Episode 3. This show continues to be so damn good.The writing, performances, and mood; everything about it is…
Episode 3 ramblings as I watch the episode
Ahh no wonder Otoya fell for Ichiko. It looked like she fulfilled parts of him that were missing or that he wished he had like firmness / decisiveness, the shining energy she had in contrast to his quiet self that just blends into the crowd and not to mention, her beauty. Another parallel with the scene in Episode 2 at Ichiko's mother's house, which makes it clear why she fell for Otoyan. She found the home she lacked in him. A lot to do with attachment theory - we tend to unconsciously seek out people based on our attachment patterns that we learned from our parents and caregivers at a young age.
Another great parallel between the Mitsuki / Otoyan scene in Episode 2 where she points out how she's just a sex tool for Otoyan and the way that is confirmed in Episode 3, when Otoyan very subtly rejects the idea of staying together with Mitsuki and her son and shifts to the topic to her fixing issues with her husband. He wants to have his cake and eat it too. WOW. I am surprised Mitsuki took it calmly and didn't leave. Same issue with Ichiko who's not even considering a divorce. Well, they're not wrong when they say birds of a feather flock together. "I like her but the responsibility is too much for me." + "I was a little relieved when she said she was leaving even though I might be lonely" + "Let's be friends who can talk about our problems" (wow after you enjoyed sex with her countless times, what a sweet way of ending it nicely and saying I used you and now don't want you anymore) Finally Otoyan realised he's a piece of shit. HAHA.
Great contrast between Kora Kengo's character and the way he subtly hints at his wife's affair in a very detached fashion as opposed to Otoyan / Ichiko. So that's the difference when feelings are involved. Otoyan / Ichiko clearly have attachment and maybe even some love between each other that binds them together and allows them to interact cordially, as opposed to Mitsuki and her husband. I like how all 4 of them are stuck in a similar bind and yet there are subtle differences.. that makes it very realistic and interesting.
When you hear about celebrities or famous people having open marriage, it sounds cool but I like how this show very subtly points to how that is one big sham under the garb of heartbreak, disappointment, revenge and keeping up with pleasantries (that is further masked by the way we learn to attach when we are younger). As Ichiko began to sense her home break, she took that plunge and made the reservation. After all if he can enjoy, why can't she..and just as Otoyan claims his last time, Ichiko takes her first. "Our marriage isn't moral or proper. It is warped and full of contradictions.. since we want to stay in this marriage, what's the problem" BRILLIANT.
Also I wasn't expecting that batshit crazy ending of E3. HAHAA. I don't know if that makes me happy or sad..
Episode 3. This show continues to be so damn good. The writing, performances, and mood; everything about it is very immersive. The script is so self-aware, and the way the writer subtly draws parallels and contrasts between the various relationships and characters is beautifully done. 1 hour feels so short and long at the same time because there is so much to take in with each episode.
I wanted to like this as the leads had good chemistry and acted well, but the story was not executed well. They should have either packaged the story better and omitted irrelevant scenes, or done away with certain elements to focus on one aspect of the story so that it would be cohesive. After all, it was the length of a full feature film! But the screenplay did neither of this, and was too ambitious for its good. I've definitely seen better well-developed short dramas.
The confrontation scene between the mum and the FL. Now that was a class apart. How I wish they retained that…
It's so weird but I just got the notification for your reply lol. Must be some MDL glitch. Thank you for reading my long paragraphs. I don't even remember what I wrote anymore since it was almost a year ago. HAHA.
I really liked the first 2 episodes. The characters are very flawed and real. The script is very thought-provoking…
E1 Both the husband / wife clearly lack communication, and have too many walls between them. He just took what she said and didn't argue about it, or didn't try to work out other ways to please her or at least try to see how they could derive pleasure through other ways. Also, is being marriage all about sex? It's like he cut off from her after that. She, too, did the same thing. Did not try to talk things out, and bridge the distance. Not only that, she suggested for him to look outside, and just took his affair without arguing about it, and encouraged him further with the rules. Interesting how the role of sex can be so different for 2 people in a relationship, specifically men and women (though I am not trying to generalise that women don't need sexual pleasure) Both of them clearly are trying not to tip things over the surface and just living together, suppressing their feelings. Let's see how long this pleasantness lasts.
