Amagi's mannerisms are giving me whiplash. Maybe I'm experiencing a Japanese BL burnout and need a break, because I'm not feeling the intended cuteness/humor in these first episodes. I know it's high schoolers, first love and Japan, but damn Amagi looks and behaves like a 10 year old. I see why he's sleeping on his desk at school. Dude is mentally and physically all over the place. He must be freaking exhausted.
I'd be into a ML change up, where Takara and the semi-hunky friend with the glasses get together instead.
This Sakuma/Minato storyline is like the iguana storyline in Senpai, This Can't be Love! I mean, that must be some epic talk about their past, if they ever have it. At least the iguana obstacle was so left field, it was kind of funny, but here? I could not care less about their past and/or talk about it anymore.
Shin is literally carrying this show for me (I love him to pieces!). I would be long gone if not for him. If this keeps a rating at 7.9 or climbs, then Old Fashion Cupcake should not be at a 8.1, but a +9 or clear 10.
I so wanted to love this show, and Old Fashion Cupcake is proof, that Japanese productions can indeed deliver BL stories/shows on a highly satisfactory level. These remaining three episodes need to be extraordinary to turn this around.
I'm only four episodes in and Mrs. Kwon just has to go asap. I know she's supposed to be loathsome, but she leans…
....and then they cleared up the Dong Rim thing the VERY next episode. Thank you show! Maybe they will even give Mrs. Kwon some sort of redeeming arc - or just off her quickly.
I'm only four episodes in and Mrs. Kwon just has to go asap. I know she's supposed to be loathsome, but she leans towards overacting with the facial expressions and the outcome is very annoying. The thought of 12 more episodes with her petty powertrips is exhausting. Also, why would Dong Rim even consider letting her pressure him to spy on Ha Woo Shin? Who had even offered to help pay for the hospital/operation? There has to be some level of trust (they are, for one, sleeping in the same room), that would prompt him to share with his boss, what she's doing to him. And how the hell can an entire household be so afraid of her, when they could just off her in those woods. *sigh*
On a more positive note, I just realized, that Dong Rim and how Shin Hyun Seung plays that role is a dead ringer for Shin Jae Ha. He's got the same innocent, sunny, trustworthy face and I just love it to pieces. If they hurt him and keep Mrs. Kwon around the rest of this show, someone will need to pay.
Ji Sung. 45. Really? I find that level of agelessness lowkey aggressive.
Am I the only one who was really pissed at Jang Sun Oh's ending? I know he was not a good guy and I did not really…
Agree so much with you here. I know, he's a bad guy or grey character at best, but I grew very fond of him anyway, and didn't appreciate his end either.
I think they chose to give him a classic cliffhanger/open end sendoff (I'm at episode 12, so I guess, he doesn't reappear after he opens his eyes in that fire..), because he's still a likeable character, that Kim Yo Han wasn't done with.
With him opening his eyes, they give him the possibility of coming back - either for a second season or just in general. If this gets a second season, I'd fully expect him to take part - if not, they gave those of us who liked him, the option of an open ending. :)
Heartwarming, offbeat, wise and also kind of funny in a peculiar way. Like a Japanese version of the Korean production Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?, but with these distinct traits, that set Japanese shows so far apart from Korean ones.
I liked both Fujiwara Kisetsu and Machida Keita in their roles, and it was fun too see Nishigaki Sho pop up as the young Ryoichiro. He really gives off an air of unwavering kindness, that is also very palpable in his portrayal of Shin in Minato Shouji Coin Laundry. He's very....poised.
Machida Keita is well chosen as the new "master" behind the bar with his graceful sense of service, overflowing kindness and stellar listening skills. His smile is radiant (oh my, those wrinkles around the eyes!) and lights up my whole screen , but I have to say, in some scenes he came across a bit manic when he flashed those smiles. I think, it was the combination of the offbeat vibe of the show and his very respectful, controlled demeanour, but I wouldn't have raised an eyebrow , if he had suddenly pulled out an axe from behind that bar mid-cocktail shaking.
Sidenote: that deep bow to the retired customer at the end of episode 3 as he's walking away really got to me. To bow like that even when the other person doesn't see it....I don't know, it struck a chord.
Watching the awkwardness unfold when Yanase was in Kaneda's room was probably my favorite part. I thought it was…
Oh, yes! Yanase (=Naitos flair for comedy) in those scenes plus the randomness of the iguana storyline were my favorite parts, because both sincerely made me laugh.
....and even the iguana was a no-show. I mean, that must have been one serious iguana, and they cannot even be bothered to throw a living animal into that cage for us to look at? Just...no. Next!
What on earth did I just watch?! I don't even know how to rate this.
Throw on all the viewing lenses you can find, place something sturdy under your jaw cause it'll need the support and board the crazy train to the twilight zone. This show is some ride, I'll give it that.
I put off watching this show for so long, even though the reviews were great. I haven't even watched the American movie, it's based on, and I don't really know, what took me so long, because I loved it instantly, when I finally hit that play button. Now I'm on episode 12, and I don't want it to end or to leave these characters. Even the token "wacky" ones, who are mostly there for the comedy, I kind of like. I usually find these over the top characters exhausting in dramas, but these two (Choo Ae Rin & Go Deok Jin) have actually made me giggle multiple times.
