When It Rains, It Pours

“Not Everything Are Rainbows and Sunshine” — When It Rains, It Pours Review

Okay, so first off, I’m really sorry for reviewing this late 😭. I was supposed to post this back on February 21, 2025, but I just got busy. Anyway, let’s get into it.

Starting with the production — honestly, it’s really well done. The visuals are calm but beautiful, the audio is clean, and the whole mood of the series fits the kind of emotional story they’re telling. So yeah, I liked the production a lot.

Now about the story… whew. This one’s deep. It’s not your usual fast-paced, fluffy BL. It really makes you think about how people feel and how easy it is to be blind to love — especially when you’ve been holding onto someone who doesn’t really care about you anymore.

Let’s talk about Sei. I don’t think he’s a bad person at all. He’s just… stuck. Like, when you’ve been with someone for years and you’ve convinced yourself they’re your only hope, you start to block out any new love that comes your way. That’s what I felt with him — it’s sad, but real.

And that roommate? Nah. That guy is toxic 😩. He didn’t want Sei to move on, didn’t want him to be happy with anyone else. It took me until like episode 3 or 4 to really understand what was happening there. But when it clicked, it hit hard.

Then there’s Kazuaki. His situation is a whole other thing. I think deep down, he knew his girlfriend didn’t love him anymore, but he kept lying to himself. Like he was forcing it to work even when all the signs were there. And when he started falling for Sei? That felt real. It wasn’t loud or dramatic — it was soft and gradual, and that made it more emotional for me.

So overall, I’d say the story isn’t for everyone, but if you watch closely and pay attention to the quiet emotions, it really hits. I had to watch it twice to fully get it, so if it confused you at first — you're not alone 😅.

Really good series. Emotional. Quiet. But meaningful.

Still thinking about it 🌧️❤️

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Recommended

Honestly, I still don’t know how I feel about this drama. It was amazing—something I can’t say for most of the shows I watch. The plot was interesting and felt kinda fresh, not something that’s been done a million times before.

That being said, I do have some issues with the cheating aspect. It’s not something I agree with, but at the same time, I can’t say I fully disagreed with it in this context… which makes me feel like a terrible person. The whole show exists in this morally gray area—what the characters do is something I’m completely against, yet I still found myself sympathizing with them and understanding their perspective.

Honestly, I loved and hated this show because of that. It really messes with your emotions, but in the best way. Definitely a must-watch.

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A Great Adaptation Indeed!

Relationships are complex. They aren’t perfect, but they require communication, trust, and understanding.

In the Japanese BL drama When It Rains, It Pours, Hagiwara Kazuaki (Muto Jun) leads a life devoid of intimacy with his girlfriend—until a small mistake alters his path. An email, mistakenly sent to his coworker Nakarai Sei (Iti Asahi), sparks an unexpected connection. What begins as a simple exchange soon blossoms into a raw and liberating bond between two individuals yearning for the love, desire, and intimacy they’ve been missing.

At first glance, When It Rains, It Pours might seem like a story about infidelity, but as the drama unfolds, it becomes clear that it’s about much more. It’s a deep exploration of four people and the personal truths they’ve clung to so tightly that their relationships have suffered as a result. The fundamental bonds that sustain a relationship were never truly formed, leaving each character struggling to move forward.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/02/28/when-it-rains-it-pours-series-review-ep-3-to-7/

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When (lack of) communication gets a drama adaptation.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: review #11 ♡

When it rains, it pours is a drama that kept me eager to watch it until I binge-watched it in one day. The story, characters, pace, emotions: everything was in the right amount. And I couldn't be happier to have all the episodes to watch at once.

This drama embodies the (lack of) communication. There's so much hinted, so little made clear and expressed to the people around. In this regard, one might think this drama is boring or lacks a proper pace to keep things interesting. I think this was the precise intention of the scriptwriter: everyday life gives a sense of boredom and a feeling of emptiness when it comes to situations and events.
So, what happens when the boring day-to-day life meets a scriptwriter? A drama like When it rains, it pours comes to life.

