As expected, Koji Yakusho delivers an impeccable performance, perfectly embodying the role. Watching his character start from the bottom, set aside his pride, and gradually mend his relationship with his family truly tugged at the heartstrings. His journey is a poignant reminder that it's never too late to start over. As he himself put it, life, much like acting, offers a chance for a second act.
As an adult with a deep fascination for cute plushies, this series brought me so many feels and a wonderful sense of comfort. I found myself wishing I could have a ChuChuChuela plushie of my own with its own backstory of always being there for someone as its purpose. 🥹
The series only got better as the episodes progressed. I especially enjoyed the camaraderie and partnership among the employees of Seo Design. You can genuinely see how passionate they are about what they do, and that passion makes their work and their relationships with one another so enjoyable to watch. Ultimately, the series leaves us with a reminder that whatever our “likes” or passions may be, they can motivate us to dream bigger, keep going, and reach higher.
That said, I found Hayato Sano’s acting a little over the top at times. On the other hand, Matsumoto Wakana was perfectly cast as Kusakabe Anna. Romantic comedy is clearly her forte, and she brought so much charm and warmth to the role though I just wish I could see her paired with someone closer to her age.
In this digital age where one’s worth is unfairly measured by physical appearance, the series explores how the cosmetic industry capitalizes on society’s obsession with beauty and the insecurities that come with it. At the same time, it acknowledges that plastic surgery can, in some instances, help people regain their confidence, feel better about themselves, and find happiness. This nuanced portrayal makes the series all the more thought-provoking.
Mayu and Riisa’s performances were truly outstanding, bringing depth, authenticity, and emotional weight to their characters.
I love how Nagisa and Taihei’s mature relationship and open-mindedness inspired Ayumi to break free from societal expectations. In the same way, both Minamikawa’s and Tsubaki's forward-looking mindset had a similar influence on Katsuo. I really liked how the story showed the ripple effect of being surrounded by people who challenge conventional thinking and encourage you to see life differently.
P.S. I’m still bothered that Ayumi didn’t report the person who scammed her in the restaurant partnership to the police. It was such a huge amount of money (practically her entire savings) that I couldn’t understand why she just let it go.
While I agree this film is best experienced going in blind, it’s also one of those with deceptively “cheerful” posters like "Miracle in Cell No. 7". As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this is a heavy and unsettling watch. The cast delivers powerful performances that make the narrative feel painfully real.
What makes it truly heartbreaking is knowing that stories like this aren’t confined to fiction. You can’t help but think about the families left behind and the children whose lives were cut short before they had the chance to become anything they dreamed of.
This movie is a hidden gem. My only regret is not watching it sooner because seeing the poster made me think that this movie will crush me to pieces. I was expecting for a tragic story between star-crossed lovers, but I'm relieved that the plot wasn't that 10/10 ✰
This drama is a heart-wrenching exploration of emotional captivity and the devastating effects of generational trauma. Yoko's desperate desire for her mother's approval traps her in a cycle of poor decisions, each more tragic than the last. Though she considers herself mediocre, her ability to devise the insurance scheme and stage her own death reveals a sharp and desperate cunning born from pain. Ultimately, she is forced to confront the consequences of her choices, making her story all the more poignant. A haunting reminder of how deeply familial wounds can shape and shatter a person.
Just finished watching Ep 8 and I had the same reaction as Kiyomi and her friends after learning that despite being prohibited by his father to use his superpowers, Takahashi san decided to save Kiyomi from being struck by a truck to avoid the regret of not being able to help his mother who had been in the same situation.
I love that Takahashi san found a "new family" with Kiyomi and her friends. Hopeful that they will work together and yield an alliance with Yumi's friend to avoid the closure of Lake Hotel.
Maybe I missed it, but did they ever explain why the sister just walked out on her family the first time? When…
From what I understand, Aoi is their half sister from the paternal side. It is implied that she was introduced to her half brothers Hiroto and Michito when she was already a teenager and that must have been quite an adjustment for her. It made her feel out of place to be suddenly placed into a new "family". Maybe it's part of teenage angst or hormonal changes that made her feel that she did not belong to that family even though her step mother was very accommodating and this drove her to leave and carve her own path
K-Drama 
The series only got better as the episodes progressed. I especially enjoyed the camaraderie and partnership among the employees of Seo Design. You can genuinely see how passionate they are about what they do, and that passion makes their work and their relationships with one another so enjoyable to watch. Ultimately, the series leaves us with a reminder that whatever our “likes” or passions may be, they can motivate us to dream bigger, keep going, and reach higher.
That said, I found Hayato Sano’s acting a little over the top at times. On the other hand, Matsumoto Wakana was perfectly cast as Kusakabe Anna. Romantic comedy is clearly her forte, and she brought so much charm and warmth to the role though I just wish I could see her paired with someone closer to her age.
Mayu and Riisa’s performances were truly outstanding, bringing depth, authenticity, and emotional weight to their characters.
P.S. I’m still bothered that Ayumi didn’t report the person who scammed her in the restaurant partnership to the police. It was such a huge amount of money (practically her entire savings) that I couldn’t understand why she just let it go.
What makes it truly heartbreaking is knowing that stories like this aren’t confined to fiction. You can’t help but think about the families left behind and the children whose lives were cut short before they had the chance to become anything they dreamed of.
10/10 ✰
I love that Takahashi san found a "new family" with Kiyomi and her friends. Hopeful that they will work together and yield an alliance with Yumi's friend to avoid the closure of Lake Hotel.