Disappointed to see no Japanese dramas on the list when they probably make the most mature dramas (and the best). I don't think Summer's Desire was a "mature" drama, but that's just my opinion. I will check out the other 2 you recommended, thank you.
Some mature dramas I'd like to recommend - 3 Nen A Gumi (Japan) Before We Get Married (Taiwan) Destiny-Like Love (Japan) Hokuto (Japan) Influence (Japan) Kazoku Game (Japan) Kaidan Botan Doro: Beauty and Fear (Japan) Kenja No Ai (Japan) Kono Yo No Hate (Japan) Last Friends (Japan) Love Shuffle (Japan) MARS (Taiwan) Marry Me Or Not (Taiwan) Mother (Japan) Omameda Towako to Sannin no Motootto (Japan) Saka no Tochu no Ie (Japan) Second Virgin (Japan) Secret Love Affair (Korean) Takane No Hana (Japan) Never Let Me Go (Japan) Nemureru Mori no Jukujo (Japan) Woman (Japan) Zeni Geba (Japan)
There are many many more... I am gonna stop here LOL
Wow, this is a MUST WATCH! The honesty, genuineness and affection the leads had for each other was so moving. Not to mention, they had one of the healthiest relationships I've seen. The drama explored so much more than illness.. it was about unconditional love & self-discovery. This was so poignant, healing & beautiful in every way. An A1 drama all around - acting, cinematography, OST, and direction were all just top notch. Seriously this is why I love Japanese dramas so so much, they take so little & give you so much (in just 6 episodes, 24 mins each)
It is not a bad drama. But I didn't personally enjoy it & dropped it (I do drop stuff easily) I know some others who liked it. Give it a try, you may end up liking it?
When I read your comment, the first thing that popped in my mind is: "Welcome to Japan".For a country as advanced…
I see. Thank you so much for sharing! I did not know about this at all & was judging it from a perspective of the western legal system. I will read it and get back to you. Apologies for my ignorance.
While I get what Saki was trying to do, coming to the barbecue event as well after Koichi came to her party but…
I found it interesting that they didn't belittle each other during the double booking (which is very common). They just left it as you committed to me first, so you should come. Rather than going into the whole yours is just a BBQ, yours is just a fashion event, or ladies first etc etc
Its interesting.. but I find them pretty respectful even when they argue.. they're like-minded in that aspect (though they don't appear to be)
While I get what Saki was trying to do, coming to the barbecue event as well after Koichi came to her party but…
Yeah I get what you're trying to say. But it was Saki herself who offered to go to the BBQ (he didn't ask her to after he came to the party) & that's what I liked. She didn't count which was more objectively important, but rather saw it as 'we need to be equals' so if something is important to you, then it's important to me too. Like it's about respecting each other's feelings & reciprocating. Even though her event was arguably more important, she didn't think twice about leaving hers & joining his. She wanted to do something for him as well. And I liked that.
It's not always about what is more objectively important (a lot of couples end up belittling each other in this process) but rather about the fact that it is important for your partner. That's what I feel.
While I get what Saki was trying to do, coming to the barbecue event as well after Koichi came to her party but…
I agree! I'm glad they slowed down.
I think it's not a matter of objective importance.. the barbecue is important to him & the party is important to her so I was super glad that he's not the only one who made the sacrifice to come. I love that both of them constantly acknowledge each other's efforts (even though late) and make amends. They make a great pair.
I hope the whole 'but we're getting a divorce' doesn't become their thing. It would be frustrating after a point. It's bearable now but it won't after a while..
Yeah that couple was like URGH annoying. Like WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO JUDGE HER RELATIONSHIP. HER CHOICE. Not like it's harming you.
Episode 2 was so much better. I enjoyed it much much more than the first episode. I love that both of them work…
Eita was so much more toned down. I think he eased into the role in this episode. Also the pace was better (E1 was way too fast & packed way too many twists that had the effect of turning people off rather than having them interested).. we slowed down to understand the characters.
He is very patriarchal & says things that are very uncomfortable but what makes it watchable is that he doesn't impose or force it on her. He looks stiff & rough, but seems thoughtful. Not that I'm excusing his words & even behavior but it's the way he's been brought up & taught. He looks up to his father & wants to be like him, but you can tell he isn't like him. They may look similar on the surface, but they are very different. I love the conversation he had with his father about his mum, and how he reflected that to see how he was doing the same with his wife. Sweet of him to yield & come to the party (that was quite an entry HAHAHAHA). And I love that she too went to the barbecue. It was not a one-sided thing which was the best thing ever.
