This review may contain spoilers
Directionless towards the end
Leaving the spoilers for later, this series has a bit of something for everyone in a progressive sense but leaves you to fill the gaps at the end. I would love for a show to pick up from where this one left off as the show didn't resolve the issues it presented.Spoilers:
This series reminded me a lot of the Korean drama 'Because This Is My First Life' in the first episode. However, Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu created its challenges and failed to address them by the end leaving it open-ended and that left me disappointed. It was a unique opportunity to show how couples can balance work and home if they are supportive of each other. Though the show presented the value of a housewife's role, the couple in the end seemed to reach an impasse and left the solution up to the audience to decide.
Another progressive aspect of the show was the second couple of the older woman (49) and younger man (32). However, it seemed like the director only liked to play with the idea but preferred to leave the actual romance and relationship to the audience's imagination as well. When I had lost all interest in the main couple, I was hoping something would come of the second couple but alas. A missed opportunity to tackle society's perceptions of such pairings despite both being adults.
The positives:
The main couple is cute. It is nice to see a male lead that is polite, gentle and well mannered. Just when I started feeling like wives being solely responsible for housework and cooking and should enjoy it was being shoved down my throat, the female lead proclaims that she was only dedicated to those tasks when she was being paid to do them. There was a good explanation of how women are exploited because of their love for their families and expected to give their all without any pay or appreciation of all that they do. The actors played their parts well and the chemistry was palpable and many characters were relatable.
If you're expectations are not too high and don't mind leaving things to the imagination, you might enjoy the show more than I did.
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Just WHOLESOME!!
I was expecting another romcom like "Good Morning Call" but this drama was just so wholesome and heartwarming throughout! Every single character made a huge part of the storyline and I just LOVE the main characters and how they built up their relationship throughout the episodes. Romantically. Physically. Mentally. Their communication?!? Just loved everything about it.Ok but can I just mention - the representation?! This is one of the few dramas I've seen were you can see all sorts of representation that is just so heartwarming. A fascinating thing is how they bring different topics which can be a bit controversial in Japan, even till this day! Aswell as one of the main plot points was open discussions of gender inequality and the consequences behind it but without behing so aggressive. It was so refreshing to watch!
The ending song got me dancing along with them loll definitely my new comfort show!!
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"Dismembering the concept of marriage"
This was interesting. It made me really think of marriage in lot of ways.My favorite moments where all the imaginary scenes where FL told the story in her head through TV programs (or other types of media references)! Also all the scenes where the FL and ML work together to get the result they want. It makes this really pop and fun.
I feel like the story itself in theory isn't that interesting, but it was written and directed really well. I kind of just watched this out of curiosity and I feel like I didn't waste my time. However this explains why I first dropped this back in 2018.
But it's really worth a watch, especially if you are in a similar moment in your life!!
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It's funny, heartwarming and sweet. I love how awkward Hiramasa and how logical is he. I also love how funny when they're try to convincing people that they're married.
The conflict so far quite simple, just around how they’re convincing their relation that they’re married based on love, not based on contract. Even the conflict quite simple, but they take an action which more than simple, because at the beginning they’re clueless about their feeling.
The casts’ acting are great, and they have the good chemistry one and another.
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This review may contain spoilers
Low Self Esteem 'Pro'-Bachelor
Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (We Married as a Job) is a solid drama and I do appreciate the effort, but it came to a point in the story for me where I dropped the show out of frustration. At many points in the drama, for every step forward in the main leads relationship, there would be 2 steps back due to the the ML's "Low Self Esteem" Herbivore Nature. At first it was fun and interesting to watch, but when it is repeated multiple times every episode, I did not see any big progression in their relationship after many episodes. Being a RomCom, I wanted to see the couples growing and improving upon each other, but I kept feeling the ML was holding back the FL and being 1 hour episodes (which is on the longer spectrum for JDrama) it became a grind waiting to see what happens next. The point where I decided to call quits was also in agreement when the FL's character said "I'm tired, let's call it quits and return to our tranquil life"...Quick Story/Plot
Moriyama Mikuri (FL) was recently laid off and needed a new job. She was introduced by her father to Tsuzaki Hiramasa (ML) to assist in cleaning and working as a housekeeper for the ML. Later seeing how good the FL was at cleaning and being a house keeper (house-wife :P ), they engaged in a de facto contract marriage where the FL will get paid as a house-keeper and the ML being the employer. Eventually due to external factors and pressures from family/friends, the couple started to show and wanted more than just an employer/employee relationship. The "Job" relationship between the couple is very embedded in the story and narration, where most of their interaction and lines are business talks rather than a normal conversation. (It was ok at first, but became too much)
Quick Acting/Cast/Characters
- Moriyama Mikuri (FL) was recently laid off and needed a new job. She is good at cleaning and makes nice looking food, an ideal house-wive. Later on, it was the FL that took the initiative in wanting to improve her relationship and wanting more than just a standard employee. She did her best in starting to want more show of affection like wanting hug days, but is always "wall-blocked' due to the ML's timid herbivore nature. Aragaki Yui acted the character very well.
