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I Cherish It
This show was so wonderfully easy to fall in love with.It tells the story of two best friends who happen to fall in love with each other and the journey that love takes them on.
What kind of love are they feeling? Is it really romantic? And if they really are in love, shouldn't something between them have changed? Whatever the answers may be, they'll figure it out together!
The deeply lovable cast of characters (I especially adored some of the side characters, such as the two teachers), solid writing, and realistic, yet truly charming and funny dialogue all work together to create that inimitable warm summer feeling of days gone by. This show teaches us the importance of cherishing the things and people you love. It will gently take you by the hand and take you on a slow, nostalgic trip down memory lane until there's nothing left in your heart but a vaguely gooey warmth.
It made my life slightly better for having watched it and I think it might just do the same for you if you give it a shot.
Go watch it.
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A Beautiful Ending
Once again Utsukushii Kare has surpassed my expectations. Yeah, I don't know how they keep doing that either.Hira and Kiyoi have grown significantly since the previous season and their relationship is a far cry from its unstable beginnings in the first season.
The movie focuses on two things: Firstly, Kiyoi's acting career and all the pitfalls that come with it, including rabid fans (and oh the juxtaposition here absolutely destroyed me in the best way, this was a brilliant story-telling device) and prying tabloids (which it tackles very deftly through Anna's character and her relationships which I thought was a perfect balance to the direction Hira and Kiyoi's relationship takes over the course of the film).
Secondly, Hira's difficult journey of reconciling his deep-rooted insecurities both in himself and his relationships, with his secret belief in his own superiority, and learning to finally, finally meet Kiyoi as an equal in their partnership. The last line specifically really hit me like a truck, it was absolutely perfect.
This movie is beautiful, poignant, deeply charming and provides the perfect ending to a brilliant series.
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A rare gem that even surpasses its predecessor
Where the first season showcased the slow buildup of the character's connection and culminated in them embarking on a tentative relationship with each other, this season explores Hira and Kioyi's slow-changing relationship as they work on building a life together and figuring out what it means to be happy, not just with each other, but with themselves.I was already very fond of both characters after the first season, but through watching this I grew to love them more and more. Both of them have grown quite a bit since the end of the last season and as the story dives deeper into their thoughts and motivations, they start to feel more and more like real, flawed people in search of and deserving of love.
Kioyi specifically finally starts to show more of that fierce vulnerability we got to see glimpses of at the end of the last season and it both makes him a perfect instigator for Hira's deeply needed character growth, and serves to deeply endear him to the audience (or at least to me, although I don't think I'm alone in this).
I also highly appreciate how all the conflicts develop realistically and resolve satisfactorily while neither being drawn out unnecessarily to fuel the angst and drama, nor getting wrapped up too quickly or neatly in order to just get to the happy ending already.
In short: This season continues the well-paced, well-balanced, and beautifully portrayed story of two slightly strange but sincerely lovable characters as they continue to face life's challenges together and figure out how to keep changing and growing for and with each other. An actual masterpiece of a sequel.
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The Most Beautiful
First of all I have to admit I went into watching this show with mixed feelings. I absolutely cannot stand relationships with unbalanced power dynamics and consent issues between characters I'm supposed to be rooting for will send me running for the hills faster than you can say "But it's just fiction"; so you can see why I'd be hesitant to watch this show.If that's what worries you about this show, if those are the reasons you are hesitating to watch it, you have nothing to worry about.
This is not a show about a master/slave relationship, this is not a show glorifying abuse, this is not a show that treats issues of consent and power dynamics lightly. This is a show about two lonely people who find themselves unexpectedly gravitating towards each other, who clash and bring out the worst in each other at first and slowly learn to fit together, to help each other grow, and to reach for what they want rather than keeping their dreams and desires at arm's length.
The pacing is incredibly well done, especially considering the short runtime of the series, and fully allows the characters to grow and evolve and gives the audience enough time to let each scene really sink in and linger.
Both leads, strange and wonderful people that they are, are given clear motivations for their actions, the choices they make, although they may not always be the best, are inarguably fitting for the characters, and their chemistry is undeniable.
From the beginning both of them recognise something of themselves in the other, they are kindred spirits of a sort, and their complete inability to express or make sense of this connection is what leads to the perpetual push and pull dynamic between them. Nothing they do comes (at least in my opinion) from a place of malice or a wish to do each other harm, they are both just desperate people who are so trapped in their own preconceptions of the world and each other that it takes several years and many incendiary clashes before they manage to claw their way through those constraints and towards each other.
This whole story is underscored by an absolutely masterful combination of visuals and sound that bring the characters to life in a way that I can only describe as genuinely breathtaking and the entire show culminates in an explosive climax that ties everything together so perfectly it left me in awe.
