This review may contain spoilers
FULL time waste with nothing
this is worst story because there is no story at allin whole story a woman forced a man into marriage after he clearly told her he did not love her or will marry her
she sleep with him knowing he did not love her then forced him into marriage
Man was playboy and was Bad person but at least he was Honest with her
what he did to her was her own fault...she let him have her for free, because she was so easy with no pride or self respect for herself
she just forced that man into a loveless marriage
And it took them this much time to just show this BS
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
disgusting ML and FL
Most disgusting thing about this drama is Romance forced into it with even a song that sound disgustingwhole drama is center around crime revenge and all kind of illegal activities but in between it we have a good boi romance who is dating his ex girlfriend friend and so good that even goodness shy away from him
Kang ho is most irritating human shown in this drama, even criminals are better then him,
and our rape victim FL is now proud of herself that she is sleeping with same man that her best friend sleep with,
not one but two man they share together
Kang ho is most useless character in whole story we did not know why he is there what is he doing in that story
ep 13 intercourse scene was disgusting with that music in between all that she is having disgusting sex with a disgusting looking pimp
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Afantasy drama shown as a historical sh!t
our male lead started as kind hearted man but become a blood thirsty murderfemale lead started as assassin but end up becoming a depended idiot parasite for male lead to shine
there was a scene in ep 15 where male lead threated kill second lead just because he has moved and had a girlfriend.
i started watching this drama with hope to have a kind male and cold female but it was just BS
Ji soo was removed from drama because of his scandal and they find most worst actor in Korea to replace him
everyone know acting other then male lead or writer wanted him do be worst human ever
he is angry for no reason he want kill people who are on his side for no reason
he just a blood thirsty Gigolo or male concubine for princess
most amazing part he is immortal he can soul shift just like Alchemy of soul they must have learn those things from this Gigolo
Was this review helpful to you?
IT was Greed of wanting more the what you have
what is story shows is a shameless woman wanting more and moreher greed toward what she can't have while Ignoring what she already have
Grass is always greener on other side
i don't get those who call this beautiful or love story
it appear like that on surface
they did not act according to there age, a grown ass woman 30+ acting like she is a toddler while having a affair in front of her husband without a thought
it not love its there self centered thinking that what they do is right thing
believing to be hero in story is delusion
every hero is a villain in someone else life
i wanted to give - rating.....
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Shallow Take on "Healthy Love
"Pump Up Your Healthy Love" tries to sell itself as a quirky gym romcom but instead delivers a parade of body shaming, toxic gym culture, and cringe-worthy humor that feels decades out of touch. The title promises something uplifting, but what you get is a relentless barrage of fat-shaming jokes and a lead male character who confuses arrogance and obsession with actual health.
Male Lead: Protein Powder and Zero Personality
The male lead, a washed-up bodybuilder-turned-gym-owner, is less a symbol of health and more a walking advertisement for protein powder and unresolved mental issues. He insults anyone who walks into his failing gym, justifying his cruelty as "motivation," but comes off as a third-rate trainer whose only skill is making people feel bad about their bodies. His so-called "health" is all muscle and no mind—his obsessive behavior screams for psychiatric help, not romantic admiration.
Female Lead: Not Overweight, Just a Punchline
The female lead is supposedly struggling with weight, but the actress is clearly fit and healthy—making the entire premise even more absurd and offensive. The show forces her into humiliating situations and treats her insecurities as a joke, while the male lead repeatedly body-shames her for cheap laughs. This isn't empowerment; it's lazy writing and tired stereotypes.
Comedy or Cruelty?
The drama relies on "shock humor" and mean-spirited gags that quickly become exhausting. Instead of offering any real commentary on health or self-acceptance, it doubles down on outdated ideas about body image, making it a tough watch for anyone sensitive to these issues. The gym scenes are over-the-top, and the chemistry between the leads is non-existent, buried under layers of awkwardness and mockery.
Final Verdict
"Pump Up Your Healthy Love" is a tone-deaf, shallow, and at times downright offensive drama that confuses cruelty for comedy. Unless you enjoy watching unlikeable characters insult each other in a gym no one would join, skip this mess and find a show that actually understands what healthy love—and healthy living—means
Was this review helpful to you?