Also, what a cast! So many strong actors in this bunch, which makes it even more impressive how Lee Do Hyun consistently manages to outshine the rest of his cast mates. He confidently balances the needed different emotional aspects of this role and most importantly succeeds in showing us two versions of Hong Dae Young (past and present). Man, how he nails those micro expressions!
It's clear that everyone involved in this production knew excactly what they were doing and also loved bringing this story to life. Don't sleep on this like I did!
.****Sidenote and minor spoiler*****: Oh, Wi Ha Joon. As if Romance Is a Bonus Book wasn't hard enough to sit through, here you are again, breaking our hearts. Someone please put this guy in a drama, where the other nice guy ALSO finishes first.
Update: Just finished it and now I'm dealing with the post-drama emptiness/withdrawal. What a glorious heartwarming ride - almost from beginning to end. I honestly found the finale a bit underwhelming, but I gather it's because the rest of the episodes were so consistently loaded with all the feels.
Lee Do Hyun deserved all the awards and respect he received.
1) The ML's (Yan Fei & Hai Qing) had no chemistry or passion. A huge problem. 2) I'm all for shows with flawed/grey characters and angst, but I didn't connect with the ML's at all, so their flaws, individual journeys/growth fell flat. I honestly didn't care for either of them. 3) Pin Jun. Oh, poor PJ. The MVP. It was like watching someone repeatedly kick a puppy for 8-9 episodes straight. My heart broke for him again and again. 4) Xiao K needed to grab PJ, run like hell and never let him go. I wanted these two together so badly. 5) Pinky was too clueless as a character and too weak as a sister. She needed to step up and set these boys straight and protect her brother. 6) Did Xiao K really draw some weird comparison between love and menstruation in a scene? Wtf, that was random. 7) Oh, Pin Jun. The amount of emotional devastation, this guy had to suffer through.
Just when I thought I'd seen the most sensual and intense "finger in mouth" scene in any drama (oh, hello there "My Beautiful Man"!), here comes Togawa in episode 4 and grabs my entire being by shoving his thumb loaded with desperation and unguarded love/lust in Nozues mouth. And if that wasn't enough he just keeps going and delivers one of if not the most beautifully shot and acted confession scenes. That whole segment in his apartment after Nozue carried him home is chef's kiss (I was absolutely feeling everything, they were portraying!), and I honestly need more BL productions to dare take these raw, more gritty and different choices in both production, cinematography and story telling.
Kimura Tatsunari is such a vision in this show and I'm not referring to simply looks. From his hamster cheeks, when he's joyfully stuffing cake in his mouth, to his micro expressions, when he's trying to exist as just a co-worker and then friend beside the man he loves intensely, to his full display of emotions, when the walls are down during both the confession scene and the alley scene, when he accepts Nozues love for him. This guy had me instantly invested in this story with his performance. Yes, we were teased in the alley scene and the kiss didn't happen, but their words and the way Togawa hugged Nozue, was honestly more satisfying than a kiss.
I also love, how Nozue (let's not forget Takeda Kouheis stellar performance either) turned the tables on Togawa in the end. Up until then Togawa had been the seducer, but Nozue killed it, when he pulled Togawa close and delivered that "I feel I might kiss you anywhere" line. This move was also more charged and satisfying than another kiss. How Togawa was able to walk away after that one, I don't know.
Very impressed by how much is accomplished in just 5 all too short episodes. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future productions from Japan in this genre now.
That moment when you go in completely blind, because you're working your way through Japanese and South Korean…
.....and Yeon Woo Jin?!
Well, this movie was a nice surprise. Points for the acting, dialogue and chemistry. Would have liked for it to be longer though. I don't think Lee Je Hoon will ever surpass the level of sunny cuteness, he radiated from beginning to end here.
I'm also very impressed with the intensity of those kisses. In a Korean production from 2009, no less.
That moment when you go in completely blind, because you're working your way through Japanese and South Korean shorts on Gagaoolala, and "Just Friends" happened to be next on the playlist.
And first scene is a 16 year old-looking Lee Je Hoon on a bus and he's singing and dancing like he's in a Bollywood movie. What is going on?! I swear I just choked on my coffee!
I will need several minutes to gather myself, before I continue...
I'd be into a ML change up, where Takara and the semi-hunky friend with the glasses get together instead.
Shin is literally carrying this show for me (I love him to pieces!). I would be long gone if not for him. If this keeps a rating at 7.9 or climbs, then Old Fashion Cupcake should not be at a 8.1, but a +9 or clear 10.
I so wanted to love this show, and Old Fashion Cupcake is proof, that Japanese productions can indeed deliver BL stories/shows on a highly satisfactory level. These remaining three episodes need to be extraordinary to turn this around.
Ji Sungs acting is chef's kiss, btw.
