Love in the Air: Koi no Yokan

an enjoyable, but rushed adaptation.

It's not a secret that I love the MAME-verse, so I was so excited to see another take on Love in the Air. This one felt very familiar and was fun! The adaptation is pretty faithful, following most of the same story beats and moments to the same effect, while still making the characters their own. The production is a bit more realistic in styling and acting, and a bit... tamer in the intimacy, but it feels suited to these characterizations. The production is a little rough around the edges but, honestly. it's rough around the edges in much the same way Love in the Air TH was... so that's just accuracy ;)

My main issue with this adaptation is the run time--with only eight episodes at 35 minutes each, LITA JPN struggles to balance two pretty tonally different stories. While I'm not concerned about speeding up or combining timelines--I actually quite liked the way the antagonists were better threaded throughout the whole story-- the traumatic climax of both arcs happening simultaneously was... bad. The two stories are not equivalent stakes, with Rei and Arashi embodying a campier, more spirited story line and Kai and Fuma living in a much, much more serious world. The mix didn't work and flattened both stories.

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Now, before I hear from everyone for harping on this show, no one should be able to look at this series (in either country's iteration) and say this is quality television. That being said, it should be made known I waited for this series to come out excitedly and watched it every Monday, so it's not that I hated it, I just am aware it's not one of the best out there.

I knew this show would be tricky to simplify into a Japanese series because even in its Thai adaptation, it was already pressed for time since it was two love stories in one series, inherently losing any extra room for depth or detail at 13 episodes total, or about 6.5 per couple. Now imagine 13 episodes at around 40-45 minutes a piece squished into 8 episodes at 20-25 minutes a piece. There is no way physically possible to incorporate what details were even included in the 13-episode version, let alone tell any other storyline besides the surface-level one. All this being said, I still hold Love in the Air near and dear to my heart and enjoyed what I could from this version of it.

Considering I had first seen Nagumo Shoma in At 25:00 in Akasaka as a side lead, it was nice to recognize a character from their previous work, and I think for what this show demanded, he delivered what was realistic. The same goes for Hamaya, Suzuki, and Nagatsuma's characters. Similar to my viewing of the Thai version, while I prefer Arashi and Rei as a couple (Payu/Rain), I continued to prefer the acting and storyline of Fuma and Kai (Prapai/Sky). Now, after noticing this in both shows, I truly feel that this means the problem of the acting lies not in the actors themselves, but in the writing in which they are instructed to depict. I'm going to take the hate and say most likely, MAME is not the greatest of writers, although this may be simply because I've never read the original novel, so again, take my opinion with however much salt you like.

I will also say that the Japanese version of the special episode had me seriously confused. While I think ironically the NC scenes were done better and easier to believe, I struggled to keep up with what the hell was actually going on, and I presumably should have known at least the general idea given I saw the Thai special episode! SPOILER While it gave me a good giggle to see Boss and Fort make a guest appearance, I was watching each scene they were in asking myself "What is the point of them here, like, there is no reason other than shock value and screentime requirements for them to show up." END SPOILER

Aside from the relatively cringey plot, iffy acting, and speed of the show due to time, I can see this being loved by those who are looking for a simple, easy, and straightforward watch. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend this, it's not like bottom of the barrel bad, and if you are going to watch it, watch it before the Thai version, and early on in your BL consumption lifetime.

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It was more fast paced compared to the original

After watching the eighth episode today, I told myself that it felt like the finale, but I swore that this series was 10 episodes. Lo and behold, it WAS the finale, so I got a little confused there. But in reality, what else could they have done after compressing so much in the eighth episode?

I have stated numerous times that the relationship that I have with MAME series is a love/hate one. This is her first work that was given a Japanese makeover. And what can I say? In all honesty, if I hadn't watched the Thai original, I know that I would have given this a higher score compared to what I did give it. Unfortunately, I did, and I can't believe that I am saying this—some parts from the original were way better done/handled compared to the remake.

The characters, Payu and Rain's Japanese counterparts (Arashi and Rei), felt the same to me, so the actors actually did a stellar job in their roles. Prapai's Japanese counterpart, Fuma, really did not live up to the standards of the character to me until literally the last episode. I was iffy about his character even before I watched this series, and he just proved my point—he was just missing something that did not make me get behind his character. I always thought that Sky's character (and actor) did a phenomenal job and that no one would be able to do what he did. I was proven wrong with this, as the actor who played Kai (Sky's counterpart) somehow rose to the occasion and gave an outstanding performance and made Kai's role his. For the evil villains in this series, I must say that Kai's ex-boyfriend was more hateable in this adaptation (he was hateable in the Thai one, but in this one, I just hated him more).

