Kikazaru Koi ni wa Riyuu ga Atte (2021)

I don't know if I like it or not. It's just average for me. I don't think I really liked the male leads character. He is so red flag for me, from the get go. I can't seem to connect with his morals or ideals, so maybe that is why the drama seems a bit odd for me as a watcher. The female lead is fine with me, but I can't really see the chemistry between her and the male lead as well as the second lead, so I don't know. The other leads in the drama, like the second couple is much entertaining for me to watch other than the main, so that is a nice catch in the drama. Revolving around different relationships in the drama is also good, but I think the intensity of the drama is not for me, to bland for my liking.

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A JDrama you need to watch!

This had a simple storyline that was beautifully written and acted out.

It showed us of ordinary lives facing very common challenges everyday. I'm sure each one of us felt like one of the characters here at some point and that's what makes this drama great for me. It was able to capture the vulnerability of all characters and the actors were able to convincingly show their struggle as they make the decisions they can live with.

I love that no one here was toxic, everyone just wanting to do good for themselves and for others. They are aware of their shortcomings yet they bravely forged on and continued their respective journeys.

The leads look amazing together! I loved the pace of how they grew as a couple whilst growing as strong individuals on one side. They saw their place in this world with clear eyes and that was beautiful!

Tbh, I wouldn't even be bothered if the girl went with the second guy. That's how lovely I saw them! Kuoko was such an amazing lady and how she kept everything together, watching over her 'kids' without suffocating them --- a person we'd like to meet in our lifetime!

Imma rewatch this soon!

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I love and hate this drama

Excuse my limited vocabulary

I liked the first 5 episodes. UNTIL the "President" came over to somehow live with them temporarily. I know it is because of work and all, and I was trying to understand that, but the female lead should still put some distance the moment it became an issue. More so! when she realized that her boyfriend was getting jealous.

I also hated the part where the "President" did not put more effort into creating a distance, knowing the girl already had a boyfriend. On the other hand, the girl went to the "President" for consolation, like girl you already have a boyfriend, why not talk about your issue with him and not run away? Probably because she wants to talk to someone related who also works in the same industry. That, or I don't know.

The last 5 episodes generally circulate within the "President" coming into their lives, disturbing their first phase as lovers, getting jealous of each other crush/ex, and going down different paths. The worst thing about it is that I can't feel the boyfriend-girlfriend relationship between them apart from when they are deciding what to do next or their short moments.

Meanwhile, I hate the male lead for not trying to communicate with her (I mean, he sometimes did, but only sometimes!). The female lead is "almost" always the one taking the first step. I also hated him for that part when the girl was also getting jealous over his ex, and he was like, "I have no time for this," like, wtf. I expected more from a couple that has "good communication." However, it is already a miracle that nothing big issue happens frequently since they are polar opposites.

But really, at some point, I just want both of them to break up. That's just me. I might be the only one uncomfortable with the setup because of my different views on relationships.

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Another love triangle...

I am a little tired of love triangles...
STORY - Kurumi does not know what is her dream, but works hard to please her boss. She has a crush on him.
Shun took a chance in life, fail and lost everything. He does not want to loose anything more, so he lives his life as a carefree, minimalist person, with things and relationships. Then he meets Kurumi...
All characters live in K house, Charing feelings and supporting each other. Cute stories, except President - influencer relationship.
Too boring for me and cut the flow.
I like the relationships in the house and I do not regret f
ACTING - good!
MUSIC - nothing special, but was pleasant and well mixed with the scenes
REWATCH - I Don't think so. It has a nice story that I already know and I do not need to revisit again.
OVERALL - it is ok. But near the end it was not as good as I expected.

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Cute but forgettable

The synopsis sounded good, and it was starring Yokohama Ryusei, so why not? In general, it was sweet, I liked that there weren't a ton of episodes, and there was no angst. The main couple was very cute, but I found it hard to feel a connection with them. Friends, more than friends, roommates, it seemed to change at the drop of a hat. I didn't really feel their chemistry.

Maybe because I'm, "of a certain age", but her constantly being on her phone really bugged me. Living life through your phone screen, while the world passes you by, I don't think there is anything sadder than that. I did, however, like how they treated the juxtaposition of the two main characters - her constantly being on her phone, him not even carrying a phone with him.

I struggled with the triangle as well. It was hinted at early on, but actually entered the picture pretty late in the show. The whole thing made me feel like she couldn't make up her mind.

I liked the housemates concept, learning to live with different personalities, and ultimately becoming a family of sorts.

It's a good, short watch if you just want fluff.

