Majka

So good yet so bad

I'm profoundly and inconsolably torn about this series, and it's driving me nuts.

As it is an ongoing title, with only episode 4 just having aired as I'm typing this, and me not having seen its prior version nor read it, might writing a review right now not be the most fruitful. But as said am I so torn that I need to vent my mind somehow somewhere.

The STORY is my main, big issue so far. Actually, every trope which has, in previous series, had me drop them is present in Love Mechanics; the persistent pursuit of someone who's been very clear that they're not interested, unbalanced power dynamic during intimacy AND non-consensual intercourse, jokes about previously mentioned situations as if it's nothing serious. Sprinkle that with the weirdest and back-and-forth phasing, too much screen-time for certain scenes and too little for others, and unclear relationships. The list goes on.
I can admit to being on the picker side but I can overlook a lot of things in favour of a good plot, but that's also it - LM's plot isn't anything special: Two students catching interest in one another, one already in a straight relationship and the other dealing with whether they're fine being a side piece or not. Some overly dramatic incidents on top (a car crash and the escape of a weaponised and delusional, mentally unstable patient) which are brushed off and forgotten within minutes just... it's a lot yet absolutely nothing at all.
I've also yet to figure out just how much Vee and Mark knew each other before their first night together, as it's seemingly hinted that they're barely acquaintances with Vee only knowing Mark as the boy who isn't leaving his friend alone, yet does no one care when they seemingly out of the blue start to spend a LOT of time together. Which I naturally read in as that they’re not that estranged. This alone makes me incredibly frustrated as I can't tell whether the phasing of their relationship, banter and the reaction of people around them are to be expected and developing accordingly or not.
Nothing makes sense to me folks, nada. My hope rests in the coming episodes.

So why am I even watching it, if it's all so bad? Yin and War's ACTING. Their chemistry, how they portray emotions, how they make me buy every little thing between them (or around them) even as there's not a single horizontal line of the story to be found, has gotten me in a neck-lock. Each episode is roughly an hour but they make it feel like 10 minutes.
The way these two look and interact with one another onscreen reminds me of PPBK in I told sunset about you and it's breaking my mind.
Yin has me feel for Vee although he's the one causing every heartache so far, and War lets Mark show every emotion that he's feeling and shows us the struggles of being someone who falls in-love fast and hard. I'm rooting for them even if it's so clear already that the best for both would probably be to NOT get together; a new sensation which I rarely experience. In that sense am I a little conservative and never see the point to why one would want to fight for something that's barely begun yet is already causing so much pain and confusion. But I WANT them to get together. And seeing as they haven't followed the regular BL pattern, already turning the knife around a good few times while just releasing episode 4, do I fear the absolute misery heading our ways.

MUSIC and REWATCH value? The music is alright, nothing has really caught my attention but more importantly hasn’t it been throwing off the vibe of any scenes besides maybe ones. Rewatch value is and will probably remain very low, as I - as said - don't like how a huge portion of this drama has been made. But each to their own.

Overall will I class this as a huge guilty pleasure. It's beautifully made, the lead cast is incredible and the storytelling is horrid. I'm glued to the screen, can't wait for the next episode and I'm infuriated over it.

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STORY:
I finished this movie back in early ’22 and I haven’t been able to let it go since. Only reason I’m writing a review now, and not earlier, I guess is due to how impossibly raw it renders me and to be able to give my honest words I needed to revision it. A task easier said than done.
(I’ll be skipping certain parts and mainly focus on Naomi and Maki and their relationship.)

Wherever I read about this movie and peoples thoughts, it’s the same: ”How could Naomi”, ”The ending didn’t make sense”, ”I don’t understand what happened in the last 1/3” - that’s okey. It’s okey to not be able to grasp, or understand, why the movie went as it did. One factor might be that people come here expecting a ”BL” - I fear this is less of that, and more of a queer movie. Going in believing you’ll get the same turns as you’d normally get, this movie will be straight up disappointing.
No kissing, no on-the-nose confessions, no magically happy ending. It’s raw and honest and a story that, at least myself, have seen played out around me when someone closeted faces a part of themselves that they have never touched before.

To have it said - Naomi treated Maki awfully. Middle to end his own uncertainties, fears and insecurities bleed into what was (and had) formed between the two, finding violent, wordless means to express a want and need he didn’t know the language to.
Maki, on the contrary, knows himself. He knows that, the love and closeness he wants, isn’t conventional or easy to find. The pool scene where he expresses that he feels this force field around him, driving people away, was such a powerful way to open up to soemone he’s evidently grown to like without putting himself on blast would Naomi in fact NOT understand or take it well. In doing so did he also (unknowingly) give Naomi words that Naomi himself understood, finding himself able to confess that he, too, feel the same. For the story, this moment is huge.

