Perfect Propose

don't bother.

i think my overall rating might be generous. anyway, i wasted my time watching this a couple of weeks ago. it was not it.

the first male lead was truly pathetic until he had a change of heart when he almost lost his chance. he let projects at work dictate his life and invade into his personal time. the former brings to light a festering issue in japanese work culture. regardless, the person who had seniority over him abused him and he just took it? fear and anxiety are understandable + reasonable / valid feelings. however, he was working over twelve hour days give or take for what months? years? then when kai entered his life, it began to have meaning and he had a real shot at actually living. he promised kai they would attend that festival together then gets bullied into prioritizing work. then he blows kai off for a month to finish a project that would have been completed if he was not there. superiors know how to make things happen just like how they expect grunts to do the same. watari did not deserve kai.

honestly, the intimacy [sexual or romantic] was just wack. some of the earlier scenes like with the relief to allow watari to sleep because he was so stressed out from work were good or funny. the kissing was boring. viewers got more chemistry from the opening credits with the characters than the actual body of work.

i quite liked nomura kota's portrayal of a defeated person who had been so disappointed with life that there were no expectations of others. he felt like a character that was true to himself and uncaring of the perception of others. he lived authentically because he was at his wit's end. otherwise, this body of work was too lacking and too short.

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Elite Chemistry And Ultimate Protective Roommate BL!

Perfect Propose (2024) is a spectacular, high-quality, and deeply emotional Japanese BL drama that stands out as one of the best domestic cohabitation stories ever created. It delivers a beautiful balance of real-life corporate struggles, psychological healing, and intense romantic tension.Story & Pacing (9/10):The plot is exceptionally well-written and relatable, following an overworked, severely stressed salaryman who is on the brink of collapse until his childhood friend unexpectedly reappears and promises to take care of him in exchange for a place to stay. The narrative beautifully explores how a cold, harsh world can be entirely healed by having a true safe haven at home. The pacing is tight, moving smoothly from sweet domestic routines into a passionate, deeply comforting romance with zero toxic tropes.Acting & Cast (9.5/10):Nomura Kota and Kaneko Shunya delivered phenomenal, career-defining performances with electric on-screen chemistry. Nomura Kota completely steals the show as Kai—embodying a highly capable, confident, and fiercely possessive alpha male lead whose protective instincts, cooking skills, and intense, loving glances will completely steal your heart. Kaneko Shunya is brilliant as the exhausted Hiro, making their emotional vulnerability and mutual trust the absolute beating heart of the series.Overall:This drama is a mandatory 9/10 watch for any BL enthusiast looking for high-aesthetic production, a deeply protective and charismatic green-flag male lead, and a romance that leaves your heart completely full. Driven by an elite main duo and outstanding cozy vibes, it offers massive rewatch value. Highly recommended!

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A Small Commentary on Working in a Black Company in Japan

•❅✧❅✦ Story ✦❅✧❅•

The drama itself wasn’t too special, it’s actually very forgettable. However, topic of being overworked in your job is what makes this drama more memorable than it should be.

Hiro and Kai are also very forgettable characters. There’s nothing great about them compared to other characters out there. Even the plot and execution is bland. However, since Japan has a problem with overworking businessmen and women, the topic is more memorable. Having a “knight in shining armor” come in to help you regain the humanity that was sucked out of your soul at work is a dream come true for most people who are slaves to their jobs.

The drama's storyline is literally about Hirokuni learning to regain his humanity through Kai and vice versa. It's a decent watch, but nothing is memorable at all. Maybe if we got to see more of the character's human sides, like Hirokuni and Kai being more lovey with each other., it would have been different. We don't get any of that until the end, when we get to see more of Kai and Hirokuni’s humanity and them acting more like a couple. otherwise it's just boring. Most of the drama is heavy with the dark subject matter on black companies, so a little more love and humanity would have made it so much better.

•❅✧❅✦ Manga vs Film ✦❅✧❅•

The plot of the manga is very similar to the drama. The drama fleshes out the more essential scenes, like Hiro and Kai’s childhood, but the manga gives more context to the overall story and other minor scenes. There really are no big changes to the story overall.

While both the manga and drama are quite equal, I’d have to say the manga was better. In the manga, Kai feels human, while in the drama he seems emotionless. Kai was a normal guy with childhood trauma in the manga, while in the drama he seemed to be like a cardboard cutout with very little emotions. Kai is supposed to be cool when he reunites with Hiro, but he lacks emotion in the drama so he’s not that “cool” when he comes back.

