1
1
Charming Start but Slows Down
The first few episodes were really enjoyable. I especially loved the height difference between the two male leads, and the light plot made it easy to watch. However, there was not much chemistry between them, which left me wanting more. The show mainly focuses on Tojo-san as a 40-year-old man trying to tick off life goals, which worked well in the beginning.
But is it just me, or is this show going downhill? The early episodes were fun, and I honestly thought we would see Suzume and Keishi working through a list of things together before he turns 40, just like the title suggests. Sadly, that idea never really happened. Even up to the finale, and still there is little to no chemistry between the leads.
Instead of focusing on their bond, we got random distractions: first a work colleague drama, and now Suzume suddenly babysitting three kids who appeared out of nowhere.
My favourite scene was in episode 9 -
I know many people are angry with Keishi for saying, “Even if I was gay, it wouldn’t be with Tojo-san,” but my heart honestly aches for him. Those words were cruel, but I cannot forget the situation he was in. He was cornered, forced to respond in an instant, and out of fear he chose to protect himself the only way he knew how. It was not right, but it was very human.
Maybe he was also trying to protect Tojo-san in that moment. What if Tojo-san himself was not ready to come out? They never even discussed it, and they are not officially a couple yet. Saying something quickly, even if harsh, might have felt like the safest choice in that situation for both of them.
In Asian culture, especially with strong family values and generational expectations, being in a same sex relationship comes with enormous pressure. It is not as simple as just being honest, like it might be in some Western cultures. Keishi is so young, ten years younger than Tojo-san, still trying to find his place in the world. His fear of rejection and shame is understandable, even if the way he handled it caused pain.
The fact that he later called to apologize, and the way he visited Tojo-san when he was sick and cared for him, shows that his feelings are real. If this is not love, then what is.
I feel deeply sorry for both Keishi and Tojo-san. What happened between them is heartbreaking, but it is also painfully real. Many people in real life go through the same struggle, torn between love and fear, truth and survival. All we can do is hope that together they find the strength to face it, because their love deserves that chance.
That scene was only a couple of minutes, but it was so powerful that I wrote a poem to describe it. Hope you enjoy :)
“Even if I was gay
it would not be with Tojo-san.”
Cruel on the surface
yet my heart aches for him.
In that fleeting moment
he was cornered
his voice trembling
choosing fear as a shield
choosing survival instead of truth.
Not right
but so very human.
Perhaps it was not only himself he guarded.
Perhaps he was protecting Tojo-san too.
What if Tojo-san was not ready
what if silence was safer
when they had never even spoken of love
never yet named themselves as a couple.
In a culture heavy with tradition
with parents and generations pressing close
love between men is no easy path.
Not as open as in the West
but bound by duty and silence.
Keishi is still so young
ten years Tojo-san’s junior
carrying shame, fear, and longing
all at once.
And still he came back.
He called to say he was sorry.
He stood by Tojo-san’s side when sickness came
tending to him with gentle hands.
If this is not love
tell me, what is.
I ache for them both.
Their story is tender and cruel
a mirror of real lives
where love and fear wrestle
truth and survival collide.
May they find the strength to face it together
because their love
fragile yet burning
deserves its chance to shine.
Overall, I rate it 8/10. It has charm, a light and easy start, but the lack of consistency and emotional build-up holds it back from being truly great.
But is it just me, or is this show going downhill? The early episodes were fun, and I honestly thought we would see Suzume and Keishi working through a list of things together before he turns 40, just like the title suggests. Sadly, that idea never really happened. Even up to the finale, and still there is little to no chemistry between the leads.
Instead of focusing on their bond, we got random distractions: first a work colleague drama, and now Suzume suddenly babysitting three kids who appeared out of nowhere.
My favourite scene was in episode 9 -
I know many people are angry with Keishi for saying, “Even if I was gay, it wouldn’t be with Tojo-san,” but my heart honestly aches for him. Those words were cruel, but I cannot forget the situation he was in. He was cornered, forced to respond in an instant, and out of fear he chose to protect himself the only way he knew how. It was not right, but it was very human.
Maybe he was also trying to protect Tojo-san in that moment. What if Tojo-san himself was not ready to come out? They never even discussed it, and they are not officially a couple yet. Saying something quickly, even if harsh, might have felt like the safest choice in that situation for both of them.
In Asian culture, especially with strong family values and generational expectations, being in a same sex relationship comes with enormous pressure. It is not as simple as just being honest, like it might be in some Western cultures. Keishi is so young, ten years younger than Tojo-san, still trying to find his place in the world. His fear of rejection and shame is understandable, even if the way he handled it caused pain.
The fact that he later called to apologize, and the way he visited Tojo-san when he was sick and cared for him, shows that his feelings are real. If this is not love, then what is.
I feel deeply sorry for both Keishi and Tojo-san. What happened between them is heartbreaking, but it is also painfully real. Many people in real life go through the same struggle, torn between love and fear, truth and survival. All we can do is hope that together they find the strength to face it, because their love deserves that chance.
That scene was only a couple of minutes, but it was so powerful that I wrote a poem to describe it. Hope you enjoy :)
“Even if I was gay
it would not be with Tojo-san.”
Cruel on the surface
yet my heart aches for him.
In that fleeting moment
he was cornered
his voice trembling
choosing fear as a shield
choosing survival instead of truth.
Not right
but so very human.
Perhaps it was not only himself he guarded.
Perhaps he was protecting Tojo-san too.
What if Tojo-san was not ready
what if silence was safer
when they had never even spoken of love
never yet named themselves as a couple.
In a culture heavy with tradition
with parents and generations pressing close
love between men is no easy path.
Not as open as in the West
but bound by duty and silence.
Keishi is still so young
ten years Tojo-san’s junior
carrying shame, fear, and longing
all at once.
And still he came back.
He called to say he was sorry.
He stood by Tojo-san’s side when sickness came
tending to him with gentle hands.
If this is not love
tell me, what is.
I ache for them both.
Their story is tender and cruel
a mirror of real lives
where love and fear wrestle
truth and survival collide.
May they find the strength to face it together
because their love
fragile yet burning
deserves its chance to shine.
Overall, I rate it 8/10. It has charm, a light and easy start, but the lack of consistency and emotional build-up holds it back from being truly great.
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