Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love

I didn’t except to enjoy it more than the Korean one !

I didn’t expect to say that at all but I enjoyed this version much more than the Korean one.
Since I didn’t like nevertheless i decided to not watch this one knowing I’m gonna hate the toxicity and the characters. But I gave it a try because of the male lead. I really loved seeing the actor in another Japanese drama and I wanted to see him more.

And I’m glad I did. Because clearly this version was very different in a way that I really loved it. I found both leads so refreshing compared to the Korean ones. (I’m talking about the characters).

Korean version : We had a male lead as toxic a big red flag who didn’t show a real growth.
Japanese version : we saw here with Ren a human aspect of him. He wasn’t toxic , we saw a man who was afraid to get hurt. Who wasn’t arrogant or too cold. We understood better his personality here because they showed us more emotional depths of this character which is really good.

Meanwhile the female lead character :
In Korean version – she became the red flag, she was so… (I didn’t liked her tbh) I don’t know what to say but I remember i couldn’t keep supporting her in the end it was unbearable.

But with the Japanese version – here she was quiet, hurt but hopeful. More importantly she knew how to deal with many situations. She didn’t look desperate.

I was also happy to see them together here when I was completely desperate in the Korean version because they were so toxic to each other. And I hated to see them ending up together 🙄

Read More

Almost didn’t finish it

I got bored after the 5th episode. I didn’t think I would have finished it but I still did for the sake of it.

The cinematography was on point and everything was good except for the main characters’ whole point of their relationship. They know from the start that they were never to be together but I guess that’s the whole point of the story… accepting and growing towards freedom.

For me it was good enough for me to finish it but boring enough to not car no matter what happens to the ending. I would say the Korean version of this got me more emotionally invested. This felt like it got toned down story wise.

Nevertheless, it was a good watch but won’t be suggesting to have a rewatch. I watched this only for the male lead actor tbh. 🤣

Read More

OK, but not as good as the Korean version

This series was OK. The acting was good. The story was just like the Korean version, the only difference was the series was shorter (only 8 episides) and the episodes were short (average length was about 30 mins). This made it feel like key points and the overall flow of the story was rushed. Aspects of them understanding their feelings for each other were rushed along, and the angst with them trying to come to terms with their emotions felt forced and the male lead just didn't seem sincere throughout the whole series. Whether it was towards his best friend, or the female lead, his treatment of both of them should have not brought about the outcome that it did. Because the episodes were short. Their hook up, break up and eventual relationship felt just weird. The ex boyfriend of the female lead was just a fleeting part in this version, which made it so that her initial response to his piece of art and his way of explaining himself was just weak. The only good thing that was different from the Korean version is that she got to destroy that vile piece of work. Here you actually got to see some emotion from her. Some of her pent up anger. The humiliation and rage that she must have felt seeing herself depicted in that way was very well played out in that one destructive scene. After that she went back to this innocent girl. The strong, emotional woman was not there. I never felt she was grown up enough to understand relationships, nevermind an adult one. As for the male lead. His lothario, playboy persona seemed to be down-played in this version. His relationship with his female best friend was never ambiguous like in the Korean version. Just always made her a priority over the female lead, and you never got to unpack why he had such a close relationship with her in the first place. Was it through genuine affection. Was it just because of longstanding loyalty (they had known each other since children) or was it guilt. He knew she was ill, he also knew she had deeper feelings for him than he had for her, but because she had some sort of terminal illness he still kept her in his life. If the episodes and series was longer this relationship, and the one with his mother too could have been addressed in much more detail. Maybe we could have understood why he was drawn so much to what seemed in this version the innocent female lead. The deep passion and love you felt from both the male and female lead was not there for me in this version. Yes I felt there was chemistry between them, but because we could not see the friendship/relationship between them grow, it just felt rushed along to the final outcome, their eventual realisation that they could not be apart from each other. I couldn't understand why. They hardly spent anytime together. They hooked up one time, and the next it felt like the distance was there again. Even the second male lead's story was just lame. He liked her from afar, but never persued her. You never really understood why she was friends with him. You just saw that she went to his restaurant regularly, but their interactions were never really that indepth enough for me to be convinced that she would even entertain going out on a date with him, nevermind contemplate a relationship with him.
Overall this story could have been just as good as the Korean version, if only they gave the story a chance to grow. The episodes and series needed to be longer. Give the characters chance to fully develop into their roles and understand the complex emotions that thay were trying to unravel and deal with. I just felt we never truly got to understand why both of them struggled with their feelings, and why they were attracted to each other in the first place. The male lead was attractive, but the female lead did not seem outstanding enough to even warrant the male lead to even look at her. She was pretty, but not striking enough to make her standout in the crowd and make this whole love story come to life. Would I rewatch this series. Probably not. It was an ok version, but the passion and tension between the two leads was not there, and the story felt rushed. There have been better stories about complex adult relationships, and the chemistry in those series were much better. Yes there was some chemistry between these two leads, but not enough to carry this story to the ending we received.