Japanese dramas hit differently: certain stories can only be told in Japan. The ability to portray such complex yet simple at-glance stories is somewhat incredible. And this one is no exception.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the quiet and silent fall of a relationship is so uneventful yet so profound that neither Kazuaki nor Sei gets to understand its meaning until a mail sent by mistake appears in the inbox folder. What could be labeled as a mistake by many is the sparkle that ignites a life change.

▶︎ The fall of a relationship ◀
Both Kazuaki and Sei progressively grew "comfortable" in their relationships, to the point of ignoring the massive impact on their happiness and mental health. After all, they got what they wanted. Or not? A dream might transform into a nightmare in a split second, so which form may assume in a few years? What started as love or affection became a habit. But habits don't necessarily make people happy.

▶︎ The spark of change ◀
A trivial event can make a difference. An e-mail not meant for you. Even a meaningless e-mail gives you the freedom to choose, so why not reply? Mail after mail, you start to realize you're not the only one stuck in a dull life, in a pointless yet painful relationship. You need the escapism this brief moment gives you. And so, you develop a pen pal friendship. Neither of you know each other personally, but that's for the best. The relief of knowing that the other person has no way to pinpoint you in a crowd makes it ten times better. After all, your conversations focus on the sorrow and the discomfort of being frustrated and unseen in a relationship with a significant other.
But what if you and your pen pal happen to be coworkers?


▶︎ The moment of truth ◀
Revelations mark the second half of the drama. Kazuaki and Sei now confront each other. No more screens to conceal their identities. Their relationship is getting real, and so are their feelings. But embracing one's feelings takes courage; both of them are terrified of breaking out of their private status-quos, the warmth of a familiar place. This stall was, for me, a focal point of the drama. After all, Kazuaki and Sei are scared to embrace their feelings for each other. Taking this step would mean destroying the life they built, even if it is taking a toll on them as individuals.
What was born as a physical relationship should stay that way. What was born as a coping mechanism should not develop into a sincere desire to change.

▶︎ Once wishful thinking, now reality ◀
The finale dissatisfied many viewers. Truth be told, the portrayal of the growing relationship between Kazuaki and Sei felt that way for many. But not for me.
Two grown adults, with social expectations and their emotional baggage, must come to terms with what they want and what they think they should want. What should they pursue? The beaten but unsatisfactory path? Or a new road full of possibilities and unknowns?
The focus is on the choice. And for that to be effective, time and a slower pace are required.

If you are expecting blatant signs of love, over-the-top drama, and plot twists, this drama is not for you. Instead, if you're looking for an intimate and morally gray story with a decent, solid plot and believable character growth, give this drama a chance.

PROS:
- Morally gray story
- Believable characters and character growth
- Slow-burn
- Nice OST
- Solid performance by the two actors
- Pen pal to friends/lovers trope

CONS:
- The finale might dissatisfy some viewers.
- The slow pace might be a turn-off for some
- Communication most of the time wasn't aju nice > still, not a major con for me, as it's part of Sei&Kazuaki personalities and struggles.

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rain is so peaceful (kinda)

Starting with an email sent at the wrong address two men start talking on a daily basis about everything, even about their sex life, without knowing that they are co-worker. One is in an hetero relationship and the other one in a gay relationship. Both relations are sexless and they talk about it in their mail.