As intense as all this sounds, there is also a fierce charm to this show, a warm sincerity and even humour that serves to humanise the characters and to ground them in a way that makes even to most dramatic scenes and actions feel believable and real. Here's to you, little rubber duck.
In short: It's a slow journey full of twists and turns that is utterly captivating to watch. If you give it a chance to tell its story, you will find something entirely unique and compelling in this show, an irresistible draw that grabs you by the collar and pulls you in whether you like it or not and takes you for a wild and beautiful ride.
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It didn't stick the landing
Boy oh boy but do I have some conflicting feelings about this show!I went into it with some pretty strong reservations given how viscerally uncomfortable power imbalance and consent issues in relationships (no matter how fictional) make me, but I decided to give it a go anyway because of the screenwriter and directors' involvement in shows like Jack o' Frost and Old Fashion Cupcake, both series that I absolutely adore.
Given that initial hesitancy I have to say I was both positively and negatively surprised by Taikan Yoho.
On the one hand it is technically excellent - the cinematography is brilliant, the editing and pacing are well though-out and cohesive, and the performances are stellar.
There is also the fact that the main characters' relationship, unhealthy and co-dependent as it may start out, seems to improve significantly as the show goes on, so much so that I became genuinely invested and was even sold on the idea that yeah, these two do love each other in their own, confused way don't they.
The intimacy the two share feels natural and believable even when set against the backdrop of so much emotional turmoil and denial.
On the other hand, all that promising build-up pretty much goes out the window with the final episode.
To explain:
I was surprised by how many similarities Taikan Yoho has to Utsukushii Kare, at least where the main characters' dynamic is concerned.
It's clear from the start how terrible both Mizuki and Yoh are at communicating (Yoh being especially guilty of this) and how much of their issues stem from the deep insecurities both of them seem to harbour about their relationship. But instead of making use of this premise and actually developing the characters (rather than just explaining their motivations), the show completely shoots itself in the foot by veering in distinctly the wrong direction, in my opinion.
Because rather than showing the characters taking steps towards a more even footing with one another, which is exactly what makes Utsukushii Kare work so well, they settle even more into their respective roles with Mizuki becoming uncomfortably domineering and essentially none of their misunderstandings cleared up, which makes any progress the two previously made feel completely inconsequential.
And kind of heartbreaking, too, given how Mizuki previously indicates he loves it when Yoh doesn't simply obey blindly but also shows his wants and needs.
Putting that aside, I don't even think the show works properly as a depiction of a healthy D/S dynamic.
Granted, I am not particularly well-versed in the subject so take what I say with a grain of salt (a much more reliable and in-depth analysis on the topic can be found here, should you be interested: https://www.tumblr.com/lutawolf/725726059919736832/my-person-weatherman-or-taikan-yoho?source=share), but I do know that what's most important in such relationships is communication and clearly drawn boundaries. And while Yoh's and Mizuki's relationship does bear many strong resemblances to certain types of D/S relationships, those vital features are clearly missing from their dynamic.
I don't regret having watched the show, nor would I discourage anyone else from watching it, but I do think it's important to be aware of the series' short-comings, especially where delicate but highly important topics like consent and power are concerned.
I also can't help feeling disappointed that the story didn't live up to its potential but rather falls prey to some of the most egregious cliches of the genre, especially with such a talented production team and cast .
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Empty with a side of cute
I was really excited for this drama to start airing and I'm honestly pretty disappointed with what we ended up getting. There was so much potential there and yet...But I am still a sucker for sapphic romances and for cute girls in general and this show delivers on both.
It may be shallow and somewhat rushed, but the story does feature several such genuinely sweet moments that I couldn't quite convince myself the show wasn't worth my time.
Hopefully this is just a forerunner for better future projects - I'm looking forward to a time where I can enjoy my lesbian content without bad scripts, short runtimes, or offensive trans stereotypes (seriously, what's up with those? neither trans women nor effeminate men exist solely for comic relief in other people's stories and it is insanely harmful so many shows insist on reducing them to these poorly written running gags) ruining the experience.
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A joyous roller-coaster ride
Oh but I adore this little indie production.I have a weak spot for that inimitable shoe-string budget charm a lot of these small projects bring to the table and this film is an excellent example of why that's the case. You can tell how much love and effort was put into every single aspect of the movie and that passion is what makes it shine.
The story covers more ground than quite a few full-length shows do but the pacing is well done and the individual performances are all so excellent they lend a feeling of authenticity to the story that I greatly enjoyed.
I hope to see more from these film-makers in the future but for now I am more than happy to simply watch and rewatch this little gem ad nauseum.
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Some really mixed feelings about this one.
Part of me really liked this show. The visuals were lovely, the writing was great, the acting was absolutely stellar, and the production value overall was clearly high.So why did I dock it so many points then? Well, there were unfortunately some real consent issues between the main couple.
