Gaia
Italy
A miracolous story to warm and embrace our hearts!
When I first started this drama, I probably wasn't ready for it: I must admit I got stuck at ep.2 and couldn't go on - I could feel the great inner value of this title but I couldn't bring myself to face it. Then, months later when many things in my life drastically changed, I decided to start watching it again from scratch.And I'm so happy I did it: this drama is such an overwhelming experience, in a good and positive way!
The story is very simple yet layered, just like life really is: people with their own struggles who appear during the main lead everyday life, and he approaches them with such a pure attitude that they get sucked in his "enlightening" way of life.
The cast is GREAT: I would say Issei is one of the most talented actors out there nowadays, and he portrays Aikawa's role in a way that feels totally natural - never too forced, never too exaggerated, always on point and always fluid. I fell in love with his smiles and his facial expression during this series, he was amazing.
The support cast was great too, kudos to Eikura Nana, the students and the young Koichi.
The flow of events is smooth and maybe slow-paced, but somehow the great balance between fun, sweetness, nature, witty dialogues and "zen approach" just got me hooked. I bingewatched 10 episodes in basically one day: I laughed, cried, felt my heart softening and smiled deep from within... like it didn't happen in ages.
At the end of this everyday-life adventure, I was caught up in Aikawa's light: that kind of light that is never strong as the sun that blinds you but, instead, stands still on your path and guides you like the moon who embraces you.
In these days of solitude, isolation, confrontation with the hard parts of life, I think this drama was exactly what I was missing and looking for.
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A one-of-a-kind drama, and... we need more!
Truth be told, I'm writing this review because I honestly think 7.7 is too low of a vote for this drama and I really hope many more people would watch it! It's such a great hidden gem!I've seen a lot of LGBT dramas and I think this is really unique: it's short (4eps) but not fast-paced, it's ironic but never too easy or predictable, it's a wonderful picture of nowadays Japan (AND nowadays equality issues) with amazing characters portrayed by talented actors.
I've loved Shison Jun and Machida Keita in many other roles but here they definitely shine, they are so real: I would definitely fall in love with Miki Ogawa (Jun's transgender role) if I'd meet her, she's so beautiful and elegant and witty and intelligent! As true as it is that it would have been better to avoid a cis man playing this role (representation matters), Jun's acting here is right on point, I would never get tired of seeing him in this role. And Machida Keita is as positive as always, I also loved the chemistry (friendship-wise) between the two . All their moments on screen were precious, and both their characters and their bond grows naturally episode by episode!
Miki's past is narrated bit by bit and her struggle is never too heavy storywise, the flow of the drama is natural and dynamic. I loved the #hashtags that help depicting everyday society and issues... and Miki's inner thoughts are so clever, she is really a lovely character, true to herself.
Even tho' it stars two ikemen idols, this drama is definitely not your usual "fangirl thing"... BUT still, it can be appreciated either way: on a more deep level, or just on a fun level.
I really hope we could see more "intelligent" LGBT projects like this one, original and unique!
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Masterpiece.
There should be a rating higher then 10, because this drama definitely deserves it! It’s an absolute masterpiece.I started it and finished it in one night: I couldn’t stop watching, it’s so well filmed and the actors and music are magnetic.
It was my first Thai drama and I was totally unaware of what I could find... well, turns out this has become my favorite drama ever up to now.
(I also loved the sound of Thai language by the way, so musical and sweet!)
The plot in itself doesn’t look that original, and yet... the pace of the events is so smooth, natural, things happen (bad and good) and you feel like you’re there with them and you just want to laugh/cry/shiver/help/hug or whatever. This drama is breathtaking, it made my heart pound in a way that I really hadn’t felt in a long time.
Amazing actors: I loved the way in which everything they did felt natural - from smiles to tears, everything was as rough and deep as in real life. The two male leads have an incredible chemistry and their body language was so vibrant, growing from episode to episode and helping create tridimensional characters.
The supporting actors were great too, I was so surprised by each and every one of them!
The music, oh my goodness: my iphone keeps playing the same songs endlessly and I keep crying while listening! Each and every song, in all the different versions, was so perfectly engraved in the scenes!