I love how she used his rules against him to remind him to come with her. Now that was something I liked. I hope that she will continue to speak up & express herself. I appreciated her reflection that she was so obsessed with marriage at one point, but is now questioning what marriage really is & whether it really is all that great.
Don't have much opinion on the other characters yet but Midori's husband is such a sleeze. I can't wait for her to get rid of him. Good job on filming his affair. I like the ML's mum as well, it's nice to see her living her life.
Episode 2 was so much better. I enjoyed it much much more than the first episode. I love that both of them work towards the relationship & value each other equally. They make a great pair & I hope that the show will keep up with the potential they've shown us in E2.
If you loved E3, don't read my review. It is highly critical & looks at the show from my own understanding & experience of the legal system. (Of course, this is just my opinion)
I think my enjoyment is dipping. I disliked E3. (That's why those in legal professions should not watch legal dramas, hee.) It was inaccurate on way too many levels that I won't get into.
The show is starting to get really formulaic with Iruma evoking his authority each episode. The cases are interesting, but the problem is with each episode, basic facts that should be investigated before trial are not done so (which makes me question what exactly the lawyers were doing). Iruma constantly plays the role of a defense lawyer rather than a judge. Of course, I am not saying that new facts or questions may not arise at trial. They do, a lot of times. But in this show, some of the very preliminary facts are not even examined until Iruma steps in. Not to mention the fact that the judges themselves are out questioning people related to the case (that's a huge breach of a trial judge's duty to remain impartial. It is not their job to investigate)
"TO DOUBT" - the learning point
While I appreciated Iruma's empathy in the first 2 episodes, I think in this episode, the old judge's want to figure out the truth, stemmed from his own personal feelings that this convict who had found a new chance at life would not do the same & put his life to jeopardy again. That was a clear bias rather than the judge doubting what had already been investigated & was being tried as the truth. So for me the execution of this point of "doubting" had the reverse effect in that it made me feel that Iruma & the old man are rather biased judges. They are not neutral. They justify their actions of evoking their authority through "doubt" when the actual reasons have more to do with their empathy and self-belief that no one should get an unfair sentence so they 'doubt' everyone. This was a great learning point that was really badly executed & written for me. I do acknowledge that this is also a matter of perspective. What appeared to be doubt for the judges, wasn't really doubt for me. Judges are not there to doubt (that is more of a lawyer's role). Judges are there to listen to both sides of the story, and decide in favour of either. Should a question be unclear, they can question the counsel & give time for counsels to investigate further. They are not the ones who are supposed to "doubt", rather they are supposed to "believe" unless it appears to be a very rare case. And this is where the show has really faltered. In the first 2 episodes, it appeared somewhat ideal but by the 3rd episode, it's looking extremely unrealistic to me with the writer not having a clear idea of the roles of the different positions in the judicial system. Maybe this is how she's envisioning the judiciary to be.. I don't know.
Iruma toned down in Court this episode (by a lot) & I appreciated that. I hope he'll remain this way. Also, the best thing about this drama continues to be Iruma & Chizuru's interactions (especially outside the courtroom which I love). The next episode preview looks really promising in terms of their interactions. I'm seriously looking forward to that.
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Some mature dramas I'd like to recommend -
3 Nen A Gumi (Japan)
Before We Get Married (Taiwan)
Destiny-Like Love (Japan)
Hokuto (Japan)
Influence (Japan)
Kazoku Game (Japan)
Kaidan Botan Doro: Beauty and Fear (Japan)
Kenja No Ai (Japan)
Kono Yo No Hate (Japan)
Last Friends (Japan)
Love Shuffle (Japan)
MARS (Taiwan)
Marry Me Or Not (Taiwan)
Mother (Japan)
Omameda Towako to Sannin no Motootto (Japan)
Saka no Tochu no Ie (Japan)
Second Virgin (Japan)
Secret Love Affair (Korean)
Takane No Hana (Japan)
Never Let Me Go (Japan)
Nemureru Mori no Jukujo (Japan)
Woman (Japan)
Zeni Geba (Japan)
There are many many more... I am gonna stop here LOL
The honesty, genuineness and affection the leads had for each other was so moving. Not to mention, they had one of the healthiest relationships I've seen. The drama explored so much more than illness.. it was about unconditional love & self-discovery. This was so poignant, healing & beautiful in every way. An A1 drama all around - acting, cinematography, OST, and direction were all just top notch.