The Story of Park's Marriage Contract
19 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Worst ending of a good start......
TO THOSE WHO GIVE HIGH RATING BLINDLY AND TRY TO BULLY ME FOR MY HONEST REVIEW I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS ENDINGWhat a beautiful start and then
Arrogant ceo and poor woman shit started...its okay rom-com
ML -- i enjoy his acting in first episode and i think it was his limit he can only act good in one episode...
they show two people falling in love then one died but other did not even mourn him but fall for other man because he look like her dead husband
INHUMAN SHAMLESS WOMAN
Our FL said she will mourn for husband for 3 years but she did not wait even for 3 days before she kiss another man.
JEOSON WOMAN BECOMES MORDERN IN JUST ONE DAY
now just because they look similar she must love him
HER DYING HUSBAND DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT HIS WIFE FIND NEW MAN RIGHT AFTER HE DIED
SHE DID NOT LOVE HER HUSBAND BUT RICH MAN BECAUSE MONEY-MONEY
(( One thing that is correct about this whole setup is that his grandfather really look like a king of hell. ))
Great ending this woman throw away her dying husband give him cold shoulder until the last moment and want go to jerk for his micro penis and isn't feeling slightly GUILTY for her affair with a man who is Few hundred year younger then her...
Poor husband died not even knowing anything
And this MF ML is nothing but a arrogant jerk.
What is LOVE for FL ?
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE EVEN MEAN FOR THAT SHAMLESS HORE.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Morally Bankrupt Drama, stalking promoted !!!!
Title should be : - THE STALKERAfter watching the first six episodes of The Witch (2025), I find the drama both disappointing and deeply frustrating. Despite the intriguing premise described, the execution is flawed, with unsettling themes, misleading advertising, and poor storytelling choices that are hard to overlook.
A Story That Reinforces, Rather Than Challenges, Superstition
The central plot revolves around a minor girl being labeled a witch due to mysterious deaths occurring around her. Instead of challenging outdated superstitions, the drama unfortunately reinforces them, reflecting a disturbingly cruel portrayal of society. It is disheartening to see a modern, developed nation like South Korea producing a drama that fails to offer a more progressive and empathetic narrative. The female lead (FL), portrayed by a talented young actress, is treated like an outcast, blamed for events beyond her control. This could have been an opportunity to explore human compassion, yet the story leans heavily into societal cruelty without meaningful critique.
A Misleading Premise and Poorly Developed Romance
Another major issue is the misleading description. The synopsis claims the FL recalls the male lead (ML), Lee Dong Jin, from high school. However, after six episodes, she does not recognize him at all. Instead, her interactions are primarily with other boys, making the supposed connection between the leads feel forced and hollow. If the drama later tries to portray the ML as being in love with her, it will lack credibility—love requires genuine connection, which has been entirely absent. The ML's so-called feelings seem like an afterthought rather than a heartfelt bond.
The pacing is another significant flaw. Six episodes in, the narrative is still stuck in past events, with the preview for episode 7 indicating more of the same. For a drama limited to ten episodes, this slow burn is poorly conceived. The leads have yet to meet meaningfully in either timeline, raising serious doubts about how their relationship will develop convincingly. A better structure would have balanced past and present timelines within each episode, allowing the story to progress without dragging.
The Male Lead: A Stalker Masquerading as a Love Interest
The most glaring issue is that the ML, Lee Dong Jin, still has not met the FL. We are now past the halfway mark of this ten-episode drama, and their supposed “connection” remains non-existent. How is this even a romance when the two leads have yet to interact in any meaningful way?
While I was at least slightly satisfied that in episode 5 someone finally called out the ML for being a stalker, the drama still fails to acknowledge how disturbing his behavior truly is. The show is blatantly normalizing stalking, portraying the ML as some kind of misunderstood intellectual rather than the obsessive creep he actually is.
Let’s be clear: this is not a love story. This is ten hours of a man collecting data on a woman he barely knew in high school. He is not reminiscing about a lost love, nor is he rekindling an old relationship. He is just stalking her—gathering information about a girl from his past while never actually interacting with her. There is zero emotional foundation for whatever the drama is trying to sell as a romance.
