5
6
2
FreshKicks
This review may contain spoilers
I rarely binge-watch but this one made me do it.
I was excited to find this drama after enjoying Yokohama Ryusei in 'Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi'. With just eight episodes the plot here moves quickly and there's never a dull moment. Performances across the board are excellent. It was also interesting to me that it's set in modern times yet you rarely see anyone in modern dress -- it's kimonos practically 24x7.
I also like that the FL is resourceful and strong-willed. She knows what she wants and is willing to do what she needs to. She is clearly a good match for the ML, and it's nice that he himself realizes that very early on.
One thing for sure, I really want to try Japanese sweets now.
A few things did bother me though. ** WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW **
First, the fact that all the trouble starts with a 9yo making an accusation that nobody seems to question. There's never any followup from the police to make sure he wasn't mistaken, lying on behalf of someone else, or acting out of spite. (And a case could be made that all three of those were true.)
Another thing is that we get seven episodes of the evil matron doing her best to destroy both the FL and her own son but once again we have a final episode of a drama where the main villain is given a redemption arc from out of nowhere. (And why didn't the father-in-law take action after she nearly killed him?) I don't know why it seems that most of the Asian dramas I watch end up redeeming the villain in the end. For me there's something unsatisfying about that. I want people to be forced to account for their wrongdoing.
Speaking of which, we then have Jojima, who does the evil matron's bidding in the early episodes and even attempts to *kill* the FL, but who then turns into a good guy who never has to account for the terrible things he did. (Also, the matron seems unconcerned when he stops working for her and joins the opposition, so to speak. I'd think she would be the last person you'd want to double-cross like that.)
Still, it's a fun ride if you're willing to overlook some of these inconsistencies. An easy 8/10 for me.
I was excited to find this drama after enjoying Yokohama Ryusei in 'Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi'. With just eight episodes the plot here moves quickly and there's never a dull moment. Performances across the board are excellent. It was also interesting to me that it's set in modern times yet you rarely see anyone in modern dress -- it's kimonos practically 24x7.
I also like that the FL is resourceful and strong-willed. She knows what she wants and is willing to do what she needs to. She is clearly a good match for the ML, and it's nice that he himself realizes that very early on.
One thing for sure, I really want to try Japanese sweets now.
A few things did bother me though. ** WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW **
First, the fact that all the trouble starts with a 9yo making an accusation that nobody seems to question. There's never any followup from the police to make sure he wasn't mistaken, lying on behalf of someone else, or acting out of spite. (And a case could be made that all three of those were true.)
Another thing is that we get seven episodes of the evil matron doing her best to destroy both the FL and her own son but once again we have a final episode of a drama where the main villain is given a redemption arc from out of nowhere. (And why didn't the father-in-law take action after she nearly killed him?) I don't know why it seems that most of the Asian dramas I watch end up redeeming the villain in the end. For me there's something unsatisfying about that. I want people to be forced to account for their wrongdoing.
Speaking of which, we then have Jojima, who does the evil matron's bidding in the early episodes and even attempts to *kill* the FL, but who then turns into a good guy who never has to account for the terrible things he did. (Also, the matron seems unconcerned when he stops working for her and joins the opposition, so to speak. I'd think she would be the last person you'd want to double-cross like that.)
Still, it's a fun ride if you're willing to overlook some of these inconsistencies. An easy 8/10 for me.
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