Learning to Love

I do not say this lightly - TOTAL MASTERPIECE.

I have seen over 400 dramas. I have given a 10 to a drama only ONE time. But I will say unequivocally right now, that this is one of the best asian dramas of all time, and not only will I award it my second 10 ever, but if I could I would give it an 11.

Learning To Love stands toe to toe with the heaviest hitters of drama like What Happened in Bali, A Million Stars Falling From the Sky, Meteor Garden, Goodbye My Princess, The Rose, Secret, Que Sera Sera, That Winter The Wind Blows, Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Yanxi Palace, Kleun Cheewit, Chugakusei Nikki, or Rise of the Phoenixes. This is so good it's hard to put into words, but for the sake of leaving a review, I will try not to go on too much and keep this brief... while still conveying the insane degree to which this show is both A) a really effing good watch and B) an incredible work of art.

Where to even start....

The main theme of the story is refracted in a hundred tiny ways all throughout -- each character and each action kind of mirrors possible past or future or parallel lives of the other characters in this incredible kalidescope where you can see how any character could 'there but for the grace of god' be another character, and they all reflect aspects of eachother while retaining a deep and unique individuality at the same time. It's so gorgeous how it's all laid out, and how everything subtly connects to everything else. It's just poetry. Every aspect of this drama transcends the sum of its parts in a myriad of fractals that would be impossible for me to describe in less than 10k words, so I'll spare you. Suffice it to say, it is just so damn good.

This leads into mentioning the cinematography which was classic, beautiful, balanced, powerful. Cinematography that actually added it's own voice to the story, like a narrator's voice in a really good book. Plus, it has that throwback feel we all crave and miss so much from classic asian dramas. We all complain that "they don't make em like they used to". Well, this IS like they used to make 'em. So much so, that when they mentioned "covid" at one point, it kind of threw me off for a minute, because this drama feels so much like one of the really good older dramas.

(And can I just mention here that the ost/bgm is a SLAVE to the story. It serves ONLY to accent the emotions carried in the scene, and it is just as perfectly executed as every other part of this production.)

The characters - all of them - are compelling and SO well-acted. A flawless ensemble, led by two fantastic actors that deftly carry the story and convey so many emotions... this was impeccable casting, and impeccable acting. I haven't been this impressed in a long time. This is where imo it stands above even major classics like Rise of the Phoenixes... Kimura Fumino and Murakami Raul Maito are doing double the lifting compared to Chen Kun and Ni Ni in RotP. I almost can't find an equivalent to compare them to, and they deserve to be considered among some of the best performances of all time.

The vibe of this drama has a very classic flavor, the emotional angst and tension is so palpable, so much happens in each episode, not a minute of screentime is wasted. Gives off an aura of 'A Million Stars Falling From The Sky'. And something really incredible happens as the episodes progress.... the story could end in so many different ways, or it could end on any scene itself and still be really really good. You know what's going to happen like a trainwreck in slow motion, and yet you don't actually know what's going to happen at ALL because there are so many possibilities for where the story could go, and as it hurtles toward it's inevitable ending, you still get the feeling like each new scene will hold some fresh magic in it. You get this incredible blend of dread and hope mixed together indistinguishably from one another, and it just relentlessly ratchets up and up through each episode as the possibilities for how it will end keep multiplying. Every character's psyche is peeled layer by painstaking layer and we are afraid and excited by what we will find at the core of each person. Each character is slowly and inexorably pushed towards their breaking point... the true selves they hide to the world have less and less room to hide... and it all feels so volatile and mysterious as you watch it unfold.

I cannot say enough good things about this drama, and I cannot possibly recc it more to anyone prepared for a serious watch. This is gripping and angsty and a little bit of a hard watch, but so so so freaking good. Nailed the ending. Actors are just so incredible here. So much heart and soul are in this.... it feels like a masterclass in what an asian drama is supposed to be.

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Masterpiece of a drama

This is one of those rare dramas that unexpectedly draws you in and then make you obsess over the characters' happiness. There is a purity to the story that the main leads bring to the characters. Episode 1 immediately hooks you in with the cold open of Manami's diving scene. Then you're not sure if you like Kaoru, even though you're pretty sure he's the male lead. But by the end of the episode, you're firmly starting to root for the connection between Manami and Taiga. The obsession with the drama just takes off from there.