The drama suggests he liked the FL in high school, but his actions contradict this entirely. He is so cautious about approaching her due to rumors that she is a witch, which cannot be mistaken for love. Other boys who dared to speak to her—even at great personal risk—demonstrated far more courage and humanity than the ML ever has. Now, as an adult, he analyzes her life using cold statistics to determine if she is a witch, treating her more like a research subject than a human being. Sharing his "findings" with his professor and colleagues without her knowledge is deeply disrespectful and dehumanizing.
The Female Lead: A Background Character in Her Own Story
The FL remains a side character in her own narrative. Across six episodes, she has had shockingly little screen time, which is an unforgivable storytelling flaw. The drama has failed to explore her thoughts, emotions, or even her daily struggles in any meaningful way. She is merely an object of the ML’s obsessive curiosity rather than an actual protagonist.
Her experiences—being ostracized, falsely accused, and isolated—should have been the emotional core of the series. Instead, the show is more concerned with how the ML perceives her rather than giving her a voice. The lack of empathy in the writing is staggering. The story should have focused on her survival and resilience, but instead, it revolves around a man playing detective with her life without her knowledge or consent.
A Visually Well-Shot, Morally Bankrupt Drama
Some might argue that the cinematography and production quality are commendable. Sure, it looks good—but what’s the point? A beautifully shot dumpster fire is still a dumpster fire. No amount of polished visuals can compensate for a script this misguided. If good cinematography was all that mattered, the production team should have just filmed a nature documentary instead of promoting a stalker’s delusions as romance.
Adding to the absurdity, the ML is inexplicably protected, with minions saving him from trouble, further highlighting his inability to face any real consequences or dangers himself. It’s baffling why the narrative coddles him while sidelining the FL.
At end of ep 6 ml faces Fl and they are playing dramatic music like Director going to fart at any moment and they wanna cover it somehow,
Now I want Ml to die at the start of ep 7 from lighting strike and then FL will stalk his corpse until it is eaten by director and writer
This drama dangerously romanticizes crime, particularly stalking, by making the female lead (FL) easily accept her stalker as if his actions were harmless. Instead of addressing the harm caused by such behavior, the story justifies it, sending a problematic message that obsession equals love. This kind of narrative normalizes toxic relationships and dismisses the importance of consent and personal boundaries, which can be deeply unsettling for viewers.
Furthermore, the male lead (ML) treating the FL as nothing more than a research subject dehumanizes her, yet the drama portrays this as justified rather than unethical. By presenting these behaviors as acceptable, the show promotes disturbing ideas rather than challenging them. The director’s approach seems to endorse stalking and manipulation rather than condemning them, making the drama not just unsettling but outright problematic.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I like how ML and FL are looking real humans
there are some plot holes that can be justifiedSabina is 28 year old so she was 16year old 12 year ago when she left her husband and child
Korean age system Convert into English age system she was just 15 year old and
14 year old when she get impregnated by that TAXI driver( Statuary rape) and then forced into give birth because and raising those child into a forced marriage,,
so what SML did to her ex husband was RIGHT THING, he saved her from her rapist
Sabina's mother has ultimate RAM in her head that she can remember every single detail and faces from 28 year ago
almost 3 decides, that just impossible for even Einstein that he remember ever single detail from 3 decides ( about HAN SO MIN )
Male lead is not easy nor he is cold jerk he is human who start having feeling for FL little by little
he sometime say mean thing he and regret and try to become better...
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
So high review but it wasn't 10/10
Story was great and there relationship from start to end was Great tooThey wasted lot of time on her BOSS. 20 episodes, trying to make her cindrella and then got denied..
Real flirting started from 21
Relationship started at 27 episode out of 35
Other then her childhood divorced sweetheart there was no villian
she did not let him even kiss her,
She did not introduced him to her friends herself he went there and she has to....
She was smart enough to understand YUTAO was a scambeg but she keep in touch with him and let him manipulate there relationship.
FL Asked him to kept that from her mother but he went on to tell her
He look down on FL and insulted her
But she just accepted all that because he is her childhood sweetheart ? Ugly look sweetheart.
She don't ask her mother who told her about how is her boyfriend ?
At least a SLAP he deserves from FL.
In e 34
I did not get it why she even accepted yutao call and even going to meet that lowlife, if she have that much free time then she should spend that with her boyfriend then a lowlife...
