out anyway.
By the end, when Ha Na wins the competition, when she’s standing there under the lights without fear, I wanted to stand up and clap like a maniac. Not because she won, but because she finally let herself be seen. That’s the whole story: not chocolate, not love, not business. Just the sheer miracle of allowing someone to look at you and not crumbling under the weight of it.
And that final scene: Ha Na and Sosuke running away from their own wedding? I laughed and cried at the same time. Because it’s so them. Love doesn’t erase your anxiety or your trauma. It doesn’t turn you into someone else. It just gives you a place to rest while you deal with it.
So yeah, I’m sitting here thinking about how sometimes the people who scare us the most, the ones who make us confront ourselves, end up being the ones who save us. Ha Na and Sosuke didn’t fix each other; they reminded each other it was okay to be broken in public.
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This show is like a box of chocolates . . diet starts tomorrow
Let's start with the caveats. ;)Firstly, this is a rom-com with a capital R. Comes with a free pair of rose tinted glasses. Secondly, mental health issues covered are just plot devices. No deep diving here. Thirdly, there are lots of triggers due to all the flawed characters and their baggage.
If you are still reading . . good, let's begin.
This rom-com is packed to the rafters with subplots. For starters, there are 4 main tropes running in parallel. Enemy to lover, business shenanigans, a variation of germaphobia plus scopophobia. One is enough to power a regular drama, let alone four!
As expected, our OTP starts off on the wrong foot, but they will become each other's salvation. It is literally given away by the name of the chocolate emporium they work in. In turn, each EP is based on a piece of chocolate in their famed assortment box. They form vignette of stories which come together in the end.
Considering the short runtime, the pacing is fast and furious. It can feel breathless at times. Amazingly, there is order to the chaos. This is largely due to the show having a very clear focus on two things. Chocolates and chocolates. Oops, I mean chocolates and the OTP.
Our leads have phobias which made their lives a daily obstacle course. That is until their fateful meeting. Things got even more complicated, but in a good way.
Their romance is a slow burn, but heartfelt. Surprisingly swoon-y without being sickeningly sweet. They spent so much time bickering only to realise how much they meant to each other.
It was confusing at times. It shouldn't work, but it does. Treat it like an urban fairytale and it starts to make sense. Ask no questions, chingu.
Thankfully, the show is not just about dealing with mental health issues. They also go on road trips to beautiful sites, (those apricot blossoms and lavender fields!) and drop by instafamous destinations. They are unabashed Visit Japan 2025 promos. The show weaved them cleverly into the plot so I won't complain. It beats seeing a pile of brand X juices in the fridge.
This show is not for everyone. The A-plot is fantastical. It is also very sentimental. The adage "You reap what you sow" is at its core. Many of the subplots are there just to reinforce this point.
The acting from the ensemble cast is good. Very Japanese. The ML is handsome and stoic. The FL has the more challenging role. She did a bang up job. I also love how the FL mumbles the odd choice Korean word when he annoys her. Kawaī. BTW, I can't believe she is 38 years old. In many scenes, she can pass for much younger.
There is good chemistry between our leads and skinship that doesn't look fake. But wait! There is more! We have a 2CP which is well written and has depth. I can ship them, no problem. Hwaiting!
For me, this is a lovely little romp and you should judge it as such. It moves so fast that you just hang on for the ride. Disengage your frontal lobe and double the pleasure! Perfect length for a weekend binge. It has a place on my rewatch list. Peace.
P.S. Don't miss the cameos from two top stars at the very end of the drama.
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Sweet Like Chocolate
I stumbled upon this drama right after it dropped on Netflix and ended up binging the entire thing in one day.The story begins with two beautifully flawed leads - one who struggles with severe social anxiety and can’t make eye contact, and another who can’t physically touch others due to past trauma. When they meet, they discover that they can do the things they normally can’t when they’re around each other. What follows is a tender, awkward, and deeply human exploration of healing as they “practice” touch and eye contact together in hopes of overcoming their fears.