The OST is gorgeous, and the cinematography is unique. The drama is marketed as a story of "pure love," so you won't find a lot of steamy scenes despite the red light district setting. If you like tug-at-your-heartstrings feels and watching 2 characters from opposite sides of town fall in love in spite of the odds, do yourself a favor and start this series. Enjoy the ride and don't even try to guess how the story will go-- most likely it won't be what you expect, in a good way. I've also never seen so much growth and strength in characters before, even supporting ones.

As we are waiting for the last episode or 2, I know many of us are rewatching the released episodes over and over, because it's just that good. 15-year age be damned, it sounds alarming, but the characters of Kaoru/Taiga and Manami simply fit and match each other. So much so that they have most everyone from viewers to supporting characters rooting for them.

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Hidden Gem!

I came across Learning To Love by pure accident. Initially I was not expecting anything since the story of a host and a teacher didn't seem to be able to offer much. I was also not impressed with Raul, actor playing the the male lead. If you find yourself feeling that way while watching ep1, don't quit. Give it a chance and keep going.

As I continued to watch, the ML started to grow on me and I was invested in the story. The FL was the main reason I was curious at first. How would she tackle issues related to her students, how would she deal with this host and this conservative society? Is this going to become a cliche story? Will I be convinced by their pairing?

But even with all these doubts arising in my mind, I was intriguied by the different characters.
The fiance for instance - you will love to hate him.
The overbearing father - such a typical conservative man.
The friend - is she really acting in the FL's best interest?
The mother - she's putting up a facade.
ML's mother - why does she act this way?
But all these characters bring so much to the story as a whole and before you know it, you find yourself immersed in their story and being able to relate to or at least understand so much.

My journey from not liking the ML (first impression) to wanting to give him a hug and being able to relate to how he is struggling just shows how talented this actor is and how wonderful the storytelling truly is. With Minami (FL), from not seeing the potential in the character to cheering for her again shows that there is more than what meets the eye in Learning To Love.

The title is actually beautiful because the characters end up acting as each others support system and they not only learn to love but also learn to grow. The story is simple but with so much depth that you can't help but love it. It is among the best shows I have seen this year!

Learning To Love made me emotional several times and the OST just adds to that. The two songs that you can hear often are My Castle and Spiral. They are so beautiful that even with a language barrier, they make you feel so many emotions.

I have already recommended this drama to 2 friends and both have been enjoying it so I hope more people will give this a chance because it really deserves to be experienced by many more people.

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Everyone has the right to a second chance!

I started this drama randomly and I have to admit that I am glad I did. I went into this without any expectations which probably helped me embrace the work as it came.

One of the strenght of Leanring to love is definitely its 4D and interesting characters! They all seem to be provided with a backstory which makes them instantly more approachable and tangible. Besides, they also have indivual storylines that cleverly interlink with one another to make the main plot move forward. The acting is great and each actors portray their characters pretty well imho. I'm not particularly fond of aged gap relationship but I truly did not care at all and I absolutely love the idea that Mamami helps Taiga learn how to read and write, which brings me to my favourite point of this drama, meaning the depiction of someone who never had the chance to properly learn how to read and write and how, through love, they are able to envolve, learn and grow.

Illitrate people unfortunately come in all genders and ages but they usually appear in TV as mostly older women or children so it's very refreshing and important to show someone as active and young as Taiga depicted as such in a drama and even more when said drama focuses on the concept that it is never too late to learn, to change trajectory and become someone different. I like how both the ML learn from each other and pushes each other to be more truthful about their dreams and their visions of life. I feel like they make each other seek for the best versions of themselves and I appreciate that.

Now, some parts of the drama are a bit questionnable or lightly mid but the overall work is great and I like the message of it a lot! Moreover, it depicts and highlights very different people and ideas (a host and night life in general, being friend with the woman your husband cheated on you, religious school, stalking etc and most importantly EDUCATION) which is noteworthy!

Highly recommend!

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A wonderfully written love story that could emerge as a classic

Normally, when I write reviews, I'd try to state all possible selling points that a show has. I'd write about the characters, the story, the performances, etc. However, Learning to Love is a wonderfully crafted love story with such genius storytelling. To get the best experience out of it, you would have to watch it with blind faith knowing only its synopsis. Trust me; I would give anything to watch it again for the first time.

