CoNeTrIC

Nozue was not "belittling girls." He was envious of their freedom. He felt constrained as a man by patriarchy.

Also, don't forget the department head at the company is a woman. I didn't see her or any female character disrespected.

This show was actually feminist and anti-patriarchy. Think about what it is really about. Here's a quote from the late feminist author, bell hooks: "It is not true that men are unwilling to change. It is true that many men are afraid to change. It is true that masses of men have not even begun to look at the ways that patriarchy keeps them from knowing themselves, from being in touch with their feelings, from loving." Nozue had to learn how to love by overcoming these constraints and fears.

I should also be glad for improvement in the translations of other lines. Translation is hard, I know.

Having Viki translation blues again. They changed Togawa's 'don't be just part of my life; please be my entire life' line to "please stay with for the entire life." Huh? The new translation is awkwardly phrased, and it just doesn't seem right. Ugh.

I have been wondering what Togawa's intentions were in that scene because Togawa is always the change agent driving the story and he understands Nozue better than Nozue understands himself. If Togawa had given up hope for Nozue's love, he probably would have gone to lunch with Nozue and diffused the tension. That would have been difficult but not beyond Togawa's capability, I think.

Yeah, I wish I had someone with Togawa's emotional intelligence. Someone to tell me just what I need to hear to make my way in this crazy, unfair world.

Yes, he is indeed awesome, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind me mocking his rosy outlook

TIL rampant prejudice and structural discrimination are really nothing. Just like the lack of understanding when people come from different hometowns or cheer for different baseball teams. Good pep talk, Togawa. ^_^

I've been wondering about that scene. Had Togawa really given up? Or, was his withdrawal a way of forcing Nozue to deal with the consequences of hiding his feelings? I think Togawa was still going for it.

🤣🤣🤣

5 episodes is the perfect length for this story arc, which was about Nozue acknowledging and overcoming his fears and finding his way out of that rut. The storytelling was tight and lean throughout. Every line of dialogue, scene, and character mattered. I wish all shows would do it this way. I'm hopeful for second season that's just as good, but if not I'm satisfied.

All that build up to a kiss suddenly disrupted. That actually worked well for the story and their characters. I enjoyed the laugh instead.

Ho Min in a second couple maybe? A further exploration of the difficulty celebrities have if they want a personal life? Could be interesting.

At that point, they weren't "dating" but they had been going on dates, had developed a very high level of trust over years, and had just that evening expressed their mutual affection for one another. However, if you believe "enthusiastic consent" is required for any and all physical contact, there's probably no convincing you.

In an episode 2 scene in the conference room, Nozue says to Togawa:
"If you laugh and dodge things like work or your self-consciousness, no one will stay by your side anymore. You'll even abandon yourself. And I'd be sad if you abandoned me. I'll live a more honest life."

I feel like I can read Togawa's mind when he hears this. He must be thinking, "So you do know your problem. Then just do it already!" Poor Togawa. Must be so frustrating for him to see Nozue have so much wisdom and the right instincts, but not enough self awareness.

Amazing how a few casually-delivered lines from episode 2 can sum up this entire show. The writing and performances are so good, even in low key, low stakes scenes like this one.

That's a very smart and insightful take. Thanks.

About the heteronormativity, seems Nozue overcompensates a lot while Togawa is more natural and comfortable in his own skin.

Also, watching the scene with the department head and the scene immediately following, I realized that Nozue has a very narrow conception of romantic relationships. When Togawa said he wanted a life partner, that just blew Nozue 's mind.
He was so confused. He immediately flashed back to Togawa saying he jerked off imagining his crush (which Nozue seems to have taken as Togawa admitting he's gay) and he was like "What? How?"

Then Nozue goes outside and gets fixated on that young hetero couple's PDA. Seemed he was thinking there is no way he could ever be in a relationship like that, but he has hope for Togawa if can find the right woman. Argh! You could see Togawa getting so exasperated with Nozue. Fortunately, Togawa is super patient, determined, and committed to his seduction plan

"Creating opportunities for love is a boss's responsibility too." The department head really knows her human relations. 🤣

Yeah, that was intense. Hot and also heartbreaking. A great performance by Kimura.

I was experiencing PTSD because of that incompetent, manipulative, passive-aggressive TV show director. People like him have way too much power and are rarely held to account. Loved every time SJ called out that man's bullshit, especially the last confrontation when SJ held nothing back.

Yep, feeling that way is not uncommon. And it's a problem not easily fixed. Sometimes the best answer is to walk away from the relationship before resentment sets in.

"they clearly both have problems outside of their relationship" — yes, this seems to be what a lot of people in these comments overlook. Life is not a fairytale, and this isn't Pretty Woman. I give the director and the writers credit for going for some realism.