A must watch if you enjoy a feel good romcom.
The storyline isn't anything new, however it just goes to show that when done right, it works! By the end you are routing for both the FL and ML, as well as some of the main characters in every episode. Whenever I watch a "feel good" drama, I feel like there is this invisible tempo to each episode that keeps you interested and wanting more without necessarily needing a cliff hanger or shock factor to keep you watching. It's well written, and directed and the cast did an excellent job. Definitely a must watch! ❤️Was this review helpful to you?
The premise is captivating: Hana, a brilliant chocolatier who suffers from social anxiety and cannot maintain eye contact, and Sōsuke, the new head of the chocolate shop who suffers from germophobia and cannot stand physical touch. They are two solitary souls, experts in evading human connection, who, by a wonderful coincidence, discover that their phobias seem to dissolve when they are together.
The drama unfolds with a calm and healing pace. There is no unnecessary angst or forced dramatic twists; just the patient and tender construction of a relationship between two adults who learn to tear down their own emotional walls. The chemistry between the protagonists is adorable and authentic, making every evasive glance and every small interaction feel like a huge step forward.
But, if the journey is already sweet on its own, the final chapter gives usan unforgettable moment that brilliantly seals the experience. Just when you thought the story had reached its peak of happiness, the series will leave you with a totally unexpected surprise that will bring a smile and a gasp of delight. It is the most delicious finishing touch to this story!
Highly recommended for a binge-watch that will leave you with a warm and sweet feeling.
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This review may contain spoilers
Of Chocolates, Mental Illness, and Love Connections
I've been looking forward to this the moment the project was announced so I'm happy to report that I'm not disappointed. It is the best J-drama I've seen in quite some time. I have been avoiding J-dramas in general because I can't seem to understand its appeal anymore, something about their low-budget production quality, directing style, and acting that no longer meets my standards. Netflix-produced J-dramas, however, seem to be several notches higher than their network/cable TV produced counterparts, and this is no different. In fact, it has some of the best productions I've seen in a Japanese drama, period.While this is a remake of a French-Belgian movie, at its core, it is still a J-drama through and through, from its formulaic and cliched but heartwarming story to its endearing characters and life lessons. The focus on the chocolate-making industry is also typical of a J-drama. The professions of the characters are almost always highlighted and treated like another character in the story and that's something that I've always appreciated. As a chocoholic, I couldn't be happier.
The main characters, Sosuke and Hana, are endearing albeit imperfect and lacking in many ways. That one episode in which they searched for the “God Send” cacao fruit perfectly encapsulates what this drama is all about. A rotten fruit that is meant to be discarded can produce one of the best tasting chocolates known to man. Even an awfully flawed person can still do some good and achieve greatness. I love that symbolism!
I also love how everything is interconnected and that every episode features different stories of people, their heartaches, their triumphs, and their love for chocolate. I'm glad that they showed how debilitating scopophobia and OCD can be. Mental illness is as real as the air we breathe and shouldn't be taken lightly. People do struggle with these disorders every single day of their lives and more movies or dramas should feature them to raise awareness. I do like the group counselling scenes. They are enlightening as well as moving. Yes, it's predictable and tropey, but it's still good entertainment. Not every drama should flip tropes over their heads and contain plot twists to be enjoyable or good. Some just need the right recipe to satisfy one's palate.
My only real beef with the drama is the storyline of the second couple. I honestly don't think it's necessary. It feels out of place to me. Or maybe it's just not as well written as the main couple's that I found it incredibly lacking and unsatisfactory. So both of them also struggle with emotional problems of their own, I get that. But how did they meet exactly? How did they fall in love? What actually happened between them? I can only assume they met through Sosuke?I have so many questions. Even the way they got back together in the end felt rushed and forced. I feel like this was missing at least one episode because they skipped the mont matcha in the Rainbow Palette box. Maybe that was supposed to show more of their history together and also tell us why it was Sosuke in the kendo dojo sparring with Hana instead of Hiro.
Romantics Anonymous is by no means a perfect drama. If you're not used to the quirkiness and style of Japanese dramas, then you'd probably have more things to nitpick on and complain about. But I did enjoy this immensely. I may be biased as I'm an Oguri Shun fan and food dramas are right up my alley, but this really hit the spot. I've been mostly disappointed with J-dramas of late so this was a welcome change. I'm glad they decided to make this and I hope they will do another season with Sakaguchi Kentaro and Song Joong Ki. I will surely check that one out too.
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Yall just don’t get it like I do
I decided to watch it because I saw it on the Japanese Netflix ranking and watched it blindly without knowing the story but when I finished it, it instantly became my favorite dramas I have watched in a while. So, when I saw how it was rated in kisskh, I was really surprised. The writing was perfect and the cinematography was so beautiful. Now about the plot. At first, I thoguht this was just romance but oh boy I was wrong. All the interactions with everyone all just connected at the end and everything LITERALLY fit together like a puzzle piece. I also saw a bunch of people saying the characters were not relatable and I agree but also the actors and the writer did a phenomenal job in making me a watcher still root for the characters that I don’t relate at all. I felt like I was with them seeing everyone’s story blossom into something beautiful. I honestly recommend this drama to anyone who is looking for something heartwarming and need a little push in life to do something new.Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet and Lovely like a Chocolate.