I wonder what keeps them in the marriage - mere attachment and routine (like they're used to each other) or are there really feelings of love that have been surpressed so that it won't be too painful and heartbreaking?
E2 And we delve into their worlds a little deeper. And I'm sold. Fully invested in this show. I really related to the FL because I had a similar childhood and grew up with some resentment towards my mum.. so that was a little hard to watch. Takahata Mitsuki portrayed that vulnerability really beautifully. Even though the ML hurt her, I could see why she chose never to argue and simply held on.. because she found a home in him that she never had. Childhood trauma can be so tricky..
Coming to the ML - he seems to have a type? I can't put my finger on what it is but both Ichiko and Mizuki seem to have a similar temperament? The best part though.. the questions Mizuki asked; How is that he has a good relationship with his wife without the sex, and needs the sex when it comes to Mizuki? BANG ON, WOMAN. Brilliant dialogue in pointing the difference between a marriage an an affair, and how she's a tool Otoya uses to get what he doesn't get from Ichiko. You can't sail on both boats without shaking both up, and also falling in the process. I hope the show will continue to dwell on this dialogue and question raised by Mizuki. Of course, this applies to Mizuki, who is married, as well.
Rei and Ichiko's conversation was a good parallel to Mizuki and Otoyan's conversation. I was once told by a counsellor at a talk that engaging in affairs is a very convenient thing (though it comes with complications).. people tend to look for what's missing in their relationship and they find it very conveniently through an affair. And that's what our leads are doing. If Otoyan truly loved Mizuki, he would divorce Ichiko and convince Mizuki to leave her husband and marry him. But no, he doesn't do that. He enjoys the convenience of sex from Mizuki and the comfort with Ichiko. And it's the same with Ichiko who got turned on by the younger boy praising her. She was blinded by his light and the attention he gave her, something that Otoyan doesn't. Even though Otoyan and her are able to have a normal dialogue, he doesn't take an interest in Ichiko. Simple illustration of this is how he sent the 'elephant in the sky' image to Mizuki instead of Ichiko.
Also I absolutely despise the Asian mentality of 'if you don't have kids you won't have anyone to rely on when you're older' LIKE IS THAT THE REASON PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE KIDS? Kids are a responsibility. Don't have them if you're not ready physically, mentally and emotionally, because you end up messing and traumatizing another life. Have them because you're in love, and you want a family and you want to grow up with them, and you want to be there with them every step of the way, NOT BECAUSE YOU WANT THEM TO BE THERE TO PROVIDE FOR YOU WHEN YOU"RE OLDER. URGHHHHHH. I am glad Otoyan said that, though I wonder if he truly feels that way.. The way he hung out with Hiro and Mizuki.. something tells me that he actually wants a kid.
"I took our trust for granted" WOWWWWWW. The ML is selfish isn't it? Thinking that she'd never have an affair while he's been having one for over a year. Also, what trust is he talking about?
I really liked the first 2 episodes. The characters are very flawed and real. The script is very thought-provoking and deep, and there's a lot to take in with each episode. The vibe and cinematography is beautiful. It sucks you right in. And the acting, as expected from a stellar cast, is understated, natural and flawless. This has the potential to be a fantastic drama. I am gonna take my time to watch this, and savour it slowly over the week. Looking forward to see where this goes.
P.S Random trivia - The screenwriter and director are husband / wife.
