Oh! My Boss! Koi wa Bessatsu de (2021)

One of the best Jdrama for 2021 (at least so far)

I know that it is too early to make that kind of statement, as it is only March, but I think that this is one of the best romantic jdramas for this year.

PLOT

Just to acknowledge the elephant in the room, this is a typical shoujo drama. However, this series doesn’t focus only on the relationship between the lead couple, rather it focuses on the relationship between the female lead and the male lead’s sister. Are you confused? Let me help you with that.

Here we follow the story of Suzuki Nami (Kamishiraishi Mone), that decides to find a job in Tokyo, after her male childhood friend moves to Tokyo, due to work, to be with him. She believes that her childhood friend would be the person who she will get married to; that is why she follows him to Tokyo.

On her interview day for the equipment department in a company, Nami gets to meet Horai Junnosuke (Tamamori Yuta), under a weird interaction that took place on a bench. This meeting changed their lives and in the next few months, they would become close with each other. A small detail that neither of them knows at first, is that Horai Reiko (Nanao), is Junnosuke’s older sister and the “devil” chief editor that Nami is assistant to.

CHARACTERS

Suzuki Nami is a rural girl that all of her life wished to have an average life. That means getting married, have a family, and looking out for them. Even though she interviews at a company for the equipment department, she manages to get the job of MIYAVI’s fashion magazine chief editor assistant. Her personality is bright and she gets to make people like her due to her honesty and kindness. On the other hand, we have Junnosuke who is a handsome, kind, calm, and prince-like photographer. And rich. He is super-rich. Did I mention that he is rich? Even though he wants to continue to be a photographer he has to inherit the successful company from his father. Poor him! He doesn’t want to abandon his dream but he understands that the jobs that he has as a photographer are due to his father’s influence and network. Junnosuke doesn’t like that, he wants to prove his worth without the help of his father.

Junnosuke is in a tough spot as his mother arranges a meeting for him to meet a potential wife because soon he will inherit the company. To make his mother cancel this meeting he tells her that he has a girlfriend (but he doesn’t), and asks Nami’s help. He believes that if his older sister believes that he and Nami are in a relationship, his parents will believe them. However, one thing that they didn’t know is that the devilish chief editor that Nami is assistant to and Junnosuke’s sister is the same person.
The fourth main lead is Nakazawa Ryota (Mamiya Shotaro). He is a serious and cold-hearted (at first glance) person, who is an aspiring editor and wishes to be a chief editor in the future. In reality, he is a tsundere that in the end he would do the right thing and would help the people around him. At first, it seems that he is bothered by Nami’s incapability to fulfill her tasks, but he tends to help her with what she needs and helps her learn more about the fashion world.

ACTING

Let me start with the female leads in the series. This was my second time watching a drama that those two have a role in. As for Kamishiraishi Mone, I have to admit that her role in this drama was the same thing as in Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo. She was loud, bright, clumsy, and honest. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed her acting and I believe that she was able to present Nami in the best way; I just think that she has done that before. I am afraid that she be stigmatized and I would only see her in those types of works. On the other hand, we have Nanao whom I loved here. Previously I have watched her in Last Cinderella where she played the hurt and depressed older sister, but here I understood the great acting skills she possesses. She was great at portraying the cold-hearted and hardworking person who helps others become better.

Moving on with the boys firstly is Tamamori Yuta. Well, Yuta here was … very handsome. I am afraid that in this series his acting skills were not used at all. His role was to be a handsome adult who despises his father’s network. He has only a few scenes focusing on his inability to cut off his father’s name from his work. Usually, he is viewed as too good to be a true bachelor that any woman wants to be with him. It is a pity that he had to act as the handsome boyfriend because Yuta has proofed before that can act and show many different expressions and feelings. As for Mamiya Shotaro, I liked him. He was able to implement the sadistic senior role particularly. I was fascinated by his flow and not the top performance. I hope that he would be cast in more series as the main lead.

WHAT BOTHERED ME

Those who know me, know that I studied HRM and the first thing that bothered me in this series was how an inexperienced person (Nami) got an assistant job. NOW HOLD UP! Do you know how difficult is to get a job for that position? It usually requires work experience, working under pressure, problem-solving, and multitasking. As we get to meet Nami we do understand that she doesn’t have those types of skills but she was offered this position. I know that I shouldn’t focus on the details and just accept that she managed to get that job, but I can’t do that.