But here is something that I can say for certain: this is one of the most well-written asian dramas in the recent times. Everything about the drama is intentional, and there is no such thing as "filler." Every single element in the drama serves a specific purpose. It could either move the story along, give the characters more depth, or to symbolize an aspect of the main's relationships. Heck, even a featured umbrella has meaning. Moreover, all the characters feel very "human" and complex. All the characters are capable of doing good and bad, and yet you're given enough back story to know their motivations. These characters are so layered that they go beyond the concept of "green flags" or "red flags."

It was such a pleasure to watch this drama while it was on-going, and this story will remain stuck with me for a very long time. I don't normally write short reviews, but like I said it is better to watch it without knowing much about it. You'll thank me later.

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A wild ride which ends surprisingly timidly

Behind the glitz and glam of the Japanese entertainment industry there lies a dark underbelly. Host clubs have been known to use predatory practices on their female clients. Those clients can rack up huge debts in the name of supporting their favourite host. New Japanese law aims to counter this has been enacted recently.

Maybe it is this high-profile change that sow the seed of this drama. Our ML works as a host in a popular club. The amount of money being spent by "princesses" are staggering. We bear witness to some disturbing fallouts. Into this nefarious world bravely walked our FL.

Our FL is 35 years old and the pressure on her to get married is immense. She is inexperienced in love, but I won't say she is totally naïve. To be fair, she has a strict upbringing and leads a sheltered life as a teacher in a catholic girl school. Her value system is quite binary. There are not many grey areas in her life. You can imagine her discomfort when she was forced to visit a host club when one of her students became obsessed with the ML. She is totally out of her comfort zone.

What sordid tales are contained within those walls? There is an opportunity to make some hard-hitting dramas. Yet, by the halfway mark, we know there won’t be any serious exposé on the Host Club industry.

While I'm a little disappointed by the missed opportunity, I can't complain too much as the focus on our leads highlights some serious talents. Not only is our ML's appearance striking, he is also a singer and model in RL. He is perfect for the role.

Similarly, our female lead IS the meek and strait-laced teacher. She is not a particularly good teacher, yet she never gives up trying. She found a new purpose while teaching the dyslexic ML. Their growing attraction is relatable.

This drama doesn't hide the fact that the A-plot is tropey. Their meet-cute is essentially Opposite Attracts writ large. With a bonus serving of Good Girl/Bad Boy to seal the deal. Our leads projected enough sincerity to make it work.

In essence, this show looks at relationships from two opposing ends. On the one hand, we have the loveless social contract, akin to a lifetime of role playing. While on the other hand, we have pretended ones where a female engage a handsome host to live out a fantasy, billable by the minute. Neither one is ideal, but they are symptomatic of our time.

We find our FL faced with just such a stark choice. Will she accept a loveless but stable life like her mum or will she rebel? As expected, this leads to much soul searching and eventual growth for all. It is their journey we are buying into.

Is the drama perfect? Not quite. There are some minor pacing and narrative issues. However, my one real gripe is how the show bends over backwards to land the happy ending for everyone.

To wit, the show makes sure we understand the hosts are honest people just doing a job. The two timing SML plays cupid for our leads. Owner of the club is a kind, fatherly figure under his gangster facade. The FL’s old fashion, control freak of a father only wants to sing, I mean retire and be a house husband. Oprah Winfrey will be proud as the show dishes out redemptions like free trips to Australia.

The last couple of eps is a surprising wild ride. They packed some big highs and deep lows. Our leads really bring out their A-game. Their romance blossomed and then wilted. It is hardly an easy cruise to the finish.

The actual ending was a bit rushed and feels contrived. Maybe they ran out of time. At least, the writer-san didn't leave us dangling. The last scene with the FL calling out the ML for writing the word LOVE incorrectly is delicious. They then practise writing it over and over in the sand until the whole area is covered by LOVE. How poetic! Just wish there is more fan service.

In the end, I can't recommend this show unreservedly because there are caveats. If you have read this far then I implore you to sample a few eps and judge for yourself. You can do worse, chingu. Peace.

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A Love Story Told in Commas, Not Periods

I enjoyed this series greatly. The storytelling was consistently strong, and the acting was fantastic throughout. *Learning to Love* tells the moving story of a man who has dyslexia and, because of it, never learned to read or write in school. His difficult relationship with his mother adds emotional depth — she carries guilt for not being able to help him overcome his struggles, and this guilt defines much of their bond.

The FL also comes from a troubled background. She grew up under the control of an authoritarian father, whose narrow-mindedness affected both his family and work life. She has a complicated past herself, marked history of stalking an ex boy friend and the prospect of the from her parents ( it seems mostly her father) process of an arranged marriage.

