Tonari no Otoko wa Yoku Taberu (2023)

Starting off so good only to end with lackluster

Tonari no Otoko wa Yoku Taberu/ The Man Next Door Eats Well starts of great with a good theme of the main leads being neighbours who start to share meals. It's definitely not a "food"-centered drama in the way that some other series I've seen, instead, the food is just a means for the couple to get to know each other.

One of the best things about this drama is that it is fairly short given the 20 min episodes. The short episodes start to be a blessing in disguise since the story turns into a lackluster struggle of the main couples relationship. The biggest flaw in the drama is in fact the relationship between the main leads and their personalities. I got so disappointed in the story and the fact that the writers dragged out the conflict with lack of communication, insecurities and trust in their relationship for so long. Add (various) people wanting romantic relationships with both female lead and male lead (aka "romantic competition") and mix it up with the main leads being disappointed in each other whilst not talking it out and that is the latter part of the drama.

The OST music is nice and every episode ends with a cute montage of the two apartments where you progressively see them get closer and further away depending on the episode. I actually enjoyed the ending montages alot and found them to be a good reflection on how their relationship is going as you watch each episode. The main actors do a good job in their roles given the fact that the writers fail to flesh out their respective characters and if you are a fan of the actors you will probably be happy watching nonetheless.

In conclusion: the drama started off GREAT but as they actually develop a relationship, it gradually starts to sink and at the end its just frustrating. The ending is very rushed and lacked the spark that the drama had in the beginning. It's conclusion does have a happy ending! If you are in the mood for a shorter japanese drama about an age-gap relationship with some struggles this could very much be it.

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