The second thing that bothered me was the lack of interaction between Nami and Junnosuke. (THIS IS A HUGE SPOILER!) By the 9th episode Junnosuke proposes to Nami and we have to believe that they are a couple that managed to get there. There was no familiarity between them. Even though I liked their interactions and acting, I have to admit that I couldn’t think of them as two lovers. I thought of them more like good friends that have platonic feelings for each other. For example, I thought of Nami and Ryota as two people that could fall in love.

The third thing that bothered me was how at the start of the series we saw Nami worrying about spending a huge amount of money on clothes as she and her family couldn’t afford them; but as the series was going on, we could see the change in her wardrobe. I do realize that as she works in a fashion magazine, she needed to change her clothes, I don’t think that it was realistic the many outfits that she was showed wearing in the series.

Whatever!!!!!!! WATCH THAT SHIT! IT’S GOOD!

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naive but compelling

This is one of those typical motivational japanese. A new hire is a total noob in her job but as story progresses, she gets better and finds her strenghts. It does seem at least tiny bit inspired by movies like 'Devil Wears Prada'.

This drama presents a more sugarcoated version of reality. It might cheer you up after a hard day at work, but at the same time you can't help but notice how idealistic it is. Good workplace dramas are hard to pull off. Here I could surely notice the scriptwriters attempts to make it work. Ultimately the somewhat unrealistic portrayal of how it is to work at fashion magazine hindered all efforts to make this one a standout. I might sound cynical and jaded, however I still enjoyed this drama for what it's worth. I guess while watching you just gotta switch off that part of brain that would notice stuff like that?

One thing I liked at the start were the cliffhanger endings, but at one point they became tiring. Some plots in my opinion were dragged for a bit too long while others were underdeveloped. Romance did play a major part in terms of storyline, but the drama itself mostly focused on workplace stuff. As adorable the main couple was, I felt ultimately parts of their story felt bit cliche. However fluffy the love line was, it was bit weighted down by uneven pacing and 'misunderstandings'.

Cast did a good job acting out their characters, no one really stood out negatively. Everyone matched their characters and brought them to life successfully. While sometimes the motovations behind certain actions/decisions were unclear, you can't really blame the actors for script's flaws. Nanao sure embodied her role perfectly.

The theme song, Luvbias, is a major highlight. It suits the drama very much and compliments the story.

It's a cute, well-produced drama. Despite the bit delusional approach, I enjoyed watching it and I sure will remember it fondly.

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This is one of those dramas that is pleasant enough but somewhat unnecessary at the same time and doesn't really leave much of a lasting impression when it's done.

First and foremost, the romance is meh for me. It progressed unnaturally quick in the first half and then became kind of boring in the second. It's not that I dislike the pairing. They're both generally likable characters and fairly cute when they're together. I just never really understood what it was that made them like each other which in turn made the romance feel bland. Their romance has a really promising start, but in the end, it just didn't have much substance.

I really enjoyed everything to do with the magazine office. Chief Editor makes some hairbrained decisions early on that would Not be successful in real life yet inexplicably are in the drama, but that withstanding, seeing the inner workings of a magazine was fun and a little bit fascinating. I was consistently invested in seeing Miyavi, and the people who worked on it, be successful. The magazine team felt like a real team that really cared about doing a good job, and I appreciated (most) every member. I greatly enjoyed seeing the female lead come into her own as the Chief Editor's assistant, learning to find joy in a job well done and even desiring to improve herself. And the Chief Editor herself is a really compelling, and impressive, character.

The drama's messaging on whether you should follow your dreams or not (or if you should even be so worried about having one) is somewhat incoherent, however. It makes an attempt at conveying to the audience that it's okay to have a simple, average life, and you don't have to be chasing some sort of 'dream' in order to be happy and fulfilled, but then it...kind of betrays that message?

Considering how hyper-obsessed we all are in the first world with 'following our dreams,' I would honestly really love to see more stories that let people know that it's okay if you don't have a dream and maybe that's really what's best for some of us. The truth is, most of us can't and really Shouldn't be 'following our dreams.' Just because you're decent at drawing doesn't mean drawing should be your career. It's okay for it to just be your hobby. Just because you really love volleyball and play it well doesn't mean you need to play it at the Olympics. It's okay for volleyball to just be a fun means of exercise. Contentment and purpose aren't found solely in having a 'dream career' or 'doing what you love.' Sometimes it's found in a job well done, regardless of what that job is.

In the end, this drama tried to be something it wasn't, and I think it suffered for it. It tried to be a story about purpose, but ended up being more of a fluff piece. And that's okay, I just think it would have been better if it had chosen one and committed to it.

