Cherry Magic (2023)

I am spellbound by their magic!!

"Cherry Magic" is a series that has captivated my heart from its opening scenes to the closing credits, weaving a spell that I simply can't resist. The characters, the office vibes, their chemistry, and that slight touch of magic – it's got everything that makes my heart skip a beat.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!!!

It is set up in an office premises. It starts with Achi talking about him turning 30 and how a standard life of 30 year old should be, only to confess that his life lacks all those elements. But to his surprise, he gains magical power of reading people's mind and that's where everything begins. Achi, he is clumsy, under confident and at the same time innocent, extremely adorable and kind but also relatable. Damn I can definitely see why Karan is so whipped for him- I mean who wouldn't be?

Then we have Karan, he is confident, achiever and has the standard 30 year old life according to Achi. But more than that he is whipped for Achi. He is a freaking green forest. He has a secret crush on Achi and he finds everything that Achi does adorable and I don't blame him because I ain't any different. They both are adorable and so is their chemistry. Damn their interactions, subtle touches, glances, those inner monologues, those visions from Karan's imagination, those kisses, those moments, everything, I loved and enjoyed everything.

Let's talk about the real magic of "Cherry Magic" - those lines and moments that hit you right in the feels. Like the line, 'Sometimes I even feel relieved that in a world where I seem to fade into the background, Karan always sees me.' I mean, can we take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this!! And it's not just the words; it's the way they play it out. As Achi looks at Karan when Karan is passing by his seat in the bus, he remembers all the moments with Karan. More so the moment, in the retreat, when he thought no one would want to pair up with him and he just aimlessly, without looking backward, walks backward and collides with Karan's front. Their eyes lock, Karan smiles and the question, "Do you want to pair up with me?" unfolds like a fairytale. Sounds cliche I know but trust me, that moment felt so magical. I was legit smitten by this scene and it's not just a one time thing. I have so many favorite lines and moments- be it that rooftop moments or the beach moment or the pre Loi krathong festival moments or those read my mind moments or those absolutely heart melting video calls. This series is like my happy pill. I have so many favorite moments and whenever I go back to watching it, I am instantly happy.

Talking about the supporting characters, first and foremost I love Pai. She is so cute, charismatic and moreover I feel her. Aaaaahhhh my heart!!! Also, her chemistry with Rock is so adorable. Rock is kind of talkative, funny and cheerful guy and he is whipped for Pai and I am too. Moreover, their confession scene was so so cute. Moving on to Min and Jinta, I love them no less. Jinta, he is a really funny guy. He also gains the magical power of reading minds and the way he was freaking out about it and trying to avoid people's touch, it's hilarious. Moreover, the cat's thoughts really cracks me. And the confession scene of Min and Jinta, it had me rolling and blushing. They are so adorable.

Also, the ost Loudest love, oh my god I absolutely love it. I have been listening to it on loop. To top it, the ost 'Everything is magic' is Achi's pov and 'Voice within' is Karan's pov , both the mvs are connected and it's so adorable plus ear pleasing. I am absolutely smitten by them.

Highly Highly Highly Recommended!!!!

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Pick up the manga instead. Please. It's NOT worth it.

This show only works if you already like the actors in it or if you like stories with absolutely no conflict (also known as Bad Writing). The writers did not understand not even 1/10th of the characters, the copied plots from the JDrama were badly done, and they fundamentally misunderstood what makes Cherry Magic appealing in the first place.

The lack of conflict between Karan/Achi was lame and when EP8 came around it made Achi look extra like an asshole; Writers you know you can make the protagonist get angry at their love interest when they risk their safety, right? It's so obvious this show was inspired by the original drama's success and how everyone considers that a comfort show but what, whoever is responsible for this mess, doesn't understand that Cherry Magic puts good writing first not trying to fulfill the "green flag male lead, comfort story" quota like this show did. And if you flip through any of the manga volumes you'd see how weak this show's writing is compared to it. Especially with Achi being the most mischaracterized of the lot even though he's the protagonist makes this weakness stand out. Of course it doesn't have to be an exact copy, nobody is asking for that, but the show felt so different that it's not even the same characters anymore.

Jdrama wasn't flawless either but at least they had the excuse that they didn't have enough material to adapt. At the time this show started filming there were 11 volumes out that the writers could take the story from but funnily enough the show uses solely the events the original drama did.

EP8 was the most disgusting thing this show pulled, that the original story would never endorse. Having Karan go back to the woman who sexually harassed him erases the entire reason (the original Kurosawa at least) he falls for Achi. Achi not getting upset and simply moving on, not even trying to defend him against Kem was completely out of character. They don't even have Achi fight for Karan's parents approval like he did in the OG nor do they keep their Very important fight about how Karaan needs to NOT shoulder EVERYTHING by himself. Cherry Magic ALWAYS calls out and scolds Kurosawa when he gets self sacrificial for the sake of Adachi but CMTH feels like it's... commending him for it? Which is such a wrong gross interpretation of the story on so many levels.

I do get the appeal of CMTH as a non-CM fan (I've noticed CMTH fans are less likely to pick up the manga as opposed to fans of the anime or the jdrama) but the idea that this is the most polished version of the story is SO far from the truth. If the writers wanted to write a story about two guys who have The Healthiest Relationship ever (but is it really the healthiest ever when Karan does ALL the heavy lifting?) they should have written an original script and not completely misuse the Cherry Magic IP.

At this point I can't even feel bad for the copyright fiasco, it's karma for messing with a perfect story and writing the driest and least interesting (and WRONG. so WRONG) interpretation of it.

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