On a more positive note, I just realized, that Dong Rim and how Shin Hyun Seung plays that role is a dead ringer for Shin Jae Ha. He's got the same innocent, sunny, trustworthy face and I just love it to pieces. If they hurt him and keep Mrs. Kwon around the rest of this show, someone will need to pay.
Ji Sung. 45. Really? I find that level of agelessness lowkey aggressive.
I think they chose to give him a classic cliffhanger/open end sendoff (I'm at episode 12, so I guess, he doesn't reappear after he opens his eyes in that fire..), because he's still a likeable character, that Kim Yo Han wasn't done with.
With him opening his eyes, they give him the possibility of coming back - either for a second season or just in general. If this gets a second season, I'd fully expect him to take part - if not, they gave those of us who liked him, the option of an open ending. :)
I liked both Fujiwara Kisetsu and Machida Keita in their roles, and it was fun too see Nishigaki Sho pop up as the young Ryoichiro. He really gives off an air of unwavering kindness, that is also very palpable in his portrayal of Shin in Minato Shouji Coin Laundry. He's very....poised.
Machida Keita is well chosen as the new "master" behind the bar with his graceful sense of service, overflowing kindness and stellar listening skills. His smile is radiant (oh my, those wrinkles around the eyes!) and lights up my whole screen , but I have to say, in some scenes he came across a bit manic when he flashed those smiles. I think, it was the combination of the offbeat vibe of the show and his very respectful, controlled demeanour, but I wouldn't have raised an eyebrow , if he had suddenly pulled out an axe from behind that bar mid-cocktail shaking.
Sidenote: that deep bow to the retired customer at the end of episode 3 as he's walking away really got to me. To bow like that even when the other person doesn't see it....I don't know, it struck a chord.
A very soothing watch overall.
Mr. Oh. <3
Throw on all the viewing lenses you can find, place something sturdy under your jaw cause it'll need the support and board the crazy train to the twilight zone. This show is some ride, I'll give it that.
Also, what a cast! So many strong actors in this bunch, which makes it even more impressive how Lee Do Hyun consistently manages to outshine the rest of his cast mates. He confidently balances the needed different emotional aspects of this role and most importantly succeeds in showing us two versions of Hong Dae Young (past and present). Man, how he nails those micro expressions!
It's clear that everyone involved in this production knew excactly what they were doing and also loved bringing this story to life. Don't sleep on this like I did!
.****Sidenote and minor spoiler*****: Oh, Wi Ha Joon. As if Romance Is a Bonus Book wasn't hard enough to sit through, here you are again, breaking our hearts. Someone please put this guy in a drama, where the other nice guy ALSO finishes first.
Update: Just finished it and now I'm dealing with the post-drama emptiness/withdrawal. What a glorious heartwarming ride - almost from beginning to end. I honestly found the finale a bit underwhelming, but I gather it's because the rest of the episodes were so consistently loaded with all the feels.
Lee Do Hyun deserved all the awards and respect he received.
2) I'm all for shows with flawed/grey characters and angst, but I didn't connect with the ML's at all, so their flaws, individual journeys/growth fell flat. I honestly didn't care for either of them.
3) Pin Jun. Oh, poor PJ. The MVP. It was like watching someone repeatedly kick a puppy for 8-9 episodes straight. My heart broke for him again and again.
4) Xiao K needed to grab PJ, run like hell and never let him go. I wanted these two together so badly.
5) Pinky was too clueless as a character and too weak as a sister. She needed to step up and set these boys straight and protect her brother.
6) Did Xiao K really draw some weird comparison between love and menstruation in a scene? Wtf, that was random.
7) Oh, Pin Jun. The amount of emotional devastation, this guy had to suffer through.
Kimura Tatsunari is such a vision in this show and I'm not referring to simply looks. From his hamster cheeks, when he's joyfully stuffing cake in his mouth, to his micro expressions, when he's trying to exist as just a co-worker and then friend beside the man he loves intensely, to his full display of emotions, when the walls are down during both the confession scene and the alley scene, when he accepts Nozues love for him. This guy had me instantly invested in this story with his performance. Yes, we were teased in the alley scene and the kiss didn't happen, but their words and the way Togawa hugged Nozue, was honestly more satisfying than a kiss.
I also love, how Nozue (let's not forget Takeda Kouheis stellar performance either) turned the tables on Togawa in the end. Up until then Togawa had been the seducer, but Nozue killed it, when he pulled Togawa close and delivered that "I feel I might kiss you anywhere" line. This move was also more charged and satisfying than another kiss. How Togawa was able to walk away after that one, I don't know.
Very impressed by how much is accomplished in just 5 all too short episodes. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future productions from Japan in this genre now.
Well, this movie was a nice surprise. Points for the acting, dialogue and chemistry. Would have liked for it to be longer though. I don't think Lee Je Hoon will ever surpass the level of sunny cuteness, he radiated from beginning to end here.
I'm also very impressed with the intensity of those kisses. In a Korean production from 2009, no less.
Very adorable watch.
And first scene is a 16 year old-looking Lee Je Hoon on a bus and he's singing and dancing like he's in a Bollywood movie. What is going on?! I swear I just choked on my coffee!
I will need several minutes to gather myself, before I continue...