Nothing has really ever made me feel the same way their "playfights ” did, even now years later. It’s straight up beautiful storytelling and it’s so sad, sadder than I think some people realise. Both that, for Naomi to know how to even begin to show physical affection, he had to resort to punches, is in and out of itself heartbreaking.
It speaks about how he’s been raised.
It shows how lack of understanding results in violence, fueled by enaourmous feelings needing an outlet, and also a hint to that - despite him having had a girlfriend - the feelings and needs aren’t the same. What he feels towards Maki is larger and burning, it’s scary and new and something he shouldn’t want, while what he felt for Kaho most certainly was affection, but not love and want in the same way: gentler, expected, socially accepted and without any risks. And so, he punches.
And for Maki, who takes it and plays into it - wants it just as bad - a sign that parts of him will allow anything as long as he isn’t just drifting alone anymore. If this is the way to get to hold and feel Naomi, then he’ll do it. To quote ”The perks of being a wallflower”: We accept the love we think we deserve. At the start, I fear he was terrified that this would blow over, to watch Naomi slip away again, that he hurled himslef into it all the same.

The real sorrow begins when Naomi can’t move past it, can’t allow it to grow into something gentler, while Maki starts to ask for that exact thing, no reassured that Naomi does feel the same as he does. ”But why can’t he?” Fear. He’s scared. Scared and confused and stuck between holding onto the version of himself who, while not perfect, is familiar and the version of himself he has no outlines for. How will his father react if he finds out? How will the town they live in? Can they stay? Is the only answer to hide what they have? What if Maki leaves, then what? Would it even be safe? So many things, but because he has no tools to voice his feelings, him and Maki never talk. Not really.
The closest he gets is when he admits he doesn’t understand.
And so the cycle continous and spiral, and he yet again resort to violent means by robbing in an attempt to get them abroad. This part especially, was what truly cemented that their story wouldn’t continue, no matter what happened. Because Maki is ready to wait, while to Naomi, if they don’t leave, he’ll never be able to give them a chance. I can’t say for certain, but I believe Naomi saw this as the one opportunity to try be with Maki. His one surge of bravery, knowing that if they stayed then he’d never dare again. And he doesn’t. He goes to jail, and he never leaves.

As for the ending, without spoiling too much, do I think it not only made sense but was an incredibly hard watch for all the right reasons. This is a story about discovering (and falling in) love, surrounded by an everyday that is both placid and hostile - not a love story. I couldn’t ever praise this piece enough.

ACTING/CASTING:
The casting of every character was brilliant. Even skill levels, excellent performances, a natural and realistic momentum to every scene and line delivered. Shuri (Maki) and Shion (Naomi) were incredible together, bouncing off of one another in outstanding ways and delivered a story that so easily can go on feeling tired, cringy and even boring.

MUSIC:
I love the soundtrack in this movie, it has such significant impact to the scenes and elevates them in that way only a good pick can. Giving it a 9 rather than 10 solely for the reason that I haven’t felt a need to find any of the pieces used afterwards.

REWATCH VALUE:
It’s a rough watch, because it doesn’t hodl your hand at any point, but it is most definetly worth seeing more than once.


FINAL THOUGHTS:
I’ve loved few movies the way I love "Let me hear it barefoot”. It’s a masterpiece that deserves to extend beyond japanese bl and when people speak of good queer movies, this one should be among the titles. I spoke very little of anything besides their relationship, which is shame on me, but teh side characters are all fleshed out and dynamic, their own little stories and lives feel so genuine and mapped out and help moving the story forward. It’s never stagnant and does the organic buildup so well.

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A sweet gem

STORY:
I loved this story and I could shamelessly end my review here, but I’ve missed a chance to yap and so I will continue. Seeing some dissability representation in a drama, especially in a BL, is so indescribably welcomed. I’m not deaf/hard of hearing myself and so I’ll always leave room for thsoe who are to have the final say, but to me, it was incredibly respectfully done. Not once did I feel like Kohei was infantalized or viewed as lesser than (besides during scenes of bullying, and even then those were kept short and without overdoing it).

Half way while watching did I pop by here to read some reviwes, head over heals already and curious for what others thought, and what I read did lower my expectations and thrill towards the series (momentarily). Reading how people were unsatisfied by the pacing, how the story seemingly began to drag on after the first 1/3, running in circles etc, I couldn’t help but wonder if this would be yet another title I ended up dropping. I’m so glad I didn’t.

