This review may contain spoilers
far better than the original...
While the original dragged on for ever this version is very compact. The "Ai" and "Rak" characters were played very similar while the "Kaishin" and "Mut" characters are quite different. The japanese version is less fluff and more animalic in the first half. The story plays out in the same fashion with the difference that the GL "to be" couple is far less abnoxious.Now that MDL changed the episodes there are two special episodes after that but MDL could not be bothered to add them in the index yet. I felt the finale was a bit disappointing even with an happy end for all. The acting was far superior to the original series, the chemistry was there and they did not hold back in the NC-scenes either. Production quality was also high but less polished to the original series, so imho it felt more "natural".
Overall I prefer this compact version compared to the thai version which felt boring most of the time. So, if you didn't like the original version, chances are high, that you will be more comfortable with this version.
Update: Because MDL does not have an entry for the special episodes I like to mention them here. They are much more finale then ep 10 imho. Which rounds up the series nicely.
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Finally, a Japanese BL That Gets Intimacy Right
I have watched every Japanese BL released this year and honestly the kissing and NC scenes have been disappointing across the board. But this one is easily the best I have seen. The NC scenes in episodes 2 and 3 were hot, steamy and beautifully done. Japanese BL is finally stepping up and shining in this area.Since I only watched the Thai version a couple of months ago, it is still fresh in my mind. This remake is almost identical, about 90 percent the same, right down to the lines and even the NC positions. That said, I did not mind because the chemistry here really works. The male leads are handsome, comfortable with each other and their intimacy feels genuine instead of forced.
Overall, it is a solid and enjoyable watch. If you loved the Thai version, you will enjoy seeing this story retold through a Japanese lens. For me, it is a well deserved 8.5 out of 10.
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golden retriever and black cat by the seaside (watch suggestions)
Overall: I wasn't totally hooked at the beginning but it grew on me. Based on the book "Love Sea" by MAME. There is also a Thai live action adaptation. I reviewed this series based on its own merits. 12 episodes about 30 minutes each. Note there is a bonus scene after the initial end credits. Aired on GagaOOLala (not in Japan) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5665/love-sea-the-home-for-lovers-2025-e01Content Warnings: past intimate partner abuse, violence & child abuse, trauma, manhandling, attempted murder, blood, beaten up/punches
Watch Suggestions (take out some of the content warnings and focus more on the m/m couple)
- watch episodes 1 & 2
- episode 3 skip 9:45-11:45 and 21:35-end
- episode 4 start at 6 min
- episode 5 start at 9 min
- stop episode 6 at 25:05
- episode 7 watch 17-19:20, 20:10-23:45 and 26:30-27:55
- episode 8 watch 4:30-6:50
- episode 9 watch 10-12:45
- episode 10 watch 27-end
- watch the 2 specials (eps 11 & 12)
What I Liked
- visuals
- ongoing intimacy and showed the use of a condom
- seaside/small town location for part of the series
- a character was blunt like in response to the thin walls he said he wanted them to hear
Room For Improvement
- I liked the opposites attract dynamic, but not when one was hot and cold, this improved
- there seemed to be some mind games with the women and they felt separate from the rest of the story especially in the first half, also some lackluster kissing
- production issues like odd shots, night scenes were too dark, a character bought a bunch of clothes, but then wore the same outfit for multiple days
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This review may contain spoilers
I prefer this version over the original
DisclaimerWhat I am writing here are my views and thoughts about this series. Some of you may not like it. That does not give you the right to try to come at me with your opinions on why this series should get a higher or lower score and why it is better/worse than I think it is. You have your own opinions, and I have mine. Kindly respect that.
I would first like to say that I had no desire to watch this series because if you would read my previous comments on any MAME series, you would know that I have a love/hate relationship with her series (but, yes, I do still watch them). Also, the last Japanese remake that I watched where the original actors (Fort and Peat) were involved – I just did not feel that the Japanese counterpart to Fort's Prapai was good. So, I was apprehensive about watching this series. But one day, I just decided to give it a go, and I am actually glad that I did.
The Japanese counterpart to the characters (Kashin and Ai) of the original Thai series (Mahasmut and Tongrak) was actually well done. I felt that the Japanese handled some of the sexual scenes better compared to the Thai version. They were able to carry me through the emotions that the original actors did, and yet I was still able to enjoy this series as if it was the first time that I was seeing this story unfold (I mean, this series had me crying in a part that I knew was coming up in the last episode – that's just to show you how well these actors played these roles of these two characters). Yes, they also did have some weak parts compared to the Thai version, I will admit, but still, I felt like I enjoyed this version more.
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It's not bad
Yeah.. this was better than the original.In terms of story atleast which seems like an outright outlandish claim, but hear me out.
The basic plot was exactly the same
Beach - NC scenes - City - Unnecessary drama.. and what would come here would be "rushed ending to the actual emotional core of the story". But here, as a pleasant surprise, it didn't feel quite so rushed.
I'm going to say that's because they managed to get a concise plot from the mess that was actually Love Sea.
This version was much better balanced, five episodes in an island setting and the rest in the city - and while I still carry the complaint that an abrupt tone and genre shift will bog things down, the reduced filler scenes actually helped make a more continuous plot. Again, it's the exact same story, just executed better.
