Sunshine17130522

When you lose yourself along the way and instead focus on growing up and trying to live the dream you thought you need. Often time we forget about our pure and childish self. The things we were so passionate about and loved as young adults. The responsibility and the standard of this world tears us down and we slowly let go of ourselves. This is what this movie was about to me.

Ni ni plays two characters, the 28 and 17 years of herself. She was ready to marry her longtime boyfriend who promised her forever, but slowly ten years passed, and they had not reached that stage. She dreamt of being his wife and doing things a housewife should. Instead, he proposed a breakup. Like any other girl, she eats to forget about the pain. She orders these chocolates that were supposed to help her but instead, these magic chocolates transfer her back to 17 years old. Both of them go through ups and downs with each other. They fought and bickered. They had ongoing issues with their relationships - the 28-year-old with her current boyfriend and the 17-year-old and her new beau. But through it all, they eventually learn to accept one another. It will always be a fight to find that balance, a struggle but I hope we never forget that moment when we shine our best and learn to accept and love ourselves from that point on.

These were some of my favorite quotes specifically from the scene when she was going to lose her 17-year-old self. I couldn’t stop crying during this scene:

“It was you who changed me”

“Don’t be afraid, I will never let you go again”

“I admire your purity and bravery. You know it was you that gave me back the beauty in me that was lost”

“Big Liang, this life is yours to live. I’ll never be far away, just listen to the small voice within your heart.”

Read More

This was a very cute short series. The way how this story was told and how the directing of this story went reminds of me a short web series. The details that went into this short series were amazing. This series is basically about FL looking for her sister but was tricked by the prime minister's daughter. She wakes up with her face the next day and is wedded to a powerful general. She later realizes this is the general she had been crushing on the entire time. Even though her face may have changed, her personality and body are still the same. ML later realized his wife was the familiar stranger he had encountered before. I didn't expect much with the cast but it was surprisingly cute and fun to watch. I only wish the side stories for the side character, particularly the sister was a bit longer.

I look forward to seeing more short series like these. Cheesy but cute and fun!

Read More

Disappointed

Doom at your Service

This was one of the series, I looked forward to but I was left utterly disappointed.

What I like:
The OST. Probably the first song that I kept listening on to repeat was Ailee's Breaking Down. The other tracks are just as good but I think this one stood out the most to me.

The second leading couple, Cha Joo Ik in particular. I never saw any of his work but I have heard a lot about him. I actually was surprised that I really enjoy the character he played here. He was a rather serious, straightforward guy who tells his feelings honestly. A lot of his lines caught my heart to flutter and chuckled. I also couldn’t stop staring at all the choices of clothes he had. Love them all!

The chemistry and playfulness between the leading couple. I think the behind the scene interview spoiled the chemistry as a couple on screen for me. I thought they were really cute, they look like they often were teasing and making fun of each other which I really like.

Seo In Guk, I haven’t seen any of his recent work but I think his acting has gotten better.

What I didn’t like:

I felt like a lot of the decisions that were made were just thrown in to make it more interesting. For example, the choice for her to forget everything that happened between the two of them and live her life as best as she can while she gets treatment….umm why did we throw that in there??? Just to get another episode??? I felt like it was a waste. There was more but I think this part probably disturb me the most.

Final thoughts:

I really want to like this series but there were many flaws such as how the story unfolds, often it felt like the plot and obstacles were quickly thrown together which I find it hard to watch. I felt like it was the typical drama to get you excited, fall in love with the couple, probably shed a few tears, and ask yourself why the heck am I crying and then try to remember why was this scene in here in the first place? I felt like it start out really nice until the writers couldn’t other obstacles to throw in their way that they randomly added their own plots. I just had a hard time following some of it. This is why sadly my rating isn’t as high as I like it to be.

Re-watch value: 2/10
I really want to see the two leading couple acting together again but I know I won’t rewatch this anytime soon.