- Tsuzaki Hiramasa (ML) is an IT Engineer and needed someone to clean his house as he does not have the time nor motivation to frequently clean his place. Multiple times in the drama, the ML is called out to have "Low Self Esteem", "Herbivore", "Pro-Bachelor" and other names to show that he has little experience in relationships with women. I think part of my frustration and disappointment were due to the fixed names and images set for him, I started to feel frustrated with the writers not wanting the character to change outside of the set parameters.
- The remaining support/side characters are there as factors and pressures for the main leads to improve their relationship and become closer.
Music/OSTs
Music was nice and the ending closing OST with the characters dancing was cute.
Rewatch Value
Would not rewatch, apart from a few notable scenes.
Why my rating (8)
Episode 7 was a good place for me to stop where the main couple are currently in confusion if there is something more going on between them and the lines between employer/employee getting blurred with becoming lovers. This sounds exciting, but the drama has strung me on for too long. Most of the episodes would be first 30 - 40 minutes of build up and holding our breath to see what happens next, 10 minutes of frustration where we thought something good was going to happen, cliff hanger, then final minute of unexpected action that hooks us back in for the next episode. The drama would have been great if we are just shown the notable memorable parts, none of the filler scenes in the office and side characters bar hangout which provided nothing to the main story. My rating of 8 was my appreciation for the drama, but the story and writing was not good. Have I also told you the FL would sometimes narrate her life as a reality TV/Documentation format, which is very funny, but difficult to follow.
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WHY I LIKED IT?
After meticulously cleaning Hiramasa's house, Mikuri procedes to cleaning up his life. Just like a perfect professional: cleaning even the sun netting on the windows, making everything spotless, she's moved on to doing some emotional cleaning, persistently pushing his boundaries of low self-esteem. I like the way the Show shows progression of our OTP, where there is no sudden change & where every thought is presented (hers especially, like a reality TV, political speak, close-up interview, or a mini-me version of Mikuri jumping up and down on a table top..).
I like how side characters don't cash with OTP, but they build up their story. Without them, their prying, their misunderstanding and being nosy, OTP would probably never mover forward. Without the meal-a-day Instagram feed, they wouldn't start speaking to each other, without a ticket none of them asked for, they wouldn't find out how much they already know one another. Rarely are the side characters so crucial to Shows dynamic.
Oh, and the OTP! The cast was picked perfectly - no wonder they received an award for BEST show. You can realte to both of them, especially Hiramasa, and I know some folks out there pick the show according to actor's atractive looks; but THIS show is all but the looks! An overly attractive leads would draw to much attention away from the tender touches the Director placed in their relatioship and interactions. Actually, to me -they are CUTE.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE
Generally, when I decide to give something a 10, that implies there's NOTHING to dislike. No cringing, no slow pacing, no excessive drama, no post-show trauma.. only the vague thought of "I wish this ride doesn't stop" as it approached the end and we realize that, after episode 11 we'll have to get back to our regular lives.
THE MUSIC
There's a main theme, and then there's a DANCE at the end of every episode, performed by the cast. I dare you not to dance along. It's catchy, not complicated and bright (dang, like the whole show!) The sounds in this Show are done pretty well, following the scene perfectly. That said, I must admit: I'm a sap for jdrama's music scores! :)
RE-WATCH VALUE
Abso-freaking-lutely! Imagine yourself feeling a low, doubting the light in life - I tell you this: just one scene from this drama will produce so much warmth inside your chest because it's a little guiding light of joy. So: YES. This one is entirely re-watchable. I'd skip nothing!