Seriously this is why I love Japanese dramas so so much, they take so little & give you so much (in just 6 episodes, 24 mins each)
Its interesting.. but I find them pretty respectful even when they argue.. they're like-minded in that aspect (though they don't appear to be)
It's not always about what is more objectively important (a lot of couples end up belittling each other in this process) but rather about the fact that it is important for your partner. That's what I feel.
I think it's not a matter of objective importance.. the barbecue is important to him & the party is important to her so I was super glad that he's not the only one who made the sacrifice to come. I love that both of them constantly acknowledge each other's efforts (even though late) and make amends. They make a great pair.
I hope the whole 'but we're getting a divorce' doesn't become their thing. It would be frustrating after a point. It's bearable now but it won't after a while..
Yeah that couple was like URGH annoying. Like WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO JUDGE HER RELATIONSHIP. HER CHOICE. Not like it's harming you.
He is very patriarchal & says things that are very uncomfortable but what makes it watchable is that he doesn't impose or force it on her. He looks stiff & rough, but seems thoughtful. Not that I'm excusing his words & even behavior but it's the way he's been brought up & taught. He looks up to his father & wants to be like him, but you can tell he isn't like him. They may look similar on the surface, but they are very different. I love the conversation he had with his father about his mum, and how he reflected that to see how he was doing the same with his wife. Sweet of him to yield & come to the party (that was quite an entry HAHAHAHA). And I love that she too went to the barbecue. It was not a one-sided thing which was the best thing ever.
I love how she used his rules against him to remind him to come with her. Now that was something I liked. I hope that she will continue to speak up & express herself. I appreciated her reflection that she was so obsessed with marriage at one point, but is now questioning what marriage really is & whether it really is all that great.
Don't have much opinion on the other characters yet but Midori's husband is such a sleeze. I can't wait for her to get rid of him. Good job on filming his affair. I like the ML's mum as well, it's nice to see her living her life.
Takumi went from being a nurse to a doctor real quick hehe :)
I think my enjoyment is dipping. I disliked E3. (That's why those in legal professions should not watch legal dramas, hee.) It was inaccurate on way too many levels that I won't get into.
The show is starting to get really formulaic with Iruma evoking his authority each episode. The cases are interesting, but the problem is with each episode, basic facts that should be investigated before trial are not done so (which makes me question what exactly the lawyers were doing). Iruma constantly plays the role of a defense lawyer rather than a judge. Of course, I am not saying that new facts or questions may not arise at trial. They do, a lot of times. But in this show, some of the very preliminary facts are not even examined until Iruma steps in. Not to mention the fact that the judges themselves are out questioning people related to the case (that's a huge breach of a trial judge's duty to remain impartial. It is not their job to investigate)
"TO DOUBT" - the learning point
While I appreciated Iruma's empathy in the first 2 episodes, I think in this episode, the old judge's want to figure out the truth, stemmed from his own personal feelings that this convict who had found a new chance at life would not do the same & put his life to jeopardy again. That was a clear bias rather than the judge doubting what had already been investigated & was being tried as the truth. So for me the execution of this point of "doubting" had the reverse effect in that it made me feel that Iruma & the old man are rather biased judges. They are not neutral. They justify their actions of evoking their authority through "doubt" when the actual reasons have more to do with their empathy and self-belief that no one should get an unfair sentence so they 'doubt' everyone. This was a great learning point that was really badly executed & written for me. I do acknowledge that this is also a matter of perspective. What appeared to be doubt for the judges, wasn't really doubt for me. Judges are not there to doubt (that is more of a lawyer's role). Judges are there to listen to both sides of the story, and decide in favour of either. Should a question be unclear, they can question the counsel & give time for counsels to investigate further. They are not the ones who are supposed to "doubt", rather they are supposed to "believe" unless it appears to be a very rare case. And this is where the show has really faltered. In the first 2 episodes, it appeared somewhat ideal but by the 3rd episode, it's looking extremely unrealistic to me with the writer not having a clear idea of the roles of the different positions in the judicial system. Maybe this is how she's envisioning the judiciary to be.. I don't know.
Iruma toned down in Court this episode (by a lot) & I appreciated that. I hope he'll remain this way.
Also, the best thing about this drama continues to be Iruma & Chizuru's interactions (especially outside the courtroom which I love). The next episode preview looks really promising in terms of their interactions. I'm seriously looking forward to that.