Yes, it’s truly a slow burn of a stituation due to Taichi being being a bit dense (so one sided slow burn I suppose).
Yes, I also wish there had been at least one proper kiss (Japan, stop with these awkward hovering fake-kisses).
Yes, Kohei and Taichi weren’t on screen together every given scene.
All of this aside, will I challenge with that we as viewers have gotten too comfortable recieving fast paced feelings and explicit scenes. I didn’t find this story slow in a boring way - perhaps if the episodes had been longer, but 25 minutes felt like nothing - at any point, I never felt that they backtracked or ran in circles, and while no kissing did we get SO many exclamations of love (whoever said it was a bromance need to look up the definition of ”Aishite” because that’s some serious confessions) near the end, which is exactly when I (personally) want to see it.

As for Taichi’s slow processing of his own feelings, do I feel like it made perfect sense to the character. Evidently is he very attentive to others feelings and emotional states, something that’s a very impressive detail to rember to add to a character who’s been evidently neglected by both parents. This is one of the few critques I have - I wish this had gotten more room in the story.
Of course Taichi isn’t giving genuine room to think and feel about more than the necessities, when he was made to feel like a problem and chore to have to do with. Too much, if you will, dropped at his grandpa’s in lack of anywhere else to stay. I’m sensing that, while surely a growing boy in need of sustainance, Taichi is using food as a form of emotional regulation (and shield). It’s a need that can be easily met, understood and if criticised - impersonal. I don’t think Taichi was taht far behind Kohei in terms of growing feelings, but while Kohei has a loving and understanding mother who listens to him and give him room to feel as well as the tools to express them (when and if he wants), Taichi tucks his away to not be in the way (or unwanted) AND seemingly don’t know how to properly go about the times he can’t (example: him crying while talking to Kohei right before the kiss).
While not the centre plot, it was something that shook me violently seeing only to then be forgotten about; one of many reasons why a season two would be lovely.

I liked that it took him time, I liked that he got discouraged by Koheis choice of words once he tried to open up at the end, I liked that Kohei found him and I really liked that once it was said, Kohei struggled grasping that it was reality whole Taichi’s character stayed true, too: no embarrassment or issue with it.

I also loved that ”I love you” wasn’t held at gunpoint. Kissing in all honour, but verbal affirmation matters just as much. Kohei signed it and Taichi found out what it meant by own accord. Taichi then said it aloud to Kohei. And at the end, that was so evidently what Kohei mouthed at Taichi. It felt right for this specific series and it was made clear again and again that they /like/ eachother. + Thos elittle napkin ”ghosts” outsie Taichi’s hoem going from one to a pair was such a obvious symbolisim.

Regarding Maya and this hate-train towards her: can’t say I was mad about that, either. Frustrated, sure. But certainly didn’t hate it. I think it was one of the better depictions of this specific plot tool; no strange straight romance side-plot rendering the girl to some tool, she had plenty for personality, valid reasons for how she behaved although definetly a shitty attitude and in the wrong for how she let it show, and didn’t push anything onto Kohei. He was in love with Taichi, and even if she didn’t understand WHY he liked him, she never tried to insert herself. Just my own five cents.

What I would have wished being done differently, or seen more off, would (again) be Taichi’s home situation; there was so much more that could’ve been done there and that would’ve further deepened his character.
They could’ve polished Kohei’s more straight-on approaches - I like that he communicated it, I just wish it had been a little less towards this stereotypical ”I’ll do what I want with you regardless of what you feel” take that East asian dramas are fond of pulling.
The kiss could’ve been a proper one - I’m sure the actors wouldn’t have minded. No need for a makeout, just lip-on-lip.
Dare I say a bit more on the topic of Kohei’s hearing going worse. It just felt like it got left behind a bit. I’d rather take that any day over them rendering him to only a deaf kid, but you know, it’s taxing feeling like your body betrays you.
Probably something more but I gave the story a 9 for a reason.

ACTING/CAST:
Only reason this isn't a 10, is because I’m a tad sensitive to that over-the-top acting that Taichi’s actor did at times, which is purely a personal preference. I’m raised on Scandinavian movie acting, which is all about less-is-more and so it can break the illusion for me and remind me that I’m watching a movie.

Besides that did everyone, and I mean everyone, do an incredible job. The casting for each character was brilliant, and never in my life have I felt and believed that every side character in fact also have an everyday and isn’t just conveniently around when needed the way I did while watching IHTS. The actors gave so much personality to their characters as well as suited them beautifully. Whoever did the casting cared deeply about each character.

