Maybe I’m hung up on the idea that there is, or should be, something wrong fundamentally with casually switching partners every week. Or maybe this is too much fiction for me to be able to accept that a psychiatrist would really put his suicide-prone patient into the mix. Not that these are even serious flaws for a TV drama, but something from the get-go was telling me, “I don’t like it.” I nearly dropped the show at only two episodes. A week later, and after some serious consideration, I picked it up again.
I’m happy I did so, because there are good themes to this drama. For one, it doesn’t hurt to analyze what’s at the heart of a basic human relationship. These are not your typical marriage-obsessed characters. Indeed, some of them are quite the reverse, and some don’t seem to care one way or the other. In Kdramaland, everything seems to scream of that one fated lover. Miss your OTP, and you might as well resign yourself to a lonely, sad existence.
Here is where Love Shuffle breaks a few boundaries. These are human beings yearning for one other, yes, but not necessarily or exclusively via typical romantic outlets. If I loved anything about this drama, it’s in the friendships that were forged and honed throughout. The foursome that live on the same floor, drinking wine each evening in the hall in their PJs. The women who come together, alternately snarky and supportive. The men who bond both in jealousy and in commonality. The couples who are not destined, but can still inspire.
Love Shuffle is commendable in its uniqueness, and multiple-plot driven storylines. It's even at times hilarious, though be sure to watch with decent subtitle translations, as oftentimes the jokes are Japanese-specific. I’m not sure why, but every now and then I find myself walking around thinking, “Yay, panda...” Sadly, that’s about as much enthusiasm I had overall, though that is not meant to be a discouragement. I thoroughly recommend Love Shuffle, as I don't doubt that I am one of the few people out here too picky for my own good. So what do you think?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Tell me it ain’t so.. Joe?
Imagine having an ice-cream sundae with 8 different flavors. Each flavor has a different taste, texture sometimes even polar opposite to each other but the special thing about it is they compliment each other so well. It also has many delicious toppings... Crumbled cookies, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, tangy raspberry syrup, or if you prefer some caramel… and its unpredictableness it like the cherry on the top. This sounds like a whole mess right? But when you take one bite you’ll love it… and by the time of the last bite, it’s the tastiest ice-cream sundae you ever had.The concept-the core of the plot is bizarre (not really surprising for jdramas), who would have thought it’ll work. Having 8 characters as main leads and as any normal Jdrama just 10 episodes, it’s worrisome: how can everything be managed?... The screentime, character-their relationship development. Without rushing anything everything fits very well. And it’s not regular rom-com too, handling some psychological stuff, with the portrayal of emotions and lives of adults as Jeanie and Amrita already said it’s grown up, and an adult drama but it doesn’t mean the only adults can enjoy (considering my experience). I would consider it as evergreen drama as even after 12 yrs it’s still refreshing!
The soundtrack is just awesome. With oldies from the 70s like ‘Eternal Flame’ by The Bangles, Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘Fantasy’ has that retro feel and vibe.
The most amazing part of it lies in its characters.
Ai-ai I would call her my first love here, I liked her from the moment I know her. She’s charming, smart, straightforward, she has a good sense of humor lol (I’m envious of such ladies) she isn’t perfect though, having some flaws too! but maybe she has everything that I try to find in female leads. As Ai-ai becomes my first love then O-chan would be love at first sight (ops technically second sight I loved him in Hana Yori Dango), not being shallow (?) but he just looks oo fine. And this isn’t just about looks he has that charisma in his character, his being imperfect would be my favorite thing about him. His personality has different shades some are hidden from the world. Ai-ai, O-chan were my favs from the very start, I even enjoyed their screentime together. But it wasn’t the case for everyone. Kei is who... I had the most complicated relationship lol, with many drama tropes: Hate-to-love, he had a bad first impression on me, I was even annoyed by his screentime... Then it turned into a slow burn, it took me a lot of time to understand him, how he does things, he just slowly grew upon me. Then at the end, I knew ah I love him (you can call it a rushed happy ending at the last minute). Masato-san maybe a roller coaster? there are many ups and downs I experienced with him, having that dark shade that makes his character appeal very mysterious… at one moment I felt I know him but in another, I never actually know who he is really.
