Zii3

Okay but lacks follow-through on some aftermaths.

Okay for 1 watch but lacks details in general and follow-through on some aftermaths. The idea of the story is better than it's written/directed execution. 6 episodes.

The two spoilers that I discuss below and the complete lack of follow-up on them REALLY sours my feelings about this series. The flow of the story and editing were consistently choppy, but it raises some good issues and the acting is good (Kiko especially was very natural).

I don’t know if I would recommend this. It's a more realistic, adult story, which I appreciate. However, while it raises some good issues to think/talk about, it also doesn't properly address some of the things it brings up. It just doesn't quite feel finished or complete.

Other reviewers list the positives of the series well, so I won't reiterate. Because the story sensitively handles some other complex issues, it is especially disappointing that the two assaults get swept under the rug.

Spoilers on Trigger Warnings below.

Ep 1 & 2 uncut makes a little difference because there's more of Kiko and Mark's initial interactions during massages that show their growing attraction to each other. But the uncut versions of Ep 4-6 don't add much, except for a few more lines about getting tested and more shots of the rape scene in Ep 6.

Some of Kiko's distress about it is shown when he has flashbacks in Ep 6 but the rape issue is never addressed beyond that. It's not talked about, the perpetrator has no reprocussions (apart from feeling guilty), and Mark never comforts him despite Kiko's line that 'what happened was nothing I wanted' (approximate line, I don't remember the exact wording).

Instead, Mark aggressively goes after Kiko with a hand on his throat in a jealous rage. His scary physical abuse is also not addressed beyond Mark saying sorry for that day in general.

That scene also played up the imbalance in their relationship in an unsettling way; Mark holds all the power in and outside of work and is physically much stronger. At that time, the surest way for Kiko to have a good job and better way of life is to forgive Mark, at least to the extent where Kiko can continue working for him. Even if Kiko wants to forgive because of love, the fact that he doesn't have many options really casts a shadow over that decision.

A decent low-budget production. Apart from the editing, the only technical thing that was distracting was the lighting/coloring. Sometimes one angle would have a blue hue while another angle looked orange (of the same scene). Or the tint/filter on a shot would flicker.

Spoiler On The Ending:

The ending is abrupt; right after a pivitol decision is made by a character, all of a sudden the story jumps years ahead. The characters are in a good place and happy, but it didn't really feel satisfying because it didn't quite feel earned, if that makes sense. It feels like a fairytale ending slapped onto what was a more realistically-approached story. Kiko deserves it certainly, it's just that we aren't shown any of the couple working together to get to that point.

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Languid Countryside Friendship

Cute and simple, but it used clichéd short-cuts to tell the story and was ultimately not that memorable. I didn't feel like I wasted my time on this, and it did bring a gentle smile to my face, but I won't watch it again. You might enjoy it if you're in the mood for something gentle, innocent, straightforward, sometimes cute, and with a focus on parental figures and finding purpose.

The acting was decent but the actors weren't given that much to work with. Most characters are pretty 1-dimensional. We learn more about Yamato by what other people say about him in exposition than anything else. That's telling and not showing a story, so it's hard to feel emotionally engaged with it. The main character, Mitsuomi, fairs a bit better because the story follows him, but his character arc is, sadly, very predictable with nothing new.

The pacing is languid, which suits the characterization of the countryside vs the city, but the end wraps up so quickly that there's a noticeable imbalance in the arc of the story, character, and relationship progression. The soft cinematography with naturescapes as cut scenes suits the mood, but I can easily see why some people find this movie too slow.

The lead actors are able to convey a basic, growing friendship with unexpected curiosity for more, but the screenplay gives them very little beyond that. The character interactions are written simply so there's not much depth to their self-discovery and not much sense of romance.

Using instrumental British Isle folk songs (like The Water Is Wide) for the background music was an interesting choice. It goes with the countryside theme, but it felt odd to me. Probably because my mind could'nt disassociate what I recognized from the culture it came from to let it blend fully with this Japanese story.

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Great Cinematography, Weaknesses With The Rest.

The cinematography was thoughtful, visually well-balanced, and frequently beautiful in composition (even with grittier settings). The rest of it was okay but had weaknesses and I won't watch again. I didn't feel like it was a waste of time though, so maybe give it a try if you're in the mood for something simple, short, indie, and overall sweet.

FYI: If you watch on YouTube the first episode is actually titled "Ep 0", NOT Ep 1! (At least that's how it is on the Jupiter Entertainment channel in the USA.)

