plottwist

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.

Yeah. Hikaru was kinda wearing makeup during the interview but it was more for the camera and expressionless. It seemed like he could no longer dress femininely after getting a job and becoming a boyfriend (despite Haruka not caring about gender roles). He was hiding. And for his parents to watch that broadcast (approvingly) where he is not expressing himself fully…Hmm.

I just wish they kept flipping the gender roles. To me, the chemistry between the leads also dipped because of the unnecessary time jump. I didn't feel anything at the end when he was doing her make up for the last time (his work kind of faded out and became an obstacle for their relationship, no longer passionate about the art of makeup).

They gave them the fairytale ending because of the title, but these two deserved more than a cliche. They should've challenged the gender conformity of fairytales rather than succumb to it. At least have Haruka give the glass slipper to Hikaru 😅 In her wedding fantasy, she imagined herself as prince charming (though, they both are Cinderella, imo). Sorry to rant. I really enjoyed this show otherwise!

Yeah, idk…The last two episodes dipped in quality affecting the overall watch. This show is still cute, and the episodes before that were interesting and fun, but the last two episodes felt rushed and tangential. The last episode was kind of unbearable. This couple is different and unique, why did they force them back into the box? Mixed messages.

Okay…episode 6 got me in a headlock. I'm enjoying so far.

Um, I'm kind of worried about episode 12. A lot seems to be going on, how are they gonna wrap that all up? Episode 11 was cute. I'm glad Hikaru got solace through Haruka's mom. TBH, Kurotaki had a point. Haruka should have her own life and be cherished. I think this is a symptom of Hikaru's insecurities with his masculinity as mentioned before, so this stereotypical domineering he's doing is a result of that (edit: it's very clear he's struggling to preform the "boyfriend" role). I'm also glad we heard him say in his own words that he is genderfuild, the street scene was a coming out of sorts. Also pansexual Haruka confirmed!

Thank you for the further clarification! I got the sense it was meant to be ambiguous (possibly for all audiences to enjoy), but I never know if things are ever lost in translation. Subtext is extremely important, and unfortunately lost on overseas viewers who cannot speak the language fluently.

I did, however, pick up on Haruka's line! She was talking about her "friend" at that point, but we all know when it was stated she was attracted to Hikaru AND his/their gender fluidity regardless of their choice of expression. That is why I see her as bi/pan as well. I don't know if I should call him genderfluid or not because the subtitles and other characters suggest/say it, but Hikaru refers to himself as a crossdresser and wants Haruka to see him as a man as well. I wonder if there is important subtext there too? 🤔 Where I am from, queer people usually use that term ironically (and "crossdressing" is an outdated term as my culture has mostly moved on from assigning gender to clothing).

I waited to binge this one to be able to skip through. The actors deserved better. There was absolutely no flow, things just started and stopped, and half the time there was no point.

I pledge allegiance to that height difference 🫡 The first episode basically didn't have a plot, but it starts to kick in at the end of the second episode. Now that I know that source material is basically smut, it starts to make sense 🤭 It's cute and polished.

Thank you. That's what I thought, it was a one-sided attraction on Shu's part (I guess they did have a "history," "one night" they said, but that's why it could not work). For the story, I suppose the FL's assumption that he was gay/bi made it more of an obstacle in the beginning for his confession to be taken seriously. The misconception gender expression=sexuality (and what defines masculinity) is something to think about.

As an aside, something about this show still feels queer on the FL's side. Haruka is attracted to his feminine "girl" side, too. Perhaps, the pan/bisexual projection she puts on Hikaru could be indicative of her own psyche. And part of the obstacle was her coming to terms with being attracted to him, as if Hikaru wasn't a hot cis gender male (her journey is so queer coded). Despite this, the show's chief concern is challenging gender roles, and the only confirmed character to be queer is Shu.

It's currently airing on Netflix that's how I am watching. I hear others use vpn to watch on TVer. Or sail the seven seas on kiss**

I am now caught up. I'm so excited to see them kiss in Hikaru's fem form, too. Did they say he wasn't bisexual? I don't know if I understood that part, not that it takes away from the show. Either way, this show gives off genderqueer bi/pan energy, especially in the fl's wedding daydream and after she cuts her hair. I also think they did the fl did a good job being in denial about her feelings towards her "friend." I hope I remember to watch ep 11 😅

Thank you for this comment, I totally missed the packing scene while watching (the photo wall also included a pic of Ji Hun, too). That's cute. It's left ambiguous, especially about sexuality, but its nice that it confirms that Ji E/Hun is living comfortably with her sex changes and embraces that part of her. Even though this is a sci-fi gender bender, it's low key a positive representation of gender fluidity.
It's 100% not a BL, though. I feel like people who watched with that mindset are disappointed, but... the queerbaiting and fact that she'd still be/is a women was so clear from the start. I don't know how people got their hopes up.

When I started this drama, I dreaded the possible homophobic and transphobic jokes that could've occurred. However, in the end I didn't see it as homophobic or transphobic, but commenting on their societal homophobia and transphobia. The drama didn't side with the mom at all, in fact her response was treated as the odd one out (Yun Jae's dad and sister were very welcoming, that was heartwarming to see). Characters respected pronouns, too. In many ways, the show was challenging kr's societal beliefs. Yun Jae being straight is not inherently homophobic either, that's just who he was—at first he was insecure, then didn't care how others viewed him with Ji Hun.
Though, what you said, "but there wasn’t even one hug to prove it," is a hundred percent correct. The filmmakers are still operating in a homophobic network ('i love you's were said and cut). Is it queerbaiting? Yes, I think so. Is it homophobic? No, unless you count the network censorship. For the show, it all depended on nuance. Ji Hun's portrayal was very respectful to me, never treated like a joke.

7/10. As a gender-bender comedy, this was really great! But as a romance, no. The performances from the cast make this drama worth while (even the characters I despised, I still appreciated the actors). Yoo Jung Hoo as Ji E/Hun was fantastic every step of the way and sold it for me. I never was bored when he was on screen (which he was a lot!) and he's the main reason for me to complete this drama (I'd watch more of his portrayal if I could). I recommend watching with the mindset it's a comedy and giving it a chance past episode 2.

If you like this type of ML, maybe try these: Make Up with Mud, Otonari Complex (this one is good), Ore no Bijoka ga Tomaranai?! (not romance, its comedy, I liked it), Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu (I didn't finish this one yet, only saw first episode awhile ago), Princess Jellyfish/Kuragehime (i like the anime better but still good). There are a few cross-dressing BLs, but they don't really have the same "make over" element the straight ones do.