From an asexual POV (me) it made me want to apologise for not having sex, even if I know I'm not in the bad... I can get that people want sex but not everyone want it and on top of that libido vary from one to another, and people don't get it apparently. that's mainly why I lowered my ratting. And btw for those who don't know: yes you can love someone and still be asexual. As soon as you COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARTNER (thing they obviously don't do in the serie).
That put aside it's a really great serie! Full of red flags, not gonna lie, but still good. Between the non communications, the cheating, the 🍇(not fully shown), the grooming... there is a lot of problems but still this show is good. I just didn't really liked the explanation from Fujisawa to Sei about their relationship and why he always had rejected his advenced, but only because i was projecting my asexual experience on how he was reacting when he was actually emotionally breaking Sei, not fully on purpose tho but still...
The end felt a lill rushed to me and should have loved an other episode whith Sei and Hagiwara really together and not just the final kiss (UNDER THE RAIN!! 😭)

The whole episode 5 is cheff kiss 🤌🏻 "YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY THAT I'LL BREAK!!" 🫠🫠 followed by some really soft sex and the kiss the next morning with "we're both crazy" 🫠🫠🫠

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Exploration of intimacy in relationships

I really enjoyed the storytelling. The dynamic between him and his best friend felt incredibly realistic because, in the end, betrayal often comes from someone you love and trust. When that trust—and your body—are violated, it leaves a heavy, disgusting feeling, yet love for that person can still linger. Their relationship was fascinating because the line between friendship and romance was blurred, yet at the same time, it remained distinctly present.

Although the two leads’ relationships with their partners vaguely mirror each other, they are in very different predicaments.
Kazuaki's relationship with his girlfriend was another aspect of the show I truly appreciated—it’s a difficult situation, and the way intimacy and sex were explored as more than just physical acts, but as expressions of love, was good. I felt for both him and his girlfriend, and the conversation during their breakup scene was long overdue. It was a necessary and cathartic moment.

In the end, I’m glad the two main characters found each other.

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Mature cheating let's be gay

This is a story about two separate people who are unfulfilled in their relationships. Both have partners who do not want to have sex with them, and after being together for years, their relationships feel shallow. By chance, the two come into contact with each other and can be honest about their desires and thoughts. They end up being coworkers and start a physical relationship. After feeling rejected by both of their partners, they feel that their new relationship together is more honest and real, and they end up together.

This drama is an odd one for me. The kissing and romantic scenes suffice, considering this is a 7-episode drama. Still, I feel that the drama is focused on the two people as individuals with their relationship struggles, and the final pairing feels more like a band-aid or rebound rather than a fresh and new love. This could be seen as a more "realistic" or mature take on a BL story, but it does put the focus more on adult struggles rather than love between two men.

I do recommend this as a watch, but I would put it on a lower priority since there are so many great Japanese BLs already.

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Things definitely happen for a reason ...

This turned out to be a really good story, one about how fate always plays a part in life. Two people that really needed each other to fill the void in their lives are brought together just because of a simple mistake on a text address.
I think the way the writers brought them to finally realize who was speaking on the other end of texting was brilliant. It happened at the end of episode 3 and it really was a priceless moment. By the time they finally meet, they both know more about each other than the people they actually live with. It really was great how this played out.
Muto Jun & Ato Ashai was a perfect fit for each character they were portraying. The all important episode 5 shows this when they give each other what they have both been missing in their lives.
It's a bit of a dark drama at times, especially when it's revealed what secret Sei's roommate has been concealing from him all this time, but there are very tender moments in this series as well.
Overall, a very enjoyable drama that takes it to the final seconds of the last episode in giving us the happy conclusion we were hoping for. Thumbs up!!!!

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When the rain hits your face, my hands hold up an umbrella

Rain can be sticky, make you uncomfortable, but in the right moments, it can be freeing. Even then, you sometimes just want an umbrella close by, because even if the rain is liberating, you can want that it only surround you, outside the shield of your umbrella.

One missent email shakes up the lives of both the leads, and what begins as pure courtesy and politeness, soon turns into the rain in their lives. Sometimes sticky and uncomfortable, but those emails carry the freedom their lives do not mirror. Emails turn into real life but the two of them are still under the umbrella, and their real lives are ultimately going to catch up to them, but their lives are intertwined in a way that is going to be difficult to cut off or ignore because what they share with each other are not just their thoughts, or fears, or aspects of their lives, they've essentially bared their heart to each other.

