Oof, the scene where the MIL is apologizing to Sawa for her son's supposed affair is kinda gut-wrenching because…
As for Noriko, I start to hate her more and more. First, she paid NO attention to her husband at all; didn't consider him in anything she did, down to using her maiden name in her research; no intimacy, nothing. Only when she decided that it's time to complete another item on her checklist, to become a mother, did she decide to pay some attention to him but only for the purpose of getting pregnant. It's as if anyone would do, as long as he could give her a child. Like he was not her husband and an individual, but disposable and replaceable. He seemed to be a part of her life simply by virtue of meeting at an early point in their lives and sharing an inclination for biology. Then she decides to play as if she is super in love with Yuichiro, but really, she just wants to protect her ego.
I don't condone cheating, and he should've left instead of stuck around until another woman gave him what he desperately needed; but I can really see why he did it in this case. He wasn't getting anything at home and was only there for Noriko's whims.
He is more compatible with laid-back Sawa, to be honest.
At ep 8 right now, and I deeply despise the characters of Noriko and the girl who works with Shunsuke. He is pretty…
Oof, the scene where the MIL is apologizing to Sawa for her son's supposed affair is kinda gut-wrenching because a. it must be re-traumatizing for her to have her son do the same as his dad did to her, so it's like she's going through it a second time b. she might be going to Sawa so she can do for someone what no one did for her when she was in this position.
Overall, ouchh, and it made her character even more likeable. I love how she tore her son a new one for his supposed affair and isn't pandering to him like she seemed to be in the beginning. 10/10 character development
At ep 8 right now, and I deeply despise the characters of Noriko and the girl who works with Shunsuke. He is pretty despicable as well because... where is his spine? First you give in to temptation (sure, not cheating but he never drew a solid boundary before and it's suddenly now a problem that his mom found out about his inappropriate behavior at work), then you half-ass reprimand the woman you've been using as an ego boost? Yeaahhh nooo
I'm surprised that the MIL is becoming more and more likable as the series went on. I was prepared to hate her the entire time but I'm pleasantly surprised. Somehow, the screenwriter created such a multi-dimensional side character...
If this was a 90s dorama, it would have ended with Nagi going back to Shinji. I've seen it maaany times before…
Thanks for your response! I didn't think anyone would read it, just wanted something to look back on, as I tend to forget what happened in the doramas I watch a lot.
I can't believe Takashi Issei played Makoto's friend in IWGP, like the roles have nothing in common!? Dude has range
I'm so glad I didn't pass this one up just cause it's super new by my standards omgggg
If this was a 90s dorama, it would have ended with Nagi going back to Shinji. I've seen it maaany times before where the ending is perfect BUT THEN they ruin it by having the MC go back to her ex in the name of some great love. I love how everyone went their own way because staying where they were would defeat the whole purpose of taking that long vacation.
That said, I'd LOVE it if a special was made so we can see where they are now, 5-6 years later. I find it super funny how Shinji will always be in the periphery of Nagi's life, because Ryoko started dating his brother lmao. I found it super realistic. As to Gon, he'll probably take hella time to get over Nagi but I don't think they'll ever be back in each other's lives.
I freaking LOVED the female friendship aspect of this dorama and that romantic love was ONE of the themes but not the sole focus. I think Japanese screenwriters have become much better at fleshing out characters with their own individuality over the past ~20-30 years. The characters in this one are so multi-dimensional and complex that it felt like watching actual people's lives unfold on screen.
I haven't fangirled over something so hard in like 10 years and will shut up now.
raw https://nyaa.si/view/1099732and here for the subtitles, you have to download the ones from Avallac'h ^^ https://www.d-addicts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=107869
This is exactly what I needed after a stressful couple of months at work, especially since I can see so much of myself in Mugita <3 She is so relatable!
The female lead was so irritating that I'll make sure I never watch the actress in anything else, ever. Also the soundtrack was kinda hit or miss. Otherwise, it was cool. 7/10
I'm gonna take a moment to appreciate how good the scene transitions and editing were in this dorama (also, how are the actors for Don-chan, Tora and Ryu all Scorpios lmao. Holy s..., Ginjiro, too!?)
I really hated how the only LGBT character in this drama was painted in a very stereotypical light and was also…
Another thing that seemed out of place: Nao being OK with seeing her rapist and even confronting him multiple times except for the couple of scenes in the episode when the rape occurred. Fujimura, it seems to me, has a narcissistic wound and hides his vulnerability under a charade and (in private) violence. He’s a pretty well-written villain. I got a great deal of pleasure seeing him get beat to half-death and humiliated by Naoko at the end when he can no longer physically hurt her due to his injuries. In the graduation ceremony scene, we see him trying to keep up his perfect façade but he looks dead inside. Nao broke him by rejecting him (and rightfully so), Shinjou broke him physically.