Read More

Seriously frustrating

I firstly will just say, I am likely only have started this for Ryousei Yokohama. I have watched a handful of his works and the guy is just so captivating to me. I assumed that he'd be just as captivating in this Japanese drama adaptation of the Korean Drama and webtoon Nevertheless... and I was right!

Now this could get people upset at me.. but I honestly think this drama is much better than its counterpart. With the Korean version, it was a bit lengthy and therefor boring. It was boring but had great aesthetics. I will say that the original soundtrack for the Korean drama is a whole lot better, but this one gives the same aesthetic and reaches in on a deeper level. Let me explain why.

Now in the Korean version I found it overall a frustrating drama. Here and there the female lead isn't much of anything, she really doesn't have much development and is boring, naive, and stays that way! The actress here does a good job with the timidness, but to a point I wonder how exactly she lets loose and sleeps with with the ML? Here she seems a whole lot more conservative to me.. I don't know if it is the styling or not. I found it annoying in both how much focus there are on butterflies, and honestly I think the story just doesn't know what exactly it even is. Like this is NOT a romance to me, I am seriously unnerved by both portrayals of the ML, and I am sure that their respective actors knew that they were playing a lead that is a serious red flag. So my take is that maybe, just maybe, this is more of a cautionary tale.. but I know that is just not the case.

The Shapes of Love is nice with the side characters coupling up, unfortunately the main pairing is seriously unnerving that I am creeped out and left with a perpetual raised brow at whatever scene is going on between the two. I can say I like the characterization of the ML better in this adaptation.

You wonder why he is so liked, so 'special, and so arrogant. The guy seems like a fantasy man, like I wonder what seriously goes through his head. He seems to do whatever he wants without thinking he will have concequences, and has serious pretty privilege. Yokohama is very pretty, so good job with the casting there. He has got the looks to be a this seductive guy, as his visuals and gaze can play into that character very well. I like the changes where he is now an established artist that has succeeded. Put into the setting of college students who are pursing their passions with an uncertain future, it makes sense why people are jealous, and why people admire him. Ren is a successful artist, unlike the Korean drama, he has a reason to be there. He is a substitute teacher and a character that the others look up to in terms of his artistry and talent. When it comes to the ladies.. I wouldn't say anything more than being frustrated with his tactics (if that is what you call it). I don't see a sense why this had to be made, a frustrating tale in every way equals a frustrating drama. I can say I like the minor changes of aging up the characters and shifting the story. It would make a whole lot more sense to me if they could just change the story entirely... maybe have the perspective be Ren.. so you can see why he is so off-putting and arrogant.

Make something different, tell a different story. At this point it is just the same thing, a little better though! It has great production value! The good things are what they are, and it isn't bad.. it is just like.. why was this made? I don't know.. I am glad to see Ryousei on screen honestly, I could watch him all day haha. I wish he would do a melodrama.. but alas...
I kind of think it is supposed to be cautionary about not letting yourself be timid, but also not letting yourself think you are something you aren't. Like no one is special, not even this mystery man who is perfect.. he is just a guy.. we are all people.. I am just so confused here.

It is unfortunate to me when I see a competent cast with a great budget using itself towards something like this. A. it was done before. B. it was done and wasn't even good. This story simply is one that doesn't need to be told or retold. Each adaptation I believe was missing what was trying to be told. Or maybe there wasn't something to be told anyways?

Read More

Absolutely hated this version. I was not their target audience

I already knew I was going to hate this drama with how much they changed the plot from the Korean ver to the Japanese ver. I knew from ep 1. I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt cuz the acting was good but once they gave Ren's childhood friend aka ex gf terminal cancer it was an absolute nope for me. The ruined the whole point why the Korean version was good and made the whole series about Ren fulfilling the dying wish of HIS DAMN EX GF. That he wasn't even invested in Miu who he was sort of maybe dating who know cuz it was actually about Ren and Chiaki this whole time but you don't find out til the 6th ep.