GU YU TAO DESERVES A HARD SLAP
Boring for 20 Episodes
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Nothing really happen but still enjoyable
what i find in this drama is there is no point of revenge at all.1st couple were sexless business couple , so what if husband had a mistress and a child its not like she really liked him or he betrayed there love or something, i mean don't know how she was fine living lonely that man just had sex outside because his wife doesn't want to..............SO WHY REVENEGE ? just because FL is sexless she want her husband to practice celibacy ?
2nd wife need to sent her husband to hospital for treatment since we can understand he is sick has anger issues caused by death of there son, that man is sick and needed treatment not revenge
3rd Ajuma needed social justice for her son and daughter she doesn't have a husband problem so she doesn't fit in with those 2 above
i wanted more of Student life and crush that was forming between those two.. but they wasted all time on 3 woman and a minor hanging out and they they think people are weird for rumors ?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Begging ML who ever pay him he date there daughter
it was even shown as a right normal thing to ask money from a woman you already breakup and if she doesn't give you, then blame herML is a Begger who first date a girl for her money then he meet other girl so now he date her thinking she is rich but he moma do not give him money
WHILE HE SHOW HIS FAKE PRIDE
5/10 was given only for kim ji suk and lee chung Ah story
why this drama doesn't give equal screen time to all 3 sibling but only focus on Sister being
main lead story was only disappoint
and why was Mr.Park bo gum was even casted in the show if you were not going to use him at least for 5 min in one episode
MAJOR Thing this drama just forget INCEST between SOO JIN and MIN SOO they share same father and were in a relationship and was about to get married sp this drama is saying they did nothing during there relationship or that doesn't even matter, because now his exgf is his sister, half sister who share same DNA with him
Was this review helpful to you?
CHEATER FAIRY AND HR FAKE LOVE of 699years
That professor is a low life I pity all his students who will become beggars after studying from a low class parasiteSo basically our FL is searching for her husband but when she find him she fall for her husband's teacher and start to believe that he is her husband and had a affair in front of her husband and when her husband told his feeling she refused him,
then suddenly she is back with her husband because he is her husband not because she love him
she love another man but she is with her husband because he was her husband 699 years ago
i mean she fall for another man when her husband was right there so isn't it make it look like she never loved her husband
she was attracted to other man,
and at last her husband just accepted her like it was nothing he should asked her who did she love or is it still she has feeling for other man, why she is suddenly choosing him ?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
How “Miss Incognito” Turned a Strong Woman into a Crying Weakling in the Name of Love
MY FINAL COMMENT: 1/10 FOR OLD GUYThis drama started like a gem and turned into pure garbage. A college professor who can erase a corpse from a crime scene while dozens of cops obey her like trained dogs? The prosecutor bows to her in her own home, and I swear, next episode we’ll probably see the President of Korea come to lick her boots. What started as an intelligent thriller turned into a circus of nonsense.
The female lead went from a cool, composed, strong woman to a crying, confused, cheating wife. The male lead transformed from a mysterious, stoic man into Cinderella in jail—spouting emotionless lines with zero acting skill or expression. This show didn’t just fall off—it jumped headfirst into the trash bin.
EP 11 ENDING SCENE,
RICH PEOPLE DOESNT HAVE LOCKS ON THERE DOORS,
BUTLER CHOI IS SO LOYALTO PROFESSOR, why ? NO NEED TO ANSWER
Condensed Review Summary:
Episodes 1–2: A Brilliant Start
The series began strong, with emotional depth and mature storytelling. The relationship between Chairman Ga Sung Ho and Kim Yeong Ran was raw, tragic, and touching. Yeong Ran’s decision to marry him out of debt and desperation felt real, human, and beautifully restrained. The Chairman’s self-inflicted death scene was heart-wrenching, and his actor’s performance elevated the whole story.
Episodes 3–5: Promise and Decline
After the Chairman’s death, Yeong Ran’s transformation into “Bu Se Mi” in the village opened interesting story potential. But Episode 3 shifted into awkward comedy and cheap romance, betraying the quiet strength that made the early episodes great. The show briefly recovered in Episodes 4–5, showing progress and reconnecting with its emotional core.