Shinjou having to quit to avoid a lawsuit and goodness not prevailing was very realistic. The school would have done anything to cover Fujimura’s crimes up to save face and would’ve thrown “misfit” Shinjou under the bus. Quitting that school was the best thing he could’ve ever done.
***
It was unsettling that the only women capable of true, pure love in the drama, were underage. Both Haruma's ex-fiance and the student teacher were cunning manipulators. Women over 25 seemingly weren't deserving of respect in the show. Women like Mayu's homeroom teacher were constantly demeaned throughout its run.
***
With all of that said, I'm NOT disappointed in the drama and am glad I rewatched it as an adult. It's a deep dive into the human psyche and society's many taboos. The cast couldn't have been better!
I think that the true hero of the story is Shinjou. Was he attracted to Nao? Probably. Did he have multiple opportunities to take advantage of her? Absolutely. Did he do that? No. He might be a secondary character but to me, he was the star by both past and present standards. His friendship with Hamura was also a very intriguing aspect of the show. I like how the writer surprised us by having the "perfect" teacher be a psycho and the grumpy teacher who was fired for using a violence at his previous job had a heart of gold. (He does have anger issues and possibly a slight drinking problem but I'd take him over any of the other men in this show any day.)
I do realize I'm evaluating a drama of the past with today’s mindset. I just needed to get the thoughts out.
I don't condone cheating, and he should've left instead of stuck around until another woman gave him what he desperately needed; but I can really see why he did it in this case. He wasn't getting anything at home and was only there for Noriko's whims.
He is more compatible with laid-back Sawa, to be honest.
a. it must be re-traumatizing for her to have her son do the same as his dad did to her, so it's like she's going through it a second time
b. she might be going to Sawa so she can do for someone what no one did for her when she was in this position.
Overall, ouchh, and it made her character even more likeable. I love how she tore her son a new one for his supposed affair and isn't pandering to him like she seemed to be in the beginning. 10/10 character development
I'm surprised that the MIL is becoming more and more likable as the series went on. I was prepared to hate her the entire time but I'm pleasantly surprised. Somehow, the screenwriter created such a multi-dimensional side character...
I can't believe Takashi Issei played Makoto's friend in IWGP, like the roles have nothing in common!? Dude has range
That said, I'd LOVE it if a special was made so we can see where they are now, 5-6 years later. I find it super funny how Shinji will always be in the periphery of Nagi's life, because Ryoko started dating his brother lmao. I found it super realistic. As to Gon, he'll probably take hella time to get over Nagi but I don't think they'll ever be back in each other's lives.
I freaking LOVED the female friendship aspect of this dorama and that romantic love was ONE of the themes but not the sole focus. I think Japanese screenwriters have become much better at fleshing out characters with their own individuality over the past ~20-30 years. The characters in this one are so multi-dimensional and complex that it felt like watching actual people's lives unfold on screen.
I haven't fangirled over something so hard in like 10 years and will shut up now.
Shinjou having to quit to avoid a lawsuit and goodness not prevailing was very realistic. The school would have done anything to cover Fujimura’s crimes up to save face and would’ve thrown “misfit” Shinjou under the bus. Quitting that school was the best thing he could’ve ever done.
***
It was unsettling that the only women capable of true, pure love in the drama, were underage. Both Haruma's ex-fiance and the student teacher were cunning manipulators. Women over 25 seemingly weren't deserving of respect in the show. Women like Mayu's homeroom teacher were constantly demeaned throughout its run.
***
With all of that said, I'm NOT disappointed in the drama and am glad I rewatched it as an adult. It's a deep dive into the human psyche and society's many taboos. The cast couldn't have been better!
I think that the true hero of the story is Shinjou. Was he attracted to Nao? Probably. Did he have multiple opportunities to take advantage of her? Absolutely. Did he do that? No. He might be a secondary character but to me, he was the star by both past and present standards. His friendship with Hamura was also a very intriguing aspect of the show. I like how the writer surprised us by having the "perfect" teacher be a psycho and the grumpy teacher who was fired for using a violence at his previous job had a heart of gold. (He does have anger issues and possibly a slight drinking problem but I'd take him over any of the other men in this show any day.)
I do realize I'm evaluating a drama of the past with today’s mindset. I just needed to get the thoughts out.