Read More

It's been a while since I watched a lakorn. The most recent one I finished as Love Destiny. I enjoyed it so much that I was looking for my next lakorn. A friend recommended this series, so far I’m halfway and I’m not sure what I feel about it. For sure it is not the next Love Destiny.

What I like about it:
Lately, I’ve been fascinated by the history of past love. So it was intriguing to see the setting of this in a small town by the Mekong river (correct me if I’m wrong).

The opening theme, I heard of the song prior to watching the series but watching and hearing it play throughout the series just made me appreciate the music even more.

What I didn’t like about it:

Everyone wants to kill FL and find ways to hurt her. I think every episode there was at least someone new that wanted to hurt her or something new that can kill her.

You had to be patient and watch it through to understand what happened in past. I didn’t like that we didn’t get more sneak peeks even when we were halfway through the series. It was hard to fully understand the depth of their love at this point.

The ML was asleep almost all the time when crazy events happened at night. For example, mom was going to get the sword that can hurt her FL and they end up chasing her and throwing her body over the cliff. He woke up the next day to look for her.

When lady nakee asks who would ML love and he answers he loves FL but yet it was because Nakee that he is in love with her….hmm..I don’t think follow this reasoning.

We’re just a few episodes away from finishing. And I was expecting a tear-jerker but I still have yet to shed a tear. Yes, I’m upset at what they are doing to FL and I think that typically in lakorn but it is not enough to justify me to cry about it. I am disappointed, I was expecting a bit more. I guess it was one of those where the love didn’t build up like how Love Destiny was therefore, I have a hard time watching this.

Edit: painfully I did finish this series. It is one of those you have to watch to the end to understand the history of what happened. I wish someone could tell me, ML and FL fell in love in a previous life. She had a child and the humans end up killing her, causing her to go crazy and attacked the humans. In order for her to be with her love one, she has a trial/waiting period of 1000 years before she can become human. This brings us to the present. Very typically a star-cross lover story. The end was satisfying, finally, all the bad guys died after all that they did to her, especially her child. I know there is a part two and I know it is not on my “to watchlist”. Only recommend it if you enjoy the cast, the storyline was painful for me.

Read More

This is not what I expected, I thought this was a series that I might watch while I was doing other things. In other words, a boring series. But I was wrong! I end up finishing up this series within a day or two.

What I like about the series:

The fluff, this was the cutest light romance I’ve seen in a while. It was a bit awkward with how quickly the ML fell for the FL but I think that is where the story gets interesting. I love how it creates the storyline of ML chasing after the FL, lots of charming, teasing, and great kissing scenes with fluttering hearts.

The cast and character. Xiao Tian does a great job on his character here. I’ve seen him in a lot of support roles and I’m glad to see him doing a main role and damn well good job at it! This is my first drama of Xing Fei and I like her character. She is not like most annoying, trying to act cute and innocent FL. She is a hardworking lawyer who trying to do a great job at being a lawyer.

Did I mention the chemistry between the leads?!? I also love that they had this mature understanding of each other. I often thought a lot about when the natural disaster happened, and they were separated for a while. Just the thought of missing each other and just lingering feeling of wanting to see each other.

The bad:

I didn’t like the second lead, which is funny because usually I adore the main cast or the second lead. Occasionally even both but this time it was the opposite. I just found their characters to be SUPER annoying mainly because they felt like this young bickering couple. For an old man, he was very annoying...handsome annoying old man

Re-watch value: I definitely can see myself watching this again!

Read More

The Confusing Myth

It's been a while since I’ve been so intrigued by a k-drama, especially one that stars Park Shin Hye. She does a lot of popular series, but I feel like there are some parts where she doesn’t show her full potential therefore, I pass on a lot of her drama. Surprisingly, this is one of the series that I think she did an awesome job on her role!! I like her as a badass strong female lead rather than a timid typical teenage girl in love. I would like to see her do more action roles.