The ML, unable to read or write found his way in the hosting business — a profession looked down upon by society. Despite the stigma, he works hard and rises through the ranks, determined to become the number one. Meanwhile, the FL teaches at a Catholic all-girls school, where one of the strict rules is to avoid any association with the hosting business. This conflict of worlds becomes one of the central tensions of the story.

The original soundtrack, **“The Castle”** by Yoko Kanno featuring Karen Aoki, perfectly captures the tone of the series. The haunting, emotional vocals bring a sense of fragile hope but also strength , mirroring the characters’ inner journeys. It’s a beautiful musical choice that lingers long after the episode ends.

The series concludes in a way that feels both emotional and hopeful:

> “The letter wasn’t finished.”
> “Yeah, I could not end it. This is why I didn’t use a period at the end — I used a comma instead. It was on purpose.”

This final line sums up the theme of *Learning to Love* beautifully: life and love don’t end, they continue — imperfectly, but with hope.

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Loved it !! Worth the watch. Definitely go for it

This drama was so good. The leads did an excellent job. One of my favourite Jdramas.
This is a love story about 2 lonely souls. It's not about passion or sexual attraction here, only love and deep connection between 2 fated persons who recognised themselves as soulmates among the human crowd. Despite that there were many sweet and heart fluttering moments.
Every character had a personal growth, the story is unfold carefully, you can feel their love and affection grow and everything make sense. This drama teaches you that you must love and respect yourself before being loved. That you must fight against the odds and the obstacles and free yourself from the others judgement to be happy.
Learning how to write and learning how to free yourself to learn to love...

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"We don't fall in love for happiness"

Essentially, it's a love story between a high school teacher and a host who cannot read or write properly because of his SLD. It begins from a fateful encounter to teacher classes and blossomed into love. But it's so much more. Manami, is a 35 year old woman who still lives with her family and patriarchy still runs her family so visibly. She teaches at another very conservative environment of a catholic school where she herself previously studied. It's like she's stuck from everywhere in her environment and she constantly feels suffocating but she doesn't attempt to run away from this environment because she's too scared to live life without constraints.

Scared of what SHE might do. She's not used to breathing freely. This story is then about her journey to finally take steps to be free. To see her progress and journey in that is an utter joy. Of course, this development happens because of the male lead character but his presence solely acts as a catalyst for her. It's a perfect portrayal of "I'll make myself a better person for you, because I love you".

She's brilliantly written as a character because of the nuances and her contradictory nature. In some instances, she's very brave and her pride is very dear to her but some instances she just shuts down. She's very self-aware of what she's feeling but at the same time refuses to admit them. She's like a human. Every single character in this show is what makes it so beloved to me.

Kaoru/Taiga is a host who did not complete his elementary school because he couldn't receive proper help with his SLD (specific learning disorder, specifically dyslexia in his case). He's a charming 23 year old young man who's competitive as he's aiming to be No. 1 but in reality it's just so he could pay for his distant (dare I say abusive) family.

He's your typical "playboy" "jokester" personality but in reality that's all a persona. He's actually a very sensitive person but he was never allowed to be one because men aren't allowed to be vulnerable. So he hides parts of himself in jokes and sometimes uses his manipulation skills to anger the person so he can just avoid talking about his emotions but still oh he feels SO DEEPLY.

After meeting, Manami he's finally facing a person so diligent and serious towards him (and literally everything) that he has not choice but to face himself. He finally meets someone who does consider him "stupid". Who sees him for all he is.

I loved him so much and the portrayal of growing with SLD was so perfect that I wrote to him as an example in my exam recently lol(rip my teacher).

Another thing I love about this show is that they both heal each other's inner child and that's just so....aftccjrtaratxyd.

It talks about many social issues such as patriarchy, class system (as both of the leads are from different backgrounds and I love how they portray that in their dynamic) and the taboo nature of a relationship. It addresses host culture with a deep critical analysis and views from both sides.

Over-all, definitely a favourite, the only thing i disliked was there definitely could've been another episode to wrap things up more beautiful and I needed more screentime for gay teacher 🥲 otherwise Masterpiece!

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Focusing on the characters' journey of growth and self-discovery.

The series tells the story of Ogawa Manami (Fumino Kimura), a serious and strict Japanese language teacher raised in a traditional home and with an arranged engagement. Her methodical life is turned upside down when she tries to rescue a student from a host club and ends up crossing paths with Kaoru (Raul), the club's number one host.

