kdramakitty

I thought this was a really solid youth/slice-of-life drama. Often youth dramas are set in high school, so having it set in college made it a bit more relatable for someone who is no longer a teenager. The cast all do a fantastic job with their characters, with Ko Shibasaki deserving a particular shoutout. She conveyed so much emotion with her face and sign language. She had such a distinct personality and was such a complex character. She was proud but insecure, loved by many yet fearful that she was a burden on them. I loved that all the friends of the Orange Group ultimately learned sign language for her because they really wanted to be friends with her. The group felt so natural together, and they had a lot of sweet and fun moments together. The fact that they kept a group notebook was really cute! The romances were also compelling. Both couples had good reasons as to why they might not end up together, and it wasn't simply due to external circumstances, but individual internal struggles. None of the drama felt contrived (... mostly), and it all worked out due to good communication.
Overall, this is a breezy, fun watch with a compelling plot and characters. I'd highly recommend it!