chillingindoors

A simple, loveable and heartwarming drama consisting of likeable, pleasant & real characters in the neighborhood that spread love and teach you to respect and accept one another. I loved them all, and would have loved for this drama to go on & on.
Seriously why do people not watch these kind of dramas?

I'm sorry if I came across as defending them or trying to explain the plot. Definitely did not intend to do that. I had a different view when it came to the characters and wanted to point out that.

I see. I definitely saw it differently because I didn't have the context of the way the military's existence is currently problematic. I just saw it as his character is rigid and patriarchal. Thank you for pointing that out.

I am also going to be 30 soon and while I don't live in Japan, I do face the constant criticisms & pressure to be married. Definitely agree that our perspectives and experiences shape the way we see things. I didn't really have a problem with her wanting to be married regardless. But I completely agree that she should have had a conversation with her ex regarding marriage if that was a priority, rather than heading into it and expecting that he would want the same.

Disagree on the Crash Landing on You references but I'll leave it as that.

I love Sakamato Yuji too! Can't wait for the first episode of his currently airing drama to be subbed!

True.. but even the other dramas on other channels did not get this kind of streaming views right? Or are other dramas not streamed online?

This makes me both sad & happy to be honest. Happy for Satomi and Go! But sad because there are way more brilliant J dramas that are deserving of such viewership..

Hmm.. I must disagree on the characters though you're free to hold your opinion :)

I don't think her desire to be married and have a family stemmed merely from her age. If you watched the whole episode, it came about from her self-esteem issues and lack of familial affection at home & school. I don't think she was 'nice' at work either, given the way she clearly told the subordinate to do her work properly. Upon being confronted, she failed to fight back because the subordinate taunted her for her prettiness which has been a traumatic comment for her to hear since she was young. Also, there is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to marry by the age of 33. Her decision. And it's not like she was pressured by anyone. She made the decision herself because she was moved by his romantic declaration.

Re: Eita. I didn't see him struggling either. Maybe I am biased because he is one of my fav actors who has given phenomenal performances. He was believable for me as an awkward, uptight patriarchal man who has not learnt otherwise. Nowhere near Jun Hyuk's character who was well-spoken, well brought up & educated in a somewhat normal family. Very different characterisations.

I liked Monte Cristo as well. I personally prefer this drama though they are both different. This is much more of a psychological drama that explores how his tragic past shaped his greed, which resulted in his downfall at the end. I also love the way this focused on the after-effects of the revenge, and how it didn't bring him the enjoyment he had hoped for. It is dark and chilling, unlike Monte Cristo that focused more on the revenge and the execution of his plan.
To each his own..

Yes, you have to sign up. I've been using it for a long time and I can assure you it does not have dodgy pop up ads. It's a very safe site. I have had no issues using it. Do note that the raw videos and subtitles have to be downloaded. It's not a streaming site like YouTube.

I know right. I've long back stopped looking at ratings on this site.

The movie is a prequel to the drama (if I am not wrong) but the subs haven't been released yet. Nonetheless, you won't miss anything if you watch the drama first.

Oh yeah URGH it doesn't look it will go away anytime soon :(

YEAP my heart definitely fluttered :)

What I liked
- The main characters, specifically Iruma and Chizuru. Their banter and chemistry is FIRE. Despite being of very different schools of thought, they clearly make a great team (CHEERED WHEN SHE CITED LEGAL JARGON TO THE JUDGE WHO SLAMMED IRUMA'S RULING hehe)
- The humour
- The way they use Iruma's nephew's question to frame an issue, and use the legal case to explore that question and find an answer. (That's clever writing. It brings a lot of perspective)
- the hints we get into Iruma's backstory (I'm curious because that has clearly shaped the way he looks at a case)

What I disliked (these concern mainly the case from my legal viewpoint)
- The fact that Iruma had to evoke his authority for basic facts to surface. The doctor's connection to the case should have been brought to light earlier. Same with the teacher's relationship with the Defendant, especially when the child was left in her care for hours each day. How could the Prosecution & Defence go to trial without knowing these basic facts?!
- The fact that they waited so long to subpoena the Doctor. That is the first thing judges do when they want to call upon a witness or 3rd party to the stand. They probably did it for dramatic effect (the whole last min warrant and running, but it fell flat for me and I was left feeling annoyed even though the running was hilarious)

What I find a mixed bag
I wish there was better courtroom decorum. But then again, Iruma is presented to be in trouble for that so I hope we'll get to see some action taken (rather than being told each episode that he'll face the displine committee).. some of the little things he does in the courtroom really bothers me. I have the same expressions Chizuru has. LIKE HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?! It definitely bothered me more this episode than it did in the first episode.

2 episodes in, I have a better idea of the direction this show seems to be taking. It appears to contrast the idealism Iruma holds as to what a judge should be like, versus the reality of how the legal system is often caught up by its decorum, irregularities and politics such that the very pursuit of justice has been re-defined. So far they're balancing these two aspects well & I think that's what makes this enjoyable for me. It is a pertinent question. I wonder, though, if they'll be able to do justice to this concept. I'm looking forward to the conclusions this show will draw.

On to the episode and what I liked / disliked below (in spoiler)

HAHAHAHAA the way they used the warrant as a baton that they kept passing to each other while running in E2. I freaking loved it LOL! That was so creative & fun (though unrealistic given that it is a court clerk's job)

I think last year wasn't too bad. BTW the J dramas this season are fantastic as well! So many of my fav actors are on screen. Do check them out :)

It was Satako who was abused, not Yuri. That's why the 15 years. Because she planned it and had a clear intention to kill. The law does not pardon someone with a malicious intention to kill. Had Satako been the one to kill her husband, it would count as self-defence and she would have gotten a reduced sentence.
Unfortunately, that's the price Yuri had to pay for her friendship.

Anyone that enjoyed this and is looking for something similar, I recommend watching this drama called Byakuyako.

Finally caught up with the whole series. This was FANTASTIC. There couldn't have been a better title than 'Influence' for this drama. Unlike sappy and positive stories of friendship, this was a twisted tale of friendship (and even love).
Well-rounded storytelling filled with complex and layered characters that kept my interest throughout. It was a great psychological mystery / suspense. Highly recommended for anyone who is into this genre. It will teach you a thing or two about the way our actions and decisions are often 'influenced' by the variables in our life (in this case it was friendship / love & society partly).

NOTE: To enjoy this, don't judge them from your moral compass or your understanding of what friendship is, & what is right / wrong.

My favourites from this year so far-

Nijiro Karute
Tengoku to Jigoku: 2 Psychos
Ore No Ie No Hanashi
Uchi No Musume Wa Kareshi Ga Dekinai
Shitteru Waifu
Run On

DAMNNNNN I didn't know so many of them had siblings in the industry. Thank you for sharing :)