Hitomonchaku nara Yorokonde! (2023)

Definitely should have a second season

The review contains spoilers from start to finish, so here we go...

Starting with the theme of the show: the reform of a black company. An interesting and well-constructed plot. Sakyo Shiori is the handsome president of the company called "Jet Black" who worries about the high turnover of his employees, not imagining that inside, the four employees he apparently trusts the most for occupying high positions are responsible for causing these layoffs. To efficiently solve this problem, he approaches Hitomi to be his personnel consultant and find out the reason for the high turnover. This is where the question of the four heavenly Kings comes in...

The most interesting thing about this show is to follow the development of the relationship between the main characters as they deal with troublesome employees. Sakyo and Hitomi make a perfect duo. It's adorable how the two complement each other and are so cute in every interaction. It is also important to highlight the change in Sakyo's heart through living with Hitomi. Here we are dealing with two strict people:

Hitomi is strict with herself at work, and firmly refuses to mix the personal with the professional. Sakyo is a man who is strict with himself and others, but he is by no means a bad person. He is a strict person who becomes a one-man president, and he learns from Hitomi to trust the people around him more to achieve his goal. After Sakyo's change in heart, he is shown to be a softer person, especially around Hitomi. He is a kind man, but quite closed off, and such a change can be seen in his way of acting and speaking, as the episodes progress. The way the romance walks is slow, because in the manga it is also like that. Sakyo tries to get closer to Hitomi through subtle actions so that she realizes his feelings. Hitomi denies this because she doesn't want to get involved with anyone in the workplace, when at the same time it becomes clear that she is also starting to develop strong feelings for him.

On several occasions Sakyo tries to break the barrier imposed by Hitomi to reach her heart, but she continues to deny it until the last episode, when it becomes clear that the two love each other. When the fateful farewell scene arrives, once again Sakyo is put off by Hitomi when he tries to talk about his feelings. Hitomi cries desperately when Sakyo lets her go, and shortly after the two-month timeskip, Sakyo returns to Hitomi with an official offer to return to work with him on Jet Black.

When Sakyo takes Hitomi to see the beautiful night view of Tokyo, he gently takes Hitomi's hand. She closes her eyes clearly demonstrating her desire to be kissed by him, but Sakyo doesn't, whispering something in her ear instead. At first, I was disappointed with this, as both the preview of the last episode and the synopsis on the official website strongly induced the audience that we would see a kiss from the main characters at the end. I felt cheated, but regardless of that, if we analyze the protagonists' relationship calmly, we'll see that Sakyo acted coherently.

Hitomi fell in love with Sakyo, but tried hard to push him away every time he approached her. This made Sakyo unable to step forward and cross the line she had drawn between them when Hitomi not only made no effort to be with him, but was also unclear about her feelings.

How could Sakyo kiss her? He didn't want to risk being misunderstood or even rejected by Hitomi. He was right not to cross that line without being sure of Hitomi's feelings. I can't say I'm happy about this, as I've waited a long 10 weeks to see a cinematic kiss, but I understand Sakyo's fear, caused by Hitomi's own actions.

I'm really rooting for a second season, because the manga didn't end and Sakyo and Hitomi's relationship wasn't resolved.

This drama is wonderful. The comedy is excellent, the way the protagonists solve problems is smart and cute, and the whole body of work is attractive and a lot of fun.

Inukai Atsuhiro was the reason I watched the show, as I fell in love with him ever since I saw him in Kamen Rider Build. He is an excellent actor who, in addition to his handsome face, has an incredible ability to masterfully interpret any role he is willing to play, and Sakyo could not have been portrayed better. The partnership with Yahagi Honoka was perfect! Both are passionately in tune, and I wanted to see the two starring again in a real romance. 💘

Furthermore, watch this show with an open heart and focus on having fun. It is a production that runs the story very well, and the romance, although left in the background, opens up a range of possibilities for a continuation. It's very cute to know that the two love each other. It's so worth watching, and I'll watch it again and again...

