Sunflower

Watashitachi wa Douka Shiteiru (aka Cursed in Love) is a drama based on the manga of the same name. It tells the story of a girl named Nao, who enters Kogetsuan, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop, under a false identity in order to investigate her mother’s death and prove her innocence.

I was initially hesitant to start this drama since I rarely watch Japanese dramas. However, once I hit play, I was completely hooked. I ended up watching the first seven episodes in one sitting, which is something I've never done before.

What I especially liked about this drama is that it offers a little bit of everything - romance, murder mystery, a strong female lead, interesting side characters, and an evil matron. On some levels, it feels like a typical soap opera, but what makes it truly stand out is the way it was executed. The plot, the cast, their chemistry, and the overall pacing were all just perfect. Plus, if you're into kimonos and Japanese cuisine, you’ll enjoy this show even more.

As of now, this is easily one of the best Japanese dramas I've watched, and I can definitely see myself rewatching it in the future. If you're on the fence about watching it, I'd highly recommend giving it a chance - you might end up loving it as much as I did.