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BrightestStar

Turns out, there's really no place like home

BrightestStar

Turns out, there's really no place like home
Influence japanese drama review
Completed
Influence
1 people found this review helpful
by BrightestStar
Jun 4, 2023
5 of 5 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.0
Story 10.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.0

A story about Friendship? Not really, more of a story about a story about being bound by a secret.

When I finished watching this drama, I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I mean as a story and the way it was executed is excellent by all means. The characters were multidimensional and intriguing. What didn't sit well with me though was the ending. Not the actual ending, but how it was viewed? Like condoning what those 3 did?

I find this story excellent at showcasing the wrong in being in a world where it's all about gossip and being afraid of the law alone without having a sense of values to believe in and follow. Basically, as long as I don't get caught, I'm free to do as I please. There is no owning up and taking responsibility. Because society's opinion is their God and true law. And that is what makes Maho and Satoko the worst type of "friends" you can have. What they had there wasn't friendship but a bind.

As for Yuri, it's a bit of the opposite. Very early on, her sensible little self took on the burden of someone else's pain and lived the rest of her life feeling guilt over something that had nothing to do with her. That guilt lead her to take each and every action she took later on in life. And no one seems to notice her pain, not her family, not even her so-called friends.

Other than the main trio, I also enjoyed the writer's character, and how she was doing her research instead of just depending on a biased point of view of the story. The detective was interesting as well, smart in some cases, and really stupid in other times.

Directing of the drama is great. The pacing is great. What surpasses it is how lighting and colour were used. Present-day colours were vibrant, while when we go back to the past, particularly to scenes with Yuri, it gets dimmed. It's a notable contrast that helps you both immediately know where we are in the timeline, as well as portray the characters' psyche at the moment.

In short: I never thought a story about 3 high school girls would have so many twists and turns that kept me intrigued till the last moment. Depressing but a good and solid drama.
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