Burn the House Down

I tend to shy away from Chinese and Japanese dramas because the actors are so dead! They play these roles as if their lives have been drained and they're using every last effort to make it work.

I wasn't going to watch this drama but another user on here recommended it so I felt obliged to watch it.

It's only 8 episodes so thankfully the plot wasn't drawn out. Something Korea should take note in sometimes.

The characters were great. Didn't feel any chemistry from anybody. I'm so use to that and when I don't get it it makes me change my whole outcome on characterizations and character choices . Two female characters kept squealing over how good the food was in almost every episode. I hate high pitch squealing female voices!!

From the plot you have this mother who envies rich women's lives and will do whatever it takes to live like them. She may have to trample on a family to get there but it will get done.
That attitude was kept until the last two episodes though. With any Asian drama I have now become use to the plot swaying in a different direction which this one did. It sort of leads to a let down for me which lowers my expectations and ratings.

I did not like the father at all! This man had no spine! In my opinion he was the worse character choice for this drama.

I knew there was going to be romance in this! I just knew it but the way it was done wasn't over the top or the cliche romances that I have come to despise in any kind of drama.

The very last episode was kind of a let down for me. I wouldn't call this a revenge or thriller because of that. I wasn't prepared to feel sorry for the wrong doers one bit but in the end I felt a little tinge of sympathy which I didn't want to feel. I wanted that 'Taxi Driver' revenge but alas...I didn't get it.

Read More

Not Your Usual Revenge Story

Overall solid show. Female leads carried the acting but even the supporting characters were pretty good!

The show definitely has some flaws and people who are looking for a fast-paced revenge story will be disappointed. This is a plot on the slower side of things with a lot of family drama and plot twists.

The highlight of the show is definitely Suzuki Kyoka’s Makiko. The character, whether you like her or not, is superb and an excellent example of a multi-dimensional antagonist. Even with her pretty ghastly personality, I was kinda rooting for her a little bit by the end. She is what I call a milfboss.

Shinji’s character is also one of the most interesting ones, even if at first he seems like a boring background character, the more we learn about him and his broken inner world, the more layered he becomes. This can be said about ~most~ of characters in the show. I don’t think any of them are either black-or-white, and you might like them at one point of the story and dislike them at another.

The romance is a bit weird to me, in the sense that it’s well-paced and there’s definitely chemistry between the actors, however, it didn’t strike me as particularly necessary. A platonic relationship between Anzu and Kiichi would’ve been perfectly good as well. I think at the end of the day, I perceived their relationship as meant to be healing rather than romantic. If you’re not a fan of romance just know that it’s not really a huge part of the plot, and it is not a forced relationship, it’s very natural. Heed of warning though: the main couple are technically step-siblings for most of the show (even though they’ve never really seen each other that way).

The plot twists were actually kind of fun, and whenever I thought I had it all figured out, there came another twist to mess me up. If you’re into happy endings… this might be for you.

Good show to binge watch!

Read More

❌️ 3/10 NOT RECOMMENDED. SERIOUSLY.

I see a lot of people tend to give good ratings to this drama.
I guess they don't know and have never seen a beautiful cinema craft before
(yes, trust me. i'm movie holic and im really understand about cinema or acting skill).
Guess what, IS BAD! really bad.

Japanese cinema is famous for its stilted acting, lack of strength, and worse, overacting.
And this is what you will get in this drama.
Instead of expecting this to be an amazing work from Netflix (like in Million yen women) it didn't work out so well.
We can still see the bad and over-the-top acting of the uniform actors/actresses in this drama, except for a few actors like Murata's father.
(He the only one doing good job acting skill)

The most disgusting, cringe acting I've ever seen was from Claire, and Murata's sister.
I couldn't watch them on screen for long.
I hope some actor in this drama should working their act skill and the writers should more give attention to their story.

Other than that, the concept and phase of the plot in this drama was too fast and there were a lot of plot hole.
Even the romantic clichés were mediocre.

The strongest points are only the Netflix name brand, cinematography, setting and that's it.
I didn't see more points from other aspects especially the story or the cast.

Read More

Gripping and A LOT of plot twists...

I watch A LOT of J-drama's especially BL's. And i have too say this one was done very well. I really thought the acting was great with a lot of plot twists. Especially, towards the end. All in all i'd really like too see a second season happen so we can watch how our characters are developing in their new roles and lives after "the incident" and truth was finally told. I especially, want too see if Mitarai Makiko is going too continue her devious schemes or finally turn the corner for the better. I'd like too see Kichi and Anzu get married and have kids. And perhaps that would change Kichi's mother into a kinder more caring person. And i definitely want too see Shinji become a doctor at the hospital and start his relationship with Yuzu. So hopefully the director get the positive feedback he needs too "green light" this a second season. Because their is a lot they could do with it if given the chance.