Aside from liking them individually, what gave me the most pleasure was their friendship, the time they spend together.. the lounge time, and pajama parties.
It was unusual, bizarre, messy, and surprising… enjoyed every minute.
Yay! Panda
P.s: Sorry if I made you crave for ice-cream :')
Was this review helpful to you?
I had heard a lot about this drama, so I had some kind of high expectations. However, the drama itself didn't beat those expectations.
It was a good drama, but not that great overall. The whole concept is new and cool, but I just couldn't see it as more than a drama about a group of friends. I was also expecting more romance. The thing I'm happy about is that the drama wasn't long, it didn't drag. Even if I wished the ending was not that abrupt.
As for the actors, they were really awesome. Their chemistry and all.
Overall it's a nice and funny drama, with a pinch of romance, that I would recommend... but not as a "must-watch" or a "masterpiece", more like as a cool drama for entertaining.
And now, after finishing, I'm back to studies.. exams are coming >.< Why can't life be a drama? ~~~ haha
Was this review helpful to you?
I am glad that I watched this drama because the story is unique & it almost turned me off. But I am glad that I didn't. This is a sweet, cute, funny & mysterious drama. You have plot twists that you wouldn't have suspected at all. And you won't know who would end up with whom till the end. You may get hints, but that's it.
Story: 9/10: It's an interesting story line, but it might be a put-off for some viewers. But it's really balences the funny, heartfelt moments with the serious moments. As I mentioned before, there are plots twists that you would never have suspected.
Acting: 9/10: I thought the acting was great. Some better than others, but still good. I loved Ojiro in this drama. I didn't like Kei at first, but he grows on you as the show goes on. Kairi is an mysterious character to me, I didn't know how her character felt most of the time, but that's her character. I love that the characters are very different from each other. Masato was a mysterious character, there were times where he was creepy, but he is also a funny character too. So I think you will have a favorite character in this drama. The friendships are amazing. I loved the cougar too(watch the drama to find out what I mean) because she is so confidant, but also funny. The point is, the characters are so much fun to watch.
Music 8.5/10: There were mostly(or all) English songs, but they were not always the best attribute to the drama. I love Dancing Queen!
Rewatch value: 9/10: I would totally watch this again when I need something to laugh about & I think it'll be one of those dramas where when you watch it over again, it never gets old.
Overall: Totally recommend it. Don't let the plot scare you or let it get in the way of watching this drama. It's funny to watch the interactions between the 8 characters. I has some mature themes in this, but it's light-hearted as well & there are some life lessons to learn in this(in my opinion).
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A pretty interesting story of really interesting character
English isn't my native language, i'm still learning so sorry in advance for spelling mistakes or other type...I'm not a big adept of japanese drama and well, I never succeed in whatching them until the last episode. But, I came accros this drama thanks to a youtube video about the intriguing love storyline of two character in the series. So I was curious and I found myself navigating through the 10 episodes in one day. It's the first japanese drama that I watched entirely and for two main reasons.
First, it was the story. Like I said, i'm not a big adept of japanese drama so i don't really know their standard for cliche or original storyline but the plot of "love shuffle" was a first for me, reminded me in some way a kind of reality show. At first, i thought it was romance story like how each character will find their better half. And it was true but it was also more than that. As i watched each episode, i understood that it was more about finding your better self than your better half. Through their matching game(Love sha !!), their friendship, their difference, and their past wounds, those participants in the love shuffle keep on discovering themselves qualities and shortcomings. And the friendship between the four neighbhour was relly interesting and heartwarming.
The second reason was the characters. Each character of the series was unique in their own way.:
- Usami was cheerful, innocent, funny but also strong willed. Even when i tagged him annoying guy in the start, i found myself attached to the character later on.
