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Biggest Criticism - Too SHORT to properly execute an interesting premise
It pains me to write this review because a few of my trusted friends love it. I guess, this is one of those times when not all dramas can connect with everyone. Unfortunately, “The Journey to Killing You” is that one. I want to love it so bad, and maybe that’s why expectations are high.
My biggest criticism is how short the drama is. With only 6 episodes of about 25 minutes each, it’s just not enough to develop this interesting romance, and all the yakuza family conflict. I didn’t feel like I had enough time to get to know the leads and to sympathize with them. A lot of their development happened quietly and speedily.
It could have been such a great romance especially when the two main leads are such different people. But it went from Odajima hating on Kataoka because of what happened to his friend and the first episode sexual assault, to him seeing a different side of Kataoka and realizing why everyone loves him, to falling so madly in love with him to protect him from everything. All of this needed time to brew and develop. I need to see more internal conflict, more interaction and more unspoken chemistry for me to believe in this romance. There are only a few flashbacks about Odajima’s history and trauma. Well, we really get nothing on Kataoka except when it has to do with Kirii and their fight for the boss’ affection.
The yakuza family conflict is easier to understand with a few flashbacks. That part is fine, even though it was short. Maybe just a few more flashbacks on the boss’ love for his own son? But since the drama is selling me on romance and not necessarily about the boss, a quicker storytelling is sufficient.
Speaking of flashbacks, the same flashbacks are played quite often within those 6 episodes. That took up precious screen time! If “The Journey to Killing You” has hour-long episodes, or extend it to 10 short episodes, everything could be better developed. I’ve watched enough J-dramas to know how fast-paced they are, but this one is just not working for me.
Other minor criticisms - I thought Odajima and Kataoka were running away. They didn’t seem to go too far as Odajima could still meet up with Kirri at a hotel room??? Oh, and there were a couple of really fake blow jobs there. LOL Others commented on good kisses and nice NC scenes. They aren’t bad but maybe I was expecting something bolder, since they are yakuzas.
On a positive note, the premise of “The Journey to Killing You” is interesting but not the execution. The acting is pretty good, too. I know my review sounds like I hated it. I don’t, I just was left disappointed because I want to love it so much. Therefore, you are not going to see a super low rating but a 7.5 for me. It’s still a decent quick watch, but it wasn’t an amazing one.
Completed: 10/26/2025 Review #636
My biggest criticism is how short the drama is. With only 6 episodes of about 25 minutes each, it’s just not enough to develop this interesting romance, and all the yakuza family conflict. I didn’t feel like I had enough time to get to know the leads and to sympathize with them. A lot of their development happened quietly and speedily.
It could have been such a great romance especially when the two main leads are such different people. But it went from Odajima hating on Kataoka because of what happened to his friend and the first episode sexual assault, to him seeing a different side of Kataoka and realizing why everyone loves him, to falling so madly in love with him to protect him from everything. All of this needed time to brew and develop. I need to see more internal conflict, more interaction and more unspoken chemistry for me to believe in this romance. There are only a few flashbacks about Odajima’s history and trauma. Well, we really get nothing on Kataoka except when it has to do with Kirii and their fight for the boss’ affection.
The yakuza family conflict is easier to understand with a few flashbacks. That part is fine, even though it was short. Maybe just a few more flashbacks on the boss’ love for his own son? But since the drama is selling me on romance and not necessarily about the boss, a quicker storytelling is sufficient.
Speaking of flashbacks, the same flashbacks are played quite often within those 6 episodes. That took up precious screen time! If “The Journey to Killing You” has hour-long episodes, or extend it to 10 short episodes, everything could be better developed. I’ve watched enough J-dramas to know how fast-paced they are, but this one is just not working for me.
Other minor criticisms - I thought Odajima and Kataoka were running away. They didn’t seem to go too far as Odajima could still meet up with Kirri at a hotel room??? Oh, and there were a couple of really fake blow jobs there. LOL Others commented on good kisses and nice NC scenes. They aren’t bad but maybe I was expecting something bolder, since they are yakuzas.
On a positive note, the premise of “The Journey to Killing You” is interesting but not the execution. The acting is pretty good, too. I know my review sounds like I hated it. I don’t, I just was left disappointed because I want to love it so much. Therefore, you are not going to see a super low rating but a 7.5 for me. It’s still a decent quick watch, but it wasn’t an amazing one.
Completed: 10/26/2025 Review #636
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