Read More

Burn society down

So when I started this show, I didn't have really high expectations. In the end I don't hate my time with the show, but there's many glaring things that I had issues with.

After the ending was fully revealed and the culprit unmasked, I realized all the small things that made the entire reveal make sense. For that I applaud the director. The first initial episodes also had a good flow of suspense. It had all the makings of a good story.

However where I had my issue was in hindsight the overall plot was kinda dumb because of the ending. When it is revealed that Shinji was the actual culprit, it makes the whole campaign with Kiichi and Anzu against Makiko look like a dumb waste of time. Then there's the amount of back peddling with the amount that the show keeps resetting the stakes to day one where it looks like Makiko is getting away with it again. It gets frustrating how many times the show was like "IT WAS A LIE! THIS IS WHAT ACTUALLY HAPENNED! " I mean I don't think many would even think it was Shinji the whole time. But the time the reveal happened I was dumbfounded with how silly the plot had gotten. It felt like it was just trying to one up every surprise.

Character wise, many of the endings were fine. I just don't like the overall feel of the endings however. The relationship thing with Anzu and Kiichi felt really kind of silly and abrupt. The ending with him angst demanding Kiichi felt like they were passing a dog around. Thematically Anzu took away almost everything from Makiko but like Makiko kinda did it to herself. Makiko and Anzu carried heavily for this show. I think overall Makiko had the best characterization due to her seething line delivery and facial expressions. Everyone else just felt sorta one dimensional.


The dad was a completely useless character. He could of been not in the show and I don't think it would of overall affected the plot that much as he barely got any affects from the story. His betrayal also barely affected the larger overall story as well I thought. They were just there to set up more swerve. His story never got resolved with any of his original family or his new one. We are just to assume he is living alone now. It really irked me how they could of really made his character matter when it comes to the overall relationships but decided not to. Especially considering how he was mentioned a few times about abandoning Yuzu and Anzu.

Yuzu had a good arc from being protected to proactive. It mirrored Kiichi somewhat. Shinji had good intentions but made poor choices based on impulse and burdens.Satsuki was just over there having magical memory changes all over the place. She felt like the most stereotypical drama character. I never really felt that strong connection between the daughters and her. Shout outs to Nanami for her two face 180.

The music was nothing to really write about. By the end I was actually so sick of the piano sad theme. It was really out of place in the story's atmosphere. It broke the tension and almost became comical. Especially with the reuse of the Damn stargazing scene. At that point it was like a comedy sketch. Ending song was also kinda lacking.

The cinematography was just fine for what it was. There were some good blocking and framing for some of the pivotal scenes but either then that nothing really stood out. I think the only good scene I can think of is when Kiichi and Anzu have their confrontation in the hallway and the light filters in from the setting sun. There was also good lighting for the scene where Makiko is speaking to the police and the light changes on her face showing her shifting lies.

I think this could of been much better with a few tweaks here and there to the story and pacing overall. Still watchable I guess.

Read More

Poured the petrol, but then lit the fire somewhere else

Burn the House Down promises a strong revenge thriller but ultimately delivers a slow-burn family drama. And I'm okay with that.

However, what I really didn't enjoy was the ick the storyline gave me. Up until the final episodes, I felt like a lot of time was spent on classist punching down. By the time the punching down stopped (or slowed at least), there wasn't really enough time left for the story to redeem itself in my eyes.

It didn't help that the overall direction kept on changing. This drama felt like the creators had decided to knit a scarf in one colour, only to then constantly change their minds and swap out colours while they pulled together the threads of the plot.

In a similar vein, the way some characters have been written felt too transactional. It was made insultingly clear that many of the supporting characters were there solely to fulfil key plot points and then kept around as hollow shells.

That said, despite dipping in and out of this drama, I did end up finishing it thanks to a just-curious-enough plot.

Read More

Incredible story

Wow… I haven’t watched a tv series like this in the west. From beginning to end its story is so gripping with suspense and the music really helps to create this kind of creepy suspense. Instead of the usual “who done it?” trope, it explores more complexity behind each of the characters, not painting anyone as purely good or evil, but rather complex characters with weaknesses and fears, who make mistakes.
Sadly some get punished while others seem to go free. But ultimately guilt and the belief in guilt is its own punishment.
The pristine quality of the shots and sets are just a treat to watch. I love seeing how all the different characters are unveiled throughout the series in layers and complexity. It’s hard to even give a review of this series with words as it creates more of a feeling within me and it’s something that I still need to process. This is one that has some rewatch value for sure

Read More

A very satisfying ending.

