Magerarenai Onna (2010)

i started watching this out of boredom and i'm glad i did. i really don't understand why this drama isn't more popular (compared to zenkai girl which i thought was kinda cliche)


things i loved:

-overlying theme 'man is not an island'.
saki gradually realizes that friendship is so important when chasing your dreams and that she doesn't have to bear that burden alone.

-comedic moments broke up the seriousness!
the michael jackson dancing scenes were great and seeing how a high strung ohitorisama type let's loose was cute and refreshing.

-great ensemble cast!
each of the characters struggle with expectations placed on them by society and family and what they really want to do. that internal conflict was very realistic (especially since i am very similar to the main character saki).

-lighting
this is an odd detail, but one of the first things i noticed about this drama was the use of natural lighting in saki's apartment. scenes that took place there aren't lit by artificial lights but solely by window light. it's an odd thing to notice but when dramatic scenes took place there, it gave the setting more of a warmer feel. it was a nice touch from the PD.

things i hated:
-too short! i'd love to see this get a special!

overall:
if you want a heart-warming comedy about an ohitorisama that breaks down her shell, this quirky comedy might be for you! definitely recommended!

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Gets to your heart

This was one of the most touching dramas I’ve ever seen. Because it hits you on a close level close to your heart.

Ogiwara Saki is a 32 year old woman with quirks and habits that define her.
Even though this drama has only 10 episodes you grow fond of each character (more or less).
Saki-san’s dream is to be a lawyer for justice, she has very firm ideals and beliefs which make her a very righteous person by itself.
Throughout the whole drama she is a fish swimming against the current, proving the people around her that they can find their happiness if only they find the courage to be more true to themselves and their innermost feelings.

I won’t spoil anything, but I will say that this drama doesn’t have romance in its centre. It has a lot of funny moments, and it teaches you that sometimes it’s truly better for oneself to seek out one’s own happiness instead of societal ideals like marriage. There are also a lot of sad moments, I cried and laughed together with them all and I learned a lot thanks to this drama.
If I had to sum up the motto of this drama it’d be: Don’t give up your dreams if you truly believe in it, even if it’s hard, nothing is impossible.

Saki’s firm beliefs made me feel more confident about my own ones. Because I too think that it’s hard to be an honest, altruistic person nowadays, but even if it’s not the easiest choice like Saki too shows in her daily life, it’s the best choice. Saki shows that it’s okay to be angry, sad, frustrated and that it’s okay to ask for help. She and her friends show what true friendship is and that life really holds several surprises. There was everything in this drama, she lost a lot and she found a lot.

The acting was just amazing, especially Saki was not an easy role because she had to express her feelings differently than you might be used to see on screen. And that’s what makes it so memorable, I felt with Saki and knew what she felt and when. Amazing actors in this underrated drama that I randomly stumbled upon ^^

Thanks for reading. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed by this (hopefully).

Ps: I really don’t like Michael Jackson but the scenes made it easier to bear his music lol

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