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It deserves another season for romantic plot!

Honestly I love Honoka Yahagi since Itazura Na Kiss, and find out that she is a very talented young actress. She is also an adorable, humble and has a very kind personality. In short, I'm attracted to watch this drama by watching the trailer, and really hope to see Honoka chan in another romantic comedy drama, especially with Inukai Atsuhiro.. he looks so fine in this drama!

I watch Inukai's previous 2 drama, and it's not really capturing my heart like in this drama. I can tell he has a very good chemistry with all of the cast, especially Honoka chan.

Now let's get back to review this "Hitomon dorama".

I believe it's a great office romantic comedy since its coming from an interesting manga. There are some different in the looks of the characters, but the story is basically show the same plot and message with the manga.
It just the drama were very short in every episode (around 30 mins), so I can feel the story is in a rush and coming with a very dramatic yet very fast solution. In another word, the evil employees becomes good just by strong advice and encouragement / motivation with the smart strategy by the combo Hitomi chan (Honoka) and Sakyo san (Inukai).

I know the genre is focusing on the "office issue" with some of problematic employees and a smart but very tyrant boss. However Sakyo Shiori is not an evil CEO like being described by the synopsis. He just a busy body that hard to trust anybody so he only rely on himselves when its related with work, so that's explain why he didn't really aware what happened between his subordinates inside the company that resulting 100% resignation for new employees (so they are being called as black company).

It becomes interesting when the "black company" that is named "Jet Black" hiring a Human Resources consultant (Hitomi Mamoru) from a popular "Off White" company. It's understable why the author name the main leads' company like that.
The story is basically about Jet black (bad/black company) meet with Off White (angel/ white company).

Then, Hitomi Mamoru that appear as an angelic person getting persuaded by Sakyo to be his consultant. He made her realize about her own motivation to be like her father and get out from her routine as the company's ambassador that usually tell a great story to be a person that make a great story.

I found the story is full of excitement.. and it can be perfect if this drama has more episodes, so the plot will be more details.

The romance is there. It just a slow burned romance.. that we can easily tell that both Sakyo san and Hitomi chan slowly develop "personal feeling" toward each other, but restrain it as they want to keep the professional relationship.

Along the time, Sakyo try to give some hints to Hitomi that he looked at her in a very special way, and how he always looking at her. It just Hitomi can easily deny the feeling.. probably because she always look at herself as unattractive girl (without make up), also to avoid any misunderstanding.

Finally... when they have to bit farewell due to the working contract should be terminated, they are totally restrain their own feeling. 2 months later after that.. again, Sakyo is the one who try to find Hitomi.. and make her realize her value and her motivation again.

I really love how this couple combo to solve every problem in the company.. and how their character is totally completing each other, as a good companion in both career and love.
Unfortunately.. the romance is not showing enough.. they don't even kiss when some situations are already supportive enough to make them do it. At least.. I know that they are in love. But its only developed as a "crush", not a lover yet. So I kinda agree that we deserve for season 2.. especially when the manga is still not ended!

After all.. I definitely rewatch this drama. Despite of less romance, its still showing us about how cute to see the main leads whenever they are together. Especially Sakyo san... a very cold, smart and super confident person like him can be turned into a cute and caring person whenever he's around Hitomi chan.. For example, he is showing his jealously and competitive madness when Hitomi has to deal with her ex, and showing his "tsundere" moments in many scenes around Hitomi chan. He is a very cute yet charming, and totally handsome almost in every scene!

Trust me.. this drama deserve more attention. It's totally a very refreshing drama, and we can relate its story with our daily working life in some situation as well.

I'm rooting for Sakyo san and Hitomi chan to confess their feeling in the next spin off or season 2. *finger crossed* ;)

P.S. I love this drama ost, especially the opening song and dance by the main casts that coming in different lyrics and camera angles in every episode! Salute to the production team creativity!

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