•❅✧❅✦ Overall ✦❅✧❅•

Perfect Propose wasn’t as perfect as it could have been. In fact, the “propose” aspect was lacking. Kai coming back saying they are engaged was great, but there was no grand proposal at the end to bring it full circle. Yes, Kai mentions that what Hiro says at the end sounds like a proposal, but there is no grandiose proposal to call perfect. Overall, the drama was actually kind of bland and the acting didn’t help make it better. It wasn’t terrible, but it’s not a drama I’ll have on repeat anytime soon.

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"Being with people is heavy"

Okay so, do I wish this was longer...? 100%! Do I wish there had been a couple more scenes where Nomura Kota could've shown what a fantastic actor he is? 1,000%! But I have rewatched this twice now (rewatched the last episode a bunch more) and really enjoy it! When I tell you I have replayed the second to last scene repeatedly in my head since I watched it would be an understatement. The emotion, line delivery, and passion are unmatched for me personally. I just wanted more, and I know that's not a valid reason since it's a BL and those are always short, but I still wanted more. Would 100% recommend to anyone, honestly, so good!

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6 episodes were not enough

I liked everything about this series but first of all the acting of the cast was great.
The story is soo endearing, of how two person with equally tired of life, finds comfort and happiness in each other through the medium of food. They didn't talk much, but just being in the company of one another only for a short time in the day was just enough.
It really touched my heart how , Hiro found a reason to return home early from work and was always looking forward to it. Him expecting and wanting to hear Kai's voice more even without realising.
On the other hand, Kai finding a reason to live and continue with his life by taking care of Hiro , making him food. Is the the perfect example of how two broken souls can be healed when they find their other half.

What I did not like about this series was:
1. The running time was too short with only 6 episodes. I would have liked to see Hiro and Kai's life together as a couple.. more and how they balance work and life together.
2. ABSOLUTELY, hated the boss making his employee work like robots.
3. All the food that were wasted, that Hiro didn't ate.

It is a quick watch, but totally worth it.

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Hearts melt when you share great meals together

This series stands out not just for the subdued performances of its main cast and the slow-developing relationship between them, but primarily for its portrayal of flawed characters who, together, become stronger.

The story revolves around Hirokuni, a troubled office employee suffering from low self-esteem. One night, while lying on the road exhausted, he encounters his estranged childhood friend Kai, who has nowhere to stay and insists on living with Hirokuni. Kai takes care of Hirokuni's daily meals, all the while flirting with him and reminding him of the promise he made to marry him. As days turn into weeks and then months, Hirokuni witnesses his life transforming and finds himself growing accustomed to Kai’s presence.

Although the main plot may seem generic, it is the nature of the two main characters that makes this series worth watching. Through multiple flashbacks, we learn how they first met, became friends, and eventually drifted apart. Kai, having lost his parents at a young age, becomes indifferent with no expectations from anyone, while Hirokuni is stuck in a thankless job with long working hours and strict schedules. A once youthful and cheerful Hirokuni has turned into someone gloomy and isolated. When they reconnect at a low point in their lives, they uplift each other through daily conversations and shared meals.

Kota and Shunya deliver exceptional performances, bringing to life the flawed and down-on-their-luck characters of Kai and Hirokuni, respectively. The audience is taken on a journey through their daily lives, rooting for them every step of the way. Their struggles and small victories are relatable, and you empathize with their situations while hoping for their happiness. Additionally, the series features the characters bonding over good food, which feels like a staple of Japanese BL.

In conclusion, this excels in depicting characters who have lost hope in life but find strength and transformation through their bond. The series is a heartwarming testament to the power of companionship and mutual support. A few of the plot points might feel rushed owing to the fact that it’s a 6 episode mini-series.

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Strong beginning and end, overall a cosy watch!

This BL is 6 episodes long, and it focused on one couple and a little of their personal life and past. Hirokuni is friendly and social, and Kai is quiet and used to being by himself. The couple look cute together, but only the first and last episodes are strong in terms of chemistry. The other episodes don't do much, and there were too many of Hirokuni's office scenes. This kinda makes sense as Hirokuni's storyline is that he is being overworked and doesn't see the joy in life until he meets with Kai again. Still, I would've enjoyed more scenes of the two doing something together. Every character was likable, and the ending was very satisfying. I loved Hirokuni's "proposal" to Kai, hearing what he said in Japanese was beautiful.

Overall I am pleased with this BL. The acting is fine, Kai is kind of monotone but I guess that's his vibe. I look forward to seeing more of the two. The biggest issue I had with this drama was the lack of interesting environments and episodes. It somehow felt too short while still having too much filler. I still recommend this a watch.

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