Reviews

loving this adaptation so far

so like I’ve loved the series they did before “love in the air” and I was excited to see them get this pro and adapt “boy next world” cause I loved that series. I’m loving the way they have done this so far like!!! the chemistry is so good and the actors I will say have improved in their acting from the last project which makes me really happy! I’m so excited just to watch the rest of these episodes when they air as I’m already in love!!

I know from previous Thai-Japanese adaptations that they change some details of the series due to cultural differences and I will say from the first two episodes they haven’t done anything really different from the original. I’m curious tho to see throughout the duration of this series if they do and what. but so far I’m really loving the two episodes we already have gotten so far!

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Beautiful, but not yet perfect

So, I understand why some people didn't like it as much, but for me, this series was (nearly) top-notch (at least until episode 11. I'll finish watching it tomorrow).

First of all, what I didn't like:
- The strange jumps/changes between scenes. Sometimes it was really hard to grasp the context of a scene. It got really confusing. You'd ask yourself: “Why did that happen? What's going on? Where is this person suddenly and why?” They ofted showed the context needed after that scene happened.
- The second couple was rather random. Too fast-paced for my taste, but it was okay.
- FL's behavior was strange at times. Some people said she was stalkerish, which I can kind of agree with, but at the same time, I don't. I guess her mental health issues were to blame. Hence, it's not that bad.
- They did not do enough research on FL's alleged disorder. Some things really don't make sense. For me, that wasn't a reason to drop the show, but it might make some people feel uncomfortable. Personally, I didn't think it was that bad tho.

What I liked:
- The chemistry between the leads was superb.
- BEAUTIFUL cinematography.
- I loved the storyline and personally, did not find it boring in the slightest. ( Just confusing at times)
- Do Ra-mi made the story so much better. At first, I was concerned that I would not like her part in the stroy, but she indeed was needed here.

Yes, negative points were made, but given that I (almost) finished this show within 3 days and was excited to continue watching all day, I'll give this show a 9 out if 10.

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"Why were you born? How will you live your life?"

"Anpan" is my 38th asadora watched. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Irozukusubs for subbing this asadora. "Anpan" was a fun watch. The first two thirds of it is really solid, but I think it loses its charm/momentum in the third act. Let me explain... P.S. some major spoilers follow!

"Anpan" is inspired by the lives of "Anpanman" creator Yanase Takashi (played by Kitamura Takumi) and his wife Komatsu Nobu (Imada Mio). For this retelling, their last names are changed to Yanai and Asada in order for NHK to take liberties with the story. The one major example being that Takashi and Nobu are portrayed as childhood friends, when they actually met as adults in real life. It's a mix of fact and fiction.

The first two thirds of the drama focus more on Nobu and her development as a character. She's very engaging and interesting. Starting off the series as a tomboy and then becoming a hardcore militarist during the War. Asadoras rarely show heroines being on the "wrong side" of history, so I liked this element even if Nobu was somewhat frustrating during this part. Takashi, if we're being honest, isn't given that much character development. He starts as a pure-hearted softie and ends that way. However, for that reason, it's hard to watch him going through his adolescent struggles and then the War.

It's strange to call World War II the highlight of this asadora, when it's usually the part I get tired of the most in asadoras. It's when Nobu is at her most interesting and tragic watching her come to terms her complicity as a grade school teacher. Takashi also really shines in this part with several episodes being dedicated solely to him as he goes through army training and then he's shipped off to China. Those episodes showing him starving on the battlefield are incredibly poignant and heartbreaking.

Following the War, Nobu and Takashi are reunited at a newspaper office. She then departs for Tokyo to work with a politician as shes searching for a "justice that can't be overturned." Takashi eventually follows and the pair marry. This is where the asadora falls victim like most "couple asadoras." Less is focused on Nobu's career and she really just becomes his support system as Takashi takes the main stage. This reminded me a bit of "GeGeGe no Nyobo" but it's frustrating since Nobu was such a strong character beforehand. Additionally, because Takashi doesn't actually start "Anpanman" until 1973, it feels like there's a lot of meandering as we watch him struggle to become a manga artist. He also had such a varied career that the focus seems to go everywhere to be honest.

Though the main characters are charming themselves, I had a lot of favorites among the supporting cast. I particularly loved Nanako Matsushima as Tomiko, Takashi's mother who abandons him. She plays the complicated woman so well, making her equally likable and unlikable. A special shout-out to Ninomiya Kazunari for playing Takashi's father for two poignant scenes. Kawai Yuumi is also amazing as Ranko, Nobu's middle sister. She's so good that I hope she gets her own asadora eventually. Hare Nanoka is adorable as the youngest sister Meiko, though the character becomes less interesting in the third act. As there are two many characters to talk about, I mention just a couple more. I also particularly loved Takashi's uncle (Takenouchi Yutaka), the absolute best; Takashi's friend and Army superior Yagi (Tsumabuki Satoshi); and lastly the newspaperman Shoji (TsudaKenjiro). There's lots more.