What I loved: The cinematography.
What I liked: The sweet bit with the post-its and how comfortable the actors seemed in their intimate scenes.

The acting was decent but no one was compelling. The music was forgettable but not distracting either. I was glad with how it ended for everyone but I wasn't that emotionally invested.

The weaknesses:

There are six 13-22 min episodes and it's all over the place. The way the story jumps around (between couples and in time) is confusing and transitions are very abrupt. There's too much story for the time constraints. The plotlines and emotional arcs for the two main couples feel very rushed.

The hetero couple seemed so random and out of place; their brief and cryptic scenes didn't add anything of value. I couldn't figure out their purpose. The time on them would have been much better spent on the two main couples.

There is some awkwardness to the English subtitles that seem to be a translation issue so I'll give the script the benefit of the doubt on how natural the dialogue is. The content of what's said, though, is fairly simple and unmemorable (no really deep or moving conversations).

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Leads truly feel like a couple & solved misunderstandings w/20min to spare

(I rate vertical dramas on their own sliding scale. General spoilers only.) Green flag ML, no abuse, no kidnappings. The chemistry between the leads was awesome. The flirting was both adorable and exciting. The leads seemed fully comfortable with each other and really felt like a true couple. Great skinship, multiple moments of romantic or sexual tension, a couple of suggestive lines and even a scene where they exit the shower together in towels, and a couple of good make-out scenes.

The ML was great! (Lan Lan was fabulous, as usual. I didn’t always like her character's choices, but I always liked her.) First time I've seen the ML and definitely curious to see more. His confession scene closer to the end was beautifully layered. The long-standing pain of unrequited love (as he was recounting the past) was palpable alongside his open devotion. Moments of self-deprication and old helplessness blended with relief and hope. All very natural and touching. My only wish was that the screenplay had given the FL more to say in reply, but the way the actor's embraced held a world of words anyway.

ML is Hu Jiacheng 胡嘉程, not yet on MDL as of 9/12/25.

There are long-standing, and repeating, misunderstandings/misconceptions between the leads, but they do all get sorted out 20min before the end so there's a good chunk of time with the leads just being happy together.

There are some of the typical antagonist scenes (like a green tea that won't give up) but at least they felt like secondary plot. Things regarding the ML's family were rushed near the end and didn't feel fully finished, but the ending for the leads themselves was solid.

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(I rate vertical dramas on their own sliding scale. General spoilers only.) Okay for one watch if looking for a sweet, gentle romance. Way too much time with the excessively annoying and delusional SML. Who wouldn't give up until 9 minutes before the end!!! Ugh. You could fast-forward his scenes without missing much (he's the same as many other vertical shows; completely predictable). The actor wasn't terrible, but he didn't have the acting skills to squeeze any feelings of pity from me.

The leads are very sweet to each other. The FL grows comfortable and then falls in love with the ML at a good pace. The ML is kind, thoughtful, trustful, and encouraging. The FL is thoughtful of him and his feelings as well.

There are couple of good kisses and hugs, though not a lot, even after they profess love to each other. There was something new for their first time sleeping together: the leads held a condom between their lips (together- one on each end) to rip it open. First time I've seen that.

Both leads fit their roles well. But neither had many layers. The ML actor does not have micro facial expressions (I've noticed this in his other dramas too) so he always comes across a little flat.

The subtitles weren't great so I did not understand what business maneuverings made the ML so worried about the FL changing her opinion of him once it was found out. Even so, the couple of tense emotional moments they had because of that in the last 1/4th felt contrived, especially since they were both deeply in love, had professed and showed each other that, and had zero other issues. But it wasn't drawn out or blown out of proportion so it didn't annoy me.

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Good twist on rebirth plot.

Vertically filmed micro drama (I rate these on their own sliding scale). General spoilers only below.
Okay for one watch, especially if a fan of one of the actors. The most interesting thing to me was the plot; it was different and intruiging to have both step-sisters reborn and retaining their memories! The leads are cute together and have some sweet moments, but the chemistry is a little flat and there's barely any physical closeness. The ML did a better job showing affection and some desire with his eyes. The FL felt like she was smiling at a good friend, but didn't quite reach an in-love feeling before the show ended. The show is only 65 minutes long though, so the screenplay did a fairly good job balancing all the plot elements given the time constraints. Ending is a little rushed, but it's complete and happy for the leads.

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Fun bickering dynamic but romantic progression was lacking.