What begins as an attempt to distance him from his student turns into a teacher-student relationship, as Kaoru hides a secret: he has great difficulty reading and writing, likely due to a neglected childhood and possibly a learning disability.

The central theme of the drama is not simply the "forbidden passion between a teacher and a host," but rather the idea that learning ("school") can happen at any age and that "love" is the path to redemption and the discovery of one's own identity. Manami finds in Kaoru the joy of teaching that she had lost, and Kaoru finds in Manami the support and encouragement she never had to confront her weaknesses and try a new life.

Critical Highlights

Reviews and reactions from Japanese audiences highlight several positive aspects of the drama:

1. High-quality Writing and Directing

First-rate Production: The drama is written by Yumiko Inoue and directed by Hiroshi Nishitani, the same duo behind such huge hits as "Hirugao" (which also explores forbidden love) and "Shiroi Kyotō." The quality of the script, which avoids the cliché of easy drama, was highly praised.

Depth: The script goes beyond physical attraction, exploring themes such as learning difficulties, toxic mothers ("Poison Parents" or "Doku-Oya"), social expectations, and the need for self-decision in life.

2. Captivating Performances

Fumino Kimura (Manami): She was praised for her subtle and nuanced performance. She successfully conveys the teacher's transformation from a repressed woman with low self-esteem to someone who finds joy in truly connecting with others through teaching.

Raul (Kaoru): His performance as the lonely and vulnerable host, who hides a deep need and the secret of not knowing how to read or write, was widely acclaimed. Critics praised his ability to convey the character's pain and sensitivity, especially when he has to "purposefully write sloppily" to simulate the difficulty.

3. The Journey of Mutual Growth

The beauty of the series lies in the evolution of the two protagonists. Manami is freed from the shackles of her family and social expectations, while Kaoru gains the strength to leave the nightlife behind and seek a more honest future, learning to read and write with Manami's help. The "school" becomes a microcosm of their relationship, where they both save and redeem each other.

4. Heartwarming Conclusion (Happy Ending)

Despite a painful separation moment near the end (where Kaoru, having failed his exam, pushes Manami away, not wanting to disappoint her), the series is considered by many to have a "beautiful and heartwarming happy ending." The moment Kaoru tries to write the word "愛" (Love) in the sand, still struggling with the line but with his heart full of Manami, symbolizes how much he has grown. The ending suggests that, although the future is uncertain, they have chosen to stay together and support each other.

In short, "Ai no, Gakkou" is considered a drama deeper than the "forbidden romance" cliché might suggest, being hailed as a "quiet masterpiece" focused on personal redemption and the transformative power of love and learning.

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The beauty of this story is in the details

This is my number one drama of the year and I wrote long analyses after every episode diving into its metaphors, symbolism, and Easter eggs (I also spent a lot of time squeeing over how much I love Manami and Taiga). But it's taken me a long time to write this review because there's so much to talk about that I'm struggling to condense it into a few paragraphs.

I'm going to start by quoting another MDL'er:

"True to its name, Learning to Love is exactly that: a lesson in the imperfect grace of love. Two imperfect souls meet, not to magically complete each other, but to challenge, inspire, and even hurt each other until, through their confusion and misunderstandings, they discover the raw humanity in each other. Their story isn't about perfection, it's about growth, vulnerability, and the delicate beauty of choosing each other anyway." - Upoma

Even though this drama only has 11 episodes, it may require some patience from you at the start. Episode 1 presents us with an unlikeable, obsessive FL, a broken and predatory ML, tragic backstories and enraging side characters. There's also a 12 year age gap which may put off some people. Yet somehow I found myself rooting for this unlikely couple right from the start. I think it's because even when the leads are at their worst, you can still see the core of humanity they possess and empathize with their struggles.

This quote from a Japanese review of Learning to Love beautifully summarizes the premise and describes the circumstances that suffocate and traumatize Manami and Taiga:

"Aimi grew up at age 35 under the shackles of her father, the epitome of patriarchy and paternalism. She works as a teacher at a Catholic girls' school, and is thoroughly confined to the shackles of being a "serious and chaste woman" both at home and at work. She once tried to fly out of her cage by falling in love, but it didn't work out and she ended up attempting suicide.