Nakasawa (Kohei) and Kobayashi (Taichi) had insane chemistry. I believed every second of their affection towards one another. The way they looked at eachother, the way their bodylanguage changed when interacting - it was beautiful. I want a season 2 for the chance of seeing them work this new relationship out. Didn’t hurt that they also look very good together.

MUSIC:
Giving it a 7 because no song really struck my feelings, it was just really forgettable. BUT, and this is a huge but, even if not a striking soundtrack, did every song suit its scene, wasn’t too loud or weirdly cut.

REWATCH VALUE:
This is a comfort type of show for sure, and I could see myself go back and rewatch scenes. Maybe not the whole thing, but who knows? It’s short, dense episodes and (to me) great pacing with plenty of butterfly-inducing moments, not to forget that it’s visually gorgeous.


FINAL THOUGHTS:
I love this type of dramas. I like when not everything happens too fast or too intense, I don’t mind less intimacy (I fear I hate unnecessary sex scenes for the sake of explicity) and I love pining/longing with all of my heart. Also the lack of pushy stereotypes (top/bottom especially) is so refreshing you all don’t understand. Perhaps my first BL having been Love Sick: the series (2014) with 48 episodes, 45 minutes each, with one (unreleased, mind you) kiss and so much back-and-forth you wouldn’t BELIEVE, shaped me, but I like the slow; the tender; the gentle. If I can tell the characters like one another, and look at eachother as if they hung the moon respectively, then it’s a winner in my books. And "I hear the sunspot” had just that. Definetly a new favourite of mine.

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What you expect.

I have nothing exceptionally good or bad to say about this one.
In lack of much else does the sentence - and my chosen headline - sum it all up pretty well; it's exactly what you expect it to be, with the possibility of more chemistry than anticipated.

STORY: 6/10
There was a lot left to be wished for in terms of characters development, fleshed-out story, tied ends and engagement, but it'll get one point above clean in-between for not being a high school drama. I'm a big fan of historical dramas, and for just a handful of 10-minute episodes, did it do alright. It actually didn't feel very rushed, something that even larger productions easily fail at most times, and that's also something that deserves a highlight. That and the openness about their "situation" between the two main characters actually made me very content.
The general plot intrigued me in its cliche glory, and I'm left feeling like I got exactly what I expected.
My one wish would've been if they skipped maybe one of their attempt at drama and took those precious minutes to give other happenings a more sincere closure, as they all felt like they were just left once the gasp-inducing moment was over.

ACTING/CASTING: 7/10
I wish this had been a large-production situation because the two leads held some incredible chemistry? If given the time and opportunity I genuinely believe these two would be in the top 10 pairings, at least on my end. Something about how they held themselves around each other and looked at one another felt very real and carried this series through and through. The majority of the script was quite cringy, but when they interacted it didn't even phase me.
Overall casting was good, no one really shone or stood out but again, these shorter series don't exactly have the room for it. So using that as a grid does a 7 feel about right.

MUSIC: 5/10
It was your general lower budget drama OST, nothing which sent your eyes watering but also didn't go completely bonkers either haha.

REWATCH VALUE: 1/10
Once is enough. You won't get much else out of a second watch besides maybe picking up on yet another loose end.

OVERALL: 5/10
It takes no time to watch, so do please give it that 1.5 h that it takes to get through. While not mind-blowing is it sweet, calm and completely freed of those awkward moments taken from thousand different angles where something painfully awkward happens.

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Wow (Now edited)

(2025) EDIT:
It’s been 3 years since I watched it now, and I just saw my old review being gone, I came to finalize this one.

I was so dissapointed in this series. The start was brilliant. Like genuinley, without doubt, 10/10 all around. Then somewhere in the middle it was like they forgot the trope, maxed out the unnecessary silly-goofy, laid too much focus on the relationship in a way that just didn’t feel like it made sense, relied too much un graphic, shocking scenes and just... Yeah. I wanted maffia; I got magic mike in maffia disguise tempting comedy.

I’m delighted it went so well for it and the cast, but I forced myslef to finish this one.


(2022)
I'll come back to flesh this review out once the series has finished airing, but until then: WOW.
Opening episode? Brilliant.
The storyline so far? I'm hooked.
Characters? Adore them.
Music? Hits the spots.

The humour is light but adult, matching the theme SO well, the balance between serious and lighthearted is incredibly centred and just.. I'm down bad. This might just be this year's SHOW and I hope anyone who's side-eyed it so far opens a browser and watches.
My only complaint thus far will have to be that it is, in fact, still airing and I have the patience of a 5-year-old.

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