What I like about the series:

The way how this was directed, written, and how it was edit was brilliant. It kept me watching from beginning to end. I typically skip “thriller/mystery” Korean series because they don’t give me the same excitement. To want to see this series to the end was kind of a shock to me.

The characters. Most typical Korean series has this tough acting man who can solve all problems with his fist, his looks, or his money. Han Tae Sul solved everything with his brains and well his money. I like to say he doesn’t have the typical eye candy that most Korean leads have but that is not a bad thing. He is super charming, and I adore his character! Plus, Park Shin Hye is a sassy female lead who knows she can win a (gun) fight with anyone.


The bad:
I still haven’t figure out what with the ending. The ending between the leads felt like a dream. Also, you get this glimpse of Sigma who is a better person but yet he still has a bit of crazy and plans to go after Han Tae Sul as a stalker??

One of the things that K-drama does well is dragging on plots causing confusion, cliffhangers, and excitements to get your peak interest. In Sisyphus, I was close to saying "forget about this" and read the recaps. This was a point in the series, you felt you were just being drag along and you still don’t have a clue about why this all started that it was starting to be upsetting but you kept watching. I’m glad I did because it was a change of pace and it was something that you just have to be patient about. Personally, I would have preferred a little snippet of the “why”.

Again this is personal preference but I don’t think there was a lot that leads to the romance of the lead characters. I know when you’re put into a situation where you’re fighting to survive and you only have each other to depend on, romance can develop but I was expecting a bit more than just that.

Overall I say 8/10 because of the excitement I got from watching a k-drama in a while.

Read More

Dragging suspense

Personally, one thing about kdrama they do right is they want us to keep guessing, but there is also a downside to that because how long do you drag on the suspense to make the audiences want more? I am so glad I watched this with friends because I would have never finished it. I stayed because of the amazing cast, I love their acting and their characters but the way how the story unfolded, the dragging suspense, and adding unnecessary problems one after another was a typical kdrama move that I absolutely find dull and boring. Nothing made sense and some of the issues just didn't seem real enough to convince me.

I recommend it for the cast and if this is your type of suspense but forget about it if you're there for the storyline.

Read More

The next thing to watch!

After finishing Shine on Me, I was desperate for my next modern romance fix. Since this drama aired right after Shine on Me ended, it felt like the easiest transition—and I’m so glad I jumped in. I was immediately intrigued by the Republic of China–era setting and the premise of an ex-fiancé abandoning the female lead on her engagement day, so I didn’t hesitate to start this series.

I won’t go into the plot summary since MDL already does a great job without heavy spoilers. That said, I genuinely think everyone should give this drama a chance—especially if you’re feeling the same post-Shine on Me withdrawal that I am.

What I’m loving so far:

The Republic era being part of a game is such an interesting setup, and it’s also where the two leads first meet. I love how tenacious the female lead is—after losing the first time, she dives back into the game determined to win against the male lead. That moment was when I knew I was hooked. I’ve always adored Lu Yu Xiao and her choice of roles, and this one is no exception.
The strong supporting cast is another major highlight, especially seeing so many familiar faces. The last time I watched Dai Xu was in The Legend, which feels like ages ago, so I was excited to see him here. Wang Run Ze was another pleasant surprise—I remember loving him as the second male lead in A Little Thing Called First Love. I also didn’t expect Ren You Lun to show up as the best friend’s husband, and I really enjoyed seeing him in such a warm, supportive role since I’m used to his tougher, colder characters. Of course, the two main leads are the reason I started this drama, but the supporting cast has been just as enjoyable to watch.

The pacing of the story and the undeniable chemistry between the leads really work for me. I love the subtle push and pull in their relationship, and how quietly yet meaningfully they help each other confront their weaknesses and past trauma. It’s understated, but that’s exactly why it feels so genuine.

Much like Shine on Me, this has quickly become a drama I look forward to watching every morning—and I can already tell it’s going to be hard to let go when it ends. Currently, this is going for a strong 9/10 for me!

