Marry My Husband: Japan

It was never about getting back at them but more about getting yourself back!

This drama didn't scream for my attention, but it somehow had me hooked from start to finish. It follows the journey of Kanbe Misa, who has always been that person in the background who is a little too kind, selfless and trusts people too easily and ended up paying the price. But when life gave Misa the lemons, she knew how to make lemonade. The story starts as a second-chance revenge plan becomes something a lot deeper for her. It was about prioritising herself and finally choosing to live for her own sake.

This version doesn't lean into over-the-top twists or too much melodrama compared to the OG version and that is what worked for me. It had the classic Japanese introspective touch where the focus was on Misa, her fears and how she navigated and reclaimed her new life with hesitation and silent strength.

Coming to romance, it is definitely underplayed here but that doesn't take away how awkwardly sweet Misa and Suzuki were together. They were not intense or passion-filled but I felt it was the kind of chemistry that builds slowly, and it felt refreshing to me.
Considering they had 10 episodes to cover 16 episodes of content, it was excusable for me and didn't hinder my enjoyment but I wouldn't have minded a few more soft, emotional moments between them.

Moving to Antagonists, Reina really shone here. She was deceiving, unnervingly real and manipulative. All her actions stemmed from very humane emotions, from jealousy to entitlement to be treated better to insecurity. What I liked was that she didn't just exist to ruin things but she genuinely believed she was owed something and that entitlement colored everything red. She was the total opposite of Misa. Misa thrived on healing and growth, Reina on control and resentment throughout her life.
In the initial episodes, I felt they toned down her character compared to OG, but she brought the flair back.

As for SML Tomoya, he was hit and miss for me. Most of the time, he felt very airheaded and his presence was more of an unintentional comedic relief though there was nothing funny about him.

The antagonists and their issues were humane and while the drama acknowledged that, it didn't try to gloss it over with redemption! Sometimes when you don't change your ways, you learn the hard lesson of what goes around comes around!

Another thing that worked for me was the visuals. The cinematography and the colour palette of the whole drama were so pretty. Everything felt so calm and pleasing to the eyes. All the wide nature shots were beautiful. And of course, there was an umbrella moment. Lol, we needed that Korean touch.

Acting across the board was solid. Koshiba Fuka as Misa carried the drama effortlessly. She didn't overreact but every little shift in emotions was translated on the screen. Satoh Takeru as Wataru Suzuki was charming. We need him in more of those rich CEO roles in suits and those glasses. Though at times he felt a bit stiff, I felt that was how his character was. The rest of the supporting cast also brought good things to the table.

Overall, this was a really good and engaging watch. The pacing felt intentional, and the message of putting oneself forward and healing came through nicely. Though romance isn't the main focus here, it would definitely give you butterflies or two.
I would 100% recommend it.

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If You Wish For It, Even The Rain Gives Way To The Sun..

This is one of the best dramas I have watched this year and I loved it.. I honestly can’t decide what I loved more, the actors or the story.. There’s just so much to appreciate here.. I would easily recommend this version over any of the other language adaptations.. The Korean version was good but it lacked someone like Satoh Takeru, a perfect actor who could carry the weight of the story alongside the FL.. Unfortunately I couldn’t finish the Korean version because I just couldn’t get past Na In Woo’s bland performance..

Koshiba Fuka and Satoh Takeru delivered formidable performances.. Both vulnerable and magnetic.. Their chemistry is incredible, making us all root for their happiness.. Koshiba Fuka’s portrayal of Misa is especially captivating.. Showing her range as an actress and her ability to express so many emotions with subtlety.. It was honestly hard to believe it was the same person in the first episode.. Takeru’s portrayal of Wataru is equally remarkable.. A man determined to protect the person he loves when given a second chance..

One of the most memorable lines from the drama comes from the ML..
“I would be an unnamed extra… Not even in focus..
Just Student A, Interviewer B, Boss C..
A background extra with no lines..
I never would have been a part of her story...
Or so it seemed.. But on September 18, 2015, she jumped in out of nowhere.”

And he went from being an extra to the main character in her story..

I really wanted this drama to do well.. I was worried people might see it and think "Eh, just another remake / adaptation".. But it’s not that at all.. This is so much more and so much better.. This drama is elegant and there is a certain magic to the story.. I also liked that it got violent and bloody at the end.. After all they are fighting for her freedom, love and happiness..

It felt like the “Did my dad send you to me??” dialogue from The First Frost would have worked really well here.. They could have used it if you ask me..

The scene where the ML quietly takes her urn and leaves, just so he can take her to a place where she felt safe and loved, was heartbreaking.. The whole situation just made you feel so sad for the FL.. Her husband and best friend are arrested for her murder.. Her mother in law is being detained for insurance fraud and not a single person at the funeral stopped a literal stranger from walking away with her ashes.. How alone was she, really??

The supporting characters in this drama were excellent too.. Whether it was the sister or the colleague or even the friend.. They weren’t just there to elevate the main cast.. They also added so much to the story.. And Esaka Reina?? She was seriously obsessed and crossed some unsettling lines.. Splendid performance by Shiraishi Sei.. I also appreciated how nothing felt dragged out.. And there was no love triangle or unnecessary additions like the fiancee in the Korean version..

Overall, this drama had everything.. Even a satisfying, happy ending.. And I loved that ending.. Instead of the couple being portrayed as rich and powerful, we see the leads doing their best to live out their dreams.. Misa reopening her favorite dessert shop and Wataru going back to university.. They waited ten years to get married, probably because they were afraid of the side effects of altering the timeline too much.. Either way, I loved that proposal scene.. It was beautiful and showed two people truly in love..

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