The best in the genre.
I will preface this review with this: I am a sucker for crime, mystery, psychological, and thriller elements all mixed in with a sprinkling of romance. However, it is incredibly rare to find a show that can successfully juggle all these elements, while staying well-written, plausible, and detailed. Koi wa Yami succeeded.
The tone is wonderfully consistent throughout the show, and not a single scene is wasted or without purpose. I love that as a show, Koi wa Yami had me wondering why characters behaved or reacted in the ways they did, as it felt intentional, and that was most certainly delivered. There were no weaknesses to be found in the acting whatsoever, so every little mannerism was well and truly relevant, and that is a feat. The level of detail was perfection as far as I’m concerned - in that they trickle just enough information for the viewer to be puzzling and suspicious, but never quite enough to reach a solid conclusion.
There was not a single point in the show where I felt there was a stumbling block, in fact, to the extent I found it really difficult to take breaks while watching. The colour grading, while a little strange with Makoto’s hair in the penultimate episode, generally served the tone of the show well, as a more subdued, realistic, and dark mystery.
A favourite part of Koi wa Yami for me is the way the characters explore the concept of ‘the truth’. In the sense that, even in the far depths of deception, there is still truth to be found an deciphered, even if it is a mere 1% amidst the sea of lies.
If you are a fan of any of the cast, or like me, the concoction of mystery, crime, thriller, psychological, and a bit of romance, this is absolutely the show for you, and I cannot recommend it enough. Shison Jun is actually how I found this drama, after seeing him in Glass Heart, and generally enjoying shows he has been in over the years.
The only thing I could dare attempt to compare Koi wa Yami to is Flower of Evil (Kdrama), which is another all-time favourite of mine on this site, although my personal preference having now seen both would be for Koi wa Yami. Nonetheless, both are solid dramas in a niche that is lacking in truly well-done entries.
If you’re thinking about watching, my answer would most certainly be to go for it!
The tone is wonderfully consistent throughout the show, and not a single scene is wasted or without purpose. I love that as a show, Koi wa Yami had me wondering why characters behaved or reacted in the ways they did, as it felt intentional, and that was most certainly delivered. There were no weaknesses to be found in the acting whatsoever, so every little mannerism was well and truly relevant, and that is a feat. The level of detail was perfection as far as I’m concerned - in that they trickle just enough information for the viewer to be puzzling and suspicious, but never quite enough to reach a solid conclusion.
There was not a single point in the show where I felt there was a stumbling block, in fact, to the extent I found it really difficult to take breaks while watching. The colour grading, while a little strange with Makoto’s hair in the penultimate episode, generally served the tone of the show well, as a more subdued, realistic, and dark mystery.
A favourite part of Koi wa Yami for me is the way the characters explore the concept of ‘the truth’. In the sense that, even in the far depths of deception, there is still truth to be found an deciphered, even if it is a mere 1% amidst the sea of lies.
If you are a fan of any of the cast, or like me, the concoction of mystery, crime, thriller, psychological, and a bit of romance, this is absolutely the show for you, and I cannot recommend it enough. Shison Jun is actually how I found this drama, after seeing him in Glass Heart, and generally enjoying shows he has been in over the years.
The only thing I could dare attempt to compare Koi wa Yami to is Flower of Evil (Kdrama), which is another all-time favourite of mine on this site, although my personal preference having now seen both would be for Koi wa Yami. Nonetheless, both are solid dramas in a niche that is lacking in truly well-done entries.
If you’re thinking about watching, my answer would most certainly be to go for it!
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