UPDATE review 2/23/25

I finally found the time to wrap up my review for Love Between the Lines. I had so many thoughts jotted down and so many things I loved, but in the end, I’m just summarizing the top things I loved and what I wish had been different.

From the beginning, we knew there was foreshadowing about the ML’s hidden past. I just wasn’t expecting it to be such a major event that would take up most of the second half of the series. Because of that, I had to find something else to adore. I’m probably in the minority here, but second lead Dai Xu really kept me going. Every time he had screen time, I fangirled a bit, made heart eyes, and kept watching the series hoping he’d get more scenes.

I was also told that he and the FL actually dated in the novel. I tried reading it so I could compare it to the drama — the way I did with Shine on Me — but the first chapter was packed with so much detail that I struggled to keep up. I’ll have to go back and find that important kiss scene when I have a bit more time.

Love Between the Lines started as something fun and a fix for my need for a modern romance drama. I was excited about the cast, especially the game where they kept meeting. I felt it was such an important part of the series — it was where they met, where they fell in love, where they kissed, and where she tried to kick his butt because she was angry at him. That was probably the biggest reason I kept watching (besides Dai Xu).

I’m giving this a slightly lower rating, mainly because I didn’t love the direction it took. I was hoping for another fluffy romance series, and this just wasn’t it for me.

7.5/10

Read More

This was a project I had been waiting for from Yang Yang. I kind of missed seeing him over the last few years and was wondering why he hadn’t come out with anything new. I read somewhere that he felt like no one missed him, so he wasn’t active. Honestly, thanks to Yang Yang, I was reintroduced to C-dramas—and I’ve been in love ever since.

I was super excited when I saw the trailer for Immortal Ascension and found out it was airing this year. I thought I’d have time to watch the series, but sadly, that hasn't been the case. I'm going to share what I love about it first, and then explain why I’m putting it on hold for now.

First off, I love that he’s trying a new kind of role. I’m so used to seeing him as the powerful character who always wins. In this series, it’s the exact opposite—he uses all the tricks he knows just to survive. He suffers a lot and overcomes many challenges to get to where he is, and it’s refreshing to see that kind of growth.

I had to look up who directed this series because from episode one, I couldn’t help but think of Ever Night. Turns out the familiar scenery and storyline weren’t a coincidence—this was directed by the same person. No wonder the landscape and overall feel seemed so familiar.

So far, the series is moving at a slower pace than I expected. I know the story is far from over, but I was anticipating a different direction and pacing. Because of that, I’ve decided to put it on hold. This has nothing to do with Yang Yang’s amazing performance—I just wish I had read the synopsis beforehand. This is a cultivation-based xianxia drama, and I usually find those hard to binge-watch because of all the intricate details.

I’m putting this on hold, but I hope to come back to it one day.

Rating: 7/10

Read More

Can't wait for the new episodes!

It’s funny— I started 2025 watching Neo’s Fangs of Fortune, and it feels really fitting that I’m ending the year with another one of his series, The Unclouded Soul. I’m only 16 episodes in so far, and here’s what I’m loving:

The cast, especially Seven and Neo as the leads. I’ve always admired Seven’s work and completely fell in love with her in Go Ahead. She consistently has great chemistry with her male leads, which is why I enjoy following her projects. I’m also not surprised to see Neo playing another Demon King—he fits these roles incredibly well. At this point, he might just be the king of playing Demon Kings.

One thing I really love about iQIYI dramas is their consistent CG style. The cinematography and color palette are absolutely beautiful.

The story hooks you right away—a flashback to an unforgettable love story between the leads, paired with a puzzling moment from the past that leaves you questioning what really happened and what was left unresolved. So far, I’m enjoying the pacing and where the story seems to be heading. Maybe it’s the cast, or maybe it’s how lighthearted the drama feels. After watching so many intense historical dramas filled with heavy politics and intricate details, this was a refreshing change of pace for me.