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I did not have high expectations going into this aside from passing entertainment,, but this drama surprised me in many ways. The premise of an employee pining for her boss is a familiar trope, with the hopes that someday she will end up happily with him. But upon living with strangers, the FL learned that there is life outside of work, and that she does not have to be "on" all the time. The other characters in the share house each provide a representation of life view.

There is Shun who lived minimally after a set-back, despite aspiring to have his own restaurant. Then there's Ryuhei who gives advice to everyone but does not do well managing his own love life. There's Ayaka, the dream chaser, who does not know that it's okay if things don't turn out as they planned. Then there's Sachi the boss, who realizes too late, that somebody who is always at his side, does not mean she will be there forever. There's also the landlady, Kuoko, who does not cater to traditional views and become complacent in her situation when the absentee husband is nowhere to be found until after their marriage dissolved.

This drama turned out to be much more meaningful than just a light-hearted rom-com. It imparted life lessons on how we should live our life to the fullest, but also learn how to stop and smell the roses.

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Love what YOU want to wear

Kikazaru Koi ni wa Riyuu ga Atte, imo is a contemporary art piece in its own right. The slice of life drama does a great job in depicting the issues around the current digital society and clearly states the messages it wants to say, while also allowing some lines to be blurred as life and relationships are never clear cut. This drama talks about dreams, being honest and comfortable with oneself and alright to lose yourself to nature once in a while. I recommend this feel good drama to anyone looking for a Romance, Self-Empowerment, Slice of Life and/or Food show to watch at night.

Quick Story/Plot
The show revolves around characters living in a sharehouse with each having their own goals, ambitions, lifestyles. The members learn to accept each other's individuality and bond together through their differences. That said, the story is mainly focused on the FL and ML.

The FL and ML are polar opposites. One is a influencer for an interior furniture design company where she has strict times where she needs to make social media posts about the company and her life. The other is a minimalist where he does the bare minimal to retain the current lifestyle he is having and does not force aything. Upon meeting each other one day and later as sharehouse-mates, they begin to bond through their differences and fill each other's gaps.

Quick Acting/Cast/Characters
- The FL is a PR influencer for her company, where she makes regular updates on social media at 3 separate times in the day. Being an influencer, she has set expectations in needing to wear fashionable clothes, make interesting posts and constantly be active online. She had a 7 year unrequited love for her CEO where that feeling/ goal shaped her to what she is today.
- The ML is a laid-back genius chef who runs his own food truck. He sets his own business hours and lifestyle and does the bare minimal to get by and does not force anything.
- SK is the mother of the house, where she wants to start part 2 of her life after divorcing at 50 and wishes to study/travel abroad.
- TH is the cousin of the ML and a 24/7 online counsellor. His role in the show is more the emotional support where characters come to him to talk about their concerns and feelings.
- HA is an artist with a 'sensitive' personality where she tried for 10 years to win a competition or be recognised. People often misunderstand her due to her cold shoulder, but it is just how she thinks or interprets the situation.
- HS is the CEO of the interior furniture design company where he travels the world to collect unique items that can be sold at his company. He is essentially the FL's life and professional mentor.

*All characters have great chemistry with each other. Fitting casts for the show.

Music/OSTs
Although there wasn't many OSTs or music tracks, Fushigi OST was quite memorable.

Rewatch Value
One watch-through would be enough, but quite memorable. Maybe short clips in the future.

Why my final rating (9.5)
The show was a 10 rating, but once again this Japanese drama fell victim of an ending that could have been way better or clearer. If more time was spent on shaping the final message and wrap up, this show would have been a top 10 list for me. Overall, the show was a great watch watching the characters develop overtime, leave behind the expectations set upon them by society or themselves and come to understand that sometimes good food with close ones is all you need! If you like a show where the FL/ML couple understand and support each other unconditionally, this will be right up your alley.

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Good Story Messages

The first 3 episodes I had to push myself to keep watching because the FL was irritating. However the rest of the show was good.

Likes: They didn't linger too long during misunderstandings that caused conflicts, but did give it enough time to seize the viewer without creating anxiety. This is something a lot of dramas don't know how to do properly. I liked the friendship aspect of all the relationships. The chemistry was lacking between FL and ML but also FL and 2ML (Orca). I also liked how this show tackled social media and using a cell phone. The way they show us how it can really affect our lives, both publicly and on an individual level. The scenery of where the FL and ML would venture to, was beautiful. The food images made me hungry and wanting to try it all! Production was really good too, no shaky camera moments to give me a headache. I liked the character development of both the FL and ML , and also the painter and the online shrink.

