plottwist

I have a degree in it and its my job irl, so its my unique point of view. Its not a nitpick if half of the scenes are raw and have half have different hues. I had issues with the story as well but I gave it praise where its due. I also don't put my review in the reviews section because I know I have specific tastes.

why are you on my page looool and i have preferences that i like in love tractor jeez

You're willingness to patiently wait and explain is appreciated. Its also helps cause I'm watching this raw rn and can't make out everything they are saying.
I think this show is more explicit than the manga in identifying Kirino's gender identity too. I have a bad memory, but the trip they will go on later I think now has even more special meaning for Kirino because of this exchange of dialogue (because it articulates their/her decision to not go as staying in the closet even more whereas before the trip was more ambiguous/their goals were not totally clear). So this slight change I think adds greater emotional depth.
"It was heartwarming to see them discuss the spectrum of gender identity and sexuality between cross-dressing and reassignment, and the possibilities in between." - I agree completely, couldn't have said it better. It just adds more nuance for us as an audience. Plus, I can also relate to Kirino's plight too as someone still in the closet and I think their/her reasonings/decisions are very relatable when she talks about her mother.

Yes, I'm not familiar with source material (I hear it is GL?). I don't know who is paired up with who, but personally I gravitate towards Jeong Nyeon and Han Joo Ran. I love supportive "friends". 😉

Every where I go, you are in the comment section. Good taste recognizes good taste. This is the best ost for a jdrama, I still listen to it all these years later.

This is giving glass mask vibes, I put it in the recommends as well. I love this trope. I'm so excited to see where this story goes! And I ship everyone with everyone 🤭

Yeah, there is a possibility that in future episodes they could say a few words in each others' languages (like you said, just simply use one word like "ice" in thai or vise versa). I think it'd be cute and add greater emotional depth (I wouldn't even care if it they have to read it off a cue card lol). I don't mind so much the multiple languages being spoken cause its unique but in terms of building a relationship, maybe it factors in? (I've never been in a multilingual relationship so maybe it does work out just fine)

I can imagine your first scenario, I've studied Spanish and Italian which are so similar and both romance languages that I mix them up in my head (I know Italian and French share similar vocabulary too), then considering its family I'm sure growing up and hearing both languages helps a ton too. I've also studied Korean and Japanese but I don't mix them in my head like Spanish/Italian, because they are so dissimilar. I'm more prone to blend them with English.
Thai is super tonal which Korean is not and they belong to different classes of language, and I'd assume if you are fluent enough to understand a language you could attempt to speak it, like I do. So, I wish there was an attempt to blend the languages (like first note of love) or cast one bilingual actor. I'm disappointed to hear. I'll wait until this production is done airing to try it.

This drama would be so much better if the ex was out of the picture and it just focused on the main couple and the subplot with the brother. The FL also has no agency or personality, barely developing as a character in terms of plot. 5.5/10, just for its unique gender fluid love interest that holds this show together.

9.5/10. I've rewatched this maybe 3 times over the years. This is such a hidden gem. My favorite part is the parents, their unique lavender marriage (shedding light on the complicated side of homosexuality in SK) as well as how supportive they are as adoptive parents and with raising an intersex child. Also this is an exploration of gender and sexuality that is portrayed so candidly. It's refreshing, even groundbreaking. There is an absence of this kind of representation, even in western media. The only thing is that it is short (and its open ending?), which keeps it from being perfect. Regardless, I want to see more of this representation going forward.

The manga is pretty quick and easy to read. It was easy to access on google too. This show has been pretty faithful to the manga so far. Its clear that
Mishima is a fem gay dude (he outright says it and makes the distinction between gender and his sexuality at the end), but for Kirino, the manga is slightly more ambiguous about gender. They say "I'm gay" but also they prefer feminine pronouns (in chapters 4-5).
Kirino never gets the chance to live their authentic life so its never fully confirmed. You can come to your own conclusion. To me, I welcome trans representation if the show decides to go that route and those who are trans and see themselves represented have a fair amount to conclude from. The show is tagged LGBTQ+ after all, not just gay.

series to be released on youtube, released on GND Studio channel oct 5, probably approx. 5 min an episode web series with around 7 episodes (judging based off past release strategy from this small independent production co). Date and channel is all that is confirmed so far on yt.

Great music on that show

7/10. I dropped this drama back when it first aired because of its random editing and its still true after rewatching. The poor editing/filmmaking and style gets in the way of the story rather than having an indie quality that enhances the overall experience (in particular the color grading jumps out as all over the place and unfinished). There are some plot lines that also feel unfinished or underdeveloped like Jae Won's trauma, but there is still enough substance and the main storyline between the couple feels emotionally complete. The candid tone in particular is the best quality of this drama. The two main actors are brilliant as well, and there is sexual chemistry portrayed accurately.

6.5/10. The FL is plain in personality, she states so in the beginning but in the end there is a lack of character development for her character and because of this, the story becomes stagnant and fatigues you by the end too. Her relationship to her boss is the most compelling aspect and is what drives the story at first (the premise promises to go in more depth than the Devil Wears Prada), but Reiko's character gets put on the back burner which is exactly when the story loses steam. The romance is cute enough, it feels like a 2010s drama which can be nostalgic (and the side romances are non intrusive and interesting as well). The supporting cast are interesting as well, which is why I gave it an extra 0.5. The main fault is the main character and her lack of development.

7/10. I appreciate queer storytelling that highlights issues within the community, such as hustling and homelessness. To me there was a thin plot with some plot holes and lose ends, a little repetitive in its settings, and the characters' goals to escape their past or move on from it was rushed. I didn't emotionally connect with the actors either, but I commend them for their work nonetheless. As a BL its leagues above the rest because of its interesting and nuanced themes, but ultimately its plot has a few misgivings to keep it from being perfect (I also took a long pause in between watching, maybe my opinion will change if I ever rewatch it as a binge).

I agree, the music is neither good or bad in this drama. Most shows never budget or spend money on the music (though I think the osts for First Note of Love is actually where most of its budget went, the music is pretty good imo). I have to finish HOTE.

Yes, his creepy gaze and trying to walk Mishima home to get him alone since the first episode. I can see him doing something bad or becoming jilted then making Mishima's school life hell.

I got by with my poor Japanese skills watching a raw version but this is an interesting turn. Mishima has a confidant in Kirino, but its more surprising Kirino was able to brake up the band of bullies and that more than one turned out to be gay. I loved the actor Abe Alan in Crank Up Hen and his casting makes me like his character, but I'm sure its a trick. That teacher seems suspect (I wonder what the real reason for leaving Tokyo is...). I hope it doesn't go too far. Btw, the score is so 90s, it makes me think of American coming of age shows (like the animation show As Told By Ginger for some reason lol).

Well this site and fandom discourages complicated opinions, which is probably why I gravitated to your score because I was interested for you to go into detail in your review (mainly why the music was at a 2). I like critique (as well as warnings/information), which is the only reason to look at the review section rather than the jumbled, fleeting discourse in the comments.