A vertically filmed micro drama (I rate these on their own sliding scale). General Spoilers below.
Okay if a fan of the lead actors because the dynamic between their characters is uncommon and interesting. They kept me watching through annoying characters, tropes, and ridiculous plots.

The lead's disgruntled, impassioned bicking was mostly fun and it was endearing to see them transition slowly into seeing each other in a new light and caring about each other.

However, the romance ended up not being that satisfying because:
1) The last 1/4 focused on ridiculously crazy plot shenanigans instead of the growing feelings between the leads.
2) The interest felt lop-sided. Fairly early on the ML starts showing interest in the FL, softening towards, then being attracted to her, and wanting her to like him too. The FL's progression takes a lot longer to start, and it doesn't go as far. By the end, I only believe she's starting to be fond of him but not that she loves him. She shows no desire or physical attraction to him either other than stating that he's handsome. She doesn't even look tempted when the ML tries to kiss her.
3) There are no fully consentual or sweet kisses shown (like it's okay to show a kiss being forced on a woman but not okay to show her wanting a sweet kiss for herself). There are some sweet moments, but very little intimacy overall.
4) The ending is super rushed. Both grandpa's reveal the truth separately, there's plot craziness, and then the short ending scene.
5) The important last tender moment between the leads is ruined by the background sound. It sounds like someone over a loudspeaker giving a Christmas day speech. It's distracting and makes it difficult to hear the ML clearly as he professes his love.

It's a missed opportunity that the script doesn't have either character grapple with the confusion and possible internalized guilt for starting to love someone other than their childhood love. As a result, things (emotions and character logic) feel shallow. Also, the kids seemed about 6 years old when they met in the mountains, only had a short time together, promised to marry each other, haven't seen each other since, and yet are adament about staying chaste until the other can be found. It's not a believable set up at all.

The FL is overly competent except when the plot needs her to be a "regular girl". Example: she's a medical genius and a martial arts master, yet she can't shake of the ML when he makes a couple advances on her that she doesn't want (he doesn't push too far though).

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A decent watch for fans of the actors.

A vertically filmed micro drama (I rate these on their own sliding scale). General spoilers below.
This was an okay one-time watch because of the lead actors. It felt a little long and suspension of disbelief is required. The leads do have some fun interactions and there's a good stretch of sweetness before the happy ending, which was nice. An easy watch with nothing that memorable. A couple lip presses, a few sexual tension moments, and some sweetness. Despite misunderstandings, the ML does support, protect, and pursue the FL.

Story includes: mistaken identities, misunderstandings (that go both ways between the leads), amnesia, druggings, attempted rape, kidnapping, 3rd wheel wannabes, and both horrible and loving family members.

Expansion of general synopsis:
The ML is a CEO and has insomnia and psychological erectile dysfunction. The FL is a nutritionist and her family blackmails her with her mother's health to do what they want (the mom is in a coma and under long-term care). Two years ago, the families arranged a marriage but the FL's step-sister had heard negative rumors about the ML and (with her mother and father) made the FL sign the marriage papers instead. The leads did not see each other when submitting the paperwork. In present time, the leads are set up to meet in a hotel room with the ML drugged and they sleep together. The FL recognizes the ML as someone from her past, but the ML doesn't remember her. Afterwards, the ML mistakes the FL as a sex worker and then humorously misinterprets her interactions with nutrition clients and her efforts to land more contracts. Since he can both perform and sleep soundly with her, he ends up offering to hire her himself if she's so desperate for money. Eventually it comes to light that the FL is a nutritionist, and later that she needs money to ensure her mother's care. The ML continues to try to get a divorce from his wife, not realizing she's actually the woman living with him that he feels drawn to.

Side note: this has most of the same plot as another vertical drama with different actors, but I can't currently remember or find which one. In that one, the FL is an architect and the leads do not have a past history.

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The leads are very good and kept me watching and rooting for them even though the plot got a bit repetative and drawn out. The couple of kiss scenes were electric with passionate, realistic embraces and kisses (with small to big movements).

A vertically filmed micro drama (I rate these on their own sliding scale).

General Spoilers below:

A high level of suspension of disbelief is needed for this story but it didn't really annoy me. There's multiple mistaken or missed identities. There is also a deranged 3rd wheel wanna-be who pretends to be the person the drugged ML slept with 3 years ago to pressure him into "being responsible for her" through marriage.

