As much as I wanted to like it, not my cup of tea!!!!!
I can see how this show would have been loved by a lot of people...don't get me wrong..it's not that I didn't like the show..let me tell you why it didn't work for me as much as I wanted it to...let me get something out of the way...I love psychological dramas...I have watched a lot of them in both Western and Asian media...and I love flawed characters. I prefer characters who are not instantly lovable from the first scene itself...and that is the reason I had no problems with Kiyoi's characterization...though a lot of people disliked his actions and the way he treated Hira but for me I could understand the reason behind each of those actions...for me the real problem is Hira's character..his vulnerability and introvert nature were all endearing until he started coming off as an obsessed lover..there's a difference between an unrequited love and this kind of one sided obsession ( which according to Hira it was one sided) ...he complaints a lot about people treating him this way that way...but the one character who actually treats him respectfully and adores him is completely disregarded by him..by disregarded I didn't mean Hira not saying yes to his proposal..but the moment he meets Kiyoi again, he goes back to his stalker mode completely oblivious to this one person who has been by his side till now....as much as I love characters who don't give up their pursuit in a love story, I cannot stand a character who has no sense of self respect...and a relationship born out of such obsession is not very appealing to me ..maybe the story didn't have enough time to flesh out his character properly or maybe the writing of the character itself was weak but somehow I didn't enjoy Hira and that for me was the biggest flaw of the show....since we are on the topic, let me give you an example of a well written vulnerable, introvert and insecure character ( which apparently Hira's character is supposed to be ) - i.e. Adachi from cherry magic..not only does he make you sympathize with him but also makes you root for him to find happiness.... not to take away from the strengths of the show which were a lot, I wish I would have liked Hira's character better which would have made this couple much more likeable for me ...Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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美しい彼〜嘘!
this drama has some good aspects but I do not change my earlier critique。 a lot of the acting in the first half school episodes ーI assume reflecting the script ーwas superficial and unpleasant in the cliched way so many Japanese school dramas focus on bullying。as for the relationship of Kiyoi and Hira、 for five and half episodes out of 6 I see a disturbing narcissistー codependent relationship fuelled by Hira's obsessive love attraction which - as Proust shows so well - really derives its strength from projection of a fantasy image on the loved object。 then we are asked to believe in the last half of the final episode that this was all a misunderstanding and the flame of love was buried but now lights up after years 〜but！ Kiyoi is still putting down Hira and this is somehow the basis of a lasting relationship when anyone with self-respect would walk away ：if it does lead to some kind of relationship then it is a twisted one。 the ending has some appeal and it is nice if you can view it as somehow a happy ending、 but being honest this is simply not reconcilable with what is depicted in the previous five and half episodes。 I do not criticise the main leads who made the best of a ridiculous script。Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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I don't think this is a romance
At first I thought this had potential. At the beggining it made me interested about Hira being a person who struggles with stammering and gets bullied for it everyday. He meets this super cool and handsome guy who doesn't give a fuck about anyone, Kiyoi. Kiyoi treats him badly, but you can see deep down he cares, so you keep liking him. Later you'll find out he liked Hira all along and they end up together. The HUGE problem with this series is the fact that Hira sees Kiyoi as a god and a master, while Kiyoi only loves being loved. Kiyoi has made very clear that he only liked Hira because he looked at him the way idol fans looked at their bias. He never had any love as a child so he wanted to be a superstar so he could have people obsessed with him, then he found Hira. Also I think it's unacceptable how he would beat or kick Hira so many times because he had zero patience with him trying to say words. Not to mention that Hira was also very problematic, he would do everything people asked him and it was very annoying, he thought of Kiyoi as a superior, a god, someone he could never really reach or disobey, which is a very fucked up thing to think towards someone close to you. At least at the end they have this talk in which Kiyoi makes it clear that he is just a human and wants to be with Hira, who finally accepts it and that he is loved.To be short: I still think Kiyoi never really loved Hira, he just loved how much love and attention he received. People who love eachother won't treat themselves with violence and will try to understand they're partners special needs.
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Beautiful
I just loved every second of it.Let me say first that it's not a typicall love story so if you like that, leave. For all of you who stayed, bear this review with me.
To begin with, there is really this beauty overall the serie, whether it be with the scenes, the lights, all the setting is wonderful or Kiyoi, that is literally to etherally beautiful. A lot of times I just thought "whoah, how can someone be so beautiful" and that is because all the camera work is really intimate and concentrate on the emotions of the characters, the close-up plans feel like we see through Hida's eyes. And to Hida, Kiyoi is magnificently pretty.
All of it creates this peculiar atmosphere, as complex as the relation of the carachters. It contributes to creates this ambiance, I honestly wouldn't know how to explain it, every week I waited craving for every other minute with them, I liked the pace of the show, not too fast, but effective in its saying, everything was calculated for it to create a bubble between them, we have all their story but it still seems so intimate. Indeed, there is not much characters besides them, it's about them, centered on them, about this peculiar yet beautiful relation.