Rare for an asadora, the heroine is actually married twice which is actually true to life. Nobu marries Wakamatsu Jiro (Nakajima Ayumu) through an arranged marriage. Jiro is quite sweet, and though I wasn't a fan of the age gap, I felt quite sad when he passed away. Surprisingly, I wasn't that annoyed that Nobu and Takashi didn't get together until the last third of the asadora. I felt natural and their cuteness as a couple was worth the wait. I liked the other couples of the asadora, Ranko and Go (Hosoda Kanata), Ranko and Yagi, and Meiko and Kentaro (Takashashi Fumiya).

As a tribute to "Anpanman," it's a tad disappointing that it isn't focused on until the last five weeks or so of the asadora. I suppose it can't be helped, considering the real life circumstances. However, it significantly contributes to the unevenness of the last third of the asadora. At some point, you're just waiting for "Anpanman" to happen and it feels like a long wait. Despite this, "Anpan" is a good asadora with lots to love and enjoy. I waffled a bit between rating it 8.5 or 9, and settled on 9 because the first two thirds are really good. It won't go down as the best asadora, but I'm sure it'll bring many smiles and tears to those who watched it. I'm glad I watched it.

My Asadora Ranking: https://kisskh.at/list/LAlqpp21

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Genuine quality drama

I've watched many Korean shows that label themselves as "comedy" but sadly fail to miss the mark. This was a genuine, laugh out loud, fantastic drama that did not lose pacing, quality or a single moment of storyline continuation through all twenty episodes. The acting from the leads was top tier throughout and even if the background trope is one that has been delivered multiple times before, the different gender "discovery" comedic moments are absolutely divine. Absolutely enamoured with it, one of the best Korean shows I've watched for a LONG time, in complete honesty.

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I was really, really loving this show...

If there is something that I've been loving is slow dramas. Chinese dramas are particularly good at this, but Korean dramas also come up with some masterpieces from time to time. "When the Weather is Fine" is a warm, peaceful and cozy k-drama that makes you comfortable when the rain is pouring outside.

I loved the calmness but troubled and anxious male lead. Actions do indeed speak louder than words and I fell in love with his character, so much that it has marked my k-drama path. He is quiet in words but loud in thoughts at the same time. He is simple but also complex, with so much love to give and anxious about receiving said love back.

I was loving this drama until the 14th episode, and admittedly my rating went from a 10 to a 7. Up until the *9th episode*, I was giggling at the main couple, it gave me so much warmth and coziness that is missing in today's dramas, but after the revelation of the true killer of the FL's father, the show went downhill for me. I didn't like how the writer's failed to show that the true villain of the story is her dad and not her aunt (or even mother). Hae-won's reaction was unsympathetic and unjust, and I get that she has been lied by her family but the fact that she still defended her father after knowing her mother suffered from domestic violence is beyond me.

As the user @Ellie commented in their review: "I feel like the show gives the abuser (a sort of) free pass, trying to present him as a ‘good’ father and socially likable. (...) I needed a scene where he was vocally called out and branded as he was – a manipulator and an abuser, that scene never happened.(...) Society plays a crucial role (along with the law system) in situations like these. Women should be able to speak up and be heard, not blamed. Society as a whole needs to open the topic of domestic abuse and not bury its head in the sand".

K-dramas have this habit of starting really well with a strong plot and and a good production, only to later drop in quality immensely. I honestly was really sad that this happened to this show because I was really loving it and it was a strong contender for my all time favorite k-drama.

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I liked that it was a blend of romance and mystery

Things I loved

1 The mix of romance and mystery. I like this kind of drama and started this one with big hopes. It didn't last though and that's why the rating isn't stellar.

2 The FL. She's one of my favorite actresses and she was good here as well. She makes me feel things and she makes me want to support her and see her happy. I think she's very talented and she was good here as well.

Things I liked

1 The ML. I haven't seen him in anything else but I think he did a good job.

2 The romance. it dragged a bit and didn't have all the things I want in a romance but it was solid.

3 The mother and grandmother. Solid characters as well that gave me some great moments.

Things I disliked

1 The mystery wasn't as riveting as I was expecting and there were many questions I didn't have a satisfying answer to. It dragged quite a bit also, and I think it would be better if the beginning of the mystery was settled a bit different. I think the execution wasn't the best. The director and the screenwriter should have done a better job. Honestly, if the leads weren't good actors and charming this would be even worse. They saved it for me.