As stated, we got eight twenty-six episodes that were compressed from thirteen forty-five-minute episodes. While it felt that they took out some parts that could be seen as unnecessary, this Japanese remake still felt compressed, and the storyline was moving at a rapid pace. What I did like from this one was how they showed what was happening with the two relationships from episode five and not just focusing on one relationship, because I was originally annoyed with the Thai original one where I had to wait until episode eight for them.

For all of the mentioned reasons, I have to give this series a 7.5, as the original Thai series did have some aspects that just made it a *tiny* bit better compared to its Japanese remake.

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It's hard to beat the original

For the first 4 episodes everything felt like you wouldn't understand a lot unless you've actually seen the original LITA. The timeline was different since Rei's (Rain) and Kai's (Sky) stories were happening at the same time. Also, some events were formed into one for example Arashi telling Rei that his time to court him was up right after spending a passionate night after the race. In the original series those two things happened on two different days. Everything felt fast paced but that's because they made less episodes and also made each episode 20 minutes shorter. If they made it a little longer and slowed things down then maybe I would've liked it more.
I don't think this version of LITA is bad but it's just not the same as the original.

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While I enjoyed the thai original, I loved this one more

As a few others already mentioned, I felt like the fact that it's condensed was actually one of its strengths. This Japanese remake stays pretty loyal to the Thai version and is a bit cheesy and campy at times, but honestly, the original was kinda cheesy and melodramatic in some bits too (especially Rain's character most of the time). I wholly disagree with the people who say they cut out the important bits, as I personally didn't feel like it was missing anything story-wise. And those who say this was cringey must've forgotten the spanking scene in the Thai version, the "daddy" incident in the special episode, as well as the weird thermometer scene between Rain and Phayu.

What I most enjoyed with this one was the fact that they remixed the original a bit, making some scenes to be a bit less problematic like the fact that Arashi doesn't come off as a somewhat creepy stalker-type in the way that Phayu did in the original and removing the threat of rape in the Rei kidnap scene (there was enough non-con happening with Kai's storyline already). Then they switched up the Phayu/Rain scene in the bathroom by putting Arashi/Rei in the car instead, changed up the timing of the sex scenes, and other scenes where I felt they were doing a great job in sticking to the essence of the original but trying to bring in the Japanese flair. Arashi/Rei were a really amusing and sexy couple to watch, and Shoma did an excellent job in his role (I sensed he'd be a great casting choice here after seeing him in At 25:00, in Akasaka). Fuma/Kai were also quite strong, with Kai pulling on my heartstrings with how broken and defeated he was. They made the sex scenes with the right amount of spice as and pacing as well.

Bonus Prapai and Phayu showing up in the last 2 episodes, I enjoyed the interactions between them and Rei+Kai, gotta love some language barrier laughs.

I suspect many of the reviewers were either unfamiliar with the snappiness and style of a Japanese BL and/or felt too attached to the original to give constructive criticism. Without getting all twisted up in trying to compare the Thai version and this one, this version stands alone nicely on its own.

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The show isn't as bad as people tend to say in the review but it's not a masterpiece. It's just an unecessary remake to be honest. If you haven't watch the original why not give it a try, but if you love the original, you'll probably hate this remake.
It got great chemistry and great actor. Overall, the drama is still enjoyable.

If I compare this show with the original (and the novel, since they are basically the same)
- They remove some relationship, that were necessary: All Rei and Kai's friends (they are useless here), Kai relationship with his junior (which for me was a great way to show how caring Kai can be), Fuma's siblings (I think it can help understanding his personnality as a carefree man and not just some asshole), less Rei and Kai but more Arashi and Fuma (A win for a loss i guess...).
- They made Fuma a full time player not just someone who like to have sex without any attachement (By making him having two chicks under his arms.
- I love how they start Fuma and Kai story by Kai's nightmare. I think It make a lot of sense.
- They remove usefull scene (like why would Rei ask Fuma to take care of Kai??) but keep some cringey scene like the fucking butt slap??
- The timeline is so fuck up??


In conclusion, I don't think It's bad enough for me to rate it less than 7 but it's not great.

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Not bad, but not great either

Let me begin by saying that I was an absolutely huge fan of the original Love in the Air, fan enough to have written several fanfictions on it! But I went into this one with a fresh mind, so although I do not plan to compare, they may flip in at some point. That said, I will try to stay as honest as possible to my review.

First of all, Mame is well known for a very different style of writing, and most of her stories have some semblance of toxicity that is quite obvious. Love in the Air is no exception. The only bone I have to pick with the Japanese version is the reduction of the time. I have a very strong feeling that it would have been way better and way more effective had it been given some more run time.

