I'm really jumping the gun by writing this review literally 10 minutes after finishing this drama, but I have so much to say!

First off, I attempted to watch this months ago but couldn't get past episode one because it involved things, including a cat, that was never in the original Itazura Na Kiss nor other adaptions. It can be uncomfortable seeing scenes, in an adaption, you've never seen before and almost like okay, what the heck am I watching? Is this even the right show?

But I decided to give this a second chance and... well... You could look at it through two different lenses. This could be considered a more "tamed" version of Itazura Na Kiss, one that people that can't handle other versions would probably like because it's not as "outrageous", or you could look at it as being a "watered-down" version where basically all the characters' personalities are the bare minimum of what they should be. I'm more on the latter's side of perspective.

It's not that this drama ruined the story. In fact, once you get past so many new scenes and takes on relationships you can appreciate the breath of life it gave to a story that continues to be adapted. But there's a fine line between making something feel new and taking away ESSENTIAL roles and characteristics that make a story great to begin with.

For example, this adaption seems to focus more on Tenten's side of the story. We see a lot through his eyes and are given reasons for his "motives". But at the same time, I honestly believe the character of Kotoko (or Taliw) really suffered in this telling and ironically, that's why I'd refer to this as the version that other people might like because all of her comedic moments, her embarrassment, her yelling, her annoyance, her plain fierceness in the face of love is taken away and without any of that, she's not Kotoko. And Naoki is suppose to be a cold butthead. So when people praise this adaption like "yes, Kotoko isn't as stupid and Naoki isn't as mean" it's like, no. They're suppose to be emphasized, that's the point of the story. If you don't like them when they're that way then you just don't like them and don't watch Itazura Na Kiss. Simple as that.

Now Kotoko is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time so seeing her being portrayed this way (which I won't fault the actress for, but rather the writers) has been a hard thing to get over because it takes a lot away from why Naoki falls for her to begin with.

One of Kotoko's most important roles, if not her most important, is the fact that she makes Naoki realize the potential of his potential. He already knows he's smart but he doesn't know what to do with that intelligence. She tells him that he needs to share his gifts to make the world a better place, that it's not just about being smart but about intentions and what your heart wants.

In Kiss Me, this lesson isn't taught by Taliw but by moments from teachers, medical professionals, and Tenten's parents. Through bits of their conversations, we see Tenten slowly enlightened and figuring out what he wants to do for a career and I don't understand why these people were chosen when that's always been Kotoko's place and adds a huge layer to why her and Naoki balance each other out.

In general, all of the characters' personalities were flattened but I'm just particularly upset about it with Taliw and Tenten because they're the point of the story, but also Tenten's mom who is usually such a gem and riot was not as ship-y in this version and I always look forward to seeing her because she's so hilarious and a reflection of exactly how viewers, like me, act when it comes to shipping Kotoko and Naoki.

I think the hardest thing about reviewing this version is that there are many ways you can review an adaption. I could review this as how good it was as an adaption, I could compare it to other adaptions, or I could review it as a standalone piece without bias from watching previous versions. You have to separate what you think of this version from feelings you already have from the story and once you've watched a lot of versions of a story, you'll find yourself kinda morphing all those versions into one big gunk of pleasant feelings and filling in the empty bits of maybe this version with things that happened in, say, Mischievous Kiss so it feels like the portrayal is better than it actually is because you're watching Kiss Me but thinking of ISWAK or MKLIT. If that makes sense.

I've already done my comparisons so I'll just have to say as a standalone, I didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to which is why the rating seems harsh but that's how I honestly felt. I personally wouldn't rewatch this.

The acting was standard for a romcom drama, the music so-so (I think I'm just not used to Thai singing, I did like a lot of the lyrics though). Aomike's track is my favorite. It gives me delicious butterflies-in-my-stomach feelings.

But before I close this review, I want to bring it back to Kotoko whom I'm severely defensive of because she seems to be disliked by even people that claim to love the drama. Kotoko is not a weak person. A lot of people say she is because they equate weakness with crying or not being smart or being any kind of a woman outside of the variety that wears leather suits or shoots guns.

This is a girl that loves a boy for so many, many, years and does not give up. Loving someone isn't easy, it's especially not easy when you don't know how they feel in return. But that is the definition of hope and hope is the opposite of weakness. Being hopeful is being strong. Being knocked down and getting up and refusing to give up is being strong. And that's all Kotoko has ever done.

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