This review may contain spoilers
underwhelming start but it picks up in the second half
Given a quick skim of the other reviews for this show, it seems like a lot of people hated the miscommunication and were frustrated by Shirasaki Yuki's struggle to pick up on Hayama Asami's feelings given their intimacy. Honestly as someone who typically hates miscommunication, I think it makes sense here - Hayama has been pining after Shirasaki for years and is unsure of how to admit those feelings (been there, rip) and Shirasaki keeps overhearing things that make him misinterpret his dynamic with Hayama (also Shirasaki's struggle with social cues gives maaaaaaaajor autistic vibes. while he frustrates me at times, I could never hate him.) They're both convinced the other cannot possibly reciprocate but desperately want this relationship to be real as their feelings continue to deepen as they keep "pretending" to date outside of the "Hiru no Yume" set.
It honestly took me until episode 4 when Shirasaki started to realize he was developing feelings for Hayama before I was fully locked in. And then episode 5 gave me SUCH a buzz when we saw their "rehersal" kiss intercut with the on-set first kiss. Seeing the continual push-pull of their dynamic as Shirasaki tries to turn off his feelings and protect his heart was entrancing, and Hayama's willingness to go as far as Shirasaki is willing bc he just yearns so much for him was thrilling. Like I honestly was shocked by how much I enjoyed the drama due to their struggles to just admit they like each other.
Honestly, I think my biggest frustration with the show is that they successfully create a sensual atmosphere (in large part due to the soundtrack I think) but then most of the physical intimacy doesn't live up to that energy. The first kiss that leads to them "fake dating" is pretty awful, although it makes a lot of sense to me that Hayama would want the kiss to be very tame to not push Shirasaki into the deep end immediately. And most of the kisses up until the last couple episodes are very chaste, which just kinda makes you feel blue-balled as a viewer. The fact that they are rather adorable in their more tender moments does help ease this frustration a little though.
Also I need to say that Komagine Kiita totally makes this show. He's brilliant in the two episodes from Hayama Asami's perspective. Devoted loverboys are everything to meeeeeeeeee <3
It honestly took me until episode 4 when Shirasaki started to realize he was developing feelings for Hayama before I was fully locked in. And then episode 5 gave me SUCH a buzz when we saw their "rehersal" kiss intercut with the on-set first kiss. Seeing the continual push-pull of their dynamic as Shirasaki tries to turn off his feelings and protect his heart was entrancing, and Hayama's willingness to go as far as Shirasaki is willing bc he just yearns so much for him was thrilling. Like I honestly was shocked by how much I enjoyed the drama due to their struggles to just admit they like each other.
Honestly, I think my biggest frustration with the show is that they successfully create a sensual atmosphere (in large part due to the soundtrack I think) but then most of the physical intimacy doesn't live up to that energy. The first kiss that leads to them "fake dating" is pretty awful, although it makes a lot of sense to me that Hayama would want the kiss to be very tame to not push Shirasaki into the deep end immediately. And most of the kisses up until the last couple episodes are very chaste, which just kinda makes you feel blue-balled as a viewer. The fact that they are rather adorable in their more tender moments does help ease this frustration a little though.
Also I need to say that Komagine Kiita totally makes this show. He's brilliant in the two episodes from Hayama Asami's perspective. Devoted loverboys are everything to meeeeeeeeee <3
Was this review helpful to you?