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Okay but Cliched

A jdrama by the same team of Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo (2020) with same actress. I can safely proclaim this is even a spiritual sequel to that, the themes are very similar, a timid girl trying to balance work and love.
Initially, it seemed like Japanese version of Devil wears Prada but this one is more focused on administrative working of the magazine and lesser focus of fashion.

Oh My Boss is something which will never disappoint. A show will which make you feel better when you are down, will make you pass time when you are bored, will make you squeal at fanservice. A show - in its own words - tries to give a glimpse of hope and dream.
That doesn't mean it will exceed your expectations. A drama which works because it is enveloped in a myriad of clichés. Scene after it will make you remind of some other drama where you saw similar scene. For instance, childhood friend turns to jerk, FL gets hired for random job, FL's random encounter with ML who happens to be a heir, FL who just wants to get married, Ex-girlfriend comes back, etc. Bear with logical inconsistency for its shoujo theme.

The acting was good, filled with fanservice of puppy Jun. The OST, luv bias was really good as well. Rewatch for romance scenes.

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Its a good show but nothing happened if u dont see it.

History: Cliche: I was hoping for something like misaeng but the drama is too superficial and focus only on the love between the main leads

Love:
The problem for me its that i didnt like the main couple, i dont like the pacing and the way that the love developed between them. I think the main leads are too innocent and sometines it seems that they have 10 years, instead of 23+. I like more the other guy..Its more matured...


Character.
The main leads are just okay..The only good thing about the show is the Nanao character. Its so strong and interesting that i skipped parts between the main leads just to see her character. I really hope that she got more roles in the future, she deserved it.

Music / Sound: I dont remember, so if i dont remember its normal.

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Enjoyed it for the most part

Easy watch for the most part.

Horai Junnosuke - rich guy taking some "time off" to "play" before taking over the family business. I liked his character. He was sweet and all out with his feelings. He actually asks and listens when he doesn't know anything. He is calm and confident as well as jealous and possessive at the same time.

Nakazawa Ryota - ahhh Mamiya Shotaro, I look forward to a rom com when he finally gets the girl. SLS hurts LOL

Suzuki Nami - now this is my least favourite character of the whole show. I swear her being very clumsy, tactless and idiotic got on my nerves. The actress plays this role very well. it's very similar to her character in Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo. She got on my nerves in that show too!

All in all it was an enjoyable show. Just watch it in the mindset that it is a drama. Having two eye candies did help me stay with it til the end.

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Fun, not a complete bust, but just OK

I am a mixed salad about this drama. It's definitely not the most cohesive work I've ever watched, as much of this drama feels scattered and indecisive. It sorta flip flops in all sorts of directions. It's kinda about the fashion magazine, it's kinda about Reiko/Nami, it's kinda about Nami's development, it's kinda about love, it's kinda about this and that... if people are OK with that, then this drama would be fine. But what was missing for me was a clear motive that drives this story.

It's like going to a buffet, getting a little bit of everything, then you sit down and realize you have appetizers, main courses, AND desserts all on one plate. Some of the foods taste great, some of them taste weird, and you could be happy anyway, but it's just not a very cohesive meal, is it?

By packing too much into just 10 episodes, nothing was really fleshed out satisfyingly enough. Like I said earlier, it just kept flip flopping back and forth to different things. That was a huge shortcoming for me personally. And certain plot elements... gosh, I just _really_ didn't agree with how they were handled, hence why my rating for Story took a bit of a nosedive.

The drama wasn't a complete bust, though. The cast saved it for me; it was the last thread I was really holding on to. Some specific things that stood out –

• Reiko (played by Nanao) made me want to cry. Not from her biting words, but from her confidence and grace in times of adversity, and her courage to pursue what she loves. She shone the brightest for me; a strong-willed character like her is very much needed. Also, Nanao is stunning. QUEEN.
• The depiction of fashion magazine editorial work might not be the most accurate, but the magazine covers... wowee!
• Nakazawa. GOD, who let Mamiya Shotaro in the room?! I just love his character. That's all I'm choosing to say.
• Shoutout to Mone too, she was great (ilovemone*cough*). She's always a pleasure to watch.
• The earrings. The outfits. I'm taking NOTES.

Overall it was a pretty average drama. Cast was good, acting was OK (some better than others), the depiction of the lead couple wasn't toooo realistic... and the music was okay. I had fun shrieking like a hyena at the cliché tropes, but sadly the rewatch value is pretty low. 6/10

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I Will Let You Decide.

