If you enjoy unconventional movies that have an odd streak and are philosophical, then you'll enjoy this gem. It is essentially a character study into a man dealing with grief, isolation and anger, and his attempt to fight the system that took it all away. I'd recommend this for a mature audience.
Its the list I needed. I started watching some j-dramas with a friend recently and I was pleasantly surprised…
Welcome to J-dramas :) I am so glad more people are beginning to realize how good they are. I don't know about availability but I'm glad they're far from international influence, and that Japanese continue to make cinema for themselves. For me, S Korean dramas began to lose their charm after they started making them for international audiences.
The line "Sanpei-sensei, you've illuminated me" in the last scene of EP 9 is an ad-lib by Sugisaki Hana.Then,…
DAMN that ad-lib was perfect! Their vulnerability in that entire scene; so beautifully and naturally acted. I didn't even realize they were acting until the episode ended.
You know its a script written by Sakamoto Yuji's the moment they started talking. This man just has a knack for writing a conversation and establishing that banter between characters. I love the actors and Sakamoto sensei so I persevered through hoping it would have more depth, but there wasn't. It just felt like a series filled with random conversations, or maybe I just wansn't in the right mood for the drama. Maybe it would have worked with a slightly longer duration and some context.. The acting was solid though. All the actor siblings were fun! Episode 2 was my favourite. P.S I always knew Kento and Eita look alike but damn they looked like twins in this :0
The first episode had such a sophisticated, and sexy vibe.. the kind of drama you'd watch while sipping a glass…
Episodes 1-4 The direction this show took is different from what I expected, but it's interesting so far. The friend is a douche. He seduced the married woman just because he wants to do it with an older married once?! Like WTF. Humans have the habit of classifying / grouping people into categories and generally all those who engage in an affair are bracketed into 1 group but I like how this show makes that distinction between the ML and the friend. Its weird saying this given he's engaging in an immoral act of affair (and the very basis of it is a lack of loyalty) but he's sincere and loyal about the FL unlike the friend who treats women like objects of pleasure.
4 episodes in, the one thing that I wish this show did was showing us the FL's perspective. Like we get why the ML fell in love with her, but what about her? She doesn't seem like the kind of person who goes around sleeping with tons of men / cheating. Also we know almost nothing about her. I kinda wish the show didn't go into their affair in the very first episode and actually had them interact a little more. And why does she keep calling him to her parties or having a meal with her husband? Is she doing that to play with him or doing that to turn him off? Also how is the husband so cool with his wife constantly hanging out with a boy from university? I mean it's not like he's her office colleague or student. I get that they know his mother but still.. The ML is beginning to lag behind at uni - that's not good Toru!
Interesting parallel with the way Toru offered to pay the money and was rejected, while the friend was offered money. Both had the effect of establishing the power dynamics with the woman being dominant, and the man being subservient.
DAMN the end of E4 - things just got even messier... why do so many people think sex is the answer to solving a problem?
Also the OST of this show doesn't match the vibe at all - they should have gone for a softer / slower song or classical music piece.
The first episode had such a sophisticated, and sexy vibe.. the kind of drama you'd watch while sipping a glass of wine. Clearly an acquired taste. FREAKING LOVED IT! On to binge the rest of the drama :)
If you're having a bad day, and need something to laugh, then this is it! Highly recommended for all rom-com lovers :) I enjoyed it all the way till the end.
E19 - E24This show may be campy and fun on the surface, but I love that it actually has some depth and the characters…
I love what Keke said about how Hai Kuo didn't even discuss the resignation with her, and how she couldn't find him the whole day. That must have been scary for her. I love that the conversation wasn't about his dad at all. But about Hai Kuo's impulsiveness. Her question to him was so valid - is he going to keep running from every place that his dad turns up at? Just to escape his control? The breakup made absolute sense. After that conversation, he went straight for a proposal instead of talking to her? And did he seriously think that she cared only about financial stability? She was right - security comes from being open and talking about things, rather than one party making decisions and informing the other of it.
