plottwist

Salary Man Heated Rivalry (this is the first j-drama that feels like it's adopted from a wattpad rather than a manga, but it's pulled off well).

The show was circling the line between adult and teen (from Kanata's POV), though I should note I don't know when the manga this is based on was created. The law I mentioned is fairly recent, previously it was 13. I'm also not sure how the legal system in Japan operates, would they even care about a young gay boy since they are pushed into the periphery of society? Probably not, sadly. Their relationship is a result of this periphery treatment, after all.

I don't find Student/Teacher & Student/Tutor genres a judge on moral character. These relationships are all fictional—as long as we acknowledge that is what the show is. And if they are going for realism or complexity, like I'm getting is the vibe of this show, then showing it "matter of fact" is the way to go (instead of romanticizing it).

It's viewing a complex human experience and emotional scars—but it still didn't stick the landing with the theme of autonomy, or why Kanata waited for Akira to make the first move as a large majority of the audience missed why Akira and the Tutor were together in the first place… to tell this story (which is the fault of the writer, but 7/8 episodes were fine).

The relationship started when he was at most 15 years old (Japanese middle school). IMO, the show didn't really sexualize or romanticize them, it all felt matter of fact. Akira was his brother's shadow, both were a consolation to each other. It was one of those hush hush gay mentor/mentee relationships. I mean it happens so why not tackle it.

Akira felt "gross" after his disastrous first crush called him that. Then Akira also didn't feel like he had an identity of his own when he was with his tutor and he felt he was too impure for Kanata, his self esteem issues run deep. If the bullying never happened, he mostly would've never settled for the tutor.

That was his story arc, building back his self confidence and part of that was saying goodbye to that tutor relationship. The tutor also was looking for an excuse to end the sexual relationship, he himself wasn't proud of it. They admit to "using" each other.

It was implied their sexual relationship was on going, but at the start he was a kid who didn't even know if it was okay to like boys so it doesn't seem likely he'd even know how to initiate. In the end, Kanata was waiting for Akira to make his own decision, start a relationship on his own terms—that subtly of gaining autonomy is what was kind of butchered a bit because it felt rushed.

Age of consent in Japan is now 16, statutory rape is 5 years or older. In the end, if he was an 17 year old senior, and the tutor was said to be 23 y/o, then it was a 15 y/o with a 21 y/o man.

It's pathetic on the tutor's part to say the least, he called it immature. Yeah, this is the experience of a lot of people (not just the queer experience) and at least it's somewhat acknowledged here a line has been crossed. Eighth episode all around fumbled, including the wrap up to this storyline.

It's a little bit soapy and the writing is sub-par, but the actors are handsome and the kisses are beautiful. I remember A Breeze Of Love being way better with a heart-flutter effect, though this felt like it's own thing. Shin Jeong You got more handsome as he aged, I didn't recognize him the entire time. Of course, Woo Ji Han is handsome.

As soon as that brick of a house Ogami showed up, I was like, okay, damn, this show ain't playing. It's a nice breezy watch and a good premise. A little on the short side, but that's the only thing. Also, this is the average straight male fantasy minus the BL, which I found funny.

This is the first Japanese drama I've seen (that's not period) where the men actually have fashion sense and the wardrobe department knows what they're doing.

what in the fifty shades of alabama…

I'm not saying the first four episodes are plain, though they do come off as chat gpt filling in the prompts; HOWEVER, this show hits it stride in episode 5. When Hioki got "kidnapped," I lost it. That's when I started to appreciate this show's humor. Every time Watarai got jealous when that teammate was around I imagined a snarling pomeranian sound effect 🤣.

Moreover, that night time beach scene in episode 6 was way more homoerotic than I thought it was going to be. These two actors make all the chaste and innocent scenes kinda… 🫦 (respectfully). Hioki's nervousness/shyness starts off cliche, right? But then, it started to get this erotic submissive undertone (is it just me? 😭).

Also, the confessions were really well acted. What the hell, not this wattpad story making me emotional. The reason Watari developed a crush on Hioki was sweet, and it made the scene he slapped that letter out of his hand all the more impactful. Kudos to the actors.

Fuck if I know fashion, but that outfit was more arts and crafts—which makes sense because they are students experimenting. At least he worked it.

The way it's been 6 episodes now and my stupid brain still sees Enaga and AE as two different people 😭 Kudos to the make up team and the actor. Chiaki is attracted to AE but in love with Enaga, wait till he hears the good news 🤣

Ah shit, just checked to see how many episodes this show has. All the good j-dramas are so freaking short. No much happened this last episode (felt like I saw everything in the previous week's preview), so it felt shorter because of that.

This has wattpad energy, but Chiaki is a very relatable character (literally me when I was his age). It is kinda crazy that Ai looks ten years younger as Enaga, ngl. I knew who he was but it still made me double take.

