RL

Pretty much agreed with you on the murder mystery part. But this drama is very much similar to the Agatha Christie series, with overly smart detective, rest characters all dummies, and final scene detective gathered everyone together to review everything. The twists and turns always interesting but there is nothing new and the novel Reunion wouldn't receive any reward for this. I accepted Nara knew the truth about the current murder because Makiko put everything on her face, easy guess for Nara. But totally no idea how she knew everything about the case 23 years ago before the gun is retrieved. She just too smart for me.
But this is where our difference is. I got a group of friends watching Netflix, Disney+ series together. We seldem watch pure murder or thriller genre jdrama because they are way too dark. Even with romance subplot they are usually under developed, like Dearest which also has the 1st love plot. But reading the description on Google the romance side on the 2 main leads seems interesting so we gave this a go. With the 2 very attractive leads, the fast pace love story development, building up to an unlikely happy ending in the last minute, so emotional with no boring moment in the middle, we all felt this jdrama is exceptional. We only treated the murder mysteries and the other characters (other than Nara who is an aid) as the forbidden love story road blocks. Make no mistake the drama started withe 2 first loves and ended with the 2 first loves, everything in between is their journey their story. And we believed this is also the focus of the PDwriter of the novel/drama. Apology for my long post.
By the way our group now moved on to Reboot, a similar genres jdrama. See how it goes.

Perfect summary! This drama kind of sticking to the usual drama law of love triangle (supporting lead usually the one suffered, adding 1st loves not broke up by cheating before usually back together at the end), and single mother with young kid seldem has very sad ending (that's too cruel). Also the link between Masaki and Junichi very early on another strong hint for the ending. Like what you summarised, watching a drama, a novel, have to base on what the setup planned, designed, hinted and shown by the writer, what one wanted doesn't count. Surely whether one like the drama, or its ending is separate story, but I am just surprised so many find the ending surprising here.

So for the sake of future potential viewers, don't watch this drama if only happy when there is a sad ending for the 2 main leads, otherwise it is a very satisfying jdrama with an ending climax well built up from the start to finish.

Recently I noticed numerous haters and very severe trolls on many new dramas, Korean and Japanese in MDL. They are so extreme and one sided, seems designed to stir future viewers away from watching. I kept saying that no drama will suit everyone's taste so just don't watch it and stay away, why bother to keep putting in so many negative comments?

And this is from Google AI early on near beginning of the drama:
Reunion: Silent Truth (2026) is a Japanese thriller romance drama on Netflix. Detective Tobina Junichi returns home to investigate a murder and discovers his first love, Iwamoto Makiko, is a suspect. They must confront a buried secret from their childhood involving a buried gun, blending romantic tension with a high-stakes crime mystery.
Key Details About Reunion: Silent Truth (2026)
Plot: The murder weapon in a current case is revealed to be a gun that four friends, including Junichi and his first love Makiko, swore to bury 23 years ago.
Romance Elements: The drama centers on the romantic tension and emotional reunion between Junichi and Makiko, who are now on opposite sides of a law investigation.

Synopsis of Silent Truth before it started always included:
'Years later, Junichi becomes a detective and is assigned to investigate a murder case. During the investigation, he reunites with Makiko, one of the friends who shared that childhood secret and also his first love, now standing before him as “detective and suspect.”'
There is almost no exception in any drama that once the word 'first love' is mentioned the 1st loves will be a key part of the story, and of course it will either has a sad, or happy ending. One should be prepared for such storyline before watching.
Before the final scene, there already been 2 'tempted kiss' occasions between the 2, one at the beginning, and one at episode 6. It is well setup.
Kind of you see what you want to see.

She is so smart, and actually so warm hearted. Lots of depth in her character. Every minutes she is on screen are enjoyable. Very much Hercule Poirot image. And she too, everything is about first love!

Thanks indeed for your positive comments on this totally enjoyable drama.

Almost right at the beginning of episode 1 when Junichi and Makiko run into the forest by themselves, Junichi asked if you have ever been kissed before, then a failed kiss and gun shots, and the 2 runaway hand in hand scared. It is a perfect mirror reflection of the ending scene except with different emotions and real kiss. It is a fulfilment of the drama design from beginningto end.
Watching a drama, if with any romance, always hoping for at least a hopeful future for the 2 main leads, with all obstacles removed. Agree it is an emotion escape from realism, purely for enjoyment. So not interested in being judgemental, unless on clearly villains, rapist or paedophile.