LMAOOOOO I didn't expect the boss to go down on his knees in E21. That was hilarious! Also Elly taking control of Michael's house; LOVE IT! Also, Asian parents have such a one track mind - all they think of and worry about is the couple having sex, leading to a pregnancy. Also Michael's hot pink night suit with hearts - THE WRITERS OF THIS HAVE REALLY GONE THE WAY OUT TO MILK EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR COMEDY. LOVE IT! And Elly's devilish message of that hot massage to seduce Michael - MASTERSTROKE! Congratulations! She got her goal :)
Also that product placement for the bento - smart! Michael seems to have zero EQ rubbing on Haikuo's wounds like that. OUCHHH. HAHA. And that honest convo between Keke's father and Haikuo; beautifully written. Parents are learning too! Not that I'm saying Haikuo should forgive his father, but what Jian Papa said about empathy was SPOT ON. Jia Li broke up with Yuanchong all for that mum who just wants to make money out of her. Sigh.. as much as I feel frustrated with her because she finally took few steps forward and seems to have retreated, I guess that's how humans are. It's never a linear path forward. Michael's advice to Yuanchong was SPOT ON. It's not always about winning in a relationship. Sometimes, we have to understand the other, and hold on tighter. The conclusion to Jia Li and her mum's arc was a little rushed. Decent nonetheless.
Oh yes, the OSTs used in the last few episodes were beautiful. Finally something different.
E19 - E24 This show may be campy and fun on the surface, but I love that it actually has some depth and the characters are somewhat rooted in reality, with the way their scars affect the way they communicate and attach, and also the way they're all working towards their little dreams.
I adore the way writers use every opportunity possible to come up with something comic and sensitive, rather than introduce misunderstandings. The characters are not perfect, but they actually try to communicate. This could go on for a lot more episodes and I'd enjoy it. 24 was short!
If you wanna watch a film about everything that is wrong with men and women today, then this is for you. All 3…
The first few mins where Baku and FL met already screamed CREEPY. Like if I made eye contact with anyone that way, I'd run. But there starts the train of mistakes. Mistake 1 - they immediately kiss and begin dating. Mistake 2 - He has a habit of disappearing and she just takes that. Mistake 3 - Ryohei knows she has a mystery to her and something is off. Instead of running away, he gets turned on by that and pursues her. Mistake 4 - She knows he has the same face as the man that ghosted her, and she begins a relationship with him. Mistake 5 - He finds out that she had an ex that looks like him and he continues being with her for years. When she reveals this secret, he casually says its ok and they smile. Mistake 6 - She goes after Baku. Mistake 7 - Baku returns and doesn't give her any explanation whatsoever as to why he was away for 7 years. Mistake 8 - She runs away with the Baku and throws everything away. Mistake 9 - Ryohei sends her a text that they'll laugh over this when they're older and that he knows she loves him. Mistake 10 - She reaches the beach with Baku and suddenly realises she wants Ryohei, leaving Baku. Mistake 10 - Ryohei tells the FL that he will never believe in her again, and the FL tells him that she won't apologize anymore. They look at the river together and he remarks that it's dirty. And she says "but its beautiful". He looks at her, and you can guess how the film ends.
If you wanna watch a film about everything that is wrong with men and women today, then this is for you. All 3 leads are messed up, especially the FL. This whole film is a red flag. I enjoyed it though.
P.S Knowing the backstory of the leads getting together in real life while filming and having an affair for 3 years while the ML was married definitely made this film feel even more messed up.
What a great review! I just watched it, and I am blown away by this drama. It's a cinematic masterpiece. And don't even get me started on the score - one of the best I've heard in an Asian drama. Sad that it's so underrated.
3 
8 
1 
1 
1 
I'd recommend this for a mature audience.
I am so glad more people are beginning to realize how good they are.
I don't know about availability but I'm glad they're far from international influence, and that Japanese continue to make cinema for themselves.
For me, S Korean dramas began to lose their charm after they started making them for international audiences.
Their vulnerability in that entire scene; so beautifully and naturally acted.
I didn't even realize they were acting until the episode ended.
I love the actors and Sakamoto sensei so I persevered through hoping it would have more depth, but there wasn't. It just felt like a series filled with random conversations, or maybe I just wansn't in the right mood for the drama. Maybe it would have worked with a slightly longer duration and some context..
The acting was solid though. All the actor siblings were fun! Episode 2 was my favourite.
P.S I always knew Kento and Eita look alike but damn they looked like twins in this :0
FREAKING FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!
The direction this show took is different from what I expected, but it's interesting so far.
The friend is a douche. He seduced the married woman just because he wants to do it with an older married once?! Like WTF.
Humans have the habit of classifying / grouping people into categories and generally all those who engage in an affair are bracketed into 1 group but I like how this show makes that distinction between the ML and the friend. Its weird saying this given he's engaging in an immoral act of affair (and the very basis of it is a lack of loyalty) but he's sincere and loyal about the FL unlike the friend who treats women like objects of pleasure.
4 episodes in, the one thing that I wish this show did was showing us the FL's perspective. Like we get why the ML fell in love with her, but what about her? She doesn't seem like the kind of person who goes around sleeping with tons of men / cheating. Also we know almost nothing about her. I kinda wish the show didn't go into their affair in the very first episode and actually had them interact a little more.