As the series unfolds, we see them bond while trying to save a struggling chocolatier shop. Through improving recipes and spreading small moments of happiness through chocolate, they also learn to open their hearts. The symbolism of chocolate, something both sweet and bittersweet, fits the tone of the show perfectly.
If I had one wish for the ending, it would be to see a bit more visible growth in their healing journey during the time jump. The conclusion felt fitting and sincere, but it might have carried more emotional weight if we saw them confronting their fears publicly—showing how they’ve helped each other grow beyond the safety of their shared bubble. After all, the show’s core message was about finding comfort and courage through connection.
That said, this drama is a gentle, heartfelt watch that really sneaks up on you emotionally. It’s not flashy or groundbreaking, but it radiates warmth. The chemistry between the leads, the soft emotional beats, and the overall atmosphere make it a perfect comfort drama - something to curl up with on a rainy day when you just want to feel something tender.
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It’s like the most cosy and warm sweater, but with an annoying tag.
What I mean by this is - almost everything was perfect for this sweet and slice of life driven romantic comedy, but for some strange reasons they felt the need to add annoying background setting and unprofessional work related aspects with questionable psychology behind it.If I look at it as just a rom-com - it’s great. Slow paced romance built on trust and mutual understanding, driven by the shared goal. Both leads had their own individual problems and they found courage in each other to improve and get better. The chemistry was great and I’m amazed how well Han Hyo Joo embraced the acting style fitting Japanese production.
I also adored the little side story of everyone involved with Le Sauveur. With every episode focusing on one of the recipes and at times how to improve them we also witnessed the journeys of people involved in the making process - their passions, hesitations, and at times misunderstandings. But at the end of the day the theme of the show was embracing the change. Be it accepting a new boss, dealing with loss, challenging the future.
What’s more, visually this show was amazing. I don’t even like chocolates that much, but with all the cooking scenes and how beautifully they were presented, I wanted to try each and every one of them.
But then we have the annoying tags. Starting with Irene. I have one honest question - why did they make her therapist/counselor? She was so unprofessional in her working conduct I was getting annoyed just looking at her face. And her lack of professionalism had nothing to do with her personal issues - she just lacked the needed ethics. The story could have progressed the same way if they just made her a friend of male lead. You can still link her to the female lead in different ways without making her mental health professional. Cannot believe I saying that, but I rather there not being any professional, and them just getting healed with the power of love.
And then if the whole "business politics shenanigans” - why? They literally hinted at it 2-3 times throughout the show, to make it the center of the plot in the last two episodes. It was so in the background of the plot before you needed loupe to see it. And it was again, just like the therapist, unnecessary.
Then, maybe it’s just me, but I wished the cast was actually younger. Or how they were written to be more mature. On paper I have no issue with immature or childish characters, but when almost everyone does not act their age, then it becomes a problem. It was especially evident with Hana. She was less anxious, shy and overwhelmed, and more acting like a child among the adults. Not all the time, but there were times when I truly got “7 years old child” from her.
Overall though, it was a pleasant watch. Definitely had more highs than lows.
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Untouchably Sweet
When distance is a defense, chocolate became the bridge.Romantics Anonymous mixes the power of sweet, delectable chocolate, with growth, healing, and happiness.
Plot/Story: We're introduced to our two main characters both with different social anxieties/disorders - we have the ML who cannot touch anyone without going into a panic attack, and the FL who can't look directly at anyone without also having a panic attack. The two intertwine and grow together when they realize that they can do what they couldn't do before, look and touch.
The plot is a mixture of two parts -
1. the ML/FL's story and growth with each other, and;
2. the ML taking over the chocolate store "Le Sauveur" after the main chocolatier sadly passes away (with some sneaky business stuff happening in the background).