I could not wait to watch this drama. I am a big fan of Kamishiraishi Mone. I always like her acting even when she is a little naïve. She always stand up and is very determine and strong about her character. I did feel that in some scenes she over reacted in her performance. The ML was cute and nice and kind but I hated when they could not be straight forward with each other as they were friends or lovers. They told each other that one of the things they like about each other was they can be themselves and talk frankly. It seem the writer forgot he put that line in the scrip. I did not like the ending and the last 2 episodes left me very dissatisfied. I let you be the judge of that. The actors performance was good and especially the boss Horai Reiko , who was going to be her sister in law. Her cold face made her a great boss that scare anyone away.

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Finding and chasing your dreams

Spoilers (slight) at the end -

This was a take-off of The Devil Wears Prada. However, here we get some of the back story as to why the Devil Boss is the ways she is. It totally humanized her, and I found that her story arc was my favorite of the whole show.

The romance was somewhat cute, but I found myself with SLS. I think it was because the FL kept referring to the ML as a puppy, and he just seemed somewhat immature to me. They were a cute couple, but I didn't see much chemistry.

As for the FL, I think I could have warmed to her more if they hadn't made her so bumbling. Constant rookie mistakes that would have gotten her fired, talking back to bosses (which also would have gotten her fired), and the clumsiness were all a bit much.

The potential rival for the ML's affections was a nice change of pace. The usual formula wasn't used here, which I appreciated.


NOW FOR THE RANTING SPOILERS:
This really irritated me. So, the guy kisses her on the forehead, and she is already planning their wedding?! I notice that they tend to do this a lot in Japanese dramas. She can't even ask him to define their relationship. It's called communication, people. But the thing that irked me more than that, this is a woman that had no goals to speak of, finally gets a "dream" and breaks up with him when he is leaving Tokyo to go into the family business! This, to me, made everything we went through a waste of time. I was also bothered how she "saw" him everywhere. It was her choice to break up. Why does it have to be one or the other - a career OR a relationship? Could they have tried to make it work.? Having had a career that was the major focus of my life, at the expense of my relationship - I've discovered that you can't bank on a career.

Another thing that REALLY irritated me, and this happens ALL THE TIME in Asian shows - the time jump. The guy decides that he really wants to pursue photography (this didn't make sense to me because he was already a professional photographer) so we went to Cambodia for three years and didn't contact her ONCE!?!?!?! Granted, phones didn't play a central part in this drama as much as they do in others, but with technology what it is, there is no reason to fall off the grid for years at a time.

Overall, I found this to be a cute and easy show to watch. The romance was lacking chemistry, but I found the Devil Boss storyline to be fresh and well-written.

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If you're struggling to find the value in life or giving up on your dreams, YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS!

Overall, it's a good series. I really loved the relationship between Nami and Reiko as well as the bond of the team at Miyavi. The workplace and the teamwork was so great. There was no overdramatic acting involved. It's light, fun, heartwarming, and romantic as well. The best thing about this series is that it's full of valuable lessons in life like it's never too late to have a dream and once you found it, don't give up on it no matter what happens. Don't let your past hold you back, always give yourself another chance, and lastly, be confident wherever you go.

At first, before the Rio plot came in, I loved it so much to the point where I kept on re-watching most scenes. But when they made the kindness of Jun to be the main problem of Nami and Jun's love story, that's where I think they went wrong. It's just so unrealistic for me. I never thought that kindness would be his weakness. It just doesn't show on the first few episodes so I was really surprised. The white and black puppy scenes were so cringe and funny too. But I think it'd be better if they didn't include it. Hahahaha It just screams fan service since the actor is an idol too.

Nonetheless, it was worth watching and it really motivated me to just keep on going forward. It taught me to focus on myself and to not let anyone decide who I'm going to become. So I really recommend this for everyone who are fighting for their dreams.

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J-dorama version of The Devil Wears Prada

I'm almost halfway through watching this and it reminds me so much of The Devil Wears Prada: the FL who's not (initially) interested in her work (Anne Hathaway's character); the strong career woman boss (Meryl Streep's character), and the deputy editor (Stanley Tucci's character). I think it's meant to be motivational or something but the way it delivers (like the other J-doramas I've watched before) is kind of cheesy and cringey at times. In terms of acting, Nanao is definitely a standout. I like strong career woman characters like hers, which is a rarity in Japanese productions. Overall, it's a light watch, especially during these stressful times.

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