When (lack of) communication gets a drama adaptation.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: review #11 ♡
When it rains, it pours is a drama that kept me eager to watch it until I binge-watched it in one day. The story, characters, pace, emotions: everything was in the right amount. And I couldn't be happier to have all the episodes to watch at once.
This drama embodies the (lack of) communication. There's so much hinted, so little made clear and expressed to the people around. In this regard, one might think this drama is boring or lacks a proper pace to keep things interesting. I think this was the precise intention of the scriptwriter: everyday life gives a sense of boredom and a feeling of emptiness when it comes to situations and events.
So, what happens when the boring day-to-day life meets a scriptwriter? A drama like When it rains, it pours comes to life.
Japanese dramas hit differently: certain stories can only be told in Japan. The ability to portray such complex yet simple at-glance stories is somewhat incredible. And this one is no exception.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the quiet and silent fall of a relationship is so uneventful yet so profound that neither Kazuaki nor Sei gets to understand its meaning until a mail sent by mistake appears in the inbox folder. What could be labeled as a mistake by many is the sparkle that ignites a life change.
▶︎ The fall of a relationship ◀
Both Kazuaki and Sei progressively grew "comfortable" in their relationships, to the point of ignoring the massive impact on their happiness and mental health. After all, they got what they wanted. Or not? A dream might transform into a nightmare in a split second, so which form may assume in a few years? What started as love or affection became a habit. But habits don't necessarily make people happy.
▶︎ The spark of change ◀
A trivial event can make a difference. An e-mail not meant for you. Even a meaningless e-mail gives you the freedom to choose, so why not reply? Mail after mail, you start to realize you're not the only one stuck in a dull life, in a pointless yet painful relationship. You need the escapism this brief moment gives you. And so, you develop a pen pal friendship. Neither of you know each other personally, but that's for the best. The relief of knowing that the other person has no way to pinpoint you in a crowd makes it ten times better. After all, your conversations focus on the sorrow and the discomfort of being frustrated and unseen in a relationship with a significant other.
But what if you and your pen pal happen to be coworkers?
▶︎ The moment of truth ◀
Revelations mark the second half of the drama. Kazuaki and Sei now confront each other. No more screens to conceal their identities. Their relationship is getting real, and so are their feelings. But embracing one's feelings takes courage; both of them are terrified of breaking out of their private status-quos, the warmth of a familiar place. This stall was, for me, a focal point of the drama. After all, Kazuaki and Sei are scared to embrace their feelings for each other. Taking this step would mean destroying the life they built, even if it is taking a toll on them as individuals.
What was born as a physical relationship should stay that way. What was born as a coping mechanism should not develop into a sincere desire to change.
▶︎ Once wishful thinking, now reality ◀
The finale dissatisfied many viewers. Truth be told, the portrayal of the growing relationship between Kazuaki and Sei felt that way for many. But not for me.
Two grown adults, with social expectations and their emotional baggage, must come to terms with what they want and what they think they should want. What should they pursue? The beaten but unsatisfactory path? Or a new road full of possibilities and unknowns?
The focus is on the choice. And for that to be effective, time and a slower pace are required.
If you are expecting blatant signs of love, over-the-top drama, and plot twists, this drama is not for you. Instead, if you're looking for an intimate and morally gray story with a decent, solid plot and believable character growth, give this drama a chance.
PROS:
- Morally gray story
- Believable characters and character growth
- Slow-burn
- Nice OST
- Solid performance by the two actors
- Pen pal to friends/lovers trope
CONS:
- The finale might dissatisfy some viewers.
- The slow pace might be a turn-off for some
- Communication most of the time wasn't aju nice > still, not a major con for me, as it's part of Sei&Kazuaki personalities and struggles.
When it rains, it pours is a drama that kept me eager to watch it until I binge-watched it in one day. The story, characters, pace, emotions: everything was in the right amount. And I couldn't be happier to have all the episodes to watch at once.
This drama embodies the (lack of) communication. There's so much hinted, so little made clear and expressed to the people around. In this regard, one might think this drama is boring or lacks a proper pace to keep things interesting. I think this was the precise intention of the scriptwriter: everyday life gives a sense of boredom and a feeling of emptiness when it comes to situations and events.
So, what happens when the boring day-to-day life meets a scriptwriter? A drama like When it rains, it pours comes to life.
Japanese dramas hit differently: certain stories can only be told in Japan. The ability to portray such complex yet simple at-glance stories is somewhat incredible. And this one is no exception.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the quiet and silent fall of a relationship is so uneventful yet so profound that neither Kazuaki nor Sei gets to understand its meaning until a mail sent by mistake appears in the inbox folder. What could be labeled as a mistake by many is the sparkle that ignites a life change.
▶︎ The fall of a relationship ◀
Both Kazuaki and Sei progressively grew "comfortable" in their relationships, to the point of ignoring the massive impact on their happiness and mental health. After all, they got what they wanted. Or not? A dream might transform into a nightmare in a split second, so which form may assume in a few years? What started as love or affection became a habit. But habits don't necessarily make people happy.
▶︎ The spark of change ◀
A trivial event can make a difference. An e-mail not meant for you. Even a meaningless e-mail gives you the freedom to choose, so why not reply? Mail after mail, you start to realize you're not the only one stuck in a dull life, in a pointless yet painful relationship. You need the escapism this brief moment gives you. And so, you develop a pen pal friendship. Neither of you know each other personally, but that's for the best. The relief of knowing that the other person has no way to pinpoint you in a crowd makes it ten times better. After all, your conversations focus on the sorrow and the discomfort of being frustrated and unseen in a relationship with a significant other.
But what if you and your pen pal happen to be coworkers?
▶︎ The moment of truth ◀
Revelations mark the second half of the drama. Kazuaki and Sei now confront each other. No more screens to conceal their identities. Their relationship is getting real, and so are their feelings. But embracing one's feelings takes courage; both of them are terrified of breaking out of their private status-quos, the warmth of a familiar place. This stall was, for me, a focal point of the drama. After all, Kazuaki and Sei are scared to embrace their feelings for each other. Taking this step would mean destroying the life they built, even if it is taking a toll on them as individuals.
What was born as a physical relationship should stay that way. What was born as a coping mechanism should not develop into a sincere desire to change.
▶︎ Once wishful thinking, now reality ◀
The finale dissatisfied many viewers. Truth be told, the portrayal of the growing relationship between Kazuaki and Sei felt that way for many. But not for me.
Two grown adults, with social expectations and their emotional baggage, must come to terms with what they want and what they think they should want. What should they pursue? The beaten but unsatisfactory path? Or a new road full of possibilities and unknowns?
The focus is on the choice. And for that to be effective, time and a slower pace are required.
If you are expecting blatant signs of love, over-the-top drama, and plot twists, this drama is not for you. Instead, if you're looking for an intimate and morally gray story with a decent, solid plot and believable character growth, give this drama a chance.
PROS:
- Morally gray story
- Believable characters and character growth
- Slow-burn
- Nice OST
- Solid performance by the two actors
- Pen pal to friends/lovers trope
CONS:
- The finale might dissatisfy some viewers.
- The slow pace might be a turn-off for some
- Communication most of the time wasn't aju nice > still, not a major con for me, as it's part of Sei&Kazuaki personalities and struggles.
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