Sunflower

An outstanding drama, that only better as the series progresses.

Before I begin my review, let me briefly summarize the plot. The story revolves around a girl named Nozomi, who was in an accident at the age of 10 and has been in a coma ever since. However, 25 years later, on her 35th birthday, she miraculously regains consciousness — only to realize that she is no longer 10, and the world is neither the same as it used to be nor how she had hoped it would be. She then embarks on a long journey toward adulthood with the help of her family and a childhood friend.

Although the time-travel trope itself is not unique, what truly makes this show stand out is how it handles the theme of "growing up." Unlike other similar dramas, this one isn’t cute or fluffy; instead, it is quite realistic. The main character first starts as a child trapped in the body of a 35-year-old, then progresses through the stages of adolescence—from middle school to high school—and finally transforms into a beautiful woman.

I also loved the portrayal of the family, the individual family members, and their relationships with one another. Unlike the typical families we’re used to seeing in dramas, this family is a bit different—they are imperfect, yet somehow perfect.

Lastly, can we take a moment to appreciate Shibasaki Ko’s incredible acting as Imamura Nozomi? What I admired most was how she nailed even the smallest hidden details, such as the way kids cry or the way they talk and refer to themselves in the third person. Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone else playing this role as well as she did. She was simply phenomenal.

Now, as we all know, nothing in this world is without its flaws. While there aren’t any major drawbacks in this drama, there are certainly a few scenes that could have been handled better. For example, I wasn’t a fan of how the mother’s character died. While her death wasn’t surprising, it did feel a bit abrupt. Additionally, I’m still not sure how I feel about Nozomi's job, Mana’s award, and Tatsuya’s job. Everything happened so quickly that the final 10 minutes felt somewhat unconvincing. It made it seem as if the directors rushed to give everyone a happy ending, which, in my view, wasn’t entirely necessary.

Aside from that, everything else was perfect—from the rest of the cast’s acting to the cinematography and even the OST. The OST of this series was probably the best I’ve ever heard in a J-drama. I don’t think I’ll be forgetting it anytime soon.

Finally, I would recommend this drama to anyone looking for something simple yet gripping, without any unnecessary cringe or exaggeration. Seriously, check it out—you won’t regret it.

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This is one of those dramas that is truly flawless.

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.

Honestly, I was initially reluctant to give this drama a chance, as I’m generally not a big fan of J-dramas. Plus, I wasn’t sure how the story would unfold or if it would be worth my time. But I finally gave in, and once I started watching, I just couldn’t stop. This drama was so addictive that I watched seven episodes in one sitting, which was a first for me.

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. Kudos to the entire cast, crew, and writers of Cursed in Love for creating such an amazing drama.

Finally, this drama is probably one of the BEST Japanese dramas out there, and I can definitely see myself rewatching it in the future. To anyone contemplating whether to watch or not—definitely check it out. I'm sure you won't regret it.

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This is one of those series where every word & every action carries weight

Beyond Evil is a 2021 psychological thriller drama starring Shin Ha Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo in the lead roles. In summary, the story revolves around two fearless detectives in the police force who (somewhat) work together to track down and identify a serial killer from 20 years ago. However, as they dig deeper, new evidence emerges, suggesting that there might be more than one killer and that the killer could be among them. Hence, no one can be trusted, not even themselves.

The show started off a bit slow and slightly boring (for me), but it became my absolute favorite after episode 5. What truly makes this show stand out, compared to other thrillers and psychological dramas, is its uniqueness. It is neither cliché nor lacking in originality. Instead, it is captivating and addictive to the point where viewers are constantly curious about what will happen next and who the ‘actual killer’ is. Throughout the series, I found myself deeply immersed in trying to identify the killer, looking for hidden clues, and focusing on facial expressions. Just when I thought I had figured it out, the show introduced new suspects, leading me in an entirely different direction. So, I guess Beyond Evil really does surprise its viewers with unexpected twists and turns, without relying on recycled plot devices.

Aside from the storyline, another aspect the show excels in is its casting. Whoever decided on the cast deserves a bonus. Both Yeo Jin Goo and Shin Ha Kyun are brilliant actors who clearly knew what they were doing, so there wasn’t a single weak performance throughout the drama. Lastly, the soundtrack, including the background music, is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time. If the creators ever decide to release a CD featuring all the songs, I’ll definitely buy it.

Finally, to those wondering whether to check this show out or not, definitely give it a try. I’m absolutely certain you’ll love it. And if you find the beginning a little slow like I did, make sure to stick around until episode 5.

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