I enjoyed a rom-com from South Korea after a long long time. This was quite the surprise package! Highly recommend this if you're looking for something light, feel-good, and romantic and yet full of heart.
I feel a bit naive now, but I saw Rei as slowly falling in love with an impassible Ichiko, so he stopped being…
Nahhh maybe he was falling in love with her.. we never know. What I saw as manipulation could really be, like what you said, a case of young conflicting love. It's really a matter of interpretation / perspective because the show doesn't make his side of the story clear.
Yes, both couples rekindled and fixed their marriage, and there is nothing wrong with that. Many couples do. Infidelity,…
I couldn't agree more. They were all imperfect, flawed and very real. It takes two hands to clap and I'm glad the writing did not try to pin the fault on one character completely. We saw a very balanced and nuanced perspective of both sides. The writer did not shy away from making them appear selfish, insensitive or unlikeable.
And yes, I am not advocating for prostitution or cheating, but the sex definitely helped her release that stress and hurt she was bottling up inside and allowed her to initiate the hard conversation.
Episode 7 ramblings as I watch the episodeNarita Ryo
That's fine. We can agree to disagree. I've never been in Ichiko / Otoyan's position but I work with couples going through a divorce all the time so I find it hard to completely pick a side (though probably I might lean more towards Ichiko because I empathised with how she remained where she was while Otoyan constantly distanced himself or walked away or moved out). In essence, I think they're both very flawed, and very real. But I'm pretty sure about one thing - you're not the only one projecting LOL. I think most viewers (including me) did it while watching this.. it's a bit of a 'is-the-glass-half-full-or-half-empty' kinda situation where our experiences, views and morals would shape the way we see it.
Yes, both couples rekindled and fixed their marriage, and there is nothing wrong with that. Many couples do. Infidelity,…
Oh yes, that's a real struggle. I know of a few friends who conceived via IVF and it is both mentally and physically draining for a woman. I am glad both leads met halfway in the end where they focused on the current happiness rather than fixating on the past, or planning for the future.
Episode 7 ramblings as I watch the episodeNarita Ryo
I don't think Ichiko is a reliable narrator. Agree. But neither is Otoyan. I think both of them were at fault. Even though the conflict began with sex, I don't think that was the real problem. Both of them had too much pride, and couldn't take the hurt but more importantly both were fearful of tipping the balance and initiating that hard conversation which might lead to an end they did not want. He chose to walk away and distance himself and she also let him do that . But they kept the pleasantries and cordialness until it reached a point where they couldn't take it anymore. And still, he walked out, never initiating the divorce question until she finally brought it up. The "I have to turn around first because my husband is too kind" was very telling. Even the way he initiated the breakup conversation with Mitsuki before she stabbed him was pretty cruel and insensitive, like he had his share of fun and now we can just be friends who consult each other on our problems. Or when he acted like his affair was a very dignified act because he was in love, while looking down on Ichiko's affair as a lowly disgusting thing because it was a one-night stand with a random gigolo.
Thanks for sharing about the flowers. I actually googled its meaning and I think its an interesting choice that they did not share it, leaving that sense of intrigue and excitement for both the leads and the viewer.
I liked the first 5 episodes but started to get really annoyed and tired of the wife and her destructive and immature…
Interesting perspective. I thought the opposite actually.. it takes both hands to clap and both of them were at fault.. a bit of a action / reaction thing. She may not have wanted the sex, but he is the one who just walked out, found another lover and distanced himself. She, too, took it and did not try to attempt a conversation about that. It's pretty normal for a partner to not want sex all the time. She wanted his love again but he pushed her away even though he did not want a divorce and clearly loved her, and then got riled up when she hinted at another man and when he saw her with the young man. He did not think about her hurt just like she did not think about his. The conversation about the kids came from him first, when he left the house and came back while she was sick. He mentioned wanting to make it work, but immediately directed the conversation to sex and having kids. That was really insensitive. She clearly obliged and gave in as an attempt to save the marriage. She initiated the conversation about the divorce but in some ways, he pushed her towards it. Notice the flowers at the back during that conversation. He continued the class and had his leisure time while she was going through the infertility treatment which was both physically and mentally toiling for her. Not only that, they were clearly having sex and she did not enjoy the sex. She mentioned in the early episodes of how she had a low sex drive. Ichiko's statement of how she had to turn back first because Otoyan was too kind was telling. He always initiated hard conversations in a kind manner to the point it was selfish and insensitive. Case in point : the conversation before Mitsuki stabbed him asking her to be friends after that serious affair, or even the conversation when he came back to the apartment while she was sick and started talking about sex and kids, or when he tried to justify his affair in the name of love like it was a very dignified thing to do while looking down on Ichiko's one night stand. He appears nice and caring on the surface, but can be very insensitive and cruel at times. Both of them did not want to sell the apartment. He talked about how he wanted to mention that the windows were problematic so that no one would buy it. He was hoping she would stop that transaction because he did not have the guts to do it.
