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Fighting with My Demon
An intriguing story with a lack of emotional anchoring
As the last episode concluded, a question emerged naturally: could different actors have deeply would moved me with their emotions?
Having immersed myself in the manga, I noticed this adaptation remained largely faithful, with only minor divergences in certain scenes and dialogues.
In the first episode, I was genuinely impressed by how the two actors restrained their emotions, perfectly capturing the essence of their respective characters. However, as the episodes unfolded, the enchantment of the beginning slowly dissipated, and their acting seemed to vacillate between underacting and overacting, lacking the depth that had initially captivated me.
Regarding the story, I may be among the few who truly appreciated the way Kazuma's declaration, "I only see Ren," was delicately and skillfully portrayed. It was no ordinary first encounter, but a poignant reunion after a decade of longing, anxiety, and concern for each other's well-being. A decade of cherishing an idea that finally materialized into reality.
Furthermore, the development of Ren's character resonated with me deeply. He fearlessly stated his sexual orientation, yet his unresolved trauma prevented him from fully embracing himself. Ren's self-doubt and perpetual quest for redemption left him unable to fully accept love, even when it stood at his doorstep, simple and unconditional.
The true brilliance of this drama lies in its ability to intertwine societal issues with the intricacies of romance, drawing me in with its relevance. It fearlessly explores themes like parental pressure in a conservative society, the objectification and exploitation of women, the perpetrators' impunity despite accusations, and the stigmatization of homosexuality reduced to mere lust.
However, one aspect left me feeling somewhat disheartened—the clichéd notion of "love heals all, love forgives all." While the drama fearlessly portrayed moments of ugliness, it missed an opportunity to delve deeper into the psychological journey of overcoming trauma or at least learning to live with it on a daily basis. It would have been intriguing to witness a more profound reflection on the intricacies of emotional healing and the complexities of acceptance.
Having immersed myself in the manga, I noticed this adaptation remained largely faithful, with only minor divergences in certain scenes and dialogues.
In the first episode, I was genuinely impressed by how the two actors restrained their emotions, perfectly capturing the essence of their respective characters. However, as the episodes unfolded, the enchantment of the beginning slowly dissipated, and their acting seemed to vacillate between underacting and overacting, lacking the depth that had initially captivated me.
Regarding the story, I may be among the few who truly appreciated the way Kazuma's declaration, "I only see Ren," was delicately and skillfully portrayed. It was no ordinary first encounter, but a poignant reunion after a decade of longing, anxiety, and concern for each other's well-being. A decade of cherishing an idea that finally materialized into reality.
Furthermore, the development of Ren's character resonated with me deeply. He fearlessly stated his sexual orientation, yet his unresolved trauma prevented him from fully embracing himself. Ren's self-doubt and perpetual quest for redemption left him unable to fully accept love, even when it stood at his doorstep, simple and unconditional.
The true brilliance of this drama lies in its ability to intertwine societal issues with the intricacies of romance, drawing me in with its relevance. It fearlessly explores themes like parental pressure in a conservative society, the objectification and exploitation of women, the perpetrators' impunity despite accusations, and the stigmatization of homosexuality reduced to mere lust.
However, one aspect left me feeling somewhat disheartened—the clichéd notion of "love heals all, love forgives all." While the drama fearlessly portrayed moments of ugliness, it missed an opportunity to delve deeper into the psychological journey of overcoming trauma or at least learning to live with it on a daily basis. It would have been intriguing to witness a more profound reflection on the intricacies of emotional healing and the complexities of acceptance.
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