I wish Asia would stop killing off their characters it's been played out since I started watching Asian films/dramas back in 2006. Right when I saw child Chiaki with a hat on and a hospital scene I knew straight away she had cancer and they where gonna kill her off. It's been done way to many times even in music videos. I was really hoping I didn't have to see that stupid plot be used again along with car accidents either with death or amnesia.

This felt like a completely different show, the shared some elements with the Korean version and the name for the most part but this is a no for me. I definitely don't recommend this to anyone. It was rushed on top of everything else too both in episode length and with how many episodes there are.

Read More

Considero que esta versión está mejor

No he leído el webtoon, solo vi nevertheless cuando estaba en emisión. Esta versión me gusta porque mantiene la historia sin perder la esencia y estilo de los dramas japoneses. Esta versión tiene muchas diferencias con la versión coreana que considero mucho mejor.

El personaje principal masculino (Ren), aquí se puede ver de manera mas clara la razón por la cual él vive de esa manera. Plantean el hecho que nunca se sintió amado por su madre, y que así como las mariposas se acercaban a él, asimismo se alejaban; alegando que así mismo eran las personas. Su perspectiva cambia al verla a ella. Esta versión maneja mucho mejor la relación de ellos dos.

No hay mucho relleno, ni peleas innecesarias entre los personajes secundarios que si le daban ese toque a la historia. Tampoco vemos a una protagonista ser continuamente regañada por su superior sino más bien le brindaban apoyo para esta seguir haciendo arte.

Esta versión es más trágica y realista, porque muestra lo dura que puede ser la vida.. las personas naturalmente son imperfectas y aunque sean buenas en ciertas cosas, es difícil no sentir alguna emoción negativa o sentimiento de insatisfacción. En esta versión pude empatizar mucho más con él, porque proyectan a un chico frío pero con heridas causadas en su entorno familiar.

Read More

Me surpreendeu !!

Assim como a versão coreana ou você ama esse drama ou você detesta, mas eu me surpreendi muito com essa versão, gostei até mais do que a versão coreana. Essa versão tem uma sensibilidade maior nos personagens e nas situações... vai bem além de "Vamos ali ver borboletas" rsrsrs A Miu é bem mais forte e decidida (na minha opinião), apesar de ter entendido o porque do Ren ser "assim" acho que ele foi um idiota, egoísta em varios momentos. mas ainda acho que ele demonstra gostar da Miu realmente em vários momentos principalmente no último episódio, bem diferente da impressão que eu tive da versão coreana. Uma coisa que senti falta foi mais ação da parte do Ruki, nem parece que ele realmente queria lutar pela Miu. Também acho que faltou contar mais sobre os outros personagens que eram bem interessantes.

Read More

Remake non riuscito di un drama già difettoso

Remake giapponese del drama coreano "Nevertheless". Se la versione originale mi aveva lasciata perplessa, pena la presenza di molti difetti, questo adattamento mi ha convinta ancora meno.
Pur con sfumature differenti, la trama sostanzialmente è la stessa. L'idea di base già è difficile da far funzionare, quello che emerge - in entrambe le serie - è una trama dalle relazioni contorte che prevede scene intime un po' più esplicite rispetto al solito. Questo è quanto ricordavo della serie coerana di quattro anni fa, ed è di fatto ciò che ho ritrovato in quest'ultimo drama.
Per di più, come è tipico delle produzioni giapponesi, la comunicazione è davvero minimal, spesso occorre tirare a indovinare. Meccanismo che, viste le premesse, certo non aiuta, anzi.
Di molte valide serie - magari un po' datate - che meriterebbero di essere riproposte, questa storia - per quanto mi riguarda - non fa parte di quelle.
Unica nota positiva, l'attore protagonista maschile: recitazione non stellare, ma presenza sopra la media per gli standard dei drama giapponesi.

Read More

“Eppure… le forme dell’amore” è un drama giapponese di otto episodi, di circa mezz’ora ciascuno, disponibile su Netflix con i sottotitoli in italiano.
Trasposizioni live-action del webtoon coreano “Nevertheless”, la storia parla di due giovani che hanno problemi a relazionarsi: lui, per motivi che verranno solo accennati nel corso degli episodi, ha difficoltà a legarsi ad una persona con una relazione seria; lei ha appena rotto un legame con un uomo che la trattava con sufficienza.
Il loro incontro darà vita a una storia non semplice da gestire, da parte di entrambi.

