kiraning

Unfortunately this was a let down. I wasn’t one of those people with high expectations, but even then, it was hard to get into it. Couple of people mentioned the set. Agreed, the problem is they look like they’re in a set, not a world. Acting is alright but I’ve seen better from every single one of them. That’s probably also because the writing is truly subpar. If this was a public broadcaster in the early 2010s this show would've be fine. But in the age of the competitive media market, and with audiences more savvy than before, you have to give something more than thin character setups and threadbare plotlines. This show also has somewhat of a tone problem, veering for horror to showy almost musical-like comedy.

This is interesting because when I was talking about this show on twitter when it aired, someone also DM-ed me talking about how this show was healing from her because she went through a really toxic (and abusive) relationship. But she didn't really see the ML as her ex, but Nabi's ex as her ex. Nabi's agency at the end and the happy ending that she chose was comforting for her to watch. I've never been traumatised so that was an interesting pov for me.

This is interesting because when I was talking about this show on twitter when it aired, someone also DM-ed me talking about how this show was healing from her because she went through a really toxic (and abusive) relationship. But she didn't really see the ML as her ex, but Nabi's ex as her ex. Nabi's agency at the end and the happy ending that she chose was comforting for her to watch. I've never been traumatised so that was an interesting pov for me.

thank you!

#1 thing to realise about this show is that it's a play on perspectives. It's very clear from the get-go (and thus not a spoiler) that you see the male lead primarily through the female lead's thoughts and she is an unreliable narrator, who also happens to be hesitant because of her past relationship. You also hear a lot about him through gossip, but the end makes you question to an extent how much they actually know him. It's surprising to me how many people just take what these characters think at face value.

I don't understand why terms such as "toxic" and "narcissistic" were used either. They def weren't at a healthy place at first but they worked on themselves slowly and it's an ongoing process. Liked it a lot

I think you described the characters' arcs really well!

I also wonder if it's because I'm in my 30s, but I do feel the same as you do about the show!

Unfortunately not :(

On Netflix the title for this is Love Arabesque.

I admire the freedom that they gave to Sono Sion to make this. And I love his vision. It was just...really hard to watch at some parts. This is just my own aversion to blood and over the top violence. Also to some of the plotlines that didn't quite tie together. Otherwise, you will be hard-pressed to find something this unique in the jdrama sphere.

This is a criminally underrated show. Subs for this have almost vanished and the only English subs I found were not complete. Hopefully someone will put it up again. Otherwise, it means that it makes it very difficult for the casual non-Japanese speaking viewer to find. But I think those who can understand some Japanese should try. This show has great actors, is both fun and touching. But most of all it's quite amazing how the young Kamiki Ryunosuke manages to act SO WELL.

Girl!! I haven't logged on to mdl in ages but I wanted to leave a proper comment. Thanks for writing such an organised, detailed article. Your reasons you give to watch asadora are good indeed. I think I'll have to start with Mare since it's your fave :D