2 The sad vibe was a bit too much for my liking.

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It’s not bad

Contrary to what I’ve heard, Ultraman X has a lot of good things going for it. It’s not very elaborate; it’s simple and aimed at kids. The final villain is nothing memorable. Still, it’s competent in what it sets out to do. Daichi is a pretty solid protagonist with good motivations; the team has personality, and the characters are fairly diverse on motivations.
It’s a shame the writers played it so safe, since they could have taken more risks. But it’s understandable, because in 2015 the Ultra series was still trying to get back on its feet. I’d recommend it mainly to fans.

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Worse than expected

Things I liked

1 The premise. Interesting with much potential for a comedy and I so wanted to like it. But they dropped the ball right away with inconsistencies and a bad casting.

Things I disliked

1 Too many couples and the main couple took a back seat. Since they weren't already on top of their form this didn't help.

2 The ML. I didn't find him great as actor and I didn't feel he had chemistry with his co-star.

Things I hated

1 The FL. She was cute but not a great actress. Too childish. She was the big problem with the series.

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I love travel stories, just not this one

Things I loved

1 The premise. Give me anything related to travel and I'm your woman. I could spend my life traveling and I don't need even company. I'm dreaming in travels. So I'm thoroughly disappointed that this drama was so bad. I'm not sure how it has such a good rating, but to me the premise was the only good thing.

Things I disliked

1 Almost every character. I don't think there was one I loved or cared about. Their stories weren't interesting, their interactions weren't funny, and the main leads had no chemistry. A failure casting wise for me all the way.

Things I hated

1 I didn't find the script great. I don't say they didn't present France well, but for someone who visited every corner of France and think it's the most beautiful country on earth and that after visiting 50 countries, the clichés were there and bothered me and they could have found a more compelling story to show the country through this. Too many things bothered me because either they aren't true either they exaggerated them and I hate that.

2 I hated that I was so happy to find that drama only to get disappointed.

3 I didn't like the FL at all. She lacked warmth and talent and she rubbed me the wrong way from the very first episode.

4 The whole romance thing was underwhelming and rushed.

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A supernatural joy

Let me start by saying I wish Khemjira had committed to being a character. He didn't do anything except over act about ghost that clearly he has been seeing all his life so I dont get why is is acting surprise they are around him all the time. He does the damsel in distress and cry way to much and his character feels like he never grows and is always asking for help throughout the entire show, I find him to be boring and lacking of any interest. he had almost no agency and it was lowkey so hard to watch. he became a walking, sometimes talking damsel in distress trope. so so so sad to see especially as so many other characters were really intriguing. I love the story idea and I loved Peem and jet. Chan I did not think was needed to be an add on. I just Wish they did a better job with the Khem character he was just not likable and I sadly did not feel the chemistry between the leads that i was hoping for. I enjoyed everything else about the series was fun and supernatural and great put together.

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similar to Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

Why did they have to use a similar ending like Bon Appétit, Your Majesty???
I admit, it was cute, mature and no silly acting. I always like these "time travel" fantasy dramas.
Lin Huan Er and Hai Ming had great chemistry.
Before she passed out, she met and saw the guy (potential buyer of their company).
After she woke up in the novel, she said "It's you" meaning she remembered his face before she went live....and obviously he would not recognize her.
Okay now enjoying their encounters and how their connection was developing fast forward to the end, when she disappeared from his eyes, he was still able to see her through the pager??? Doesn't make sense to me.
And when she woke up in her current world (2025), she didnt remember to ask about the potential buyer that came in the company???
She was there "searching" for someone who didnt exist...like she forgot this was all in a novel.
I feel like the spent too much time in the novel, the last episode should have been waking up and he was still in the company and maybe exchange a few words...something
OR have a better ending than this....this was so Bon Appétit, Your Majesty coded at the end....

Overall, it was still a good drama and those points are the only things why it is not a solid 9 pr 10 for me.

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Meh

The concept of reincarnation and getting a do-over at life is enticing, and I did enjoy watching the childhood scenes of the main character going through those experiences again. I especially liked how she didn’t have a crush on any of the boys because they just seemed so immature and she was an old soul and adult in a child’s body. But the enjoyment ended there. She became so fixated on changing certain plot points like her two friends not dying in an airplane and all her painstaking efforts for what? The life will end for her and the other characters anyway, that the effort to save them in this life knowing that they could die any other way seemed so pointless. This drama could have been great but it totally fell flat for me. I lost interest but I watched till the end, and went I saw the 4 friends in a nursing home together, I thought, is this the goal they were fighting so hard for? Is the goal of this earthly life to live a really long time? It was so pointless.

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