The drama had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the story became quite repetitive. This was a comical look at what it might be like living with a mettlesome mother-in-law. Miyako, the daughter-in-law, is just too tolerant of the constant criticims, in my opinion. There is one episode that is worth watching: The Funeral (Episode 3, I believe(. It is hilarious, almost a Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation level of comedy. Just picture a new daughter-in-law assisting with the new grandmom's funeral when she knows no one, but has to make all the funeral arrangements. That episode is a 10.

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This is the older version of Flowers for Algernon. Yusuke got rave reviews for his acting in this one and you will understand why. The drama is a serious one and has many stories within stories including a bittersweet love story, child abandonment, and living with a mental disability. This was not something I wished to watch, however, after one episode I was hooked. The characters are so lovable, well, some of them. You are instantly drawn into the story when you see there is a reversal of fortune: mentally disabled Haru is getting an operation to make him intelligent. The consequences lead to many new circumstances and insights for Haru. While life is full of pathos for those touched by Haru, it makes for a unique and uplifting story.

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While Winter Sonata was one of my favorites and the reason I fell in love with Asian drama, I found no similarities with this one. The story revolves around a psychotic husband, an overly understanding suitor, and a terminally ill mother. The connection between these three people was not believable and did not feel romantic in the least. Why would a cheating husband suddenly become obsessed with keeping his wife? Why would an eligible, handsome man become so attached to a dying married woman? And why would a dying, supposedly attentive mother, not wish to spend her last days with her daughter and leave her with that insane husband? The story was too contrived and irrational to be enjoyable. Of course, this is not a rewatch. The only thing which gets a reasonable score is the music!

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The main reason for watching this is Sorimachi (GTO, Good Life Thank You Papa Goodbye). Although his acting skills are rather rudimentary here, he continues to develop into one of Japan's premier actors. If you watch the others I've listed above, you will come to appreciate his abilities and handsome appeal.
Apart from that, there aren't a lot of redeeming qualities about the drama. It is too outdated to appeal to the modern audience. Although the story is somewhat unique, it is too unrealistic to believe 3 men would be simultaneously in love with a pregnant woman. In addition, he music is annoyingly repetitive.
I love old romance dramas, but not this one.

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I always watch K drama but then saw and fell in love with Autumn's Concerto. I thought this would be similar, so I really stuck it out. All the episodes seemed like endless conversations about why friends shouldn't become lovers. It was extremely boring. I honestly didn't see a lot of chemistry between Cheng You Qing and Li Da Rem to make me care whether they got together or not. She seemed somewhat arrogant and not so likeable. I did like the ending, but it didn't come soon enough for me. There are so many better dramas to watch.
Ariel Lin won my heart in It Started with a Kiss. It's one of my favorites. This is not.

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