As a person who's watched the Itazura na Kiss anime then, the first 90's Japanese version drama of Itazura na Kiss, then It Started with a Kiss, then They Kissed Again, then Playful Kiss and now this recent adaptation I have to say this is the best version of this manga once you minus the over the top cartoon like antics they give Kotoko in all the other versions which makes her borderline annoying and make you cringe in pity for her character when you just want someone to step in and save her from herself and the coldness of Irie / Zhi Shu / Baek Seung Jo as she faces endless rejection over and over again.
There is a refreshing open emotion in his facial expressions to this Irie that the other versions do not touch on. There is a real sweetness to this version that should not be over looked. I'm only on episode 9 but I love how they gave a cameo appearance to the 90's original Japanese versions actress as playing the nurse if you ever sat through the old crazy 90's version you know that woman's ears a mile away lol. It too is also comical given how the character eventually becomes a nurse so it's a strange little full circle moment there between the past and present actresses and how she stumbles as if to say Irie and then flees the room lol.
I find it unique how the writers in this are combining scenes from both the Taiwanese version and the Japanese versions together and meshing them together. I dunno how this version is going to end but I'm really looking forward to the coming ep.'s to see any of the more changes they have made.
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