RL

Thanks indeed for your positive comments on this totally enjoyable drama.

Almost right at the beginning of episode 1 when Junichi and Makiko run into the forest by themselves, Junichi asked if you have ever been kissed before, then a failed kiss and gun shots, and the 2 runaway hand in hand scared. It is a perfect mirror reflection of the ending scene except with different emotions and real kiss. It is a fulfilment of the drama design from beginningto end.
Watching a drama, if with any romance, always hoping for at least a hopeful future for the 2 main leads, with all obstacles removed. Agree it is an emotion escape from realism, purely for enjoyment. So not interested in being judgemental, unless on clearly villains, rapist or paedophile.

The acting highlight of Inoue Mao in ep9 no doubt is the moment when Nara told her the gun did prove Junichi didn't kill anyone 23 years ago, that her expression of relief and joy, almost to tear, that her self sacrifice is not in vain, just so moving and amazing.
I might add here there are many kdramas with going back to first love storyline. Two good examples The Spies Who Love Me (first and current husband), and Discovery of Love (Romance) which the current love also a nice guy and all friends are against the fl going back to her1st love. But the fl openly admitted she is a 2 timers, but love is love. Both separated from the 1st love not because of cheating, just misunderstanding etc. So common in dramas. And one more example the great Hospital Playlist with similar settings but different timing. 5 friends with 4 males and the fl who has an unfilled first love with the ml at university. Worked together again 21 years later and ml with a young son divorced his wife, fl broke up with her bf and she treated the young son of the ml like her own. So all set for fulfilment of their 1st love story at the end.

I really want to ask many unsatisfied fans here a question:
Is it better to be honest about where one's heart now belong to so both can move on, or hide it and drag on the relationship just on surface only, until it explodes in future? Remember the drama setup the gf of Junichi only 25 years old (still very young to find someone really love her) , and their relationship cold from the very beginning of the drama. And they are not married nor will marry in future. And starting ep 6 everytime Makiko called Junichi always gone to her. Writing is on the wall.

You might recall my comment after ep 6 that the 'near' kiss between the 2 leads might be realized after all obstacles cleared. So I got my happy ending (avoiding SLS the key)

It has to be the best drama I ever watched. It is totally clear from the outline of the drama it is a 23 years long story about the 4 friends, the murder mysteries, and the first love story of the 2 leads (which seems many don't want to know and focused on someone else won't help). Very clear fate kept the 2 1st loves apart, but destiny finally brought them together. First time heart was racing watching the last 10 minutes, so satisfying. This is indeed the credit of the award winning novel. All parts of the story tied up so well. And amazing actings.

I am quite surprised so many viewers negative about this top notched series. Seems complex characters are not everyone's cup of tea. Or SLS still a norm in dramas which usually resulted in dissatisfaction.

Everything is personal no question. But the most well known classic by Tolstoy 'Anna Karenina' might have one the most unliked character too.
Some said the 3 boys if without the girl would have much better frienship and I couldn't agree more. I was also in a co-ed school never seen boys group ever have a girl in it (how caould we talk about girls, even young female teachers). But from other angle Makiko would have a much better life if not in that 3 boys group! But there would be no book no drama.

Note the current law in Japan:
'Killing in self-defense is legal in Japan under strict conditions defined by Article 36 of the Penal Code, which requires the action to be an immediate, necessary, and proportionate response to unlawful aggression. While permitted, Japanese law sets a very high threshold for justification, and excessive force can lead to criminal charges.
クラヴマガグローバル・ジャパン
クラヴマガグローバル・ジャパン
+3'
Remember the gun was brought in by Naoto trying to kill his brother but the gun was taken away by his brother.

Episode 4 is a joy and exciting

You are one who understand!!! One boy who she think would marry her left her all of a sudden. One boy who she tried to learn maths from has a brother that xxx. One boy who she married divorced her. All 3 brought her heart break. Most will be bitter towards everyone, everything. But she still tried to be cheerful towards everyone. This drama seems to be a story about her.

I fully agreed with you no doubt, to the extend I have been totally attracted to the screen every ime this middle aged pair are together. But how many kdramas daring enough to go all the way! So I am only praising this is an exceptional drama with love no boundary as per title. Mind you there are only 2 couples left so far intact. Whats going to happen next?

Yes, it is a rare 'affair' that is so satisfying. But this drama is genius in casting 2 very conservative middle aged characters, with Dong Suk an old fashion decent housewife type, that make their going all the way so unbelievable. Might be at end of the drama there will be many babies with cross blood of these 2 enemy families!

You are correct with jdramas seldem have happy ending, at the best bitersweet one. Yet Makiko actually never did anything wrong, just suffering after suffering and now even her son would suffer if she is in jail. Nara in fact is the only one understands her, not the boys. And Nara also giving a helping hand to Junichi. So she might, just might give a helping hand to this pair of 1st love. Just wishful thinking.
By the way Naoto's brother totally deserved to die,no if or but. I think it is time to give this couragious Makiko a bravo, whether one has been critical of her in the past or not.

I wasn't referring to the kiss scene of the 2 main leads, rather the bed scene of Dae Han and Dong Suk in the preview of ep 13. They both officially not yet divorced with their cheating spouse yet. This would be beyond believe if the preview is not misleading!!!

Twists and turns every minutes. Great mix of mysterious and bit of romance in the background. Only problem is the long wait for next episode. Any chance of more than one episode to be released next?

Another great episode. Fast moving no boring moment for a 9 episodes 45 minutes each drama. Great story as well and it is definitely a great drama.
At the end it was Junichi's unnecessary covered up 23 years ago that resulted in all the pains on Makiko in the following years. The storyline of Makiko delaying her confession until triggered by Nara's information is just to demonstrate Makiko's love for Junichi, and for him to realise that now.
And by now, character of the 4 friends are clear. Makiko had a dark past, not a dark character but actually a bright one. So the drama not really a dark one irrespective of the ending next episode.

Naoto covered up and sacrificed for Makiko for her killing. And Makiko sacrificed herself for Junichi bringing the gun to confess to try to prove Junichi not guilty 23 years ago. And Nara made sure everyone is awared of that at the end f ep 8. Love all depending on who her heart actually with, not depending on the men.

This has to be the most love no limit, no boundary, everything goes, kdrama ever watched. And it is supposed to be a family drama! Only the 12 episode!

Thanks. Now all revised to total 9 episodes so final next week