I was completely fine accepting the idea that a mother asking her son to put her out of misery was solely based on the domestic violence alone. His anger for his dad is justifiable after being physically abused and seeing him r*pe his mother. For motivation and story purposes, it still makes sense. Incest is an added, more complicated layer to a specific type of domestic abuse. Regardless, all victims can feel trapped and driven to take drastic measures.
But with the specifics of incest, I'm distracted wondering how it's a miracle he's not plagued by birth defects. Also, now there is a question. For his entire life up until that point, was he raised believing she was his sister or his mother? The difference would change the dynamic (i.e. a child would feel compelled to follow the orders of someone he sees as a mother, taking some of the onus off his shoulders). The revelation of being a product of incest would send someone into a mental breakdown and completely destroy his sense of self. I can see how the story tackles that throughout if I think back, but the revelation's impact is not central. This would make Odajima more pitiful than morally gray. It's more about character than plot.

In English, it's feasible to interchange mouth and kiss as synonyms at times, but not literally. Also kisu is so freaking close to kiss in English…like, what happened here? As a translator they'd have to be completely naive to mistake it (with or without visuals of the blowjob) because this is a BL, or they're adding their own creative interpretation which is a disservice to the original content. IDK 🤔 🤨

Okay, maybe it's suppose to be vague. That's what I was hoping for, like what he says could go either way or be very subtle. But since my Japanese is piss poor, I would never catch onto nuances without subs.
I appreciate that GaGa is giving an international audiences access. I forgot it is a taiwanese (?) company so I'm sure things are being doubly translated and it could be a case of telephone where meaning/nuances are lost along the way. On top of that, I'm at the whim of someone's interpretation of vague dialogue and just have to hope they understand the story.

I get it since the overall show is part romance, but I didn't see that scene as romantic when it occurred. It was supposed to be off putting and unsettling. The show is also part drama, part revenge fantasy. So this scene has narrative purpose.
This act gives us reason to follow Odajima's plan to kill Kataoka. Otherwise audiences wouldn't be fully onboard seeing an otherwise affable guy be victim of an easy to spot misinterpretation/manipulation of true events (orchestrated by Kirii/Fourth).
Then if you continue watching, you also see Kataoka knew why he was brought out to the seaside. He knew of his own murder plot. This was an act of either counter revenge or self preservation beneath that playboy veneer. When Kataoka finds out he had Odajima all wrong (as a doormat with no moral compass), he takes responsibility. He's all smiles, but really, if we think about it, that is a huge thing for a playboy yakuza with a blood soaked ledger to admit.
These men are bad people, so are their actions. I think the tone doesn't downplay or let us forget that. Their romance isn't candy colored and suddenly they're good guys—the romance just makes them interesting. This angst evokes a Nicholas Ray or noir film in that regard. So I don't think this show is heedless or transgressive in its intent.
Also it was sly, but Odajima was awake playing possum, not out of fear but more so waiting it out. Kataoka knew he was pretending the way he said "you know" (like cut the bullshit) in their later convo. Still not justifiable on Kataoka's part for having sex with someone rag dolling themselves, but at least we the audience knew Odajima was conscious and in control.

Bro ;A; What is with these subs (are these auto-generated then absentmindedly fixed?) I actually liked my misinterpretation better. 😭 I'd find it more interesting if she was actually just his mom but he calls her older sister as an insult/commentary. The incest backstory… IDK if it adds anything (it never does, imo). Especially because the story didn't need it to continue on. As for the second thing you pointed out, that was easier to parse out as a blatant mistake…fr, is this AI? I don't wanna be too harsh if it's not, but this just makes me appreciate fan subbers more.

This is the first angsty, alternative J-BL I can actually get behind. There is actually felt emotion from how Odajima and Asahi's story unfolds. Flashbacks are expertly interwoven through senses as beautiful cinematography arrests. It could've gone full doom and gloom or ultra grimy due to the subject matter. Yet, because it doesn't, it makes the characters appear more human and layered. Yakuza harems tend to feel like caricatures, but so far it's not the case here. The writer is using simple storytelling tricks effectively. Also, there were a few times my expectations were surpassed, especially with Odajima's secrets.

This has a Taiwanese vibe to it. I don't know how else to explain it. It's got a lil funk to it, in its favor and against it.

I understand the critiques, but I felt from the start this was KBL slop and something to turn your brain off to (it's based on smut, no?). Genuinely surprised at the critical reaction, but totally not unwarranted. I always dislike idols' involvement because they refuse to commit. It's no different here (sex/intimacy is at least suggested but nothing is felt). Except, I think it's alright for pulpy, escapist content. It's fun and passes the time.