chillingindoors

I don't know if it's just me but his recent works have been really underwhelming. Sad because he's one of my favourite screenwriters.

This was quite the surprise package! Teen angst captured in a unique and refreshing way that only J dramas can achieve. I wish it was longer.

The best part of this story was that we got different stories of who the men thought Ritsuko was, but never truly found out who she was.

"What kind of a woman is Ritsuko?"
That question sums up this drama.
A compelling tale of a woman who was broken by society time and time again, with a fantastic performance by Matsumoto Marika.
Highly recommended for those who like dark, psychological stories with some forbidden romance.

I don't think so.

She delivered a fantastic performance in Mukou no Hate.

The ML is actually a decent actor. I'm pretty sure he is being cringey in this ON PURPOSE. His acting is not meant to be taken seriously. Heck his voice isn't even that deep lol

Okada Masaki, Nakai Kiichi and Nanao <3
*adds to my never-ending plan to watch list*

Tomo, we miss you on screen! Hope you'll come back <3

A very well-written, well-researched and sensitive article! I always appreciate content on Japanese dramas and movies. Glad to see a sensitive comment section as well :)

I hope more people break free from generalizing Japanese content and actually watch dramas / movies from Japan that open their eyes to just how much brilliance Japan produces.

I'm only on E2 and I find the FL too loud and overdramatic in certain scenes. She's a decent actress but she's not doing it for me in this drama HAHA
Anyway I'm gonna keep watching as I am intrigued about what's going on. Also, Alice Ke's character is so cool.

Thank you so much!

I hate that profile pic. URGHHHHHHHH
He is way better looking than that.

Exactly! Tsumugi's love for Minato VS Tsumugi's love for Sou doesn't have to be compared, and it's not fair to say she loves Sou more or Minato more. She loves them both in different ways, and they hold different corners in her heart, which the show made clear when Tsumugi mentioned to Sou that she'll eat anything except hamburger because hamburgers are reserved for Minato. With Minato, she didn't feel the kind of sexual attraction and he was like family - but was it any lesser than love? Nope. It was love nonetheless.

We love different things about different people, and the sum of all these parts are often greater than the whole.

I hope more people understand this and not fixate on defining the level of love she has for either men. Love is love, as simple as that.

High five on that!

Yes I just finished Mahou no Rinobe yesterday and she was decent in that.

Give Iribito a try. She hardly has much dialogues but her screen presence is so powerful and she delivers so much through her eyes. And also, she held her own amidst brilliant actors like Takahata Mitsuki, Kazama Shunsuke and Matsushige Yutaka.

I haven't seen this drama yet but maybe the director wasn't able to push her to deliver?

Nodame Cantabile
Last Friends
Kazoku no Katachi
Sunao ni Narenakute
Ouroboros
Girl in the Sunny Place

The title 'Silent' is so apt for this drama. Words have long been a way of communication. But are words truly always needed and can words truly ever convey the full essence of what we're feeling? We're all struggling to define Tsumugi and Minato's relationship or even Tsumugi and Sou's relationship at this point because we want to categorize it and define it. That's not needed. What's most important is to FEEL.

I am glad more people are giving J dramas a chance. They're always written with such nuance, and beautifully acted.

The fact that Tsumugi chose not to tie her ponytail was an interesting choice given that Minato told her that Sou likes ponytails.

She has decided to dictate her life on her own terms, rather than being moved by what someone else says, or being liked on someone else's terms.

Also, maybe it's just me but Minato may have initiated the break-up, but it was Tsumugi who took the final call and ended things, when she packed her things, moved them out of his apartment, told him to throw away the fluffy pin, and ended the call. I'm wondering if Minato was testing Tsumugi and hoping that she wouldn't break up and would cling on to him. I think it would make sense with Minato's personality because as much as he knew he was second fiddle and was insecure, for him being with Tsumugi was that one chance he never thought he would have so I doubt he truly wanted the break up. But I think it backfired on him, and made him realise that indeed it wasn't meant to be.

I loved that the final scene between Tsumugi and Sou didn't have any romantic undertones to it, and indicated a fresh start for both of them as friends.

Looking forward to see where their relationship goes from here.

Episode 5 was so heartbreakingly beautiful! Absolutely loved it! Such stellar writing, and acting! Probably my favourite episode so far. This drama is exploring the different facets of love and the complexity of human emotions with such sensitivity. Looking forward to the next chapter.
As always, J dramas know how to hit me right in the kokoro.