This is everything you expect from a sweet and heartwarming romance. It's delicious and make you both laugh and cry. A perfect mixed balance between kdrama and jdrama with amazing performance from both leads and other cast and beautiful visuals and cinematography.Story of two people who both have their own struggle with mental health and social anxiety but they want to change and be better and grow.
It still has many clichés but heart melting nevertheless especially with good chemistry between main couple.
If you are looking for a short feel good healing drama with sweet and cute romance, you will enjoy it.
and remember be kind to yourself and others. we all have our own struggles but it's never late to grow.
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This review may contain spoilers
Delightful
This is not a drama to rush through.It's a nice little drama that is best appreciated by not binging. Though I found it delightful, I also found it unmemorable, but not in a bad way ! It's something I will re watch & so am glad it's that way, because having something that's a reliable lovely thing to revisit is actually a great thing!I normally skip episode intros, but this one has a different one for each episode - showing you how a different piece of chocolate /confection is made every time. I liked that they portrayed people in love yet it didn't mean that thier "issues" disappear & they become instantly healed.
Pleasant without too much melodrama.
I especially like the cross over element as the female lead is Korean & that factors into the story
There is a fun cameo at the end by Song Joong-ki & Kentaro Sakaguchi for no particular reason
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This review may contain spoilers
sosuke's brother???
maybe its just me and because i started watching this because of hyojoo and kind of like for funsies, i dont mind watching dramas that just makes me happy and butterflies in my stomach and that arent too hard to understand so it was quite a good drama, i could watch it again actually but i have a few complains. i kinda got lost with few things, but the most important is, what exactly happened to sosuke's brother? like, yeah, he had an terminal illness but im not sure if that was the whole reason of why sosuke felt gross i think they couldve had explained better ??? but maybe thats just meand something i quite didnt like was how things happened, especially hana and sosuke getting married in a year😭 i know dramas these days do that (at least koreans) but while I dont mind them getting married, a year was like, not a lot of time after knowing each other and they couldve had explored a little bit more of their actual relationship, like the dynamic and stuff
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Warm Hugs and Heartfelt Moments
I absolutely loved this drama! At first, I was a bit skeptical, but by the end, I was completely hooked. The simplicity of the story is honestly what makes it so special, it’s such a warm, feel-good experience from start to finish. The chemistry between the leads is incredible, and the way they portray their anxieties feels so genuine. It’s rare to see a show that blends such heartfelt moments with clever details like the episode intros and unique naming. The production is top-notch, and the OST? Perfect! It’s the kind of drama you want to watch when you need a cozy, uplifting escape. I honestly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, but here I am, already thinking about rewatching it!Was this review helpful to you?
Touching and Inspiring
For me, Romantic Anonymous is both touching and inspiring. While viewers may have different opinions about this drama, I personally can’t compare it with others - it has its own unique charm that sets it apart. The number of episodes is just right; it doesn’t feel rushed, yet it doesn’t drag, allowing the story and characters to breathe naturally.Although it’s a J-drama, it surprisingly gives off strong K-drama vibes, which made the experience even more enjoyable for me. I was already familiar with Han Yoo Joo from Moving, and she once again proved how superb she is as an actress. Her performance felt sincere and emotionally grounded, making it easy to connect with her character.
What I appreciated most is how the drama portrayed different kinds of phobias. It reminded me that there are many forms of fear people struggle with, and that having one doesn’t make them weak or strange. Instead of judging, the drama encourages understanding and empathy, something we all need more of in real life.
I also loved the mission and purpose of the company depicted in the story. Whether big or small, the values it showed care, respect, and humanity - made a strong impact. If more companies in real life operated with the same mindset, workplaces would be healthier, relationships more harmonious, and people genuinely happier.
Overall, Romantic Anonymous is a heartfelt drama that leaves you not only entertained, but also more compassionate and reflective.
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Perfect one day binge.
Not too short, not too long. Plenty of character development. Very heartfelt with depth but not in a suffocating way. Hits closer to home, with some realistic issues most go through more than led on by society. Great romance as well that wraps up perfectly!I like how mental illness is portrayed and isn’t magically cured either. Both leads still have their issues but have found a way to live with it and find happiness as well. It leaves the story feeling more authentic as they feel like real people with real circumstances.
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Each episode gets worse and more BORING !!!
It started beautifully and was very interesting at first.The first three episodes were awesome because they weren’t only about those silly chocolates and the business. I’m sick of the monotony in this series.
In most episodes, they completely forget about the phenomenal psychological elements they introduced at the beginning.
Later on, it becomes shallow and ridiculous.
Many scenes feel detached from reality. Even the acting wasn’t very moving. At times you could clearly see that the actor wasn’t genuinely crying, but that his eyes were simply watering from the injection of artificial tears, which is often used in low-quality film productions.
I don’t recommend even starting this show, because there are far more valuable series waiting for you, such as Crash Landing on You.
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Sweet, Clumsy and cozy
I would say this drama is better viewed as a slice of life, business themed drama WITH romance as the story doesn't solely revolve around the romance but that doesn't diminish its performance in the slightest.The lead's chemistry is nice and sweet, though the whole aspect that their disorders were nulled with each other 'just because' felt more fantasy than logical, I could very much brush it aside to enjoy their practicing scenes 🤭
In conclusion, if you have a phobia of looking people in the eye it makes complete sense that Oguri Shun's face is the cure.
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