And why does she keep calling him to her parties or having a meal with her husband? Is she doing that to play with him or doing that to turn him off?
Also how is the husband so cool with his wife constantly hanging out with a boy from university? I mean it's not like he's her office colleague or student. I get that they know his mother but still..
The ML is beginning to lag behind at uni - that's not good Toru!
Interesting parallel with the way Toru offered to pay the money and was rejected, while the friend was offered money. Both had the effect of establishing the power dynamics with the woman being dominant, and the man being subservient.
DAMN the end of E4 - things just got even messier... why do so many people think sex is the answer to solving a problem?
Also the OST of this show doesn't match the vibe at all - they should have gone for a softer / slower song or classical music piece.
On to binge the rest of the drama :)
Highly recommended for all rom-com lovers :)
I enjoyed it all the way till the end.
https://nazhongmin.livejournal.com/2808.html
I love that the conversation wasn't about his dad at all. But about Hai Kuo's impulsiveness. Her question to him was so valid - is he going to keep running from every place that his dad turns up at? Just to escape his control?
The breakup made absolute sense. After that conversation, he went straight for a proposal instead of talking to her? And did he seriously think that she cared only about financial stability? She was right - security comes from being open and talking about things, rather than one party making decisions and informing the other of it.
LMAOOOOO I didn't expect the boss to go down on his knees in E21. That was hilarious!
Also Elly taking control of Michael's house; LOVE IT!
Also, Asian parents have such a one track mind - all they think of and worry about is the couple having sex, leading to a pregnancy.
Also Michael's hot pink night suit with hearts - THE WRITERS OF THIS HAVE REALLY GONE THE WAY OUT TO MILK EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR COMEDY. LOVE IT!
And Elly's devilish message of that hot massage to seduce Michael - MASTERSTROKE!
Congratulations! She got her goal :)
Also that product placement for the bento - smart!
Michael seems to have zero EQ rubbing on Haikuo's wounds like that. OUCHHH. HAHA.
And that honest convo between Keke's father and Haikuo; beautifully written. Parents are learning too! Not that I'm saying Haikuo should forgive his father, but what Jian Papa said about empathy was SPOT ON.
Jia Li broke up with Yuanchong all for that mum who just wants to make money out of her. Sigh.. as much as I feel frustrated with her because she finally took few steps forward and seems to have retreated, I guess that's how humans are. It's never a linear path forward.
Michael's advice to Yuanchong was SPOT ON. It's not always about winning in a relationship. Sometimes, we have to understand the other, and hold on tighter.
The conclusion to Jia Li and her mum's arc was a little rushed. Decent nonetheless.
Oh yes, the OSTs used in the last few episodes were beautiful. Finally something different.
This show may be campy and fun on the surface, but I love that it actually has some depth and the characters are somewhat rooted in reality, with the way their scars affect the way they communicate and attach, and also the way they're all working towards their little dreams.
I adore the way writers use every opportunity possible to come up with something comic and sensitive, rather than introduce misunderstandings. The characters are not perfect, but they actually try to communicate. This could go on for a lot more episodes and I'd enjoy it. 24 was short!
But there starts the train of mistakes.
Mistake 1 - they immediately kiss and begin dating.
Mistake 2 - He has a habit of disappearing and she just takes that.
Mistake 3 - Ryohei knows she has a mystery to her and something is off. Instead of running away, he gets turned on by that and pursues her.
Mistake 4 - She knows he has the same face as the man that ghosted her, and she begins a relationship with him.
Mistake 5 - He finds out that she had an ex that looks like him and he continues being with her for years. When she reveals this secret, he casually says its ok and they smile.
Mistake 6 - She goes after Baku.
Mistake 7 - Baku returns and doesn't give her any explanation whatsoever as to why he was away for 7 years.
Mistake 8 - She runs away with the Baku and throws everything away.
Mistake 9 - Ryohei sends her a text that they'll laugh over this when they're older and that he knows she loves him.
Mistake 10 - She reaches the beach with Baku and suddenly realises she wants Ryohei, leaving Baku.
Mistake 10 - Ryohei tells the FL that he will never believe in her again, and the FL tells him that she won't apologize anymore. They look at the river together and he remarks that it's dirty. And she says "but its beautiful". He looks at her, and you can guess how the film ends.
I enjoyed it though.
P.S Knowing the backstory of the leads getting together in real life while filming and having an affair for 3 years while the ML was married definitely made this film feel even more messed up.
I just watched it, and I am blown away by this drama.
It's a cinematic masterpiece.
And don't even get me started on the score - one of the best I've heard in an Asian drama.
Sad that it's so underrated.