Heartfelt, heartbreaking movie that felt like it lacked something

Truth be told I have been anticipating the release of this movie for months as I'm a huge fan of nagase ren. I already read the synopsis so I also knew the movie was going to be heartbreaking so I prepared myself going in since it was evident I was in for a tearjerker.

This movie was initially marketed as a romance so I was expecting a tragic romance movie similar in nature to "your lie in April" or "I want to eat your pancreas" and it was but I felt like it left something to be desired. I wasn't fully satisfied with the portrayal of the romantic relationship of the two leads of this movie.

Even though they had spectacular chemistry and they are both amazing actors in their own right that both fulfilled the roles they were given in this movie to the best of their ability I felt like the movie was holding back on progressing them romantically by quite a bit. there was little to no romantic progression and a very vague confession towards the end that got the message across but I wanted something more direct.

The leads barely got involved romantically and even while the FL, Haruna, was alive she described their relationship as being "best friends" which kinda irked me because they were clearly romantically interested in each other yet they never confessed.

I feel like the "sad" part of the movie would have been further exemplified if they portrayed them more as a couple instead of best friends when this is very clearly a romance movie and the ending furthers this claim that their relationship can't really be described as platonic despite it being portrayed as such.

And so the entire movie I was waiting for that one special moment that would signify that yes..they are in love but it never came except the vague confession at the end when she had already passed away and that led to the movie feeling rather bland.

On the contrary, my main gripe with the movie aside everything else was pretty cool. I liked the sound design. The main OST is spectacular and a certified banger. The character development is superb and you really get to see the ML, Akito, really grow as a person in a realistic manner and the story itself progressed nicely and didn't feel rushed or slow, the pacing was just perfect for a movie of this nature.

Also like I mentioned before the acting was really good. I can't say I have ever seen a drama from the FL before but I am aware she's in "ao Haru ride" and after watching this movie and witnessing her performance I feel more inclined in watching more dramas/movies from her. As for nagase ren I was already a fan and I'm even m ore so now. I like how he can create such a great chemistry with his female costars and really make you root for him.

All in all, this was a pretty decent movie and I recommend you check it out for yourself as well to form your own opinion you might even like it more than me.

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Intensely boring and completely lacking of any substance

Don’t be fooled by the title. This is no “noona romance” drama. In fact theres barely any romance to begin with. It’s a drama that primarily focuses on a niche story about teaching in hagwon and what it’s like to be a teacher.

The writer presented it in a way that gives a false impression that it’s thought provoking and it might have some symoblism thrown in here and there but it’s completely devoid of anything interesting.

This drama brings absolutely nothing to the table. The characters are extremely uninteresting due to lack of characterization, no comedy at all, no stakes or interesting villain, and absolutely no romantic progression whatsoever.

Just a bland old story about teaching in hagwon. That’s all this is. It has absolutely nothing more to offer rather than that.

If you are in to that niche then this might be the drama for you but for the vast majority of people this drama is better than sleeping pills and it might even cure your insomnia.

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