One of the main themes surely is desire, Hida is not that confident and one day, Kiyoi appears and light up his world, becoming the center of it. Hida venerates him and it feels like he loves and desires him from all his heart but doesn't give to hiself this right. That is really an interesting dynamic to follow. After all, it's almost like if the character wanted to cross a wall he only had put himself. Kiyoi also is a character I really loved, unlike Hida that is very honest and can have no shame, Kiyoi is complex, we don't know what he's thinking for the main part and I really loved to discover the facets of his character. There has been no time I got bored, because the characters are so different and seing them interact neerly is magical.
The actors are also flawless in this show to me. I saw Kiyoi and Hida, not people acting, I believed in what they interpreted and all emotions, expressions, reactions felt genuine. I won't spoil but in one of the last scenes, Yagi Yusei (Kiyoi) really amazed me, and it was such a powerful moment(If you saw the series, hope you know what I'm talking about). And Hagiwara Riku (Hida) wasn't feeling awkward playing a shy, self-conscious character, it didn't feel like someone imitating a discret and timid person but something natural. And I say it again, sory for repeating myself, but the passion and desire that is conveyed through his eyes is perfect.
To sum up: I loved the atmosphere, the cinematography and the peculiar love story between two really intersting characters, following this series was really a pleasure and I don't doubt I'll go rewatch it someday. My days will feel empty without waiting for new episodes haha.
Anyway, go watch it.
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new healing method dropped???
Damn, I had no idea you could heal someone's finger by sucking on them :0 .....Would recommend! ... the show.. not the finger sucking... D:No, but seriously, this show has some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. It made me wish I was an artist so I could capture how beautiful everything is! I couldn't help but stare at everything. It really stole my heart. I loved all the bicycle scenes, scenes in Hira's house - and as painful as it was I thought the scene between Hira and Koyama, talking out their feelings was.... 10/10 chef's kiss.
As for the story and the characters; I guess I got exactly what I was expecting. If you watch japanese content you can guess what's waiting for you in this series. Although in the last episode, I got the impression that there's more to this show than I thought. Seeing things from Kiyoi's perspective really changed things for me. It showed that eventhough the two boys are in love with each other, they see reality, themselves and each other very differently. It was very refreshing thing to see the way Hira's idealized reality and Kiyoi's colder, more rational reality crashed with each other in episode 6 until they both finally saw each other what they really were. Unfortunetly, that is where the show ends and I don't feel like they got together in the healtiest way possible but I'd like to think that they will both improve and will have an amazing and long lasting realtionship with each other. There's always room for improvement imo!!
For now, that's all!<3
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I have always been a fan of the Japanese BL series. However this year has been a disappointing year when it comes to Japanese BLs. That being said, My Beautiful Man is probably one of the best BLs released this year.Story: It is a typical nerd meets a popular guy setup but as the story progresses, we come to realise that the story has much more depth to it. The first episode doesn’t do a lot to captivate the audience however, after you get to the second episode, things start to get interesting. The first four episodes are narrated from the pov of Hira and it shows the internal delima he had to go through for loving Kiyoi secretly for so many years. The last two episodes are from the pov of Kiyoi and it reveals how Kiyoi also had feelings for Hira all those years. Though the setup was very simple, the story really managed to captivate me. 9/10 for story.
Acting/Cast: Yusei Yagi as So Kiyoi and Riku Hagiwara as Kazunari Hira were splendid in their roles. They really sold their characters and anyone who manages to make me tear up even a little has my utmost respect. This series didn’t have other major characters and because of this they were really able to focus on the leads more. 9/10 for acting and cast.
Music: The songs "Follow" by ROCE and "Caramel" by Mosawo are both catchy tunes however I would have liked it more if they also had a song that was more melancholic in nature as the entire series gives that vibe of sadness. However the songs that were featured were both great. 7/10
Rewatch Value: I would definitely watch this series again in the future. I feel like I’ll remember this for years to come and would occasionally watch it just for that nostalgic feeling we all crave for. 9/10
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POV
Overview :Flawed and a little complex characters. The show is close to source material. It's a little less fluffy than usual dramas maybe a dark comedy(guns). Highly rewachable.Positives:
1.The acting can be surprising.
2.Change in pov of leads played out very well
3.Time skips made it interesting
4. Cinematography
5. Isnt 1D like most BLs
Could be improved:
1.The characters could be fleshed out more(stalking,shoving).
2. Ending is satisfactory but you would crave for more.
3. It's short some more eps could have cleared each characters' intentions
4.Ep 6 a little rushed but justifiable
Its overall a better show than all the J-BLs that were released recently. Better than kieta and cherry magic if ur into less fluff.
Season 2 would highly depend on sales and popularity . Hope it gets the audience it deserves. Will edit this if it does get S2
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breath of fresh air
Absolutely loved the story! I am a huge fan of such characters where both of them are head over heels for each other <3 Both the boys were a delight to watch especially Kiyoi-he is really handsome The story takes time to develop but if you love the Japanese way of production then you will enjoy each episode. I didn't skip a single second which in itself says a lot about how good this series was!If you were once a shy person who fell head over heels for someone and just couldn't confess then my friend this one is for you
Be ready to jog some memories with this beautiful story
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The Most Beautiful
First of all I have to admit I went into watching this show with mixed feelings. I absolutely cannot stand relationships with unbalanced power dynamics and consent issues between characters I'm supposed to be rooting for will send me running for the hills faster than you can say "But it's just fiction"; so you can see why I'd be hesitant to watch this show.If that's what worries you about this show, if those are the reasons you are hesitating to watch it, you have nothing to worry about.