Dislikes: Some of the supporting character romances were unnecessary and didn't add to the story (like FL's co-workers). That film time could've been used for the ending, as it felt rushed. The music was 50/50 because in the beginning I disliked it, but some of the music in the later half of the show was good. I didn't like the directing in that the FL sometimes hesitated too long or the ML should've hugged or held her hand or did something a boyfriend would do to offer support, encouragement and even comfort. Also they could have used the FL online influence to bring more attention/business to the ML's food truck, which would mesh their two world together better.

Overall it was a good watch, I would recommend it as an enjoyable and easy drama. Solid 6/10

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What can be said about this drama other than a simple masterpiece?

If you are looking for a "swoon and boom" love story with over the top confessions with evil being conquered, then this is not the one for you. So instead of a rollercoaster, its more so catching the wrong bus, not knowing where you may end up but enjoying the new scenery and deciding to see where it leads instead of jumping off on the next stop.

I honestly can't say anything bad about it from the start to the finish, its like looking into a world of "real" people with insecurities, goals, and baggage that they are learning to deal with on their own but also supporting each other.

This isn't a story that just focuses on the main couple and the side couples are there for filler but more so a household of friends turned family who support and love each other, while yes couples are formed in that time that is definitely not the main focus.

I don't want to spoil anything since I found this story to be one that is unique and fulfilling to watch from start to finish, and I do mean finish since the last minute of this show truly gives you the best moment of "it all worked out and they are truly happy they followed their dreams"

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I found Why I Dress Up For Love to be a disappointment. The main problem I had with this drama is that it never felt like the female lead was making choices for herself, but rather that she was just going along with what the male lead had to say. The drama, and the male lead, paint the changes the female lead decides to make as her decisions. This is what she wants. But the male lead is the one doing all the driving. He constantly critiques the female leads career choices, making frankly kind-of hurtful and selfish comments about how she lives her life. I think it's clear that we're not supposed to take his comments in the way they come across. He's not intending to be hurtful or dismissive. It's actually part of an intentional character flaw. He's not very good at expressing himself, and he has his own baggage that informs his opinions. But even though the writers aren't intending for him to come across as a bit of a jerk, that's still how he comes across.

What the writers were trying to convey to the audience was that the female lead wants more for her life, that she's not pursuing the things she really wants to, and the male lead is pushing her to try for more. But when all of the female leads questioning over her career and her future happens only after the male lead has made another hurtful (although unintentional) comment, it's not going to feel like the female lead has genuine uncertainty about her life choices. It's going to feel like the male lead is a bully making the female lead feel bad about herself, which is the last thing you want in a romance.

For myself, I don't dislike the male lead. I actually quite like him. You can tell he's been hurt by life and that hurt informs much of how he interacts with others and the choices he makes for himself. You really just want him to be happy. But I didn't appreciate the writers pretending the female lead was at the wheel of her own life when they've played the story out in a way where all of the changes she makes happen only after the male lead tells her she should make them. I do like that she decided to pursue being a purchaser, because that did feel like something she genuinely wanted, and we do see how running her Instagram account takes a toll on her, but we needed to see more of an internal/external struggle. More unprompted self-reflection, more difficulties at her job, more something to convey to us the viewer that she really is genuinely questioning her life path and not just trying to please a guy she's not even in a real relationship with.

This leads me to the second male lead and my other problem with this drama. The second male lead never even puts up a fight! It becomes clear at a certain point that he has feelings for the female lead, and he even seems to want to act on them, but he never, not even once, truly enters the ring. He makes a couple 'declarations' to the male lead about 'If you don't go for it, then I will,' but he never follows through. It makes him come across as weak and mealy-mouthed. Which again, I don't think was the writer's goal, although I'm also not sure what their goal was with him. But just like the male lead, I actually really like the second male lead. He's very good at his job, seems to have strong morals, and he definitely values and appreciates the female lead. I kept hoping he would become a real contender for her affection. Honestly, part of me wanted the two of them together instead. There was something about their potential romance that just felt a little bit electric. But he never rises to the challenge, and this leaves him as a disappointing, and somewhat useless, character.

Ultimately, all of these problems with the central romance/love triangle are a flaw with characterization, not with the characters themselves. All three of them are likable people on their own, and both romantic pairings are compelling in their own ways. So if you can overlook the missteps and see what the writers are trying to do with the story, then you'll be able to enjoy Why I Dress Up For Love. Personally, while I can see what they were trying to do, and I can appreciate the attempt, the execution left me disappointed.

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