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Romanticized Abuse Disguised as Fluff

I can’t believe this is my first review ever, but I need to get this off my chest. A hot guy (Segasaki) tells a broke, low–self-esteem guy (Yoh) to move in with him, promising food and shelter in exchange for complete obedience—anything he wants. Yoh is desperate, so he agrees.

This is such a dangerous deal to make. What exactly does Segasaki want? How far is Yoh supposed to go? How could he say yes without knowing? Segasaki is manipulative to the core. He preys on Yoh when he’s at his lowest just to own him. His “love” is possession and control. He needs Yoh to depend on him, and Yoh accepts it, willingly, like so many trapped in abusive relationships.

Neither of them should be anywhere near a relationship, and together they’re a disaster. What frustrates me even more is the number of people who genuinely enjoy this dynamic. Being someone’s slave is not cute. It’s not romantic, it’s not sweet—no matter how many head pats Segasaki gives Yoh.

And Yoh? He’s painfully naive. He could leave, but he chooses to stay because he thinks he loves Segasaki. Honey, that’s not love. Even in fiction, an abusive relationship is still abusive. Romanticizing it doesn’t make it any less harmful.

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Not therapeutic at all…

Why would Minato get so angry at Shizuma for not remembering their one drunken night together? Not remembering is fairly common and certainly not unforgivable, so it makes no sense for Minato to go to such lengths to make Shizuma fall in love just to break his heart over something so trivial.

Don’t even get me started on the lead actors' nonexistent chemistry. The first thirty seconds were enough for me to want to drop the drama, but I stayed for Minato’s pretty face, hoping it would improve. It didn't. Instead, it became more ridiculous as it progressed.

I understand why Minato is afraid of falling in love, and I certainly wouldn't entrust my heart to a guy who just got out of a relationship, is obviously still hung up on his ex, and wasn't even into guys until he met me. Honestly, I have zero sympathy for Shizuma.

Even more insane was the second couple, who managed to have even less chemistry than the main leads. How is that even possible?

Overall, this drama was not enjoyable at all.

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Elyes is the worst!

Earlier in the drama, a drunk, crying Pat asks Elyes, “You’re always mean… What am I to you?”

To which Elyes replies, “Is being with me that miserable?”

This conversation pretty much sums up their entire relationship. Pat is a beautiful, capable, and nearly perfect guy. His only flaw is being secretly in love with an asshole like Elyes and letting himself be treated like trash. He too good for this world, and too idiotic when it comes to love.

Elyes is intentionally cruel toward Pat. It makes no sense why he would purposely hurt Pat’s feelings while knowing how Pat feels about him. He knows that being with him makes Pat miserable, yet he continues to torment him. He refuses to let Pat go and continues to string him along. The problem with Pat is that he knows Elyes is a red flag, but one simple act of kindness from Elyes and he is "down bad" all over again.

I wish another character had shown genuine interest in Pat… someone who recognized what a gem he is and how Elyes doesn’t deserve him at all. Instead, all we got was a forgettable female character who didn't really add anything to the story.

I wanted to drop this drama because it pained me to see a good character like Pat getting hurt over an asshole like Elyes. I honestly can’t stand that man; even in the final episode, he managed to make Pat cry. That kiss with his ex went on much longer than it should have. WTF Elyes. UGH.

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A Quiet, Tender Love Story

At 25:00 in Akasaka may not have the most original premise, fake dating that slowly becomes real, but what truly leaves a mark aren’t the plot beats, it’s the way the characters carry them. Especially Asami.

Asami is one of the gentlest leads I’ve seen in a drama. From the beginning, the way he treats Shirasaki feels thoughtful and sincere. He never forces his feelings, never backs Shirasaki into a corner. Instead, he stays close in quiet, steady ways, supporting him without ever taking away his space. His love feels patient, not demanding.

One moment that stuck with me is when Asami asks, “What do you like?”
Shirasaki lists the things he likes—
cinema, acting, strawberry shortcake, hamburg,
Asami’s curry rice,
Asami’s hand while drying his hair,
Asami’s child-like sleeping face,
and finally… Asami himself.

Later, during the confession scene in the show they’re filming, it becomes clear that Asami now belongs on that list just as naturally as everything else Shirasaki loves. I really enjoyed the quiet shift from acting to honesty, where pretending stops and real feelings take over.