The ML's mother prompted the marriage between the ML and FL after she saved the FL one night. The ML doesn't really want a divorce but feels obligated to the SFL who he thinks lost her virginity to him and thinks was poisoned and sick for the past 3 years because of that night (she's faking it to manipulate his sympathy and guilt).

Unlike some dramas with a similar set up, the ML remains mostly likeable because he obviously cares about the FL but is conflicted and torn between what he wants (her) and what he has promised the SFL. He's frustrated and jealous that the FL has other men around her and just can't stop caring about her. The divorce gets signed but is never officially turned in.

The FL is smart, talented, and has a backbone. She pretends to love the ML to stay with him and cure him (hiding her medical genius identity for that never really makes sense, you just have to roll with it). After they part, she starts wishing the ML would put her first over the SFL, but is not a pushover and rebukes/rebuffs the ML when he can't commit to her fully. It seems both leads grew more feelings for each other than they realized while married.

Both the ML and FL have a couple of likeable friends.

There's some great karma for the coniving SFL (who twice drugs the ML in an attempt to sleep with him, luckily she's thwarted both times).

Happy ending with a brief kiss.

ML (not on MDL at the time I wrote this) is 張輻韜 Zhāng Yùn Tāo or Eric Zhang.

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Sweet and Fun

A vertically filmed micro drama (I rate these on their own sliding scale). This is a fun, sweet, lighthearted watch with a couple laugh-out-loud moments. Definitely good for one watch in this category, though I doubt I'll rewatch. Story is slightly different than many.

The scum and his fiance are also on the dating show, which leads to some fun drama, especially as the leads work together against them. There is also a third couple on the show who become friends with the leads (they are very likeable and have some great reactions). The ML's friend is the director of the show and helps the ML set up scenarios to further his wooing of the FL.

The leads are very sweet and cute together and have a healthy relationship. It is a gentle love story, not a steamy one. Kisses are mostly head-blocked and they never become fully comfortable with each other's bodies (space when hugging even after the characters are together for a while). Still, the acting is quite good by both and it is believable that the characters love each other and are very happy to be together.

No totally crazy shenanigans, low violence, and there is a nice extended happy ending.

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Sweet and easy, not a lot of shenanigans.

A vertically filmed mini drama (I rate these on their own sliding scale). Good for one watch. It's a sweet story that focuses on the interactions between the leads. There was nothing really annoying or crazy with the plot or characters, and there were a couple things I liked that were unexpected in this genre. Some suspension of disbelief is needed, but I found it easy to roll with. The ML is a bit domineering, but is overall very caring and supportive. His stiff indifference melts in a believable manner. The FL is a young and timid "rabbit", but she has her own goals and does grow in character strength by the end.

General Spoilers below.

There is good chemistry between the leads and a few lip presses, also multiple pins to the bed. The ML's desire is evident and he is a little insistent multiple times, but never pushes her too far.

Unexpected things I liked:
- The FL has grown up in an abusive family and is very timid and insecure, but over time the ML and his mother help her heal her emotional wounds and at the end she is strong enough to stand up for herself and has growing confidence in her own abilities.
- The FL actually talks to the ML about her problems early on (instead of hiding it, trying to take care of it alone, and getting herself in trouble).
- There is a 3rd wheel wanna-be, but she doesn't get much screen time and doesn't do anything super crazy.

Things that didn't quite work for me:
- I didn't like how violence was the answer to some things, but there were really only two scenes of it.
- It was odd that the ML never officially proposed even though he fairly early placed the FL in the position of being his wife. I didn't understand why they didn't have a marriage ceremony before the FL gave birth either. It's possible something was missing in the translation.

Other notes: Only one scene of drug-induced intimacy at the beginning that sets up the story. No attempted rape or kidnappings of the FL. There is some school (university) bullying near the beginning. The ending is cute.

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Romance Is Believably Grown And Sweet.

General spoilers. (I rate vertically filmed dramas on their own sliding scale.) Good for one watch and the screenplay is better written than many vertical dramas, I just don't see myself re-watching it. The whole cast is good and there is melodrama but it's approached in a more grounded way than most. There's no excessive yelling, no violence or abuse, only one character that becomes mentally unhinged by the end but isn't a constant part of the plot, there are 3rd wheels but they eventually become respectful and wish the lead couple happiness, and the fiance and father of the mean-spirited girl are actually able to see her for who she is and distance themselves from her.