"Unmet director on X/Twitter: In Episode 10, the thread that Dr. Sanpei was practicing with was 11-0. It's an extremely fine thread that's not sold in Japan, and suturing a 0.5 mm blood vessel with it is considered difficult even for neurosurgeons. People said it was impossible, but he managed to tie it during the actual attempt. I hurried to capture it, not wanting to miss this opportunity! Moreover, since the camera wouldn't capture it unless it was positioned in front, he was tying it while looking through the microscope with his right eye and a the monitor with his left eye! There was a one-second delay between the microscope and the monitor. It was filmed with a macro lens and digitally zoomed in during post-production to make it barely visible. It might be subtle and hard to convey, but Wakaba Ryuya pulled off something incredible!"
THAT IS SO DAMN IMPRESSIVE AND COOOL! The level of dedication, detail and attention the entire team puts into each scene - HATS OFF! Another reason to rave about this drama :)
This deserved concise story-telling to make the impact, and that could have been achieved in a good 10 -12 episodes.…
Like he goes back to Kasik and we see him saying we'll unite in body and soul one day.. like WTF. What was the point of the romance if you're just going to leave them being together to our imagination? Like I'm not asking for a kiss even. But a hug and both of them smiling together would have been sufficient. 20 episodes and this drama kinda went no where.. it's like I liked the leads a lot and some of their scenes were really classy and beautiful but I feel cheated and feel like I wasted my time watching this due to that ending.
While the world was battling with COVID and other countries were churning out the same old dramas, we have Japan…
The wife came across as suspicious to me with the way she was in the building and saw the whole thing. Did someone call her or was she also one of the few involved in setting it up?
Also interesting how she said 'let's go home'... it's like she tamed him. It would be interesting if she was involved because she received his apology and his sympathy while one-upping him at the same time. I find it hard to believe that she was merely a victim who found out so late.
Interesting ML - a leopard never changes his spots, indeed. He apologized for cheating, but the very next minute, seduced the colleague to get to the truth. Not only that, based on the account of all the partners, he seemed to have a very self-entitled attitude like they all had to save him or that all the women were expected to pick up and fall under his charms.. I seriously wish this was longer because I wanted to know more about him. Also the kind of person he is, I doubt he really meant his apology.
Also the live stream - interesting how the views went up whenever it got controversial. People criticize affairs, pornography etc and yet are the ones to stream these things and gossip about it.
3 
9 
2 
1 
1 
How is this so far?
Ahh no wonder Otoya fell for Ichiko. It looked like she fulfilled parts of him that were missing or that he wished he had like firmness / decisiveness, the shining energy she had in contrast to his quiet self that just blends into the crowd and not to mention, her beauty.
Another parallel with the scene in Episode 2 at Ichiko's mother's house, which makes it clear why she fell for Otoyan. She found the home she lacked in him.
A lot to do with attachment theory - we tend to unconsciously seek out people based on our attachment patterns that we learned from our parents and caregivers at a young age.
Another great parallel between the Mitsuki / Otoyan scene in Episode 2 where she points out how she's just a sex tool for Otoyan and the way that is confirmed in Episode 3, when Otoyan very subtly rejects the idea of staying together with Mitsuki and her son and shifts to the topic to her fixing issues with her husband. He wants to have his cake and eat it too. WOW. I am surprised Mitsuki took it calmly and didn't leave. Same issue with Ichiko who's not even considering a divorce. Well, they're not wrong when they say birds of a feather flock together.
"I like her but the responsibility is too much for me." + "I was a little relieved when she said she was leaving even though I might be lonely" + "Let's be friends who can talk about our problems" (wow after you enjoyed sex with her countless times, what a sweet way of ending it nicely and saying I used you and now don't want you anymore)
Finally Otoyan realised he's a piece of shit. HAHA.
Great contrast between Kora Kengo's character and the way he subtly hints at his wife's affair in a very detached fashion as opposed to Otoyan / Ichiko. So that's the difference when feelings are involved. Otoyan / Ichiko clearly have attachment and maybe even some love between each other that binds them together and allows them to interact cordially, as opposed to Mitsuki and her husband. I like how all 4 of them are stuck in a similar bind and yet there are subtle differences.. that makes it very realistic and interesting.