La serie giapponese risulta avere, fin da subito, qualche problema e per capire dove si trova l’intoppo, ho recuperato la trasposizione live-action coreana del 2021 intitolata, come il manhwa, “Nevertheless” e, notando da subito varie differenze tra le due serie, ho deciso di sfogliare alcune tavole del webtoon.
Premesso che la serie coreana risulta, almeno rispetto ai primi capitoli, molto fedele all’opera originale, oltre che molto bella e scorrevole, in “Eppure… le forme dell’amore” si evincono tre problemi principali.

Il primo sta nel fatto che hanno edulcorato molti aspetti e temi, sostituendo o tagliando di netto alcune scene che forse potevano risultare troppo forti per un pubblico giapponese.
Un esempio, senza andare molto oltre rischiando di svelare qualcosa di troppo, lo possiamo notare fin dai primi minuti: la statua che è stata realizzata da quello che poi diventerà l’ex-fidanzato della protagonista non è come quella del webtoon (e del drama coreano) che, invece, è molto più cattiva e d’impatto psicologico, tanto da scioccarla.

Paradossalmente, al contrario di alcuni argomenti che sono stati appiattiti, sono stati portati agli estremi i caratteri dei due protagonisti.
Lui, nella trasposizione coreana, si presenta come un ragazzo che ha paura di innamorarsi e per questo mette un muro fra sé e qualsiasi ragazza, preferendo quasi sedurre che cascare nella trappola dell’amore.
Nella trasposizione giapponese non notiamo che dietro a questa corazza c’è un uomo che in passato è stato ferito, ma semplicemente si presenta come una red flag da cui stare lontano. Certo, il fatto che sia interpretato da un magnifico Ryusei Yokohama lo rende una bellissima e seducente red flag ed è forse l’unico motivo per cui lo spettatore continua la visione, ma pur sempre una red flag rimane.
Lei, in questa trasposizione, è descritta senza amor proprio diventando un vero e proprio zerbino, aspetto non presente nella versione coreana dove la protagonista ha un orgoglio che le permette più volte di rispondere di no al partner e di mettere dei paletti nel loro rapporto.
In questa versione non sembra presente neanche una crescita caratteriale dei personaggi e tutto ciò può essere legato all’ultimo problema di questo drama: la ridotta durata.

Se il drama coreano ha il tempo per descrivere l’evoluzione di ogni personaggio, contando ben dieci episodi da un’ora ciascuno, nel drama giapponese, con meno della metà del minutaggio, non risulta possibile. Non c’è proprio il tempo materiale per approfondire e curare quest’aspetto, anche perché sono state mantenute due delle tre coppie secondarie: tagliarle, del resto, sarebbe stato uno spreco poiché portano sullo schermo storie davvero interessanti, realistiche e molto attuali.
Non ha spazio neanche il second-lead, ridotto quasi ad una semplice comparsa: un grandissimo peccato pensando a quanto mi è piaciuto il suo personaggio nella versione coreana.

La storia di per sé, quindi, non è il problema, ma lo è come è stata gestita.
Malgrado ciò, non è tutto da buttare: gli episodi si fanno guardare (anche se si capisce fin da subito che non tutto è spiegato come dovrebbe).
Sorge, però, un dubbio: se rimarranno impressi nella memoria dello spettatore dopo la visione, nel corso del tempo.
La cura della fotografia, dei colori e delle luci in “Eppure… le forme dell’amore” è davvero meravigliosa, ma del resto lo era anche in “Nevertheless”. In quest'ultimo, per di più, sono presenti opere d'arte magnifiche; non possiamo dire lo stesso per il drama giapponese.
Non bastano, in conclusione, questi pochi elementi positivi a salvarlo, preferendogli in tutto e per tutto la versione coreana.

Read More

Uma adaptação do original No entanto, mas com uma vibe diferente e antecipada

Todo mundo diz que este é o infame remake de "Ano entanto", mas na verdade não é 100%.

Uma grande diferença é que o ML não é um estudante, mas um assistente de ensino substituto. Isso muda a dinâmica de relacionamento retratada.
A FL não está cega pelo amor como Nabi, mas mais como ela está perdida, o mesmo acontece com a ML. Você não consegue sentir tanta toxicidade aqui, mas mais como adultos maduros que estão muito perdidos.

Os personagens são de fato baseados no drama original, mas todos eles emitem diferentes vibrações e sentimentos. Há o casal de lésbicas, mas elas não são realmente como as dog. O outro casal também é semelhante de alguma forma.

A estética e tudo mais neste drama é exatamente do tipo japonês, mas com inspiração e elementos da história original, e como diz o ditado, esse drama é muito esteticamente agradável!

No geral, um drama decente!

Read More