There are a lot of clichéd plotlines in the script, but none of them are dragged out and the focus remains on the romance of the two leads and how they get through things together. There is good chemistry between the leads, though I didn't find it electric, and a lot if sweetness. The way the two characters fall in love with each other as they spend time together is believable. There are multiple lip-press kisses with feelings (some shown, others head-blocked). The relationship is healthy and supportive, with the leads acting like adults, and once they get past a few initial jealous insecurities, they are trusting of each other.

Possible emotional trigger warnings: there were multiple chunks of time that the screenplay focused on mother's with incurable illnesses, head tumors, and grief.

SPOILER ON THE ENDING:

... ... ...
It is a happy ending with a short wedding.
... ... ...

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Constant Insults Equals Love, Apparently.

General spoilers only. Not sweet to me. The ML calls the FL an idiot, stupid, useless, hopeless, incompetent, a hag, etc throughout the ENTIRE show. He insults, demeans, and belittles. He shouts at her and berates her when she asks for help. He has a very small character arc at the end that was not enough to redeem him in my eyes.

The SML, however, was sweet, sincere in his interest, earnest in his love, encouraging, supportive, and accepting. The FL even says he made the world seem like it could be a nicer place!

It was so frustrating that the FL instead fell for the emotional abuse with crumbs of care (and cooked meals) that the ML dished out. It seems love is through the stomach after all (sarcasm). A lot of the FL's insecurities even stemmed from how the ML treated her at their previous job when she was a subordinate that he was nasty to. His excuse for treating her like sh*t is that he was unhappy forcing himself to work at a job he didn't like but was good at. Poor him (sarcasm). I don’t think that justifies the extent to which he behaved badly.

At least the FL grows a bit of a backbone and starts bickering back to the ML. I didn't feel romantic chemistry from that however.

I kept waiting for a turning point in the ML's behavior and an increase in romance, but the change was miniscule. The few kisses were dead-fish-kisses and one of them was 100% non-consentual (FL kissed ML while he was sleeping, which I find creepy).

This felt unsatisfying and a waste of time; I wish I had dropped it partway through instead of hoping for improvements in character growth that never came. The actors did a good job with what they were given, I just really disliked how the screenplay was written.

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Gentle and Genuine Strangers to Friends to Loves. Comfort Show.

So sweet, thoughtful, and heart-warming in such a gentle and earnest way that it's 100% smile-inducing without being saccharine-sweet or cringworthy. There are multiple thoughtful messages explored with the story and a couple poetically worded lines.

Very slice-of-life with low angst that does get resolved. Yutaka and Minoru (with Tane) positively effect each other and Yutaka and Minoru show growth in other parts of their lives because of it. They are very caring and supportive of each other.

There is a lot of care and love in this friendship that grows into more. It's gently and realistically romantic. This is *not* a spicy BL, and it wouldn't fit the story well. The desire of the leads to be in each other's presence and the appreciation they have for having the other in their lives is the focus, and it is palpable. And it is not just platonic; fairly early in the story Minoru is aware of his growing feelings for Yutaka and that he yearns for more than friendship. The actor, Hiroki, is so expressive with his face and eyes that his emotions are easy to comprehend.

There is not a lot of skinship, but when it happens it is meaningful. Later in the story, the hesitancy and awkwardness in direct touches is completely in character, especially for two inexperienced 23 year olds. The desire to connect despite their nervousness is there, and it's romantic in a soft and heart-warming way.

Every actor was perfect. I loved the family dynamics and Minoru's Dad is the best! He gently and deftly encourages Minoru to follow his heart but let's him handle things on his own. He genuinely just wants his son to be happy. The younger brother was written his age and the actor was very natural. Every character was totally lovable yet very distinct.

While there is a lot of eating, it's more about the company one eats with than the food itself. Food appreciation was done much more naturally in this than in other food-focused JBLs; people actually take a moment to taste the food before saying it's good, and while there is enthusiasm, it's not over-the-top.

The gentle pacing, to me, was perfect and every episode felt satisfying while holding my anticipation for the next one.

This has become one of my go-to comfort shows, and it would be a good one to see with other people too.

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General Spoilers below. Bittersweet and open-ended but well done 11min short.
Very good acting and great nuances in the different tensions ebbing and flowing between the two leads. It was very believable that they had a history (though it's not explained in detail) and had complicated feelings.

I really want to go further into the story of these two. The ending is maybe, possibly, slightly hopeful- despite many years passing, they both seem to still be a bit stuck on each other. Just as the dish they made didn't "taste quite right" without the lemon, they are still missing each other in their lives.

I probably won't re-watch (unless they happened to film more of this story, then I would definitely keep watching).

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