Although I find some things there surreal and nonsensical, it was a drama I enjoyed and thought it presented a solid storyline, without the usual drag found in dramas of this theme. Suzuki Kyoka deserves positive mentions for her portrayal of the nonsensical and narcissistic villain in the drama; she was restrained and exaggerated just right, as her character aimed for every step of greed and acceptance from others. I found Anzu and Kiichi's ending together cute, and I found it bold and amusing that she asked to take care of him for the wicked mother.

I understand some might have wanted imprisonment or death for Makiko, but I understand the drama wanted to give a realistic tone to this ending, showing that evil may not always be eradicated but can be defeated. I am currently watching Japanese dramas and am enjoying them immensely; I currently prefer Japanese dramas to Chinese ones.

Read More

Low-Key Revenge J-Drama

BURN DOWN THE HOUSE (Mitaraike, Enjou Suru) was an interesting Thriller / Mystery Revenge J-Drama series, but ultimately felt lacking to me. It started out with thrilling promises and a darkly intriguing premise, a mysterious house fire that tore a family a part and a girl seeking revenge and redemption for the life that was stolen from her, by a conniving future stepmother. This series seemed so fascinating but ultimately didn't really live up to the promises it made. It moved slowly and the "thrills" just weren't really there for me.

"Follows Anzu Murata, who— thirteen years after the home of the wealthy Mitarai family was burned in an mysterious and devastating fire— infiltrates the house of the Mitarais as a housekeeper in order to reclaim the house and family that was taken from her."

Overall, it was a cool series, but not quite as interesting as it had initially seemed it would be. I frequently felt distracted and uninterested as the series went on and its slower pacing came unexpected for being advertised as a thriller. The acting, settings and visuals were really good and the main character Anzu Murata was likeable and relatable as well. It was still worth a watch, but just expect something a bit more mild for the thriller genre.

Read More

Stepsiblings though???

Story: The story made sense sometimes and didn't other times. Before I dive in...clearly evil stepmother was a flight risk??? The twists were interesting, but the executions and revelations were weaker than I'd like. Shinji being Kiichi was nice. I do have one big complaint and it's that they reused multiple 'flashbacks' so much that they started to lose meaning, and it felt like the show was just trying to meet their screentime quota. How many times are we going to get the 'park' moment with Kiichi and Anzu? Makiko's family came over so often but that's the only scene Kiichi and Anzu shared? The pacing was unbalanced towards the end. Maybe someone who read the manga can explain this part to me, but why did he make her edit his stuff? What about her gave off 'experienced and good editor'? I do LOVE the message that the series sent from both sides, family will defend and do things out of consideration for family. Anzu would read at the park so Yuzu could play, Yuzu would play longer so Anzu could read longer. Makiko was protecting Kiichi (from arsonist accusations), Kiichi was protecting Makiko and Shinji from it, and Shinji vowed to work harder than he ever has to make up to Satsuki, who was like family to him.

Acting/Cast: The acting was stiff and exaggerated from the whole cast in terms of expressions. I think Claire was probably the most natural one. I think Kudo (Kiichi) did his 'violent' scenes well, but Nagano (Anzu) happened to be the opposite of him. I thought the 'fork' bit was a nice touch BUT when Kiichi's hand was shaking, showing he was putting strength into hurting Anzu, she effortlessly stopped him with one hand. Kiichi doesn't look malnourished, so what was up with that? I wonder what happened to Anzu's knife, too? Makiko's acting was great in the beginning, but towards the end, they were conflicting and unnatural. Yuzu... Don't get me wrong, I like happy and go-lucky characters, but she was way too dumb for my liking. She heard something in Shinji's jacket and, knowing it was Makiko's doing, doesn't say anything to him...? What was the point of Makiko catching Shinji and Yuzu on the bridge when nothing came out of it? Osamu has to be the most useless father I've ever seen. How he managed to have two daughters is beyond me.

Music: I don't think I enjoyed any music from the show, but I questioned a lot of the sound choices. The part where the nurse saw Yuzu leave the record room, the sound was whatever, but I did like the green lighting on Yuzu and the nurse. If I had to pick one song I like, it's probably the intro, and even that isn't saying a lot.

The tension between Kiichi and Anzu was real, but I don't know how I feel about their romance. They are, after all, stepsiblings when they fell for each other. Makiko and Osamu getting a divorce doesn't relieve me of that knowledge. Granted, Anzu liked Kiichi before they became step-siblings but the attraction couldn't have been there as adults and stepsiblings. What's weird is no one, not even the characters, seemed to have caught that or wanted to bring it up. I thought at one point Shinji was going to tell Nanami that Yuzu is just his stepsister, but when he didn't and said she was not into him, I vomited a little in my mouth.

As one can tell, I had more questions than answers. I don't think this series is bad, at least not the first couple of episodes, but would I rewatch or recommend it to friends and family? No.

Read More