This review may contain spoilers
A Nostalgic, Thought-Provoking Slice of Life
This show had been sitting on my watchlist for a long time, and I’m so glad I finally gave it a chance. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the concept of repeating life over and over again. While it’s technically a comedy-drama, Brush Up Life truly feels like a slice-of-life series — subtle, reflective, and quietly emotional.
Watching this made me wonder: What would I do if I had the chance to live my life all over again? What would change, and what would stay the same? It gave me this deep sense of appreciation for the present moment — a reminder that, in reality, we only have one shot at life, so we should make the most of it.
What I Loved:
1. The Nostalgia Hit Hard:
If you grew up watching Japanese dramas in the late '90s to early 2000s, this series is a goldmine of references. It felt like a warm hug from the past.
• "Konayuki" – If you know, you know. Every time the classmates sang it at karaoke, I couldn't help but sing along.
• Orange Range – Hearing their music again brought back so many memories.
• Several of my favorite actors and actresses made cameos or were mentioned, and I honestly felt like a fangirl all over again seeing them on screen.
2. The Other “Reincarnators”:
One of the best parts of the show was learning about other characters who were also going through repeated lives. One of them relived the same life countless times while working at a government office. Another had a single, laser-focused goal she carried with her through every life.
But the storyline I loved the most was the last one of Kondo Asami’s. As she said, she wasn’t doing it to rack up points for the next life — she simply learned to enjoy the last one. That message hit me the hardest: sometimes, it’s not about chasing achievements or fixing everything. As hard as it is, sometimes we just need to remember – we should just enjoy life as we can.
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Final Thoughts:
Brush Up Life is a quiet, heartfelt exploration of life, regret, growth, and the little things that truly matter. It made me laugh, reflect, and even tear up a little. If you're into stories that make you think about your own journey — while hitting you with a wave of nostalgia — this is one drama you shouldn’t miss.
8.5/10
Watching this made me wonder: What would I do if I had the chance to live my life all over again? What would change, and what would stay the same? It gave me this deep sense of appreciation for the present moment — a reminder that, in reality, we only have one shot at life, so we should make the most of it.
What I Loved:
1. The Nostalgia Hit Hard:
If you grew up watching Japanese dramas in the late '90s to early 2000s, this series is a goldmine of references. It felt like a warm hug from the past.
• "Konayuki" – If you know, you know. Every time the classmates sang it at karaoke, I couldn't help but sing along.
• Orange Range – Hearing their music again brought back so many memories.
• Several of my favorite actors and actresses made cameos or were mentioned, and I honestly felt like a fangirl all over again seeing them on screen.
2. The Other “Reincarnators”:
One of the best parts of the show was learning about other characters who were also going through repeated lives. One of them relived the same life countless times while working at a government office. Another had a single, laser-focused goal she carried with her through every life.
But the storyline I loved the most was the last one of Kondo Asami’s. As she said, she wasn’t doing it to rack up points for the next life — she simply learned to enjoy the last one. That message hit me the hardest: sometimes, it’s not about chasing achievements or fixing everything. As hard as it is, sometimes we just need to remember – we should just enjoy life as we can.
________________________________________
Final Thoughts:
Brush Up Life is a quiet, heartfelt exploration of life, regret, growth, and the little things that truly matter. It made me laugh, reflect, and even tear up a little. If you're into stories that make you think about your own journey — while hitting you with a wave of nostalgia — this is one drama you shouldn’t miss.
8.5/10
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