It was a 2 way street for both of them. He wasn't the only one yielding to her. She yielded to him too, when he displayed selfishness and insensitivity towards her. And in the end, both of them met halfway [the symbolism of the flowers and choosing not to have kids and enjoying the current state of bliss)
An immersive, intricate and provocative psychological drama depicting the highs and lows of a marriage with 4…
Yes, both couples rekindled and fixed their marriage, and there is nothing wrong with that. Many couples do. Infidelity, lack of sexual pleasure, being unable to bear a child, or a stifling environment does not always end a marriage, not especially if the couple has a desire to work through it, re-evaluate themselves and their relationship, and finally work at changing themselves little by little.
An immersive, intricate and provocative psychological drama depicting the highs and lows of a marriage with 4 flawed leads. While our stellar cast of Takahata Mitsuki, Okada Masaki, Kora Kengo and Nishino Nanase were effortless, the real star of this drama was its script which was full of depth, heavy dialogues, and symbolisms that left me with food for thought after each episode. If you've ever been in a relationship, you're likely to find yourself in the position of either of the 4 leads or all of them. Highly recommend this realistic drama for an open-minded and mature audience that appreciates how our world is full of colours beyond black and white.
P.S That synopsis does not do justice to this drama.
Episode 7. What a quiet, and endearing finale with a beautiful message.
Episode 7 ramblings as I watch the episode
Narita Ryo <333 What he said about how a husband / wife aren't always on the same page - BANG ON.
Damn that doctor at the infertility clinic was rude and insensitive. I've heard friends tell me about how these procedures can be both mentally and physically tiring but watching it made me really empathize with couples who decide to take this route. I wish more people were not fixated with having a kid of your own blood and considered adoption.. oh well.
In E2 we were introduced to Ichiko's childhood trauma and walls.. we've seen it at play in bits and pieces throughout the drama but in this episode we begin to really see how it makes her shut Otoyan out and suffer silently. Otoyan was clearly trying to offer sensitivity asking her to pause on the treatment or talk to him but she wouldn't take it because her mind is so fixated on the next step like having a baby is the only thing that would save this marriage.. Glad Otoyan brought it up and hallelujah finally he said the magic words that it's ok to not have a child, and that they can be happy without it. Otoyan can be sensitive sometimes.. Also interesting how the ikebana was at the backdrop in this scene.. great symbolism of how flower day broke the marriage, and how Ichiko was just putting up with it all this while. And the insensitivity is back - " is it because I had an affair with your permission" EH she did not give you permission. How do you not understand this?! She said it casually.. she did not actually expect you to actually find another, and she admitted this after you got stabbed, didn't she?
I love Ichiko's realization and declaration to learn to open up to people. YESSSS, Finally! Maybe the divorce has done her good.. let's see.
Otoyan seems like the perfect guy on the surface. He loves Ichiko's mother like his own, he takes care of people, he's there when you need him and will even say the right comforting words but in crucial and small moments you see how he doesn't look within enough and blames others way more than his own self. He tries his best to never look like the bad guy and tries to phrase even the worst things in a nice way so as to look good (not realising how insensitive it sounds) case on point the scene before Mitsuki stabs him, or even the divorce conversation.. He's very real and flawed, just like most humans are, with both nice and ugly sides.
In maximum dramas we see a divorce and then leap.. but in real life, it doesn't just end with a divorce. There's a lot to do even after that such as moving things out, settling property and alimony etc, or even the emotional withdrawals you feel especially when you still care for each other and are not completely sick of each other yet.. To see Otoyan support Ichiko after her mother's death was such a nice touch. You can see that both of them will always find ways to be in each other's lives..
Finally both of them are at the calm that Shiro / Mitsuki reached. You know they say sometimes certain relationships need to hit absolute rock bottom (to the point that it cannot get worse than that) for it to rise from the ashes.. the divorce did both of them good. Finally they could communicate free of burdens / obligations and expectations. Even though it was a conversation about Ichiko's mum, you could see why they'll always be special for each other. "I need to be the one to turn around because my ex-husband is too kind" THAT HURT
Beautiful symbolism of Ichiko / Otoyan not being able to sell the house because of what it means..interesting use of the kitchen space as an icebreaker because their laughters always centered around eating together / meals.. like that was the most couple-y thing they used to do.