"Kaworu is his stage name; his real name is Takamori Taiga. He has a learning disability that makes it extremely difficult for him to read and write, and he cannot even write his own name properly....He grew up being told that his inability to study is his own fault, and it is difficult for him to recognize the opportunity gap that has resulted from not receiving education or careful training. He has survived in the nightlife world by relying on his looks, physical attractiveness, and ability to communicate verbally without using letters, but he too has lived his life believing that his only occupation is to exaggerate his "masculinity."

"At first glance, the worlds in which the two characters live seem to be contrasting, but they are very similar in the sense that they are made to believe that they have no choice but to live by exaggerating the roles of men and women. The audience unconsciously accepts the gradual twist that Juliet and Romeo, who thought they lived in different worlds, are actually trapped in the same world, and find themselves rooting for the couple's love."

This drama was written and directed with deep care and compassion for the damaged people it depicts. The genius of the story is in the details: things like the color scheme, lighting, sound design, costuming and props. Because our leads are unable to voice their dreams and desires without condemnation, it's almost as if the environment becomes a Greek chorus narrating the story for those of us in the audience who are paying attention.

A wonderful example of this is the role the color red plays in the storytelling. The most obvious example is Kaoru’s suit, which represents desire, danger, and emotions burning out of control. But red also makes an unexpected appearance at Manami’s school, as it is color of the altar cloth underneath a pure white Virgin Mary statue, representing desire that she is suppressing under a pristine facade. Red is also the color of the pencil Manami gifts Taiga and of the train that takes them to their date at the beach. So red can represent a destructive and transgressive desire but also a desire for love and a better life.

An amazing use of red along with a clever metaphor is the Korean tteokbokki vendor outside of Taiga's apartment. In a brief scene in episode 1, a woman wearing a red headband yells at the vendor asking why he only sells soy sauce flavor (in Korea, tteokbokki is eaten with a spicy red sauce). The vendor replies "People prefer it that way!" In other words, people prefer the false thing over the authentic thing. But the woman wearing a red headband shows us that for some people the desire for the real thing is still present. It's a metaphoric representation of the world that Manami and Taiga are trapped in.

Finally I want to give a shout-out to the actors, especially our leads. Fumino Kimura is a respected actress with more than a decade of experience in the industry and she delivers a character who seems on the verge of drowning who desperately reaches out to he only person who makes her feel like she can breathe. By contrast, Raul is an idol and model who only has three acting credits. But he brings a heart wrenching vulnerability to Taiga, as well a charisma and appearance that makes him entirely believable as a man who is a top earner at a host club. I also want to mention Nakajima Ayumu as Kawahara, Manami's scummy fiance. He starts out as a character you love to hate but then goes through a growth arc of his own and the actor does a brilliant job of bringing out all the character's facets. He's also funny as hell.

My one real critique of this drama: the last episode felt very rushed and even though there were things in it that I loved, other things felt too melodramatic. I especially wish we'd gotten more time to process Taiga's trauma in that last episode because it felt as though scenes were missing before we hit the final scene. But overall the drama moved me so much and many other people feel the same way.

If you want to learn more about the symbolism in the drama I suggest you read through the discussion threads for each episode: https://kisskh.at/discussions/793096-ai-no-gakko

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Unfortunately, never got onboard as much as I wanted with the romance

This age gap love story between a young host and a teacher who became his tutor had everything to seduce me. I enjoyed the first half of it with the focus on learning and the night life topic providing a very griping context for the romance. I found fascinating the Kanji writing and learning issues discussion. I found interesting the way the characters were built : deeply flawed and mostly unlikable because it was understandable given their background. I also liked the OST overall and the production value, even if there were some awkward editing with abrupt fade to black between scenes.

However, I never managed to get fully onboard with their romance. I believed in the tutoring relationship and found it even very touching. However I was never convinced by the romantic chemistry. I think it is part linked to poor casting of the two main characters as well as storytelling. Indeed, they never showcased real intimacy between the main leads as their relationship remained very pure, which given the respective age and job of both characters felt strange. In addition to not offering satisfying romance opportunities to the couple, the scenario also derailed quite a bit as it provided to the antagonists too quick change of heart and undeserved redemption.

I am left to ponder if another casting for the main actor and actress would have helped in making the romance more palatable and the relationship feel more passionate despite the flaws in the scenario. Here some of their scenes felt very fake and lacking in the more romantic as well as more angsty moments.

I would not recommend this to people as I feel there are better "older woman/younger man romance" out there. Maybe with another cast and without the scenario derailing in an over the top way, I would be less severe with my criticism of the series.

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