Episodes 6–9: Total Character Collapse
By Episode 6, the male lead became inconsistent and emotionless—acting without logic or motivation. The romance felt forced, chemistry nonexistent. The FL’s intelligence and independence were stripped away just to make her cry over an undeserving man. Even side characters like Tae Min and Hye Ji outperformed the supposed leads.
Episodes 10–11: Logic Dies, Chaos Reigns
The writing hits rock bottom:
Ga Seon Yeong somehow controls police, prosecutors, and even travel bans like she’s running a lawless empire.
A professional killer forgets how to shoot.
A USB gets “destroyed” by slippers.
Everyone turns against the richest woman in Korea with zero reason.
The ML keeps asking useless questions and sulks like a zombie.
What began as a story of survival, courage, and quiet emotion has turned into a joke filled with plot holes, broken logic, and fake love.
Final Verdict:
Miss Incognito started as a deep, emotional drama with an extraordinary first two episodes. But by Episode 11, it has collapsed into nonsensical writing, emotionless acting, and laughable logic.
💔 From masterpiece to mess — a fall from grace in just twelve hours.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
garbage
Diving into Tastefully Yours at episode 5 without the context of prior episodes was an intriguing experience—but ultimately a frustrating one, especially when it comes to the male lead (ML), Han Beom-woo (played by Kang Ha-neul). These two episodes—centered around a cozy Jeonju diner and a tangled love triangle—are supposed to blend rom-com charm with emotional drama, but what they actually deliver is a case study in how to write a male lead so spineless, it becomes painful to watch.Episode 5: The Diner Disaster
The episode takes place largely in a small restaurant run by Beom-woo and the female lead (FL), Mo Yeon-joo (Go Min-si), a passionate, confident chef. On paper, this setup should be a recipe for heartfelt moments and character-driven storytelling. But episode 5 derails all that potential with a single, jarring scene.
After the diner serves a special customer and is getting ready to close, the second male lead (SML), Jeon Min—a rival chef and Yeon-joo’s ex—waltzes in asking for a meal. Beom-woo, rightly, says they’re closed. He’s the owner. It’s his business. But Yeon-joo completely ignores him and lets Jeon Min stay, preparing him a meal like it’s her personal kitchen. Professionalism? Boundaries? Basic courtesy? All tossed out the window.
Worse than her overstep is Beom-woo’s response. He doesn’t confront her. He doesn’t assert himself. Instead, he sulks outside the restaurant like a kicked puppy while his crush (and employee) serves her ex with a warm smile. It's not romantic—it’s tragic. Here's a man who owns the diner, presumably a successful heir of a food company, yet acts like he has no power or pride. The “tap water” metaphor floating around online—that men line up for Yeon-joo because she’s everywhere and emotionally available—feels brutal, but not entirely wrong. Beom-woo seems to trade dignity for any scrap of affection she might throw his way.
Kang Ha-neul’s performance is earnest, but he’s working with hollow material. There’s no tension, no fight, no reason to root for this guy. He’s written as if he’s already given up on himself. Meanwhile, Go Min-si’s Yeon-joo, though charismatic and layered, makes choices that seem inconsistent with a professional chef or someone emotionally grounded. Is she kind? Is she manipulative? Is she clueless? We don’t know—and the writing doesn’t seem interested in answering.
Episode 6: The Fly-Out Fiasco
If you thought episode 5 made Beom-woo look pathetic, episode 6 throws gasoline on the fire.
After Yeon-joo literally leaves the country without a proper goodbye—no conversation, no closure, just a note—Beom-woo flies out to see her. Yes, he abandons his diner to chase a woman who didn’t even have the decency to tell him in person she was leaving. She goes with her ex to visit an old teacher who, plot twist, doesn’t even recognize her due to dementia. That whole subplot feels empty and forced—like a lazy attempt at depth that lands with a dull thud.
But let’s get back to Beom-woo.
He arrives, confronts her with maybe two lines of dialogue, and that’s it. That’s the grand gesture. And what does the SML do? He laughs at him. And honestly, we all do a little. Because what else is there to do when the male lead looks like the biggest fool in the entire narrative?
He’s flown across borders for a woman who doesn’t love him, doesn’t respect him, and clearly doesn’t even think of him as a real presence in her life. She treats him like a backup, an option, a placeholder for emotional comfort. And yet there he is, clinging to some romantic notion that his devotion will eventually matter.