The drama, much like my explanation, is as complex as complex comes. Both leads are in precarious situations with their love lives and one email sparks a whole conversation where after each email, you get the feel that those two finally found someone who gets them. Whether we as the audience understand their conversations is not the point, it's that they understood. They share their pains, and troubles and deepest thoughts with each other because they need not worry about being judged or worry about slighting each other. They are strangers after all.

As the drama progresses, them being each other's safe space, each other's liberty is the only thing that goes unchanged because every other line they unconsciously set is erased. This of course means, a whole lot of drama, but that was expected. Nothing in here was ever not going to be complicated.

I loved how every important moment between the leads happened when it rained and I loved how whether they did it consciously or unconsciously, the rain signified something for their relationship. I love that the leads actually spoke to each other, no misunderstandings, no silly arguments, the drama came when it was supposed to and it wasn't because they refused to talk to each other. I love that they were always open with each other, no matter how their situation changed. I love that they noticed things about each other, and that they took the initiative when they needed to.

It may seem like I'm describing things that are normally there in some senses in a relationship and in dramas, but this was a plot that needed a whole lot of development, and they did that while also doing all this. I wanted a little more though, that's my only complaint, I wanted a little more closure, a little more of a deep dive into Hagiwara and Sei.

But believe me when I say I ate this series up, I was completely obsessed with it while I watched, and for good reason. This series was like a summer rain, a light enough drizzle to cool you down, while the sunshine warms you up, and when that happens, you can't help but love it.

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best enjoyed under the warmth of a blanket

if you ignore the elephant in the room i.e emotional cheating/cheating - which all things considered was handled really well lol

When it rains, it pours is a lovely watch. I think everything was handled really well, the supporting cast were amazing. The story had a great exploration on intimacy in relationships and genuinely, can't believe I'm saying it but also on what may be acting as the load bearing thing that may be keeping a relationship together. The supporting cast are written with enough care and complexity that they felt real enough to appreciate their feelings and try and understand their thoughts. I think the strength in the writing and portrayal of the supporting characters lie in that the way I interpreted and viewed them was the same as how the main characters themselves viewed their relationship and their relevant counterparts.

Especially the case for Hagiwara's gf (who may I say, is so cute omg like wow Akita Shiori is gorgeous) and while there are moments where I felt a little irritated, Hagiwara's love and affection towards Kaori stood out and that care was shown in how she was portrayed as well. Akita Shiori's portrayed Kaori playfully and sweetly and her own moments of lingering hesitation and regret was shown well.

In the same sense Nakara's person? (i missed the part where they labelled it lol) was portrayed similarly. The care and prioritisation that Nakara showed Fujisawa was conveyed and at the same time there was an underlying frustration that almost teeters on resentful beforing swinging over into guilty. Which Fujisawa's actor Matsumoto Hiroki returns back just as well.

The leads do a wonderful job taking you along the journey of their developing relationship and I think they have a great friendship and romantic chemistry? but I do think the leads sensual chem? was a bit lacking and a fell a tad bit short. I don't think I was expecting intensity in terms of like 'action' but considering the depth of emotion and complexity they were able to convey during general dialogue and moments that weren't neccessarily sexual, when it came to exploring the aspect they were craving I think it fell short for the importance of the moment? Whether the conveyed emotions were bittersweet, happy or sad, I just think there should have been more weight and emphasis in the moment(s) that it lingered with me.

However overall, everything was done really well. Soundtrack and sound design etc was done really well, perectly fitting for each scene imo and suceeded in adding to the momets. So was costuming lol, stunner fits all round. The story was well handled mature exploration on some complicated aspects of relationships and handled certain actions that I would typically hate pretty well.

I would love a second season or like a movie idk, rarely do I wish for one but I just want to see a little bit more of where their relationship as well as the supporting casts relationships may have ended up.

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