Let me elaborate:
First, there is the age difference. True, it may just be 3 years, but the maturity levels between an 18 year old and a 21 year old are still vastly different which leads to a power imbalance in the relationship. I will say, that this power imbalance was not really very present with these two, especially during the second half of the series so I ended up feeling significantly less put off by the whole thing, but it's still worth considering if you're sensitive to these concerns.
The second and much bigger problem was the way Yui treated Sayuri at the beginning of the show. She showed very little regard for Sayuri's boundaries and there were two dub-con/non-con kisses which is always a big red flag for me.
On the other hand, once Sayuri actually initiated a proper relationship in the second half of the show, their dynamic was incredibly loving and respectful and I found myself genuinely invested in their relationship and how authentic it felt.
It was also incredibly refreshing to see young women, specifically young queer women, talk about sex and intimacy so openly and without shame, massive props to the screenwriters for that.
The supporting cast, specifically the two parents and Sayuri's friend Nao, were also brilliant and each added to the story line in meaningful ways rather than just existing to create conflict between the two leads.
In conclusion I am incredibly conflicted in my feelings about this show. I would however still recommend giving it a try. Everyone's mileage varies when it comes to what they find acceptable in relationships, so someone who is less bothered by the issues I brought up might really enjoy this show.
And those who are bothered might still end up getting something out of the experience of watching, just like I did. When the series does something right, it does it *really* right, which is an especially pleasant surprise given the time period during which the show aired, so for that alone I consider it worth watching.
Give it a go and form your own opinion, good or bad, this show is definitely worth talking about.
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A short, easy watch
This little show was alright! It's not my favourite in the genre, but it does have that classic mini C-drama charm going for it.It's fun, breezy, and gorgeous.
My one gripe is the short runtime, unfortunately. Normally I don't mind how much these shows have to pack into such little time, but here the plot was actually interesting enough that I would have liked to see it fleshed out more. I would also have loved to see more of the main characters' relationship develop, as there seemed to be comparatively little screen-time devoted to the two of them together.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed myself quite a bit while watching this so I consider it 50 minutes well spent.
If you're a fan of the genre or of short Chinese dramas in general, you'll likely enjoy this show as well, so give it a shot.
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The very definition of short and sweet
This little gem to me embodies everything a short film should be. It has great acting, precise editing, good sound design, likeable characters with distinct personalities that serve as more than just vessels for the plot, and, most importantly, it has an actual narrative with a beginning, a climax, and a conclusion, all of which are perfectly paced for maximum effect.My only gripe with this movie would be that, despite the whole premise being centered around a first kiss, we don't actually get to see said kiss.
But maybe that's kind of the point as well. We as the audience don't have to see the kiss in order for the narrative to work. It's a private moment that we have neither cause nor right to intrude on. Besides, the kiss isn't what's important, it's only a starting point for the real story - the characters' growing and changing relationship.
All in all I say give this one a shot. I promise it's five minutes very well spent.
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A wonderful picture of the future
I fell for this movie hard and fast and I don't think I'll ever forget the way it's made me feel.It is still all too rare to see queer women being portrayed in film and television and it is even rarer to see depictions of older queer people. Here, we got to see both. And not only that, but the story is undeniably a happy one.
Accompanied by a smooth swing soundtrack, we get to see a love story unfold that feels both like a trip down memory lane and a dream of the future. Everything from the lighting, the camera work, the music, to even the deliberately chosen 1:1 resolution, serves to conjure up a feeling of deep nostalgia which is directly juxtaposed by the film's message of looking forwards, towards the future and towards happiness.
I could honestly spend hours picking apart every detail about this movie but then this review would be several thousand words long and probably absolutely incoherent.
So instead I am just going to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who played a part in creating this movie. Thank you for giving me the chance to dream about what my life could be life decades from now. About how I could be allowed to grow older and happier every year. It means the world to me.
To everyone reading this review I will say this: go watch this film, go watch it right now, trust me you won't regret it.
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A perfect conclusion
Oh hell yeah, that's how you do a story climax right!Where the first half focused on introducing the characters and setting up the plot, this second half gives us some more insights into the characters' inner lives. It explores the fascinating seesaw of power between the two - the restrictive labels of Senior and Junior, the class difference, and Seiryo's relationship with Shino which lends him a certain amount of power in Yuzuru's eyes.
It also dives a little deeper into the euphoric sense of vertigo that comes with finding someone who likes you, just you, as a whole, and adores the things that other people have repeatedly criticised you for. This not only endears the viewer further to the characters (although if you've not grown incredibly fond of them at this point I don't know what to tell you), but also serves to make the ever-building, all-consuming tension not only bearable but enjoyable as well.
The camera work and editing continue to enhance each scene until the story finally culminates in a truly fantastic and incredibly touching penultimate scene that genuinely made me pump my fist in the air and go "Now THAT'S how you do buildup and breaking of tension!"