When you hear about celebrities or famous people having open marriage, it sounds cool but I like how this show very subtly points to how that is one big sham under the garb of heartbreak, disappointment, revenge and keeping up with pleasantries (that is further masked by the way we learn to attach when we are younger).
As Ichiko began to sense her home break, she took that plunge and made the reservation. After all if he can enjoy, why can't she..and just as Otoyan claims his last time, Ichiko takes her first.
"Our marriage isn't moral or proper. It is warped and full of contradictions.. since we want to stay in this marriage, what's the problem"
BRILLIANT.
Also I wasn't expecting that batshit crazy ending of E3. HAHAA. I don't know if that makes me happy or sad..
The writing, performances, and mood; everything about it is very immersive. The script is so self-aware, and the way the writer subtly draws parallels and contrasts between the various relationships and characters is beautifully done.
1 hour feels so short and long at the same time because there is so much to take in with each episode.
P.S This needs a psychological tag.
Must be some MDL glitch.
Thank you for reading my long paragraphs. I don't even remember what I wrote anymore since it was almost a year ago. HAHA.
ALL THESE FANTASTIC ACTORS TOGETHER IN ONE DRAMA?!?
Moriyama Mirai
Matsuzaka Tori
Takenouchi Yutaka
Saitoh Takumi
Emoto Tasuku
Ikematsu Sosuke
November come soon!!!!
Looking forward to this.
Also, I love Sugino Yosuke <333
I hope they make it happen!
Is this a good adaptation of the manga?
I am not ready for this show to end :((
HEHE
Both the husband / wife clearly lack communication, and have too many walls between them.
He just took what she said and didn't argue about it, or didn't try to work out other ways to please her or at least try to see how they could derive pleasure through other ways. Also, is being marriage all about sex? It's like he cut off from her after that. She, too, did the same thing. Did not try to talk things out, and bridge the distance. Not only that, she suggested for him to look outside, and just took his affair without arguing about it, and encouraged him further with the rules.
Interesting how the role of sex can be so different for 2 people in a relationship, specifically men and women (though I am not trying to generalise that women don't need sexual pleasure)
Both of them clearly are trying not to tip things over the surface and just living together, suppressing their feelings. Let's see how long this pleasantness lasts.
I wonder what keeps them in the marriage - mere attachment and routine (like they're used to each other) or are there really feelings of love that have been surpressed so that it won't be too painful and heartbreaking?
E2
And we delve into their worlds a little deeper. And I'm sold. Fully invested in this show.
I really related to the FL because I had a similar childhood and grew up with some resentment towards my mum.. so that was a little hard to watch. Takahata Mitsuki portrayed that vulnerability really beautifully. Even though the ML hurt her, I could see why she chose never to argue and simply held on.. because she found a home in him that she never had. Childhood trauma can be so tricky..
Coming to the ML - he seems to have a type? I can't put my finger on what it is but both Ichiko and Mizuki seem to have a similar temperament?
The best part though.. the questions Mizuki asked; How is that he has a good relationship with his wife without the sex, and needs the sex when it comes to Mizuki? BANG ON, WOMAN. Brilliant dialogue in pointing the difference between a marriage an an affair, and how she's a tool Otoya uses to get what he doesn't get from Ichiko. You can't sail on both boats without shaking both up, and also falling in the process. I hope the show will continue to dwell on this dialogue and question raised by Mizuki. Of course, this applies to Mizuki, who is married, as well.
Rei and Ichiko's conversation was a good parallel to Mizuki and Otoyan's conversation. I was once told by a counsellor at a talk that engaging in affairs is a very convenient thing (though it comes with complications).. people tend to look for what's missing in their relationship and they find it very conveniently through an affair. And that's what our leads are doing. If Otoyan truly loved Mizuki, he would divorce Ichiko and convince Mizuki to leave her husband and marry him. But no, he doesn't do that. He enjoys the convenience of sex from Mizuki and the comfort with Ichiko. And it's the same with Ichiko who got turned on by the younger boy praising her. She was blinded by his light and the attention he gave her, something that Otoyan doesn't. Even though Otoyan and her are able to have a normal dialogue, he doesn't take an interest in Ichiko. Simple illustration of this is how he sent the 'elephant in the sky' image to Mizuki instead of Ichiko.