The acting highlight of Inoue Mao in ep9 no doubt is the moment when Nara told her the gun did prove Junichi didn't kill anyone 23 years ago, that her expression of relief and joy, almost to tear, that her self sacrifice is not in vain, just so moving and amazing.
I might add here there are many kdramas with going back to first love storyline. Two good examples The Spies Who Love Me (first and current husband), and Discovery of Love (Romance) which the current love also a nice guy and all friends are against the fl going back to her1st love. But the fl openly admitted she is a 2 timers, but love is love. Both separated from the 1st love not because of cheating, just misunderstanding etc. So common in dramas. And one more example the great Hospital Playlist with similar settings but different timing. 5 friends with 4 males and the fl who has an unfilled first love with the ml at university. Worked together again 21 years later and ml with a young son divorced his wife, fl broke up with her bf and she treated the young son of the ml like her own. So all set for fulfilment of their 1st love story at the end.

I really want to ask many unsatisfied fans here a question:
Is it better to be honest about where one's heart now belong to so both can move on, or hide it and drag on the relationship just on surface only, until it explodes in future? Remember the drama setup the gf of Junichi only 25 years old (still very young to find someone really love her) , and their relationship cold from the very beginning of the drama. And they are not married nor will marry in future. And starting ep 6 everytime Makiko called Junichi always gone to her. Writing is on the wall.

You might recall my comment after ep 6 that the 'near' kiss between the 2 leads might be realized after all obstacles cleared. So I got my happy ending (avoiding SLS the key)

It has to be the best drama I ever watched. It is totally clear from the outline of the drama it is a 23 years long story about the 4 friends, the murder mysteries, and the first love story of the 2 leads (which seems many don't want to know and focused on someone else won't help). Very clear fate kept the 2 1st loves apart, but destiny finally brought them together. First time heart was racing watching the last 10 minutes, so satisfying. This is indeed the credit of the award winning novel. All parts of the story tied up so well. And amazing actings.

I am quite surprised so many viewers negative about this top notched series. Seems complex characters are not everyone's cup of tea. Or SLS still a norm in dramas which usually resulted in dissatisfaction.

Everything is personal no question. But the most well known classic by Tolstoy 'Anna Karenina' might have one the most unliked character too.
Some said the 3 boys if without the girl would have much better frienship and I couldn't agree more. I was also in a co-ed school never seen boys group ever have a girl in it (how caould we talk about girls, even young female teachers). But from other angle Makiko would have a much better life if not in that 3 boys group! But there would be no book no drama.

Note the current law in Japan:
'Killing in self-defense is legal in Japan under strict conditions defined by Article 36 of the Penal Code, which requires the action to be an immediate, necessary, and proportionate response to unlawful aggression. While permitted, Japanese law sets a very high threshold for justification, and excessive force can lead to criminal charges.
クラヴマガグローバル・ジャパン
クラヴマガグローバル・ジャパン
+3'
Remember the gun was brought in by Naoto trying to kill his brother but the gun was taken away by his brother.

Episode 4 is a joy and exciting

You are one who understand!!! One boy who she think would marry her left her all of a sudden. One boy who she tried to learn maths from has a brother that xxx. One boy who she married divorced her. All 3 brought her heart break. Most will be bitter towards everyone, everything. But she still tried to be cheerful towards everyone. This drama seems to be a story about her.

I fully agreed with you no doubt, to the extend I have been totally attracted to the screen every ime this middle aged pair are together. But how many kdramas daring enough to go all the way! So I am only praising this is an exceptional drama with love no boundary as per title. Mind you there are only 2 couples left so far intact. Whats going to happen next?

Yes, it is a rare 'affair' that is so satisfying. But this drama is genius in casting 2 very conservative middle aged characters, with Dong Suk an old fashion decent housewife type, that make their going all the way so unbelievable. Might be at end of the drama there will be many babies with cross blood of these 2 enemy families!