I also love how this drama reminds me of classic wuxia. It gives me vibes similar to Ashes of Love, Fangs of Fortune, Love Between Fairy and Devil, and Back from the Brink.

This is one series I cannot wait for the new release!! I hope this continues till the end! Currently this is a 8/10 for me!

Read More

I stayed up all night and woke up early anticipating the final release of the last episode, only to find that Netflix didn’t put it on right away. I probably wait till like midafternoon before I can finish it. I still have lingering thoughts of the what-ifs. There were a lot of sexual tensions to begin with but I enjoyed watching the cliché ending.

The Good:
I think this series did a pretty good job of portraying friends of benefits and the thin line of falling in love with them. I am probably one of the very few that was rooting for the bad-boy-falls-in-love-with-good-girl-leading-couple. Yes, I understand it was a toxic relationship with Jae Eon. He made our heart race, his intimate touches, he kept drawing the line but “nevertheless” Na Bi was still attracted to him. I have many theories as to why Jae Eon loves Na Bi, one being she called butterfly. We know where his obsession lies with it but as the series goes on you can’t help but think “cliché but oh dear, he is really falling for her”. Again, wondering theories and debates for another time.

I love this intimacy between them and I’m not talking about what they did every night. Their lingering looks and this burning passion they couldn’t hide were shown through a lot of non-gesture and both actor and actress brought it out very well. There was a lot of heart racing and exciting push-and-pull.

I also like how the writers incorporate Na Bi’s art as a reflection of what she felt during the emotional roller coaster ride. She did well on her projects when she got along with Jae Eon. But when her sculpture was smashed into pieces, it was like her world also shattered as she tried to end her feelings for him.

The cast, I didn’t know what to think with the innocent-looking Song Kang to begin with. I kept wondering how he was going to pull this “bad boy” character but he did it! It is different from what I usually am used to, but I like it! I also look forward to seeing more projects from Yang Hye Ji, Lee Ho Jung and Kim Min Gwi!

One of my favorite things to watch is character development. In this series, there were a lot of character developments between the leading couple and the side characters. I like how Na Bi narrated most of the series in the beginning and towards the end, Jae Eon started voicing his thoughts.

The Bad:
I had to skip some parts of the side characters, I felt like some of them were cliché and a lot of parts were cut out from Bit Na and Kyu Hyun. I didn’t realize the scandal with this until my sister told me. I was rooting and hoping to see more character development with Bit Na and Kyu Hyun. I think they were an adorable couple.

Personally, I was very bothered by that fake butterfly tattoo that looks like a stick on.

There were parts in the series where I had questions that were unanswered and probably will never be. Like who was that guy that randomly showed up and punch Jae Eon? And who was that girl he met at the café the following day? What about the story between him and his ex? I just found out this is based on a webtoon, maybe answers might be found there.

My rating: 8/10 Without watching this carefully I think there are a lot of symbolic things that could have been missed and I think that is what makes this series captivating to me. Even though it did have a typical storyline, each character was enjoyable to watch.

Re watch value: 4/10 – there were many things I love about this series, but I don’t know if I would be re-watching soon.

Read More

Team Divorce or Team Marriage?

At first, I questioned the title. Ambition? For love?? That pairing felt odd to me — I’ve always thought of love as unconditional. But after watching the first few episodes, it all started to make sense. The title is actually perfect. There only a few episodes out, so this will be an ongoing review as I continue watching.

Let me start by saying: this series hooked me immediately. I ended up staying up late just to binge as many episodes as I could in one evening. Honestly, I started watching because of the beautiful Rosy Zhao Lusi and the handsome William Chan — they’re a stunning duo. Lately, I’ve been skipping reading synopses and just diving in, so I had no idea what to expect going in. But, as always, Lusi picked a strong role — her character is cunning, determined, and incredibly compelling.