Also I absolutely despise the Asian mentality of 'if you don't have kids you won't have anyone to rely on when you're older'
LIKE IS THAT THE REASON PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE KIDS? Kids are a responsibility. Don't have them if you're not ready physically, mentally and emotionally, because you end up messing and traumatizing another life. Have them because you're in love, and you want a family and you want to grow up with them, and you want to be there with them every step of the way, NOT BECAUSE YOU WANT THEM TO BE THERE TO PROVIDE FOR YOU WHEN YOU"RE OLDER. URGHHHHHH. I am glad Otoyan said that, though I wonder if he truly feels that way..
The way he hung out with Hiro and Mizuki.. something tells me that he actually wants a kid.
"I took our trust for granted" WOWWWWWW. The ML is selfish isn't it? Thinking that she'd never have an affair while he's been having one for over a year. Also, what trust is he talking about?
PHEW. That was a lot to take in. I love this.
The characters are very flawed and real. The script is very thought-provoking and deep, and there's a lot to take in with each episode. The vibe and cinematography is beautiful. It sucks you right in. And the acting, as expected from a stellar cast, is understated, natural and flawless. This has the potential to be a fantastic drama.
I am gonna take my time to watch this, and savour it slowly over the week. Looking forward to see where this goes.
P.S Random trivia - The screenwriter and director are husband / wife.
This particular one blew me away so I had to share it here.
https://x.com/hpriestsubs/status/1804909113509294234
"Unmet director on X/Twitter:
In Episode 10, the thread that Dr. Sanpei was practicing with was 11-0. It's an extremely fine thread that's not sold in Japan, and suturing a 0.5 mm blood vessel with it is considered difficult even for neurosurgeons.
People said it was impossible, but he managed to tie it during the actual attempt. I hurried to capture it, not wanting to miss this opportunity!
Moreover, since the camera wouldn't capture it unless it was positioned in front, he was tying it while looking through the microscope with his right eye and a the monitor with his left eye! There was a one-second delay between the microscope and the monitor.
It was filmed with a macro lens and digitally zoomed in during post-production to make it barely visible.
It might be subtle and hard to convey, but Wakaba Ryuya pulled off something incredible!"
THAT IS SO DAMN IMPRESSIVE AND COOOL! The level of dedication, detail and attention the entire team puts into each scene - HATS OFF! Another reason to rave about this drama :)
There are way better Japanese dramas on this theme.
Nagase Ren and Itaya Ruka deserved better :(
What was the point of the romance if you're just going to leave them being together to our imagination? Like I'm not asking for a kiss even. But a hug and both of them smiling together would have been sufficient.
20 episodes and this drama kinda went no where.. it's like I liked the leads a lot and some of their scenes were really classy and beautiful but I feel cheated and feel like I wasted my time watching this due to that ending.
Also interesting how she said 'let's go home'... it's like she tamed him. It would be interesting if she was involved because she received his apology and his sympathy while one-upping him at the same time. I find it hard to believe that she was merely a victim who found out so late.
Interesting ML - a leopard never changes his spots, indeed. He apologized for cheating, but the very next minute, seduced the colleague to get to the truth. Not only that, based on the account of all the partners, he seemed to have a very self-entitled attitude like they all had to save him or that all the women were expected to pick up and fall under his charms.. I seriously wish this was longer because I wanted to know more about him.
Also the kind of person he is, I doubt he really meant his apology.
Also the live stream - interesting how the views went up whenever it got controversial. People criticize affairs, pornography etc and yet are the ones to stream these things and gossip about it.
Damn this had potential.