noona

This is genuinely one of the most high quality jdramas I've seen. It has great pacing, talented actors, clever sound design, beautiful/detailed shooting locations and sets, an emotionally intimate couple, and nuanced characters interacting with the concept of why lies are told.

The casting choices for the leads were perfect. Both are very talented with their eye acting, showing warmth, surprise, sadness, and lingering eyes to show attachment. The ML is great with physical comedy as well. Typically when jdramas try the same physical comedy that works in anime, it doesn't mesh well and comes across off and cringey. Yet the ML had extremely exaggerated body language and expressions at times, but somehow he makes it feel loveable and true to his character. I like that the story took the typically shy and kind FL and gave her personality reasoning and nuance. Her shyness and quietness comes from trauma and isolation as a child. Yet she remained strong enough to continue caring for others. But her shyness doesn't equate to weakness, she uses her courage to speak up, fight when needed, quick in moments of emergencies, and is no damsel in distress.

I love the the mutual respect and admiration the couple have for each other. It's a slow burn romance, but not a slow burn relationship. Their friendship is beautiful and warm filled with encouragement, honesty, attentiveness, and lots of the ML's lingering warm eyes as he looks at the FL with adoration and respect. One of my favorite quotes from the show is when the ML says to the FL "having someone like you around is truly a blessing."

I can't wait for a second season!