What hurts more the lack of mystery, or my oh so weak heartstrings? I'm not sure, but this review will be much like the show-- confusing and contradictory, bitter yet so diabetically sweet. But bear with me, it's worth it.
There aren't many curveballs in this story...in fact a lot of the spoilers are plain as day. The side characters are the same as any other shoujo-esque angsty romance. They never truly have a chance, even though they're good(?)-- no desperate people. Childhood friends turned to enemies. Makes you think about passing eh? Well... don't. Don't put it off for later. Watch it. Nao. (HAH! Gotteemm... ahem....)
There is something so refreshing and almost suffocating about how good this drama is. The acting, chemistry, delicacies, music...you name it. The directing was just...too on point. I don't know why, but episode 1 the first 10 minutes seemed to be filmed so poorly (or...very reminiscent of like the early 90s style shows. I'm not sure if it was intended or maybe I watched from a poor source, but I don't even think 80s dramas were filmed on such bad potatoes.) The style almost shares a bit of resemblance to how shoujo...manga starts off? But even with that, I couldn't drop it. And thank god I didn't. It's easily one of my favourite Japanese dramas, (maybe top dramas of all time?!). It's frustrating, but intensely real. You don't hate the villains, even if they're truly horrible. You despise their actions and their naivety, but there is reason and humanity in each of them Nothing is overplayed.
Tsubaki, the poor man has gone through so much and really paid for the hell he endured for "lying". But what is the right action to do? It is rare to see a story of that isn't forgive and forget. I don't think I've ever seen a storyline of such heavily deep rooted trust...even if it's trusting the biggest liars of the whole series. Even with reasonable evidence, everyone waits before jumping to conclusion. Even when the conclusions are reached, there's still TIME to get a last minute admission of truth. No such thing as toxic "you can't chase your dreams" or flirt with others.... I trust that you are in it for the goodness of your heart, even if your heart is cold and we're only business.
There's something about this adaptation that was delivered so...addictingly? There's something that makes this overly angsty storyline with cringely predictable moves not at all cringey and unbearable. It's a perfect drama to ease your sweet tooth, even if the push and pull of the main characters make you go crazy. I apologize if this review sounds like its going in circles; it will likely not make sense without finishing the show first, but just know that this is the perfect throwback to your favourite angsty/romance cliches, yet there is the ONE show you need to invest time in NOW. It isn't perfect, yet it's better then anything you've tasted before. It will take you on a roller coaster and is absent of the horrible toxic traits your favourite tweenage romance plots had.