Let me be blunt: she is not worth it. Yes, she’s pretty, talented, and has layers. But none of those things mean anything when she treats him like he’s disposable. And the worst part? He keeps proving her right. He acts disposable. He lets her walk all over him. He doesn’t stand up for himself, doesn’t confront her properly, doesn’t even demand a real conversation. He remains a loser because he refuses to value himself.
Final Thoughts
Episodes 5 and 6 of Tastefully Yours had the potential to be emotionally resonant and character-driven. Instead, they waste that potential on tired tropes, weak character development, and a male lead so lacking in pride or self-worth that he’s hard to watch.
The romantic triangle isn’t romantic—it’s depressing. The show seems more interested in stirring up melodrama than actually exploring why these characters behave the way they do. And while the acting is decent across the board, the writing undermines every emotional beat.
Rating: 1/10, mostly for the performances and aesthetic. But unless the show gives Han Beom-woo a spine and finally forces Yeon-joo to confront her actions (without her ex playing emotional chauffeur), it’s hard to see this as anything more than a frustrating, empty romance.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
When Honor Becomes Prostitution: The Ugly Truth Behind Shōgun’s Admiration for Japan
The Colonial Fantasy Beneath Shōgun’s Mask of Cross-Cultural AdmirationJames Clavell’s Shōgun is often praised as a respectful bridge between East and West — a tale of cultural discovery, mutual respect, and political intrigue. But beneath its polished surface lies a deeper, more insidious narrative: a colonial fantasy dressed as admiration.
1. The Illusion of Cross-Cultural Respect
On the surface, Shōgun seems to celebrate Japanese discipline, ritual, and loyalty. Yet the admiration is never equal. The story’s lens is Western — the audience is meant to view Japan through the eyes of the foreigner, Blackthorne. Japan is exotic, beautiful, and mysterious, but it’s also backward, cruel, and spiritually incomplete — until the white man arrives to “understand” it better than the Japanese themselves. What looks like cultural exchange is really validation of Western superiority: the idea that understanding, morality, and passion only achieve their “true form” when filtered through a European perspective.
2. Mariko’s “Spiritual Awakening” as Submission
Mariko, one of the most complex figures in the story, embodies this colonial subtext perfectly. Her supposed “spiritual awakening” through her relationship with Blackthorne is not liberation — it’s assimilation. Her devotion, her intellect, and her honor are all reframed as qualities that find meaning only when she connects with a Western man. Her affair, which by her own cultural and moral code is adultery, is romanticized as enlightenment. The narrative quietly teaches that Western love redeems her — as if fidelity, duty, and her Japanese identity are mere shackles keeping her from “true” humanity.
3. Toranaga’s Politics: Honor as a Mask for Moral Prostitution
Toranaga, the cunning lord, represents another layer of colonial accommodation. His actions are praised as brilliant strategy — but his politics often boil down to appeasement and manipulation in pursuit of survival. He uses Mariko’s loyalty, her marriage, even her body, as tools to gain leverage with foreigners. His “wisdom” lies not in preserving cultural dignity, but in packaging it for trade. The very code of “honor” he claims to defend collapses when faced with the promise of Western advantage. In essence, Toranaga becomes a symbol of moral prostitution — a man who sells the sanctity of his people’s values while pretending to protect them.
4. The Hollow Honor of Shōgun
When Shōgun glorifies ritual suicide, blind obedience, or emotional suppression as noble, it’s not showing depth — it’s showing how easily a society can mistake servitude for honor. And when that same society bows before Western approval, the illusion shatters. What the Rajputs of India would call maryada — honor rooted in self-respect and spiritual integrity — is, in Shōgun, replaced with an obedience so hollow it justifies humiliation.
Conclusion
Shōgun is not a story of mutual understanding between cultures — it’s a tale of colonial desire wrapped in silk. Its admiration for Japan is conditional: beautiful, but only when humbled; noble, but only when submissive; honorable, but only when redefined by the West. Mariko’s love, Toranaga’s strategy, and Japan’s “honor” all serve the same purpose — to glorify the myth of Western awakening.
Was this review helpful to you?