- Airu was a open-minded woman with sharp instincts, the only woman in the central squad of the drama
- Ojiro is a cool guy, it's a bit difficult to define him but he has great chemistry with all the women in the show
- And finally kikuta the psy, he is funny but mysterious
there is also the adulterous woman, the suicidal girl kairi, the pure soul Yukichi, and the rich girl Mei ( she is a bit annoying though). Each character had a story, motivation, doubt and each interaction between them (More precisely, each couple of the love shuffle game) was meaningful and had great chemistry. Through each matching of the game, the characters discovered a new side of them or faced their hidden wound.
PS : THIRD GREAT POINT, COMEDY WAS TOP NOTCH, I had a great laugh
Was this review helpful to you?
Cast ->>>> THE CAST IS JUST PERFECT!!! After finishing the series, I litterally cried all week. Not about the ending being bad, nothing like this. It was because of the cast. The cast was brilliant. I couldn't help but cry, thinking that the drama was 10 years ago and that the actors have probably changed. So pretty much, in all the dramas that I am watching right now, at least one of the actors who played in Love Shuffle are in that drama too. 10/10
Music ->>>> The second reason why I cried all week. JUST AWESOME. The sad piano music gave me goosebumps. 10/10
Rewatch Value ->>>> I haven't rewatched the show. That's because I feel as though I will cry for a whole year if I do. If I cried in the first time I watched it, then on the second time and so on I would notice all the little details and cry even more. 10/10
Ending ->>>> I never expected the ending could be sooooo good. Every minute I thought something bad would happen and that I would cry my eyes off. Thank God nothing like that happened and that there was a PERFECT ending. 10/10
Overall ->>>> The first drama I watched, and definitely the best one ever. I would absolutely LOVE a second
season (something like a 10-year reunion) although I know something like that isn't gonna happen. MUST WATCH!! 10/10
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Such an entertaining show!!
To be honest I didn't expect much.The idea of changing partners didn't seem that good, I thought all it could give maybe were just some cheap drama.
Oh, how WRONG was I!!!
This was such an entertaining show!
The story was actually quite interesting and quirky, it had its jokes but also its mysteries and you wanted to see what comes next.
The characters were quirky and fun, their interactions were nice to watch, how they shared and got to know more about themselves.
Also thumbs up for actually not overplaying that much! I mean some characters were maybe a little too straightforward with their personality but it fit the tone I think. Also some crying scenes didn't work well, but some were just really believable. I guess the acting had it's ups and downs, but I definitely think there were more ups!
Probably what I loved the MOST about it (after the characters) is how it mixed being super lighthearted with being scarily serious and tragic. It was quite goofy at times, and other times it brought up topics which were very dark actually. Sometimes they used these very bold and gutsy cuts, like cutting away in the middle of a goofy fun part to a silent serious one that you just did not expect.
It was also quite pleasing to see that someone cared either in the storyboard/camerawork/editing to find some connection between scenes coming after each other and cut similar looking pictures after each other at times. (I'm more used to kinda bad framings and low budget shots with these older dramas)
Overall I think it was a quite unique, heart-warming, super fun, but at times also quite deep series.
In one word very entertaining!!
Was this review helpful to you?
WHAT I LIKED
- Story concept is good
- I could listen to Docs voice FOREVER AND EVER then 1 more day.
- The characters each had a nicely fleshed out story that made sense and had depth.
- There are situations and circumstances that most age groups can relate to.
- Within this drama are 2 beautiful gems that I was surprised and happy to find!
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
- I'm NEW to J.drama so I'm still getting used to the over-the-top/cartooned style Directors seem to favor for the characters in most of the ones I've seen so far (unless they are hard action etc.) They didn't do it much with this one but I admit I'm biased against it and even a little of it makes me cringe. THAT'S NOT TO SAY I WON'T WATCH A DRAMA THAT HAS IT THOUGH. :)
Was this review helpful to you?
So - it IS typical Japanese that it is more on the ridiculous/unrealistic site of things.
But this drama has a great character development and some serious sites to it, too, although never too dark.
I have to admit, that I find some actor not entirely convincing, but others are perfect.
It is enjoyable and sweet.
But the best about it are the catching phrases, that just stuck in my head:
YAY PANDA! :)
Was this review helpful to you?