We travel through the majority of these 8 episodes focusing on one of the 8 chocolates included in the stores signature package that they sell with a short story surrounding each. This allows us to follow the ML and FL through this journey, as she hides the fact that she's the "anonymous chocolatier" that helps provide one of the 8 signature chocolates in their package.
Character Development: Through each episode the FL and ML grow closer, but don't get too excited. While this show is considered a rom-com, there aren't too many funny moments, nor too many romantic moments. There's an emotional attachment you feel with the characters, but if you're looking for pure physical moments you may want to prepare yourself - that's not really here.
What we do get is proper character development as they help each other heal and navigate through their social anxieties. Each character has a defined growth within the drama. It's handled and told beautifully, and while nothing leads to them being completely "cured" of their anxieties, they find it within one another to be strong when they face those difficulties. It was a very lovely thing to watch.
Final score: 8.5/10 - Why? For 8 episodes with an average of 45 minutes per episode, you have to showcase a lot in a little amount of time. When focusing on the leads, it worked. The second FL and ML didn't really have their time to shine, unfortunately. They were background noise to this, and they could have been explored more since they also had their own adversities they needed to face. The business side of this story was a little flat, and it only became dramatic in the final two episodes, which made it feel out of place, and rushed unfortunately.
While still a happy ending, and an appropriate happy ending at that, this is still a highly recommended drama in my opinion. This is a mature romance, both leads are upper 30's/low 40s - so don't expect any goofy romance, but for 8 episodes, this was a solid watch.
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A melt in your mouth romance… served with a side of questionable therapy!
Japan just gets food dramas in a way no one else does. Romantic Anonymous is one of them, revolving around Artisanal chocolates. It is a story of Sosuke, a germaphobe, who takes over Le Sauveur (a chocolate shop) and meets Lee He Na, who battles her own fear of social anxiety. If I look at it with a rose coloured lens, it does scratch that itch, but the psychological part of phobia/ trauma and how it was dealt with was highly unrealistic, especially the character of the therapist Irene.Starting with the positives, I enjoyed the journey of leads- both individually and romantically. Even though their phobias are different- one is a germaphobe and the other can't make eye contact. Yet somehow they became a safe space for each other, growing softly as they each broke out of their shells.The main strength of their bond lies in the fact that they understand each other's silence better than most couples understand words. I loved how tender and careful their relationship felt.
I did feel the pacing dipped in between, but it did pick up in the later episodes. Also, having only eight episodes really helped cut out the fillers and kept the story from feeling stretched.
Another thing that worked in favour of the drama was the beautiful cinematography and the atmospheric setting. It was very scenic, especially all the wide outdoor shots of nature, plus the chocolate making process was filmed and portrayed beautifully. The overall aesthetics felt very warm.
What didn't work for me or should I say who didn't work for me, was Miss psychologist Irene. She was definitely the weakest link out of all 4 main characters. She is a professional yet rarely she behaves like one. I was astonished at her lack of boundaries and how somehow she had this tendency to insert herself into situations where she should be standing 500 m apart, observing from a safe distance from a professional standpoint. I am not saying she is malicious, just poorly written.
And her love line with Hiro was controversial as well. There wasn't enough organic tension between them. It felt forced or like an afterthought. Maybe it was because I couldn't get the conflict of roles out of my head, because Hiro was connected to both the leads and she was their therapist, muddying boundaries.
This could have worked better with her being a just a friend or anything other than a therapist.
Acting wise, this was my first time seeing Oguri Shun and he definitely has left a good impression on me. Han Hyo Joo also did a decent job. This was a Japanese-Korean collaboration and somehow I didn't feel she was out of place or anything. Akanishi Jin came with an insane face card, and though I didn't enjoy his character as much as I thought I would, his acting was nice too. I share the same thought for Nakamura Yuri as Irene.
Overall, this was a good one-time sweet treat from a romance perspective. I would recommend it if you enjoy gentle and slow-burn romance with some fine-dining chocolate aesthetics. It's not perfect but far better than romcoms I have watched recently.
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