The story starts with her fighting her way through life — without loving and doting parents, without a safety net — pursuing love and a career. And when she finally meets the man who makes her feel something, you can’t help but understand why she so determined to get married to Shen Hao Ming.

I’m up to episode 18, and honestly, I’m loving every moment. It feels like a classic scheming costume drama (which I love!) but set in modern times, making everything feel more relatable and grounded.
________________________________________
What I’m Loving So Far:
• Her Style: From outfits to makeup to hairstyles, everything is coordinated and flawless. I read that in real life she graduated with a degree in fashion design – I’m sure she made use of those skills in this series!!!
• The Romance: There’s a dark, slow-burn romance with real push and pull. It keeps you guessing and waiting for the next twist.
• Her Integrity: Even though she has ambitious goals, I love that she’s genuine. She values the relationships she builds (the younger brother/son, the grandma who had Alzheimer, her in-laws who eventually she learn to love, etc.) and doesn’t take anything for granted. She’s methodical, strategic, but not cold. She owns up to what she did wrong.
• The Power Dynamic: I knew something was off — with a guy that rich, he had to know about her background. But I love that she didn’t use him in a manipulative way. She genuinely loved him and simply used the opportunity to better herself. She worked hard and deserves to be loved by an equally ambitious man.
• Subverting Tropes: This isn’t your typical “rich guy rescues poor girl” storyline. It’s deeper than that, and I’m here for it.
________________________________________
So far, it’s a solid 8/10, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Read More

Favorite drama so far for 2026

This drama was one I had been waiting for a long time. I was excited to see both main leads acting together, and even more excited that it was directed by a director I love. His most popular recent work that everyone knows is Blossom, but it was Familiar Stranger that first got me hooked on his work. I hope he continues to make amazing dramas like this—I really love the visual storytelling and the way everything is directed.

Another behind-the-scenes talent I would like to mention is the screenwriter. I just found out that she wrote many series I highly recommend and love, The Rise of the Phoenixes being one of them! She also has other notable titles like Love Like the Galaxy and Guardian of Beauty and Corner Diary.

Probably the one thing that hooked me from the beginning and kept me watching was Chang Yu’s character. She was brave, loyal, and a strong, fearless, and loving character. Zhang Linghe’s character was a bonus—I loved how ruthless he was and how he didn’t care about the emperor, especially when he declined the princess’s marriage proposal and even cut off the messenger’s ear.

I plan to read the book, as I’ve been told the series follows it quite closely and includes more details that viewers might enjoy.

Another thing I loved about this series is the side characters. I have to admit, before watching, the second couple showed up a lot on my feed, and I can see why. They are toxic, but I can’t help but love and pity Qi Min’s character. Yu Qianqian was another actress I grew to love, and I was excited to see her here as a second lead.

Other cast members I look forward to include Lin Muran and Li Qing. I couldn’t help but cheer and giggle every time they appeared on screen.

My only downside to this drama was the confusing mystery of what actually happened in the past. I’m still a bit fuzzy on the details, so I plan to go back and rewatch, as a lot happened and there were many details and characters I didn’t fully catch the first time.

Pursuit of Jade is a drama I highly recommend for 2026. So far, it’s my favorite and currently in first place. I’m giving it a 9/10, with one point deducted for the confusing mystery in the past.

Read More

Twelve Letters has been on my watchlist since it first came out. I’d seen so many spoilers floating around that I already knew it was a drama I had to watch. Now that I’ve finally finished it, I can’t believe I waited this long. Just a bit of a warning, I was writing this review while still watching the last few episodes, so forgive me if my thoughts feel a little scattered—SO MUCH happens in this series!

The story revolves around Ye Hai Tang (A’Tang), Tang Yi Xun (A’Xun), and a mysterious time-traveling mailbox. A’Tang, living in 1991, begins receiving letters from the future—specifically from 2026. Although the two leads start off on the wrong foot and clash constantly, their backgrounds explain so much of their tension. Both grew up in poverty, faced difficult family situations, and carried wounds from abusive homes or abandonment. Their struggles put them on opposite sides at first, but slowly, through shared experiences, they develop mutual respect and quiet affection for each other.