This is not a show about a master/slave relationship, this is not a show glorifying abuse, this is not a show that treats issues of consent and power dynamics lightly. This is a show about two lonely people who find themselves unexpectedly gravitating towards each other, who clash and bring out the worst in each other at first and slowly learn to fit together, to help each other grow, and to reach for what they want rather than keeping their dreams and desires at arm's length.
The pacing is incredibly well done, especially considering the short runtime of the series, and fully allows the characters to grow and evolve and gives the audience enough time to let each scene really sink in and linger.
Both leads, strange and wonderful people that they are, are given clear motivations for their actions, the choices they make, although they may not always be the best, are inarguably fitting for the characters, and their chemistry is undeniable.
From the beginning both of them recognise something of themselves in the other, they are kindred spirits of a sort, and their complete inability to express or make sense of this connection is what leads to the perpetual push and pull dynamic between them. Nothing they do comes (at least in my opinion) from a place of malice or a wish to do each other harm, they are both just desperate people who are so trapped in their own preconceptions of the world and each other that it takes several years and many incendiary clashes before they manage to claw their way through those constraints and towards each other.
This whole story is underscored by an absolutely masterful combination of visuals and sound that bring the characters to life in a way that I can only describe as genuinely breathtaking and the entire show culminates in an explosive climax that ties everything together so perfectly it left me in awe.
As intense as all this sounds, there is also a fierce charm to this show, a warm sincerity and even humour that serves to humanise the characters and to ground them in a way that makes even to most dramatic scenes and actions feel believable and real. Here's to you, little rubber duck.
In short: It's a slow journey full of twists and turns that is utterly captivating to watch. If you give it a chance to tell its story, you will find something entirely unique and compelling in this show, an irresistible draw that grabs you by the collar and pulls you in whether you like it or not and takes you for a wild and beautiful ride.
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Unbearable bully-whos-actually-in-love trope.
I saw so many people talking about how this was now the best Japanese BL, but turns out it was the toxic relationship romanticisers at it again.The first episodes are unbearable to push through, with the main character being walked over and ordered around by the guy he likes and his "friend" group.
Being called disgusting and pushed to the ground after confessing, but still running after him like a lost puppy. Obviously not his fault, and I felt terrible for him. The problem here is the "I bully you because I can't express my feelings, but I actually love you" trope. Bullying isn't romantic.
Obviously not all relationships are healthy, but this? This crosses many lines. And the amount of people defending it is insane. It's not ok because "it's just a show" and "they're not real people". If it's wrong in real life, it's wrong in media as well.
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Meh-ish
This show is an honest portrayal of a not-so-healthy relationship. The series has to be watched in its entirety to be fully understood. In my opinion, the show gets interesting after the perspective changes in episode five.Both Hira and Kiyoi have their own insecurities and issues. The show, because of its duration does not resolve these issues. They are just highlighted and left at that. Do the characters evolve, develop and grow to become better people? No. For me, therein lies the issue.
The mark of a good story is not that two people end up together. But that they grow as individuals in the pursuit of their love, learn about themselves as they evolve in the course of the story, and remain individualistic while eventually falling in love. Sadly this drama has none of that.
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This is addictive
Was is problematic? Yes. Was the communication a complete mess? Yes. Was it a roller-coaster of emotions? YES. But I loved every second of it. This was sooo entertaining. It reminds me of every good Japanese yaoi (but less toxic, I think) from the early 2000s but there is something special about it. Maybe it´s the combo of the stalker nerd and the tsundere, who ends up having to pursue the former, even though it's hard for him. The popular kid x the awkward outcast but with an twist. The characters are both more complicated than I first thought and are very interesting.Also, their chemistry is amazing and the actors poured their whole heart into it.
The way Hira acts will definitely make you feel so frustrated though, but the show is self-aware in that regard, we are suffering together with Kiyoi lol.
They are both not exactly healthy but it's funny how perfect they are for each other. Even though it bugged me that Kiyoi was so aggressive and the time skip.
OH THE TIME SKIP. I hate time-skips. Still, at least the time skip here was reasonable and it made sense to have one. (I still have trauma from that one Taiwanese BL, I won't spoiler but if you know you know)
All in all, it´s the best short BL series I´ve watched so far, will definitely re-watch (again...) it some time. And it´s actually way deeper than it first seemed, because it´s about how people are idolizing their crushes, while their crushes are just normal people too and want to be seen as the person they really are.
Btw. if you wondering why it isn't a 10/10, it's because of the weird fake kisses, the fact that the student looked like they finished high school 15 years ago, and the unstable camera, especially at THAT scene in the end at the school.
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