Ending it with the flower that represents [we don't know what] - great great symbolism, almost to say there is no concrete ending and it's a continuation (just like life) where we keep going and we live in the present (Ichiko's "I am happy right now")
Have you actually watched the drama? Ichiko and Otoyan were in love when they got married. I am not going to go into details of why and how but she agreed to let him to spend 1 night a month with his lover. It's ok if you don't like the drama after watching it, but don't judge it even before watching it. And I am not making any excuses for infidelity but it is extremely common in the world today, not just in Japan. This show does not in any way romanticize or excuse infidelity. Rather, it presents the reality of what it takes to make a marriage work.
There are 2 couples in this, all in all 4 main characters. I'm gonna assume you're talking Ichiko / Otoyan. She had a one night stand (just once) with a male prostitute after her husband refused to have sex with her (as he was in love with another woman). They divorced at the end of Episode 6. I have not watched the last episode yet so I don't know what's the ending.
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They usually take a long time to approve stuff on Japanese content in MDL.
This was quite the surprise package!
Highly recommend this if you're looking for something light, feel-good, and romantic and yet full of heart.
the drama page is in the related content above.
What I saw as manipulation could really be, like what you said, a case of young conflicting love.
It's really a matter of interpretation / perspective because the show doesn't make his side of the story clear.
They were all imperfect, flawed and very real. It takes two hands to clap and I'm glad the writing did not try to pin the fault on one character completely. We saw a very balanced and nuanced perspective of both sides. The writer did not shy away from making them appear selfish, insensitive or unlikeable.
And yes, I am not advocating for prostitution or cheating, but the sex definitely helped her release that stress and hurt she was bottling up inside and allowed her to initiate the hard conversation.
I've never been in Ichiko / Otoyan's position but I work with couples going through a divorce all the time so I find it hard to completely pick a side (though probably I might lean more towards Ichiko because I empathised with how she remained where she was while Otoyan constantly distanced himself or walked away or moved out). In essence, I think they're both very flawed, and very real.
But I'm pretty sure about one thing - you're not the only one projecting LOL. I think most viewers (including me) did it while watching this.. it's a bit of a 'is-the-glass-half-full-or-half-empty' kinda situation where our experiences, views and morals would shape the way we see it.
I am glad both leads met halfway in the end where they focused on the current happiness rather than fixating on the past, or planning for the future.
Even though the conflict began with sex, I don't think that was the real problem. Both of them had too much pride, and couldn't take the hurt but more importantly both were fearful of tipping the balance and initiating that hard conversation which might lead to an end they did not want. He chose to walk away and distance himself and she also let him do that . But they kept the pleasantries and cordialness until it reached a point where they couldn't take it anymore. And still, he walked out, never initiating the divorce question until she finally brought it up.
The "I have to turn around first because my husband is too kind" was very telling. Even the way he initiated the breakup conversation with Mitsuki before she stabbed him was pretty cruel and insensitive, like he had his share of fun and now we can just be friends who consult each other on our problems. Or when he acted like his affair was a very dignified act because he was in love, while looking down on Ichiko's affair as a lowly disgusting thing because it was a one-night stand with a random gigolo.
Thanks for sharing about the flowers. I actually googled its meaning and I think its an interesting choice that they did not share it, leaving that sense of intrigue and excitement for both the leads and the viewer.
I thought the opposite actually.. it takes both hands to clap and both of them were at fault.. a bit of a action / reaction thing.
She may not have wanted the sex, but he is the one who just walked out, found another lover and distanced himself. She, too, took it and did not try to attempt a conversation about that. It's pretty normal for a partner to not want sex all the time.
She wanted his love again but he pushed her away even though he did not want a divorce and clearly loved her, and then got riled up when she hinted at another man and when he saw her with the young man. He did not think about her hurt just like she did not think about his.
The conversation about the kids came from him first, when he left the house and came back while she was sick. He mentioned wanting to make it work, but immediately directed the conversation to sex and having kids. That was really insensitive. She clearly obliged and gave in as an attempt to save the marriage.
She initiated the conversation about the divorce but in some ways, he pushed her towards it. Notice the flowers at the back during that conversation. He continued the class and had his leisure time while she was going through the infertility treatment which was both physically and mentally toiling for her. Not only that, they were clearly having sex and she did not enjoy the sex. She mentioned in the early episodes of how she had a low sex drive. Ichiko's statement of how she had to turn back first because Otoyan was too kind was telling. He always initiated hard conversations in a kind manner to the point it was selfish and insensitive. Case in point : the conversation before Mitsuki stabbed him asking her to be friends after that serious affair, or even the conversation when he came back to the apartment while she was sick and started talking about sex and kids, or when he tried to justify his affair in the name of love like it was a very dignified thing to do while looking down on Ichiko's one night stand. He appears nice and caring on the surface, but can be very insensitive and cruel at times.