I honestly wish their romance had been explored more directly. The love line is subtle—present, but never fully voiced. I would’ve loved a real confession instead of the implied promise to “grow together as a family.”

Early in the drama, each episode blends past and future seamlessly, giving us glimpses of two timelines side by side. Later, the focus shifts, and episodes begin to center either on the parents’ story or the children’s future. Even so, the story remains engaging and emotionally heavy.

Prepare to cry, because Twelve Letters does not hold back. As someone who has a soft spot for orphan stories, certain scenes were especially difficult to watch. The ending took me completely by surprise—I cried so much watching everything unfold. While I’m relieved A’Xun and A’Tang get their happy ending, it broke my heart that Shen Cheng and Yu Nian may never get to see them again. This drama leaves you with a heavy heart in the best way; it’s one I know I’ll be thinking about for days.

I also loved how the story gradually unfolded—from the familiar trope of an abusive, gambling parent to the two leads becoming classmates, all tied together by the magical time-traveling mailbox. Watching how both generations interacted with this mystery and eventually solved it was one of the most fascinating parts of the series. As the story progressed, I realized how little we truly know about our own parents’ lives. The more the characters dug into the past, the more they uncovered secrets that had never been spoken. It really drives home the idea that we often don’t know our parents as deeply as we think. These revelations made the story even more compelling, and honestly, that’s what kept me binge-watching the entire series in one day. And with its short length, it’s incredibly easy to get through.

One thing I wish had been explained better was the beginning of Episode 8. A murder occurs, A’Xun suddenly takes the blame, and it all happens so fast that it left my head spinning. At first I was frustrated, but looking back, that confusion kept me hooked because I needed to understand how everything connected.

On a lighter note, Zhou Yi Ran really impressed me. I’ve seen a bit of his work before and thought he was just another pretty face, but he proved me wrong here—his acting range truly surprised me. Zheng He Hui Zi was wonderful as well; I loved her in In Blossom, and I’m excited to see her take on more roles.

Overall, Twelve Letters is emotional, unique, and absolutely worth watching. It’s a heartfelt blend of mystery, family, and time travel that stays with you long after the final episode. I highly recommend it.

Read More

This series isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re not familiar with screenwriter Kitagawa Eriko’s unique approach to love stories. Her writing often takes a slow-burn approach that some may find drawn-out, but for me, it adds depth and meaning to the relationships, making them all the more compelling.

What I love about this series:

Cinematography: The visual style is stunning, with warm, inviting colors that create a sense of comfort and familiarity. The aesthetic draws you into each scene, with personal favorites being the moments inspired by the theme “live in the moment, not the days.” I also loved the scenes where Oto and Soremame are in the yard, playing with bubbles or having a lighthearted run-in after his move.

The cast: Soremame is a standout. Her playfulness, creativity, and strong sense of self are incredibly charming. As for Oto, though I hadn’t seen much of his work before, his performance grew on me. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but he really settles into his role, and the chemistry between him and Soremame becomes undeniable. He plays an “average guy,” but in a way that makes you appreciate his quiet depth and sincerity.

The dialogue: Eriko’s writing always strikes a perfect emotional chord. The conversations between the characters are rich with meaning, and there’s one line from the first episode—“a person’s back is so warm”—that’s stuck with me since. Eriko has an uncanny ability to tug at your heart when you least expect it.

For fans of Kitagawa Eriko: If you love her work, you’ll find this series a treasure trove of tender moments and subtle details that are worth revisiting. There are so many small, beautiful scenes that I know I’ll be going back to watch again and again.

In conclusion, if you enjoy Kitagawa Eriko’s storytelling style, this series is a must-watch. It’s slow, thoughtful, and full of emotional depth, and it’s one that lingers long after you’ve finished it.

Read More