I don't think I really need to say anything to make you watch this movie, this is the second half after all, if you're here you've already started watching anyway.
But if you're just scrolling through these reviews and fondly remembering the movie, let this be your sign to go rewatch it, rewatch it right now! You already know you'll love every minute.
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Truly an (almost) perfect proposal
I wasn't too sure what I was in for when I started this series and you cannot imagine my delight at realising what an absolute gem this little show is.The cinematography, editing, pacing, and performances are all stellar and create the perfect atmosphere for the somber but sincere tone the script strikes.
For such a short runtime, the story masterfully addresses topics of burn-out, workplace abuse, and even the meaning of life, in a way.
Its central message revolves around reaching for happiness despite life's apparent pointlessness as well as how relationships connect us as humans and tie us together for better or for worse.
Its critique of exploitative workplace culture (specifically in Japan) is perfect in its simplicity and there are several moments in the show which are so genuinely touching and meaningful I found myself tearing up multiple times.
The one thing I dislike about the show are its brief but inexplicable detours into tired BL cliches which happen repeatedly (although thankfully not all *that* often) over the course of the story. Presumably this is due to the source material, but that still doesn't change how uncomfortable and out of place these moments are.
The main instance of course being the scene in which one character forcibly gives the other a hand-job despite repeatedly being told "no" and "stop". Even putting aside how harmful the "predatory gay man" stereotype is, this scene just feels jarring and superfluous. I understand the intent behind it, but this is certainly the wrong approach.
Despite this flaw I cannot deny how wonderful this show is on the whole and how incredibly touching I find its quiet sincerity.
So if you are looking for short, highly character-driven slice of life drama about two people figuring out what's important in life and finding happiness in one another, then I'd highly recommend giving this a go.
Do beware of the SA trigger warnings though.
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Queer Life and Love
This show absolutely devastated me in the best way possible.It's pitch-perfect from the acting, to the cinematography, to the music, it's all spectacular.
But most importantly it's entirely driven by a cast of deeply likeable if flawed characters whose various pasts and hardships shape their lives in a multitude of ways.
As is to be expected with a project led by P'Aof, the show addresses a variety of real life issues from disability, to socio-economic inequality, to homophobia (both societal and internalised), to simply how messy break-ups can be.
Combined with the excellent writing this makes all the characters feel almost painfully like real people and makes every scene, from the light-hearted to the deeply serious, highly impactful.
This is one of those rare cases where I love a show so much I have virtually nothing to say about it, so I will simply leave you with this:
This series is incredibly meaningful both in how touching it is and in what it means for the queer community.
As a queer person, this story made me feel good - seen and respected and loved.
It's a perfectly paced, quietly angsty yet wholly comforting slice-of-life we all deserve.
Do yourself a favour and go watch it it you haven't already.
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The cracks are where the light comes in
This show is a quiet, sincere masterpiece well-deserving of the love audiences have shown it.I didn't know if I was going to like this show when I started watching it, in fact I was fairly skeptical of the whole "forbidden love" angle.
But what I thought was going to be the biggest hurdle the show would have to overcome, in fact turned out to be its greatest strength.
Rather than being titillating and reveling in the taboo, this story is slow and introspective. Instead of focusing on romance, it prioritises exploring the inner lives of the characters, their complicated circumstances, emotions, and relationships.
We see the characters on their own almost as much as we see them interacting with one another, and when they are together found family and loving people by choice are very strongly thematised.
Paradoxically, this makes the show almost devastatingly romantic and touching. It doesn't make any grand, general statements, it simply explores, in great detail, the relationship between two people who are absolutely indispensable to one another and why that connection turns romantic. How, for these two specific people, a love like this can and does work.
Another completely unexpected highlight of the series is its understated humour which not only balances perfectly with the more serious tone the story strikes overall, but which is also often so clever or unexpected it made me laugh out loud several times.
Add to that the spectacular performances from the entire cast, excellent writing, beautiful and highly effective cinematography and editing, and a simple yet lovely soundtrack and it's clear why this series is so cherished by its viewers.
It's not entirely without its flaws, for example I would have loved to see Qian experience more character development in regards to his extreme protectiveness over his sister and how, intentionally or not, this ties into general misogynistic patterns of behaviour. Some of the gang sub-plots could also have been more fleshed out.
On the whole though these issues aren't nearly enough to diminish my high opinion of this show and certainly won't dissuade me from recommending it to others.
If you like slow, thoughtful, highly character-driven slice-of-life stories which, in their own way, highlight how in the end what it all comes down to is love, love, and love again, then this one is for you.
If you enjoy stories that explore the shifting and often blurry lines between different kinds of love, or that ask what it *really* means to form a family with someone, then this one is most definitely for you.
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