Now let me talk about the story. So this one sticks closer to Mame's book version, from everything I have heard. I cannot comment on that with complete conviction because I have not read the book, and I don't feel I am the right person to do that. More mafia like angles were added, especially in case of Arashi. I was annoyed by the presence of Taiga, who seemed to have been given unnecessary screen time, especially since it could have been well used for building up the main storylines. Same goes for Gan, and how he tormented the character of Kai.

Now I will go into the things I actually liked and did not like:
1. I loved the friendship between Rei and Kai. It was cleaner, and less eye rolls and drama. Don't get me wrong. I like Rain and Sky's friendship. But I do feel that Sky could have been softer, which I found Kai to be. Although the actor who played the character seemed a little too old for his role, I am okay with that, because, well Peat was the oldest in the Thai LITA gang too!
2. I also like the moments given to Arashi and Fuma. They showed a deeper understanding of one another that somehow struck me as very positive, and something that was missing in the Thai version.
3. I found the character of Rinka very sweet. The actress did quite well in the limited time she was on screen. And the best part was that Som was cut out in the Japanese version, so we didn't have to put up with the fruity siblings!!
5. I hated the fact that character of Saifah was removed from the series! That broke my heart! Look, I know Pepper had very limited screen time, but his gremlin nature was the very highlight of the show! They removed an iconic character.. not done guys!
6. Shoma is a good actor, and I liked him a lot in 25:00 Alaska, even though he was the side character. So I am glad to see him in this one. The only problem is that Boss is a fantastic actor, and comparisons are going to be inevitable. And the problem is that Shoma, despite his skills, has very limited expressions.
7. Asahi is definitely not the right choice for Fuma's role. I am sorry I am saying this, but I was not prepared for this casting. The character of Prapai is just as vibrant as Phayu's, and a bit larger than life. But Fuma felt.. off.. I was mightily unprepared for him riding up on his bikes in those suits. Seemed a bit weird.
8. Takuto is a sweetie. And I really enjoyed his portrayal of Rain. There is an innocence that he brought to this role, and I quite enjoyed that. Yes, some reactions were a bit over the top, but the overall vibe was quite entertaining. And I loved the fact that Rei was the one who put stop out of commission. That was well done!
9. Gan was such an obnoxious character, worse than Gun. And that's saying something. Because Gun was an asshole of garangutan proportions. And the funniest was seeing Fuma, in a suit no less, hit him like there is no tomorrow. Jeez.. talk about misfits!
10. I am taking away major points for the OST. Absolutely forgettable and uninteresting.
11. Also, it upset me a bit to see that most parts were almost out of order. I was not expecting great things. But it made me sad to miss some really soft moments that were there in the original.
12. Japanese BLs are not very NC heavy usually, and I am totally okay with that. But somehow, the ones in this one did not fit the kind of passion that is Mame's trademark. Arashi was majorly into it (we even saw tongue!), but I am gonna cut marks for Rei's uninspiring performance. But the sight of Arashi's back kind of made up for it!

Despite lacklustre performances, and a fatal flaw of shortening a complete series, I won't say that LITA Koi was a disaster as many people made it out to be. As I said, with a precedent like LITA, comparisons are bound to happen, but the team did manage stand on its own. And honestly, while I am not a huge fan of them *in* the show, Shoma and Takuto have insanely cute chemistry irl. So I think that should count for something!

Also.. They brought in Boss and Fort for the 2 special Episodes, which, for me, was a bit much. Not because of their presence, but because it felt like too much in too little time. Felt like the two were roped in for a little bit of saving grace.

All in all, not a bad drama.. just make sure you go with a unobjective mind :)

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A Flawed Adaptation of Love in the Air

Should I say that this version lacks many things, or that it was made just as an additional work in another language to the original version? Many episodes were combined into one, and I don’t understand why. Some events were deleted, and some episodes appeared in a confusing way, leaving the viewer asking, “Where is the sequel?”

When I saw that a version of the Thai series would be produced, I expected it to be wonderful and even better than the original. However, this version omitted important events, and the pacing of the remaining events was too fast. It feels as if the director and producer were trying to end the story in any way possible, making it feel like a completely different work. To make viewers accept it as normal, they even brought the two heroes from the Thai version to appear in it.

Is there something wrong with this director? Despite some nice and funny shots, these moments are overshadowed by the flaws, and the focus shifts to trying to make sense of the events. I did not like the fast pace, and the sequence of events is very confusing for the viewer.

That said, I do not deny that the filming method and the music are excellent. But overall, this work is considered a failed and very weak version.

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