Photography and cinematography looked stunning: I loved how they played with the lights and shadows in many scenes, how they showed many little details that kept adding and creating a mosaic of real life. Some scenes are unforgettable: just to name one, Oh’s bra’s scene is a piece of art!
I will definitely rewatch this drama as soon as possible because I feel like at every time I watch it, I might discover new hidden treasures!
Looking forward for season 2, probably the most awaited drama on my list!
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I usually don’t like school love stories, or love stories between students/teachers... but, this is something else. It’s not the classic shoujo happilyeverafter story, which is also why I liked it.
The relationship between the two main characters grows slowly and naturally and is something “more”, “different”, then love: it’s a connection between two human beings that need help and find reassurance in each other. A friendship, a deep bond.
I lived something similar and I think many of us have met that same special bond in their lives... I felt this story was very real. MatsuJun as always is great in his role, supporting cast is nice too and the female lead is convincing.
I won’t rewatch it only because it made me cry too much ??
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So much they could do, but...
Don’t misread my somewhat low rating: I actually loved the plot behind this story and the hints of psychological issues involved in all of it. I also loved the idea of talking about how people see their own worlds and how can they put up with others’ worlds. The topics of obsession, applied to a love relationship but also in life...So, precisely because I think the idea was great, I’m so disappointed with... well, everything else! :/
Due to the shortness of the drama, the plot wasn’t really well developed and many things felt like “what?!? why?!?” for me. Many questions were left with no answers at the end so I just thought: “why come up with this element in the story if you just don’t have time for it?”.
The characters felt like sketches, not developed enough and way too rush in changing ideas and course of action: somehow I appreciated the Mono who shows a nice acting and natural body gestures, but the Probe was too stiff for this role... that’s a pity.
The “i take off the mask” scenes were a bit too many and felt repetitive... I wasn’t annoyed by the rainbows effects (I’ve seen enough trashy things on dramas to NOT get scared by that color-rush effect XD) but the music kinda hurt my nerves. o.O
I mean, this could have been such a cool project with many interesting twists but it felt a bit disconnected. I would love to see a Taiwanese or Japanese reboot of the story sooner or later!
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Amazing cast: the two male leads are just great and have a perfect bond and chemistry, plus the dialogues are very well written and you can’t help but laugh and smile.
The story jumps from hilarious moments to serious issues, but it never feels fake or forced; the soundtrack is also fit for every scene.
I remember I laughed so hard on some comic moments, but then got hit by sudden twists in the storytelling... I think this is a show that manages to keep everyone glued to the screen because you never know what’s about to happen next.
Just a drama everyone would LOVE!
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Nonsensical.
First thing I want to say: I want the telephone number of the director&screenwriter's drug dealer.Noone, and I repeat: NO-ONE in their right mind would be able to write something so badly, direct it in such a sloppy way, and make so many bloopers.
STORY
I think I still have to get the story, there's a bit of everything like a fruit salad (but made with rotten fruits) and tons of people who randomly take their shirts off (which is a plus point).
Really: this so-called plot had SO MANY threads that were poorly connected (or not even connected), from the narration to the characters to the motives to the timings... jeez.
CAST
Let's admit it: we were almost all here for OhmFluke. They are cute. Stiff, but cute.
Well, here they are cute but their scenes are endlessly slow for NO reason. They really made me lose all my patience.
I loved RainPayu obviously, they could have saved the show (PeterPan turns out to be quite a good actor! The few scenes he had in the final episode were perfectly acted!) BUT the day in which they were supposed to do so, the director smoked something heavy and instead it was decided to eliminate them.
Chun was honestly beautiful, like a greek statue.
I liked Petch. Pie could have lost himself in the woods and we would have survived.
Honorable mention to O who was super cute and acting normal among all of the shit we've seen.
MUSIC
The worst ost ever. Plus, the volume was always over the top for no reason and the rhythm was always off.
REWATCH
Suggested as a torture method in a Clockwork Orange style.
It deserved a 3. But Noh and PeterPan made my heart melt.
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