Both of them did not want to sell the apartment. He talked about how he wanted to mention that the windows were problematic so that no one would buy it. He was hoping she would stop that transaction because he did not have the guts to do it.
It was a 2 way street for both of them. He wasn't the only one yielding to her. She yielded to him too, when he displayed selfishness and insensitivity towards her. And in the end, both of them met halfway [the symbolism of the flowers and choosing not to have kids and enjoying the current state of bliss)
At least that's the way I saw it.
Highly recommend this realistic drama for an open-minded and mature audience that appreciates how our world is full of colours beyond black and white.
P.S That synopsis does not do justice to this drama.
Narita Ryo <333
What he said about how a husband / wife aren't always on the same page - BANG ON.
Damn that doctor at the infertility clinic was rude and insensitive. I've heard friends tell me about how these procedures can be both mentally and physically tiring but watching it made me really empathize with couples who decide to take this route. I wish more people were not fixated with having a kid of your own blood and considered adoption.. oh well.
In E2 we were introduced to Ichiko's childhood trauma and walls.. we've seen it at play in bits and pieces throughout the drama but in this episode we begin to really see how it makes her shut Otoyan out and suffer silently. Otoyan was clearly trying to offer sensitivity asking her to pause on the treatment or talk to him but she wouldn't take it because her mind is so fixated on the next step like having a baby is the only thing that would save this marriage..
Glad Otoyan brought it up and hallelujah finally he said the magic words that it's ok to not have a child, and that they can be happy without it. Otoyan can be sensitive sometimes..
Also interesting how the ikebana was at the backdrop in this scene.. great symbolism of how flower day broke the marriage, and how Ichiko was just putting up with it all this while.
And the insensitivity is back - " is it because I had an affair with your permission"
EH she did not give you permission. How do you not understand this?! She said it casually.. she did not actually expect you to actually find another, and she admitted this after you got stabbed, didn't she?
I love Ichiko's realization and declaration to learn to open up to people. YESSSS, Finally! Maybe the divorce has done her good.. let's see.
Otoyan seems like the perfect guy on the surface. He loves Ichiko's mother like his own, he takes care of people, he's there when you need him and will even say the right comforting words but in crucial and small moments you see how he doesn't look within enough and blames others way more than his own self. He tries his best to never look like the bad guy and tries to phrase even the worst things in a nice way so as to look good (not realising how insensitive it sounds)
case on point the scene before Mitsuki stabs him, or even the divorce conversation..
He's very real and flawed, just like most humans are, with both nice and ugly sides.
In maximum dramas we see a divorce and then leap.. but in real life, it doesn't just end with a divorce. There's a lot to do even after that such as moving things out, settling property and alimony etc, or even the emotional withdrawals you feel especially when you still care for each other and are not completely sick of each other yet..
To see Otoyan support Ichiko after her mother's death was such a nice touch. You can see that both of them will always find ways to be in each other's lives..
Finally both of them are at the calm that Shiro / Mitsuki reached. You know they say sometimes certain relationships need to hit absolute rock bottom (to the point that it cannot get worse than that) for it to rise from the ashes.. the divorce did both of them good.
Finally they could communicate free of burdens / obligations and expectations. Even though it was a conversation about Ichiko's mum, you could see why they'll always be special for each other.
"I need to be the one to turn around because my ex-husband is too kind" THAT HURT
Beautiful symbolism of Ichiko / Otoyan not being able to sell the house because of what it means..interesting use of the kitchen space as an icebreaker because their laughters always centered around eating together / meals.. like that was the most couple-y thing they used to do.
Ending it with the flower that represents [we don't know what] - great great symbolism, almost to say there is no concrete ending and it's a continuation (just like life) where we keep going and we live in the present (Ichiko's "I am happy right now")
Beautiful. I liked this finale, and this drama.
What a quiet, and endearing finale with a beautiful message.
There are 2 couples in this drama. Which couple are you talking about?
It's ok if you don't like the drama after watching it, but don't judge it even before watching it.
And I am not making any excuses for infidelity but it is extremely common in the world today, not just in Japan. This show does not in any way romanticize or excuse infidelity. Rather, it presents the reality of what it takes to make a marriage work.
HAHA
They divorced at the end of Episode 6.
I have not watched the last episode yet so I don't know what's the ending.