I love how Asami’s affection isn’t loud, but it’s deep. The actor playing him captures that sense of longing without overdoing it. I know some viewers say there’s no chemistry or that the kisses lack intensity, but for me, the emotion was there beneath every look and small gesture. The kiss in episode 5 is my favorite. The phrase ‘drunk in love’… this must be exactly what it means.

The music also adds so much to the atmosphere, especially the moments when a certain background music is playing, I thought we can hear Shirasaki’s heartbeat. Those scenes made the emotions feel real, like we were sitting with them in the silence between words.

The actor who plays Shirasaki has some of the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen on screen, it’s genuinely beautiful to watch. I’ve rewatched this series many times, and I still can’t get over the atmosphere of the show. It’s filmed so simply, yet it feels incredibly tender. It made my heart flutter.

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Perfectly Captured the Fluttering Feeling of First Love

We first have to thank Hashimoto for lending Aoki that eraser, the legendary eraser that started it all.

While Aoki is the kindest soul, Ida must have been a saint in a past life; there isn't an ounce of malice in that man. I love that he didn't just reject Aoki’s "confession" right away; he sincerely considered his feelings before responding. The only thing I find hard to believe is that this was Ida's first time being confessed to. Seriously? With a face like that (Meguro Ren is a total hottie!), I would’ve been first in line!

Akkun initially infuriated me when he meddled and forced Aoki to the rooftop to come clean. He definitely deserved the slap Hashimoto gave him! However, his heart was in the right place, and he eventually made up for his mistake by being a true friend.

Aoki’s journey was a roller coaster ride of feelings, from the depression of realizing he had fallen for Ida for real, to the heartbreak of thinking he had lost him after coming clean. That scene where he sadly stares at Ida from a distance absolutely broke my heart.

The camping trip was such a fun episode. I loved seeing Hashimoto and Aoki’s bond, and even Ida and Akkun managed to bond for once.

My favorite moment has to be after the pretty manager left. Aoki was dribbling the ball while Ida watched from above. Seeing Ida finally become honest with his feelings while Aoki was already "in too deep" was beautiful to watch.

Credit where credit is due, Ida’s friend, Toyoda, is the real hero of this series. I love how he helped a clueless, "stupid-when-it-comes-to-love" Ida realize his feelings and gave him the push he needed to run to Aoki.

My Love Mix-Up! perfectly captured the butterflies of falling in love for the first time. It beautifully illustrated that you can’t choose who you love and that honest feelings always deserve to be heard.

This show is definitely my top comfort watch! Michieda Shunsuke perfectly captured Aoki’s chaotic energy, and Meguro Ren played Ida’s stoic-but-sincere nature so well.

The OST really is the cherry on top, having both Snow Man’s "Secret Touch" and Naniwa Danshi’s "Ubu LOVE" play at the end of different episodes made the vibes even more magical.

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If Only Every Guy Were Like Hikaru

Hikaru is the ultimate "green flag." I love how he fell for Haruka long before she did; even while she was in love with someone else, Hikaru remained by her side, supporting her in every possible way. I could never be like him, staying beside the person you love while watching them fall for someone else takes incredible strength. (The same could be said about Shu; that guy is way too cool!)

Haruka is such a pure soul, and I love how she accepted Hikaru from the moment she learned he’s a cross-dresser. They are constantly there for one another, and their friendship was beautiful to witness. Watching that bond bloom into something more felt truly profound. While Haruka can be a bit naive at times, her kindness always shines through. I never quite understood what she saw in Kurotaki, or why she and Miorin became friends in the end, but her heart is clearly in the right place.

The aquarium date has to be one of the best J-drama episodes I’ve ever seen. The combination of sweetness and quirkiness was a joy to watch, and I especially loved seeing Haruka find the courage to confess just as Hikaru lost his nerve. Love won in the end.

I wish the drama hadn’t ended at episode 12. The five-year time jump felt too rushed for a single episode, which made the finale feel a bit unsatisfying. A wedding scene would have been a lovely way to close the story.

Overall, I enjoyed Cinderella Closet immensely. The story is simple, lighthearted, and incredibly comforting.

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