OVERALL
Love Tuesday (watch to know why!).. and recycle. :D
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Watching NigeHaji to me was the reminder why I just LOVE a good Japanese Slice-of-life drama.
Based on a Shojo manga, a very original idea is introduced with a perfectly hilarious and witty execution. It has laughing out loud humor, it has weeping drama, it has heartwarming moments, and much much more, all in great balance.
The idea behind the contract marriage might seem a bit far fetched or overly dramatic to some, but at a closer look, you notice that the means of expressing the message behind the story might have its share of fantasy, but the message itself is deeply realistic. And to those who have enough knowledge of the current Japanese teens lifestyle and interests (or disinterests ?) this drama will be all the more relatable.
I especially loved the script a lot, always witty but at the same time always realistic. I really enjoyed Mikuri's "day-dreaming mode" scenes a lot, even if some of the shows did not ring a bell, it always made me LOL.
All the characters especially the OTP were very relatable, and the cast did a marvelous job bringing them to life so lovable and cute.
As a married person, this drama gave me a very enlightening and refreshing take on the meaning of marriage, after watching NigeHaji and pondering a lot about many of the troubles the couple in the drama faced, I started to feel like sometimes the usual style of marriage, can cause the coupe to take somethings for granted, and that it's sometimes needed to pause, discuss and open up to each other about many things, things that bother each, things that need improvement, sometimes thinking of ways to ensure mutual love and respect doesn't fade away with the passing of days.
Hiramasa X MIkuri couple mystically embody married couples relationship goals.
I highly recommend this drama!! it is a must watch
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I KINDA UNDERSTAND WHY MIKURI KEPT PUSHING TSUZAKI AROUND
HELLO???????? THE LEAD CHARACTERS ARE MARRIED IRL? I NEED TO BREATHE FOR A MOMENT....okay.
this work of akiko nogi is by far THE MOST ENTERTAINING of all of her works ive watched. it's from the way she wrote the main characters issue about marriage, (or the lack of marriage), relationship between two strangers that had entangled in holy matrimony. the romance and comedic relief are balanced pretty well. what i liked the most is that the main character isn't your everyday natural airhead girl who can't stand on her own feet. on the contrary, she was bold, while the male character made me SO FRUSTRATED a number of times, i need time out.
also i watched MIU404 first before jumping to this drama, so the stark difference between Shima and Tsuzaki ARE A FUCKING WHIPLASH. anyway, i can relate with mikuri a lot, but i don't have a sliver of patience as she did, so i would not be able to stand tsuzaki even for a week, so.
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Então, se você está procurando um drama de romance e comédia que vá te prender, te fazer dar surtos de vergonha (mas ainda sim te deixar feliz) e faça pontos importantes em relação a sociedade parabéns você chegou ao local certo kkkkk. Mas brincadeiras a parte: assista!!
No começo achei que iria dar de cara com algo estupido o suficiente pra me fazer largar no primeiro episódio, mas quando vi já estava praticamente no 7, e é nesse momento que a gente se pergunta "meu deus, o que eu tava fazendo que ainda não vi". Me apaixonei pelos personagens ao mesmo tempo que questionei as ações dele e entendi que cada tem seu próprio modo de crescer e encarar as coisas.
E também esse drama me deu um pouco de vibe de "Because This Is My First Life", então, se você gostou desse e gosta de jdramas você provavelmente vai adorar esse!!
O melhor pra fechar com chave de ouro e te deixar de coração quentinho: o drama vai ter uma sequência (tipo um especial que pra mim parece mais um filme já que terá DUAS HORAS E MEIA) #ansiosa
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По актерам очень понравилась главная пара. Аракаги Юи я знаю и люблю давно, а вот Хосино Гена вижу первый раз, хотя судя по описанию он известный певец, актер и писатель. Но забавный образ он воплотил мастерски, очень переживала за эту чудесную пару. Остальные прошли фоном, но ничего не испортили.
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