The chemistry was not bad either - not better than Fort Peat though (their chemistry was pretty much the sole thing that saved Love Sea for me), but not bad I guess.
Even the side couple was much more palatable in this version, a lot of unnecessary scenes and characters were cut out or had reduced screentime.
Add to that the only constant in all possible version - beautiful beach and ocean cinematography, always a win in my book.
So yes story, okay chemistry, not a bad production after all.
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Easy on the Eyes
It’s honestly impossible not to compare this with the Thai version—especially since this is a retake of that exact series. And I’ve got to say, I actually enjoyed this version a lot more. While it stuck pretty closely to the original storyline, the pacing here felt way smoother and more refined. It didn’t drag or feel rushed; everything just flowed better, which made it easier to stay engaged. Now, let’s talk about the actor who played Kaishin. He was an absolute treat to watch—seriously, a sight for sore eyes. He brought such a natural charm and presence to the role that it felt like it was written just for him. Granted, the excitement factor wasn’t all the way up there for me, mostly because I already knew how the story would unfold. So yeah, no major surprises. But even with that familiarity, I still found myself interested and invested. It had its own flavor. Overall, I’d give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.Was this review helpful to you?
Can't buy me out of love...
This is a story about the guy who was afraid to love and the other guy who fell so hard he even got a fake tattoo.To be compleatly honest I don´t really get why the guy who got hte fake tatoo fell for the guy who was afraid to love? there is not much of a process there unless you count being payed to pinn a guy upp against a wall...
There is a lot kissing, more or less partial nudity and steam during the first few episodes, so much I had to turn off the volume , bu thten again the guy who is afraid to love sounds pretty much the sam when he is enyoing himself as he does when he is having an anxiety attack. So if you do watch this and have kids or parents who are still awake in your homeyou may want to turn off the sound or wait until you are alone.
there is not much plot, and I don´t really like the pale male lead who is afraid to love, his acting feels off nat there really is not much to him.
The other characters are fun, I could use more screen time or a spin off for the lesbian couple...
All in all an Ok watch but nothing wow.
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At first, I struggled to get into the story, mostly because Nishime reminded me way too much of Peat (probably just my delulu brain making connections that aren’t there 😂 ). Peat has these super cute expressions and mannerisms that are kind of his signature, and I felt like Nishime was trying to mimic that, but it didn’t really land for me. But when it got emotional, he truly shined as Ai.
The chemistry between Kunigami and Nishime felt so natural and genuine. It made every scene between them hit just right. On the other hand, the GL couple was a letdown. Fumi’s over-the-top innocence got on my nerves a bit.
Still, I really enjoyed how the story unfolded overall. I’m a sucker for the “opposites attract” trope, and Kaishin breaking through Ai’s emotional walls was beautiful to watch. Despite their differences, they found a home in each other’s hearts and that always gets me.
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.
It is quite good for the Japanese adaptation. I have a deep appreciation for the original, which makes it difficult not to draw comparisons. Nonetheless, they did an impressive job with this version.You can find more of my reviews on Instagram. :D See my homepage about my Instagram account. Some of my reviews are under five hundred words so I can't post them here. (*^▽^)/★*☆♪(*^-゜)vThanks!
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a heartwarming REMAKE (mostly done right)
The series was an approach to reenact the Thai version where it absolutely succeeded. The actors did an amazing job playing the roles and were without force likable. The best thing is that there was no moment in the show that i wanted to skip and the NC or kiss scenes appeared natural. A bit disappointed that the GL part was kept brief with an almost open end.Was this review helpful to you?
Great remake!
After the Japanese remake of Love in the air, i was quite afraid this remake would be just as dissapointing. But oh!, they did not dissapoint! This was done so great, maybe even beter than the original?The music and visuals were beautiful.
The acting was great, the chmistry very good and amazing kisses and bed scenés.
One thing i didn't like was the second couple, there was no chemistry and the acting felt emotionless.
But definatly a series to watch, you won't be dissapointed.
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Better than I thought
I watched the Thai version and I can't for the life of me remember anything about it, so I checked what I have commented a year ago, and I found out that I liked the two leads and their love, loved the niece, and the drama in general but hated the story, everyone else and totally skipped the second leads relationship.I have to admit my review of the Japanese version is the same but with some enhancement.
I loved the cast, the two leads were spectacular, their chemistry their intimate scenes, their love is so natural and comfortable to watch, cinematography was nice too, the focus on the environment and scenery was balanced and nice, the story didn't drag as much as the Thai version which made it top the original, side characters also were ok-ish, I still skipped their relationship but watched the two females in the rest of the scenes.
I have to highlight one thing I found amazing about this drama, the romance here is superb!! I haven't seen any other JBL that shows this much eroticism and intimacy with such grace, mostly JBLs that has erotic explicit scenes are usually related to violence, trauma, and darkness or psychological problems... İt's really rare to find a light fluffy intimacy that shows raw sex like that for that long on screen, usually if they exist they tent to be cut short, the last time I saw a nice sex scene I believe was in "the journey to killing you" -not sure the title is accurate - but it was about Yakuza, so as I said, this here is the first to show normal explicit sex that isn't awkward nor violent.
All in all it's an upgrade from the original as it fixes some of the original work's flaws...
İf I have to choose, I'd suggest this version with the two special episodes for Extra happy end.
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